9 Scams In Playa Del Carmen to Avoid
Playa Del Carmen is one of the most popular destinations along Mexico’s famous Riviera Maya, and because of its popularity, scams in Playa Del Carmen are common.
The town is surrounded by its popular 5th Avenue Street, where countless restaurants, bars, shops, and nightclubs are found. Walking down the street any day of the week, especially at night, you’ll see waves of tourists exploring it.
Playa Del Carmen thrives on its tourism, and scammers are aware of the many tourists coming and leaving the beach town daily and practice a few tourist traps and scams to take advantage of visitors.
If you’ve never been to Mexico before, I must mention that the locals are friendly and hospitable. Generally speaking, famous tourist places you’ll visit worldwide are bound to have scammers looking to take advantage of tourists!
Airport Transfer Scam
As soon as you arrive at Cancun International Airport and looking to get to Playa Del Carmen, you’ll run into airport transfer scams.
Airport transfer scams are very similar to the taxi overcharging scams. The only difference is you’ll most likely be scammed for more because it’s a 1-hour drive from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen.
You’ll be approached by countless minibus drivers, taxis, and private car services asking you if you need a ride to your hotel. While it may be convenient just to pick up your luggage and go, understand that many drivers will overcharge you for your trip to Playa del Carmen.
An airport transfer from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen costs between 1,100 and 1,300 Mexican pesos ($80-$90 US). But there are cheaper ways to get to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport.
I’ve visited this region of Mexico many times and have many friends who live there. I’ve heard of some ridiculous prices offered to leave Cancun Airport and go to Playa Del Carmen, and some drivers will offer $200+ US!
Cancun International Airport is one of the busiest airports in North America, and scammers are well aware of the large number of tourists arriving and trying to reach towns along the Riviera Maya.
By the way, Ubers aren’t allowed to enter Cancun Airport. Besides that, it’s unsafe to take Uber in this region of Mexico because of the cartel’s control of taxis. You’re safe taking a taxi here, but not an Uber.
How To Avoid: Book private airport transportation in advance. Take the ADO Bus or an airport shuttle.
Taxi Scams
The taxi overcharge scam is the most frequently encountered among the city’s most popular tourist scams. Visitors to Playa Del Carmen often encounter this scam, in which taxi drivers quote high prices for short distances.
As you ask a taxi driver how much it costs to get back to your hotel or elsewhere, the driver will confidently suggest a high price, like $35+ US for a short distance.
If this happens, keep walking. Most taxi trips in Playa Del Carmen cost around $10-$25 US, depending on where you’re going.
Playa del Carmen is very walkable, and you can visit the town without having to use a taxi. I’ve stayed for months at a time without having to use a taxi once.
When looking to leave town and go to Tulum or Cancun, I always use the ADO Bus.
Walking down 5th Avenue, you’ll constantly be asked if you need a taxi. Drivers are everywhere and eager for customers. Be prepared to negotiate with taxi drivers to get a fair-value trip!
How To Avoid: Know your prices! Most taxi rides in Playa Del Carmen should cost around $10-$20 US, which is 170-344 Mexican Pesos.
5th Avenue Street Touters and Salesman
When you visit Playa Del Carmen, you’ll find yourself walking down 5th Avenue daily, sometimes numerous times in one day.
Besides all its bars, restaurants, and shops, 5th Avenue Street is famous for its touts and scammy salesman.
Beware of any self-proclaimed tour guides offering to show you around town, they’re just trying to make money from you.
You’ll most likely be offered illicit goods often while walking down 5th Avenue. Don’t engage, drugs are illegal, and those selling them can put you in harm’s way.
For the most part, the salesman on 5th Avenue tends to be the least honest. Most shops don’t have price tags on items, and that’s usually a clear indicator that you’ll be overcharged for what you’re buying. Stick with the shops that have clear-cost signage.
By the way, the performers on 5th Avenue aren’t touters, they’re very friendly and don’t even ask for tips!
