What It’s Like To Be Living In Playa Del Carmen

Mexico is a popular destination for tourists, expats, digital nomads, and retirees. When looking for the best places to live in Mexico, you’ll likely hear about Playa del Carmen. 

In this guide, we’ll be discussing what it’s like to move to Playa del Carmen. I’ll give you all my tips for living in Playa del Carmen as well as recommendations to help you have a smooth transition.

But first, let’s see the major reasons why people decide to live in Playa del Carmen:

• The sunshine
• The expat community
• The delicious food
• The city is walkable
• There are many options for accommodation and for coworking

So, what is Playa del Carmen like for expats? How expensive is it? And more importantly, where exactly should you move?

Without further ado, let’s get started!

How To Move To Mexico | Visas

First, you should know that Mexico offers up to 180 days to several nationalities. Although, in recent months, they started giving away fewer days to tourists and this can cause a problem if your intention is to stay longer. 

We suggest you read our post about Mexico FMM (immigration card) to learn more about this.

That said, many retirees or long-term expats apply for residency to smooth things up.

You should definitely consult an agency or an embassy to learn more about the process.

Best Areas To Stay In Playa Del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a big city, but expats tend to stick to two main areas:

• Centro
• Playacar

When we stayed in Playa del Carmen, we opted for Centro because it was closer to the things we were interested in (gyms, cafés, and coworking).

These two areas are fairly safe and you’ll find plenty of long-term rentals.

Not sure if Playa del Carmen is a great option for you? Learn about the best places to live in Mexico.

How To Get A SIM Card

Getting a SIM card in Playa del Carmen is easy. You simply need to head to an OXXO convenience store and buy a Telcel prepaid SIM card.

Then, you can top it up easily online. We recommend you read our guide to buying SIM cards in Mexico to learn more.

That said, if you’re planning on staying long-term, you could also go for a long-term plan, but this is usually coming with a contract.

Transportation In Playa Del Carmen

While you can walk around Playa del Carmen easily and safely, some people prefer to get a bicycle, rent a car, or a scooter. 

During our stay in Playa del Carmen, we walked everywhere, and we took taxis when we needed to go further. 

If you decide to have a car, you’ll need to make sure your accommodation includes a parking lot. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble finding parking around town.

That said, if you decide to rent a car or a scooter, make sure to read the reviews before picking a rental company.

We also recommend you pay attention when putting fuel in a car. One of the common scams in Mexico is to distract the buyer while the clerk tricks the pump and charges you more money.

How To Rent Or Buy An Apartment In Playa Del Carmen

We have a complete guide to finding long-term apartments in Playa del Carmen, so if you prefer to rent, go ahead and read it!

If you decide to buy an apartment in Playa del Carmen, we suggest you pick a reputable agency and that you consult with a lawyer to ensure the transaction is safe.

Many expats buy condominiums in Playa del Carmen, so you can also ask around to find recommendations from fellow buyers.

Coworking Spaces In Playa Del Carmen

There are several coworking spaces in Playa del Carmen. You should note that the costs of coworking are slightly higher than in Southeast Asia and that some of the coworking spots are quite small.

That said, many expats and digital nomads work from cafés or from their apartments.

Here are the most popular coworking spaces in Playa del Carmen:

• Bunker
• NEST
• Agora
• WORK IT

Laundry In Playa Del Carmen

Many apartments come with a washing machine if you wish to take care of your laundry. Alternatively, you can use the local laundromats or laundry services around town. 

You’ll find them pretty much everywhere, and you can always ask the staff in your apartment building to recommend a place if you can’t find one.

Food In Playa Del Carmen

Mexican food is one of the best cuisines in the world! Most restaurants offer a wide range of foods, and you can find something for every budget. 

While you could spend a few dollars for tacos, you could also spend a lot more in one of the special restaurants around 5th Avenue.

That said, if you’re looking for healthy, vegan or vegetarian options, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants too. Just note that some of them are slightly more expensive – but worth it!

Fitness In Playa Del Carmen

While you’ll see people running outside in the early mornings, you’ll also find a few gyms around town. That said, most condominium buildings also provide smaller gyms to their guests.

You’ll also find yoga, boxing, dancing, and CrossFit classes around Playa del Carmen.

Cost Of Living In Playa Del Carmen

Now, let’s talk finances! You may be wondering if Playa del Carmen is expensive – and the answer is yes and no. The thing is that a budget traveler can have a blast in Playa del Carmen, but if you’re not on a budget, you may think it’s very expensive.

