The ultimate guide to Dentists in Playa del Carmen

Last fact-checked: 1 May 2022

Visit Mexico’s beautiful Playa del Carmen and combine a holiday with your dental care. Choose and book from a quality-assured clinic and dentist in Playa del Carmen with Dental Departures, saving 50%-75% over your dental costs at home.

On Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Playa del Carmen is in the heart of the ever-popular Riviera Maya. Its central location is convenient for visiting the famous sights and resorts around the state of Quintana Roo, including the world-renowned ruins of Tulum and the island of Cozumel, just a 45-minute ferry ride away.

Typical of some of the world’s most popular holiday resorts, Playa del Carmen was once a small fishing village. While retaining a laid-back charm, the town has an eclectic, European feel. Playa is popular with families, backpackers and hipsters alike, drawn by the Bohemian vibe, notable beaches and easy access to myriad activities and places of interest in and around the Yucatan Peninsula.

Visitors traveling to Playa for dental treatment will not be disappointed by the quality of care and facilities. State-of-the-art clinics, highly-skilled specialized dentists and exquisite surroundings will help make your dental treatment feel more like an outing to a spa.

Beyond your dental clinic are fascinating underwater worlds, the Ancient Maya culture and upmarket, lively resorts to provide a perfect backdrop for your dental travels.

Where is Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is on the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo. Located between Cancun and Tulum, this stretch of coastline, known as the Riviera Maya, overlooks the Caribbean Sea and is the prime holiday destination in Mexico.

Playa is served by Cancun International Airport, around 45 minutes drive away.

Why Visit a Dentist in Playa del Carmen?

Dental tourism to Mexico is increasingly popular for Americans and Canadians who are combining their dental care with a vacation to keep their dental health in check.

Undoubtedly a picturesque part of the world, what better way to swallow the bitter pill of dental treatment than with a holiday or post-treatment recovery? This proposition is made even more attractive by the huge savings on dental treatment in Playa del Carmen.

Rising costs, lack of insurance and a need to tighten belts these days have seen the rise of dental treatment abroad – either as a specific holiday or as part of routine dental care while on vacation. A cross-border dental visit is not just about big, expensive treatments such as dental implants or root canals – many more people are now arranging routine treatments such as fillings or quick cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, while on vacation.

The reasons for this? Mainly because the treatments are inexpensive compared to back home, but also because people now realize how important the health of their teeth is to their general health, and are inclined to look after them if the prices of dental treatments are affordable and high-quality.

Finding and booking a dentist in Playa del Carmen with Dental Departures helps take the uncertainty from your search. All our listed clinics are pre-screened – we check our dentists' backgrounds, including qualifications, and we visit our facilities. We do not list anyone unless we are satisfied with the quality of care.

For travelers from the US and Canada particularly, getting to Playa del Carmen is a relatively short flying time (see below). Flights are frequent and inexpensive–useful if you are having extensive treatment requiring a return visit.

How Much Will I Save?

Even for patients who require multiple visits, the total cost of the treatment, flights and accommodation can still be less than the cost at home – which is often the only reason some need to be able to travel to this beautiful holiday destination more than once. A few examples of the savings to be had on dental care in Playa del Carmen:

• Average cost of a zirconia dental crown in the US: $1,600; at a dentist in Playa del Carmen: $560
• Average cost of root canal, post and crown in the US: $2,200; at a dentist in Playa del Carmen: $750
• Average cost of dental implant and crown in the US: $3,900; at a dentist in Playa del Carmen: $2,000

Our former patients give high marks to Bokanova Riviera Maya clinic, Sani Dental Group Cancun Riviera and Dental Spa Center, to name a few.

Where to Stay?

Hotel accommodation in Playa del Carmen is plentiful, with ranges to suit all budgets: rooms from under $30 a night in a three- or five-star hotels starting from around $70 a night. 

Is it Safe?

With rare exceptions, yes. Despite the social and political unrest that has recently visited Mexico tourism resorts, Playa del Carmen, along with its sister resort Cancun, safely welcomed nearly seven million leisure, business, medical and dental travelers last year. If you follow the common-sense rules of the travel road (and go easy on Tequila Sunrises!),  you are likely to be quite safe in this popular resort town.

For those who wish additional security, many of our best dentists offer airport pickup and drop-off, along with hotel shuttles to and from the clinic. Our Customer Care Team will be happy to help with these details.

Is the Quality of Treatment the Same as Back Home?

For patients who find and book their dentist in Playa del Carmen with Dental Departures, the uncertainty of whether your dentist abroad is reputable has been largely removed. All our dentists are quality-checked – we verify their credentials; we visit clinics. We publish all our reviews on our website – good, bad or indifferent. This commitment to providing an honest,  trustworthy service makes booking with us the first step to getting your high-quality dental treatment in Playa del Carmen.

What If Something Goes Wrong? Does My Treatment Come with a Guarantee?

Anywhere at any dentist sometimes things can go wrong. The human body reacts in many different ways and no one can predict with absolute certainty the outcome of a given treatment. By seeing a quality-checked dentist you can limit your risks. For further peace of mind, all our dentists warranty the procedures they carry out, including any required lab work such as crowns or dentures.