How To Avoid: Avoid any touters/hawkers randomly approaching you on the street. Regarding salespeople and shops, stick to the stores with clear cost signage.
Restaurant Tipping Scam
The restaurant tipping scam is one you’ll commonly run into in Playa Del Carmen, and it can happen to you in two different ways.
You’ve just enjoyed a meal or perhaps a few drinks at one of the many restaurants in Playa Del Carmen, and it’s time to pay.
Assuming you’ve chosen to pay by card, the waiter approaches you with the machine to tap your card and pay. You don’t know that the servers have put in a high tip percentage of themselves without you knowing!
Tips are common in Mexico, and when paying a bill, the machine should prompt a screen asking for a tip, if it doesn’t, it’s likely the waiter has put in a tip on their own.
Another way this scam occurs is like this: As you’re paying your bill at the restaurant, you notice an automatic tip percentage was added to your bill. When you ask staff about it, they suggest this is a standard obligated tip percentage at the restaurant.
Usually, it’s a lie, and you’re being taken advantage of. However, sometimes, some restaurants have a set tip percentage, but it’s rare, and if so, they tell you prior to eating!
Unfortunately, I’ve experienced this restaurant scam in many popular beach towns in Mexico, including Cancun, Holbox and especially Tulum! So keep an eye out for it anywhere you visit in Mexico.
Tipping in Playa Del Carmen: If you’re unsure what to tip, the tipping standard in Playa Del Carmen is 10% – 20%
How To Avoid: When visiting a restaurant or beach club, ask if there is a tipping policy — Be careful when paying your bill with a machine, make sure the tipping section prompts, and check your bill twice!
Tour Scams
Several tour agencies offer many day trips and excursions in and around Playa del Carmen. As you walk along 5th Avenue Street, you will be approached by many of them!
Some of these tour agencies are nothing more than a scam by impractically overcharging tourists for trips.
Walking around town, you may be offered very affordable prices for more expensive tours, which clearly indicates that this is a fake tour scam.
How To Avoid: Book your trips with Viator or GetYourGuide; both review-based reputable tour agencies operating trips in and outside Tulum.
Bill Swap Scam
Any time you’re in a country you’re visiting for a short time, it takes a bit to get familiar with the local currency, the different coins, currency bills, and amounts/colors.
The 50 Mexican pesos and 500 Mexican peso bills look quite similar, but each value is very different. Because of this, it’s common for scammers to do a quick bill swap when handing you your change at a shop or restaurant.
When traveling and paying at a shop, restaurant, or taxi, it’s normal to be mentally distracted by your new surroundings, and because of this, the bill swap scam can get the best of us!
How To Avoid: Get familiar with the local currency, count your money twice before giving it to know how much you should receive back, and be alert for the bill swap scam.
Fake ATMs
Be wary and careful when looking to withdraw money from ATMs in Playa Del Carmen; around the streets, there are fake ATMs conveniently located for tourists in a hurry to get money.
Fake ATMs in Playa Del Carmen will either swallow your card or have skimming machines installed in them, and what skimming machines do is steal all your card details.
The last thing you need during your holidays is your card details stolen, leaving you without a card payment option.
How To Avoid: Use ATMs only at official banks in Playa Del Carmen, Scotiabank, Santander, and Banco BBVA.
Here’s a travel tip: Never travel only with one car,; I always travel with at least two cards, just in case!
Fake Souvenirs Scam
Mexico is famous for its culture, heritage, rich Mayan history, and, of course, tequila. This makes Mexico a popular country for purchasing souvenirs to take home.
Whether you’re looking for various handcrafted relics, gold or silver, or aged mezcal and tequila, sometimes many of these items you’re browsing for are unfortunately fake.
Simple items you wouldn’t think are fake, like blankets, t-shirts, and more, are advertised as “Mexican made/or handcrafted,” but they’re actually mass-produced and shipped in from China.
