Playa del Carmen Parking Meter Prices to Surge in 2025

Drivers in Playa del Carmen should brace themselves for an increase in parking meter costs. Starting from January 1, 2025, the hourly rate for street parking in the city's tourist area will rise from 10 to 12 pesos. This information was confirmed by Diego Gracidas, a representative from Playaparq, the concession company that oversees the city's parking meter service.

Gracidas explained that the price hike is due to an inflation adjustment. According to Playaparq, this adjustment should have been implemented annually. However, it will now be carried out five years after the term was initially stipulated in the concession. "In reality, the price should have risen each year due to inflation. We've marked it for the fifth year in the bid. The increase will only be from 10 pesos to 12 pesos," Gracidas said. This adjustment will also affect the cost per fraction of an hour, with the price increasing from 2 to 2.50 pesos for every 10 minutes. This represents a total increase of 50 cents per fraction.

The parking meter concession in Playa del Carmen has been a contentious issue since its inception. The project, initiated by the municipality of Solidaridad under the administration of Cristina Torres, has faced significant social opposition. Many community members have expressed their disagreement with the plan, with some even seeking legal action to revoke the concession, albeit without success. The opposition is based on a number of factors, including the additional costs for residents and tourists and the perception that the revenue collection system does not adequately benefit the community.

Adding to the controversy is a presidential decree issued in August 2022. This decree declared that the streets and roads of Playa del Carmen would revert to national property. To date, these roads have not been handed over to the municipality of Solidaridad, raising questions about the legality of the current concessions and charges on public roads.

Despite Playaparq's insistence that the increase is minimal and in line with inflation, social opposition could intensify if the dispute over road ownership is not resolved soon.