Playa del 
Carmen, well known for its stunning scenery and perfect climate, has recently become a hot spot for Americans and Canadians looking to move to the Caribbean, or just to have a second home. But is it safe?
This is a legitimate question. Mexico has a bad rep. Just watch the news. In between the Corona Commercials and images of Caribbean Paradises, viewers are constantly reminded of crimes and negativity. So if that is true, why are so many investing there?
To answer this question one has to look a little deeper. Recently a study was commissioned by Daniel Fisher, Director of an important Australian Youth Group that was asked to find out how safe visitors really are in the country. The facts may surprise you and put some of your concerns at ease. As a visitor in Mexico:
- You are actually four times safer in any part of Mexico than you are in Washington DC.
- The U.S. Assault rate is 5 times (that is 500%) higher.
- Your risk of violent crime – Assault, Kidnapping and Rape are substantially lower than Canada’s. The rate for Rape in the U.S. is more than double the rate in Mexico.
- You are statistically safer in Mexico and much less likely to be a victim of violent crime than in the U.S., Canada and many other countries regarded as safe.
- Although there are a few incidents of violence along the U.S. border, the truth is that most of Mexico’s tourism areas are not only safe, but they are safer than many other popular tourism areas. Mind-mannered Switzerland and Sweden join 34 other nations that have higher average murder rates than visitors to Mexico.
- US News and World Report recommends Tulum and the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Mexico City, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan as safe, fun vacation destinations.
So Mexico is safe – what about Playa del Carmen?
It has long been known by those who travel frequently to the country, that the vast majority of the country is very safe. As you cannot judge the entire US based on the crime rate in Detroit, you cannot judge the Caribbean based on the crime rate at the boarder some 1,500 miles away.
For people who have been interested in buying homes or condos in the Riviera Maya, this is really good news. Dr. Steve Thompson from British Colombia explains:
“I feel safer here with my family than in Vancouver”.
This does not mean that there is no crime, there is crime everywhere. If you are looking for trouble you can always find it. But if you are visiting the Playa del Carmen area, and looking for real estate, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are safer than you are in many US Tourist destinations.
For more information about buying houses in Playa del Carmen, contact us today.