How To Avoid: Stick to the big stores when purchasing goods; there are times when sellers are selling legitimate handcrafted goods; look for tags and make that decision on your own!
Timeshare Scam
Although timeshare scams aren’t popular in Playa del Carmen, you should still be on the look out for them.
At Cancun Airport or as you’re walking down 5th Avenue Street in Playa del Carmen, you’ll get approached by a few friendly timeshare agents, usually women.
After a bit of small talk with you about your visit to Playa del Carmen, the agents will then proceed to tell you about an “amazing timeshare opportunity” in Playa del Carmen. And to learn more, you must attend a presentation.
Timeshares are a waste of time and have been an apparent scam promoted to many globally for many years now. Don’t waste your precious holiday time.
How To Avoid: When approached by timeshare agents, politely decline any timeshares and continue to say “no gracias” as you walk away.
Where to Stay in Playa Del Carmen
Hilton Playa: The best All-Inclusive beachfront resort in Playa, conveniently located just a minute’s walk away from the popular 5th Avenue Street
Thompson Playa Del Carmen: Excellent location, steps from the beach in the center of town, and home to CATCH Restaurant, the best rooftop restaurant/bar in Playa!
The Reef 28 (Adults Only): In the center of town, Reef 28 is an excellent adults-only hotel, steps away from the beach and the best beach clubs in town. Staying here gives you access to their popular rooftop bar.
Mvngata Beach Hotel: A boutique hotel with large spacious rooms, exceptional rooftop, and one of the best beach clubs in town.
Che Playa Hostel & Bar: Those looking for a hostel in Playa, look no further; Che offers private rooms and dorm stays. They’ve got a great rooftop bar perfect for meeting other travelers.
Maui Hostel: A popular hostel that offers dorms and private rooms. Located steps away from the beach and 5th Avenue Street.
Safety Tips for Playa Del Carmen
- Avoid wearing overly flashy jewelry, attracting any unnecessary attention.
- Stick to well-lit streets at night time, when in doubt, take a taxi back to your hotel.
- Don’t purchase any illegal goods offered to you.
- Make sure to have a clear understanding with a taxi driver for on a set price.
- Don’t drink too much, there’s police all over the town, it’s a sure way to get in trouble.
- Keep a watchful eye on your belongings when at the beach.
- Get Travel insurance for your trip.
Is Playa Del Carmen Safe?
Playa Del Carmen is generally a safe beach town to visit, crime does happen from time to time here, similar to many popular places to visit in the world.
The crime rate index for Playa Del Carmen is at 46.63%, which is moderate, so it’s nothing to worry about however you should be mindful during your visit.
That said, Playa del Carmen is one of my favorite places in Mexico. There are plenty of excellent restaurants, the nightlife is great here, and the beaches are stunning!
Overall, I’ve always felt safe walking around town, and a police and National Guard presence is patrolling the streets at all times of the day.
What is Playa del Carmen most known for?
Playa Del Carmen is a lively, fun, active beach town with plenty of restaurants, bars, taquerias, hotels, and entertainment. Best of all, it’s a very walkable place!
Can you drink the water in Playa Del Carmen?
No, you cannot. Don’t drink the tap water in Playa Del Carmen. You will get sick or have diarrhea.
Is the cartel active in Playa Del Carmen?
The cartel has a presence in all of Mexico, as long as you go about your business, don’t purchase illegal goods, and mind your business, you will be fine.
How far is Playa del Carmen from the airport?
It’s around 1 hour from Cancun International Airport to Playa Del Carmen when traffic is alright.
Happy & Safe Travels
Planning Checklist
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You didn’t mention the rental car scam: often thieves are opening trunks of rental cars either by breaking the lock or using the keys obtained from rental car agencies near Cancun Airport. I reported our theft here: https://www.reddit.com/r/playadelcarmen/s/A0PctFaLEG
Thanks for sharing your link and story so others can be aware of it!