Don’t fall for these tourist scams in Playa del Carmen❗️🇲🇽

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular and touristy towns on Mexico’s Caribbean shoreline. If you enjoy a lively town, you will love it there. But don‘t fall for these common tourist scams!

 

I can sum up our stay in Playa del Carmen in five major points:

1. Aggravating taxi drivers (they honk and yell at you from all sides asking you if you need a “taxi, amigo!”)
2. Provoking sales people (especially on 5th Ave)
3. Restaurants trying to charge extra without informing you
4. Overpriced timeshare sales
5. Falling for a scammer renting out his private apartment as a 4-star-hotel

 

My partner Paul and I have spent 3+ years in Latin America, and love spending time in Mexico, but our experience in Playa del Carmen was more than shocking. So be aware of these common scams and you’ll have a smooth time in Mexico.

 

 

Taxis in Playa del Carmen 

Officially, taxi rates in PDC are set depending on the zone you are going to and coming from. Thus, taxi prices shouldn’t vary too much. Many taxi drivers have their own rules though, especially when it comes to tourists. 

Since other taxi services currently don’t exist in Playa del Carmen, the Taxi mafia is ruling in town. We’ve had the occasional good experience but generally we felt drivers were quite aggressive. We couldn’t walk for a minute without being asked if we wanted a “Taxi, amigo!”

Even when we were on our evening run, taxis would drive next to us asking if we wanted a taxi. Do we really look that exhausted when running!? 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏼🚕💨

 

5th Avenue and its sales people 

For us it was hard to enjoy walking along the busiest street in PDC – 5th Avenue. One shop after the other and its sellers who want to get you inside their stores. Some come up with creative lines to get your attention, but once you heard them all, the magic is gone. 

Know their tricks

Some of the tricks people use to make you turn around is whistle after you or yell that you dropped something. That way you instinctively reach for your wallet or phone and they might see where you keep your valuables. Knowing exactly where your phone or wallet is will help you not fall for those tricks.

 

Restaurants Trying to Charge Extra Without Informing You

After three years all over Latin America, my partner Paul and I made it a habit to tip 10% no matter where we go. If you’re from the U.S., you’re likely used to tipping more—and many Mexican businesses have come to expect it. We’ve had waiters react badly when we didn’t tip as much as they wanted, from being yelled at to even getting the finger.

Surprisingly, when we dined with a Mexican couple and asked how much they usually tip, they said they just round up—maybe by $2. That time, the waiter had no issue with it. So, tipping expectations seem to depend on who you are. Since U.S. tourists make up the majority of visitors in Mexico and Colombia (learn about these Genius tourist scams in Colombia), higher tips are often expected.

Hidden Restaurant Charges

Beyond tipping, watch out for unexpected charges. Some restaurants add automatic service fees without informing you. Always check the bill, ask about tipping policies, and ensure the tipping option appears when paying by card. In Playa del Carmen, the standard tip ranges from 10–20%.

Cash Payments: Avoid the Banknote Scam

Be wary of the “banknote switch” scam, where vendors swap your real bill for a fake one. Always watch closely as they handle your money and make it clear that you’re paying attention.

 

Timeshare Sales in Playa del Carmen

Paul and I went and got a firsthand look at the tactics these salespeople use. One by one—up to 10 different people—came to talk to us, each making their pitch and lowering the price little by little. These presentations are high-pressure sales tactics designed to sell expensive timeshares.

Here’s what to watch out for to avoid timeshare scams:

High-Pressure Sales

The initial price may start at $80,000, but by the time you’ve resisted multiple offers, it could drop to $20,000. The fact that they keep lowering the price every time you “withstand the chance” makes it clear how overpriced these deals really are. Of course, if you’re genuinely interested in a timeshare, go for it—but never accept the first, second, or even the fifth offer.

Deposits

Some companies may ask for a deposit to secure your attendance before giving you the “free” transfer or gift. Be cautious before handing over any money.

Wristband Scams

If you’re wearing a timeshare or all-inclusive resort wristband, be aware that vendors recognize them. Some may pretend to know you from the resort as a way to lure you into their shop.

 

Watch out for Hotel Scammers

During our three years traveling all over Latin America, we stayed in over 300 hotels. Playa del Carmen will always stay in my memory, though! Even though we do long-term stays in Mexico, we also enjoy a flexible lifestyle and prefer tourist accommodations such as hotels and Airbnbs. One of the places we stayed at in PDC was an advertised 4-star-hotel with balcony, pool, included breakfast and other promised amenities. 

After looking for the hotel at the address from the advertisement, I started asking inside other hotels if they knew our place. None of them did and I started getting a nervous feeling in my stomach. 

 

A Private Accommodation advertised as a 4-Star Hotel!?

All of a sudden a guy on the street called my name and asked us to come with him. We went inside an apartment building and he showed us his private apartment. Turns out he was advertising his own place online under false pretenses. There was no balcony, no pool and how on earth would we get our included breakfast!?

It was really hard to communicate with him and he was not very understanding about our concerns that this was not what had been advertised. In addition to that, he charged us a daily electricity fee of 5 USD and cleaning fee of 20 USD without ever cleaning the place. 

In the end I published an honest review on Booking.com, after which our host started bombarding me with text messages asking me to take it down. So overall, we were not super satisfied with our stay in Playa del Carmen and were happy to move on to a new adventure in Tulum. Overall, Mexico does offer great places for travel and permanent living, though, if you know where to stay.

 

Playa del Carmen can be a fun town but there are better places!

We’ve met plenty of people who love living in Playa del Carmen, and it definitely has its perks. If you’re into diving, vibrant nightlife, and a lively expat scene, it can be a great place to stay. For us, though, it was a bit too busy—we prefer a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle. No matter where you choose to settle, it’s always good to be aware of tourist scams and make sure you agree on prices and conditions beforehand to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Why Consider a Long-Term Stay in Mexico?

If you enjoy spending time in Mexico—or see yourself living there long-term—it’s worth looking into Mexico’s permanent residency program. It offers stability, financial benefits, and greater legal rights, allowing you to avoid visa hassles while enjoying everything the country has to offer.

We are happy to have it as a Plan B, while for our first residency we chose Paraguay, a lesser known country in South America. Both great options for long-term travelers, as well as retired people who want to escape cold winters.

For digital nomads, expats, and investors, Mexico’s residency program is one of the easiest and most accessible in the world. 

Advantages why people choose it are:

✅ Open bank accounts & form corporations
✅ Obtain a driver’s license & property ownership rights
✅ Benefit from low costs of living & excellent climate
✅ Part of the North American Trade Agreement
✅ Crypto-friendly banking & financial services
✅ Pathway to Mexican citizenship in just two years

 

You can schedule a free call with Paul and me and we can tell you from first-hand experience how to get residency in Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil and other South American countries.

Looking forward to your questions!

 

PS: This blog is a sneak peek into my upcoming book about my three years of non-stop travel through Latin America. Know a publisher interested in such stories? Reach out here!

 

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