Walking down the bustling Quinta Avenida for what I thought would be the last time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the magical place I once loved had transformed into something unrecognizable. The truth is, I had to make a difficult decision about Playa del Carmen. After countless trips to this Mexican Caribbean paradise, I’ve made the painful choice to stop visiting altogether.
The Reality Behind Rising Crime Statistics
According to statistics by Numbeo, crime in Playa Del Carmen has increased in the last 3 years. The numbers paint a concerning picture when we look deeper. The reported Crime Index for Playa del Carmen is approximately in the mid-40s according to some sources, which is considered a moderate level of crime, which might sound reassuring until you compare it to the trajectory.
According to some reports, Playa del Carmen has seen changes in its safety rankings among Mexican municipalities, though specific positions vary by source and methodology. This is a significant improvement, reflecting the dedication of local authorities to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists. While this sounds positive on paper, the reality on the ground feels quite different.
With reportedly high homicide rates in recent years, the state’s situation is dire. While Quintana Roo has long been a tourist haven, the influx of organised crime has disrupted the region’s reputation for peace and stability.
Cartel Presence Has Become Impossible to Ignore
The elephant in the room is the undeniable cartel presence that has shifted from background noise to front-page reality. The US Treasury Department has recently taken significant action against a violent cartel operating in Playa del Carmen, a popular tourist destination in Mexico. This cartel, known as the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), is notorious for its involvement in various violent crimes, including murder, torture, and extortion. The sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department aim to address the serious threats posed by this organization.
Unfortunately, in the tourist towns of Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and even Cancun, there is a large cartel presence. While walking down 5th avenue in Playa, it is very common to be offered to buy weed, cocaine, or other types of drugs. What used to be occasional encounters becomes constant harassment.
Those indicated are factions of the Gulf Cartel, the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), Los Rojos, La Barredora, Los Pelones, Zetas Vieja Escuela, and the Sinaloa Cartel. The sheer number of different criminal organizations operating in the area is staggering.
Police Corruption Creates a Double Threat
Perhaps nothing shattered my confidence in Playa del Carmen more than witnessing the systematic police corruption firsthand. I have been robbed by the police on a few occasions and have friends who have been robbed too. This is becoming more common every year. This isn’t isolated incidents, but a pattern.
The police are not threatening, they just say that they are ” checking you for drugs”, even though we are over 60 and don’t use drugs. They have you remove everything from your pockets and then keep the cash or your cards. Most of these cops are probably Cartel so there is no use making a complaint. If they know you made a complaint about them you may wind up in a dumpster!
Ok, so the police are not well paid here in Mexico. They get very little money for doing a difficult and often dangerous job. This lack of decent wages obviously causes issues. It makes the police in Playa del Carmen susceptible to corruption. The police are also very well known for robbing people, especially drunk gringos.
Extortion Has Become Systematic and Widespread
The business community’s fear tells the real story of what’s happening in Playa del Carmen. In addition, the Playa del Carmen business association recently denounced its members living as “prisoners in their homes” due to the extortion demands by local criminal groups, since they are victims of extortion of up to $50,000 pesos by organized crime.
In Quintana Roo, derecho/cobro de piso ranks among the most common extortion methods, according to the state’s Secretary of Public Security, Lucio Hernández. The state of Quintana Roo had the second-highest rate of extortion complaints per 100,000 residents in 2020, according to the Quintana Roo Security and Gender Observatory (Observatorio de Seguridad y Género de Quintana Roo – Osege). Yet these official statistics severely underrepresent the actual scale.
Extortion is a silent crime in the area. Official statistics, which have been falling for the last three years, do not reflect the magnitude of the problem. “For every 100 cases, we receive only three or four complaints,” Hernandez acknowledges. Her gang was involved in drug sales, extortion of bars and restaurants in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and attacked those who refused to pay the fees demanded, according to Breitbart.
Tourism Infrastructure is Cracking Under Pressure
The rapid growth that once seemed like prosperity has revealed itself as unsustainable development. Playa del Carmen continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Mexico, with its vibrant lifestyle and economic opportunities driving rapid population growth. The latest data highlights the urgency of addressing the city’s challenges and capitalizing on its potential.Playa Del Carmen’s Population Growth Outpacing Cancun?Recent estimates indicate Playa del Carmen’s population has surged significantly, with various sources reporting different figures for 2024
In addition to issues with seaweed, erosion has affected the beaches especially in the center of Playa Del Carmen. In the past decade they have progressively gotten narrower, but the number of visitors is growing, leading to crowded beaches or people going to other beaches in the Riviera Maya for that perfect beach day. The beaches that drew us here in the first place are literally disappearing.
Environmental Degradation Has Accelerated
Since 2014 there have been issues with seaweed washing up on the beaches of the Riviera Maya. Each season, people see posts and ask questions about how the seaweed will be in (x amount of time). Nobody likes to book a beach vacation and have the possibility of not being able to swim in the ocean or having smelly beaches. What started as a seasonal inconvenience has become a year-round reality.
The environmental challenges extend beyond seaweed. Sewage System Expansion: A 4 million peso project launched in 2024 aims to extend sewage coverage, benefiting nearly 30,000 residents. The fact that major sewage infrastructure is only now being addressed shows how development outpaced basic services.
The Cost of Everything Has Spiraled Beyond Reason
The financial reality of visiting Playa del Carmen has shifted dramatically. Recent exchange rates have generally shown the peso trading at around 20 pesos to the USD. This is higher than the averages of the past 5 years. Combined with inflated tourist pricing, even basic experiences have become prohibitively expensive.
The rip-offs and scams don’t stop there. They continue during your vacation. Everything from restaurants adding tips into the bill, beach clubs overcharging, or the stores offering tax-free shopping, there are a lot of scams and not-so-honest people trying to make a buck. It all adds up and tourists get tired of it.
There are not actually a lot of free things to do in Playa Del Carmen. Yes, you can walk 5th Avenue and go to the beach, but even with these examples, there are ample places to get a drink, ice cream, rent a beach bed or go out to eat. Unlike some tourist destinations, there are no great parks to sit in, boardwalks to stroll, free museums, or great public buildings to visit in Playa Del Carmen. The commercialization has consumed everything that was once authentic and accessible.
My decision to stop visiting Playa del Carmen wasn’t made lightly. This place holds countless cherished memories and represents years of perfect getaways. However, the combination of increasing safety concerns, systematic corruption, environmental degradation, and the loss of authentic Mexican culture has fundamentally changed what this destination offers. The paradise I fell in love with has been replaced by something that prioritizes profit over people and short-term gains over long-term sustainability. For now, I’m exploring other destinations that still maintain that magical balance of beauty, culture, and genuine hospitality that originally drew me to the Mexican Caribbean.
What would you have guessed about this tourism transformation?