City in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa del Carmen for solo travelers
Is Playa del Carmen good for solo travel?
Walkable Riviera Maya beach city with a big nomad and expat community, good food, coworking and easy ferries and buses. Busy, touristy Fifth Avenue and some sketchy nightlife are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Common for solo women; hassle from touts and catcalls. Keep drinks in view, avoid beach walks alone at night, and use licensed taxis. |
How to meet people in Playa del Carmen
Social hostels, coworking events and nomad Facebook groups, cenote and dive tours, salsa nights, beach volleyball and Fifth Avenue bars.
Good things to do alone
- Take the ferry to Cozumel to dive or snorkel
- Swim in Cenote Azul or Jardín del Edén
- Cycle the Calle 38 side streets for local food
- Day trip to Xcaret or Tulum ruins
- Walk the beach at sunrise
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (5th Avenue) | First-timers: restaurants, beach access, bars, noisy at night |
| Playacar | Gated, quiet, resort-style, beach and golf |
| Playa Magna / Gonzalo Guerrero | Cheaper long stays with local food, short taxi to beach |
| Colosio / Bosques | Local neighborhoods with cheaper rents; need a car or bike |
Solo travel across Mexico
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Guanajuato | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazunte | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tulum | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Playa del Carmen | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Vallarta | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Oaxaca | 4/5 | Limited |
| Guadalajara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mérida | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Escondido | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cozumel | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sayulita | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Holbox | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bacalar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazatlán | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Valladolid | 4/5 | Limited |
| La Paz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puebla | 4/5 | Limited |
| Querétaro | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ajijic | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cancún | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Monterrey | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tijuana | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Acapulco | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Playa del Carmen good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Walkable Riviera Maya beach city with a big nomad and expat community, good food, coworking and easy ferries and buses.
How do you meet people in Playa del Carmen?
Social hostels, coworking events and nomad Facebook groups, cenote and dive tours, salsa nights, beach volleyball and Fifth Avenue bars. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Playa del Carmen?
Widely spoken.
Is Playa del Carmen safe for solo female travelers?
Common for solo women; hassle from touts and catcalls. Keep drinks in view, avoid beach walks alone at night, and use licensed taxis.
More about Playa del Carmen
Going to Playa del Carmen solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Playa del Carmen meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.