So, let’s see different examples so that you can truly understand the cost of living in Playa del Carmen.

Scenario A) Expat on a budget

This expat will seek the cheapest accommodation possible. He might want to get a long-term agreement to save money on rent. As a result, he may end up paying around $700 per month for a studio.

To save money, he’ll work from home. He’ll run every morning instead of signing up in a gym. He’ll cook food at home most of the time, and sometimes he’ll go for tacos on the street.

This expat may spend between $800 and 1300 per month. (Note that he could also spend less if he really wants to.)

Scenario B) Expat with a higher budget who seeks comfort first

This expat seeks comfort first. He’s going to look for a comfortable flat with a fully-equipped kitchen as well as a washing machine. While he’s looking for a flat, he’s paying attention to the table, desk, and chair so he can work comfortably at home if he needs to.

He could pay between $1300 and 3000 for accommodation per month.

He may want to work from a coworking space and work out from a gym. As a result, he’ll end up paying around $200 for monthly coworking, and around $70 for a monthly gym membership.

Now, he’ll cook at home sometimes, but he’ll also want to eat out in some of the top-rated restaurants in town.

This expat may spend between $1400 and 5000 per month.

So, let’s see – is Playa del Carmen expensive? Yes and No. You can easily adapt your expenses depending on your budget.

But don’t be fooled – Mexico is definitely more expensive than Southeast Asia. That said, if you’re used to living in Thailand or Bali, you may be surprised in Mexico.

Below, you’ll find tips if you’re on a budget.

Playa Del Carmen On A Budget

Living in Playa del Carmen doesn’t have to be super expensive. Read the following tips to save money in Mexico.

• Buy groceries from local markets or grocery stores to cook your own food. Keep in mind that grocery stores are not super budget-friendly, but you’ll be able to find affordable foods there too.
• Rent a studio so that you can cool down the apartment easily with the AC without having a huge electricity bill at the end of your stay. That said, if you decide to sign up for coworking, or work from a café, you’ll save on electricity during the day.
• Walk around instead of renting a car, a bicycle, or a scooter. Playa del Carmen is walkable.
• If you really want to save money on accommodation, consider staying in a hostel, or in a coliving place. Alternatively, share an apartment with a roommate.

Is Playa Del Carmen Safe

Wondering if Playa del Carmen is a safe destination? Read our complete guide to safety in Playa del Carmen.

In our guide, we provide tips to ensure safety and we give you updates on the current situation.

That said, if you’re after a quick answer, during our stay in Playa del Carmen, we felt safe and we had no issues regarding our safety.

Best Time To Visit Playa Del Carmen

The best time to go to Playa del Carmen is between November and May. But, if you want to save money, we suggest you go to Playa del Carmen during the low season. This way, you’ll save money on rent.

Note that December and January are the busiest months of the year because many tourists come to Playa del Carmen for the holidays.

Things To Know Before Moving To Playa Del Carmen

There are pros and cons of living in Playa del Carmen. For example, I thought it was too touristy for my liking, but at the same time, I really loved the fact I could walk everywhere.

That said, let’s take a look at the important things to know before moving to Playa del Carmen.

• If you speak Spanish, you’ll have a great experience. It will help you in restaurants, and with taxi drivers. That said, even just a little bit of Spanish will be greatly appreciated by locals.
• Tap water is not safe to drink.
• The local currency is Pesos (MXN).
• You can pay by card in several places, but note that some ATMs charge big withdrawal fees. You should do some research before withdrawing money.
• Always bring a copy or a photo of your passport, and FMM with you in case the police want to check your travel documents.

Final Thoughts On Living In Playa Del Carmen

Living in Playa del Carmen is a great option for digital nomads, retirees, and expats. We stayed there for a few months, but after a while, I was ready to move on and explore other parts of Mexico.

That said, everyone is different! Some like to stay in places for one month, and others love to stay in places long-term!

Our experience living in Playa del Carmen was fine and we felt safe at all times. But… we are used to spending winters in Southeast Asia, and if we had to compare, we simply love Asia better than Mexico.

We thought Playa del Carmen was quite expensive for what you get. For example, we spent a lot of money on accommodation and we would have expected to have more for that price (comfortable chairs, a desk to work, etc.).

Want more Mexico travel inspiration? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Pros and cons of living in Mexico
• Backpacking Mexico
• Best cenotes near Playa del Carmen