In the unlikely event that you have any problems after a treatment you have booked through us, we will do our utmost to get the problem resolved for you–just contact us at Dental Departures and we will intervene with your dentist on your behalf.

Do I need to Speak Spanish?

No. Playa del Carmen is a popular destination for travelers from all over (particularly English-speaking Americans and Canadians). While Spanish is the main language, as it is throughout Mexico, English is widely spoken here. Our dental clinics have English-speaking staff and you will find English spoken in hotels, shops and restaurants as well.

What Payment Methods are Accepted?

Our dental clinics accept US cash as payment and most accept debit/credit cards. Some accept traveler’s checks, personal checks and wire transfers. Credit cards may be subject to a small processing fee of 3-4%. 

Is My US or Canadian Dental Insurance Accepted?

If you carry dental a dental plan, most dental offices in Playa del Carmen will not bill your insurance company directly. However, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your dental treatment costs upon your return home if your insurance provider allows out-of-network care. Check with your insurance company before you leave; if you are covered, make sure you pack any required forms for your dentist in Playa del Carmen to complete.

US patients may also be able to claim back the cost of their treatment and associated expenses, including accommodation costs incurred, as tax-deductible expenses. For further information, it is worth checking with your accountant or with the IRS.

When is the Best Time to Visit Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate with average year-round temperatures of around 80°F, with little variation between the seasons. This makes it a good place to visit year-round.

The hottest times of the year are between June and September, although the sea breezes keep temperatures manageable, particularly at night. There are two rainy seasons–May through to June and October through December–infrequent showers rather than non-stop downpours for days on end. This is Playa del Carmen's low season, where you are likely to find great deals on flights and lodging.

Our dentists in Playa del Carmen are open all year round except for holidays such as Christmas.

Is Playa del Carmen Wheelchair Friendly?

Many hotels are wheelchair-friendly and getting around Playa del Carmen is more manageable than many other resorts, with wide, smooth, traffic-free pedestrian-only areas. Ramps lead down to some beaches.

Many of our clinics provide shuttle services from your hotel to your appointment, and the clinics are wheelchair-friendly once you arrive.

What is the Downside? What Should I Know About Visiting?

Playa del Carmen provides all the amenities and facilities you would expect from an established, popular resort. There are no particular downsides specific to Playa del Carmen, the main irritants, such as beach vendors, are likely to be the same as they are elsewhere.

Another issue for some patients might be gas sedation, which is offered as standard in the US and Canada, but not so in Mexico. The administration of gas (nitrous oxide) is a specialist service provided by some clinics at an additional charge of $400-$600 as it requires the services of an anesthetist. We are happy to help you arrange sedation upon request.

Otherwise, local anesthesia is standard. If you suffer from anxiety and require medication such as Valium, you can place a request prior to your visit.

What Else is There in Town?

If you are visiting Playa del Carmen for dental treatment, you will find much in the way of day-to-day amenities to make your stay fun and comfortable, as well as plenty of things to do between visits to your dentist’s office.

The waters around Playa del Carmen are teeming with vibrant marine life and underwater caverns, making the region one of Mexico's most popular diving destinations. Water sports enthusiasts will find all manner of activities under, in and on the water, including kayaking, sailing, fishing, and para-sailing.

On land, plentiful shops and restaurants along Playa del Carmen’s "5th Avenue," Quinta Avenida (the Pedestrian Promenade). Located just one block from the beach next to the main square (the Zocalo), this roomy walking area is also agreeable for wheelchairs.

The spectacular Mayan ruins of Tulum are less than an hour's drive south; you can explore independently or as part of a tour that will take you from pristine white beaches to jungle excursions.

Xcaret archaeological park provides a host of activities for getting close to nature and learning about Mayan culture, including swimming with dolphins and getting up close to marine turtles.

Golfers will find a number of excellent PGA-calibre courses nearby, and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants serving food from around the world. Bars and clubs offer much for night owls, although generally more low-key than in Cancun.

Flying in?

The nearest airports to Playa del Carmen are Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Cozumel International Airport (CZM) – both less than an hour away from downtown.

Flying times (nonstop) from typical metro airports:

• Atlanta: 2.5 hours
• Chicago: 3.75 hours
• Houston: 2.25 hours
• Los Angeles: 4.5 hours
• Miami: 2 hours
• Montreal: 4.5 hours
• New York: 4 hours
• Toronto: 4 hours
• Vancouver: 6.25 hours

Approximate Driving Times and Distances to Other Areas

Approximate distances and driving times are as follows:

• Cozumel: 45-minute ferry crossing
• Cancun: 42 miles, 67 minutes
• Tulum: 40 miles, 50 minutes
• Chichen Itza: 157 miles, 2.5 hours
• Merida: 223 miles, 3.74 hours
• Progreso: 245 miles, 4 hours
• Campeche: 329 miles, 6 hours

How to Book an Appointment with Your Playa del Carmen Dentist