Once a fishing village with dirt roads and a few palapa beach bars, Playa del Carmen is now a major worldwide destination for tourism and immigration. Many immigrants from the USA or Canada choose Playa del Carmen as their new home. What makes this Riviera Maya destination so attractive – apart from the Caribbean sea and its white sand beaches? In this article we look at this lively beach town and help you decide if you too should move to ‘Playa’.
The City of Playa del Carmen
With a population of 300,000+ it is now most certainly a city, although it still has that small-town feel. Its popularity as a tourist and expat destination has seen it grow exponentially over the past 10 years. Once peppered with small one-story flat-roofed houses, it now houses resorts, high-rise condominiums and many gated communities. Five years ago in the center, you could still find studios for $300 USD per month. Now they are going for $500+ USD, while 1-2 bedroom apartments can rent from $750-$1000+ USD. Housing prices drop the further from the beach you go, but have risen in suburban areas too.
International Community
Although a hotspot for US and Canadian immigrants, Playa del Carmen also attracts Europeans, Latin Americans and Mexicans from other states. As a tourist destination, many services are offered in English and other languages. There are several bi-lingual or international schools for children and teenagers.
Activities
Playa del Carmen now boasts a theater, planetarium, weekly markets, and several public sports grounds. There are various shopping malls, gyms, yoga studios and adventure parks for families to relax and perform activities in. The beach is obviously a focal point, although it has suffered significant erosion in recent years. The area is surrounded by cenotes to cool off from the high temperatures.
Expenses
If you move to Playa del Carmen, the first thing you should do is apply for residency. This will get you local discounts on many things – activities, entrance to parks, bars and restaurants, and transport. Housing is more expensive than many other parts of Mexico. However, it is still relatively cheaper than much of the rest of North America. Supermarket prices are generally lower. Most restaurants on the city’s famous Fifth Avenue have always had tourist/US prices. The cost of eating has risen in general in Playa del Carmen, and while there are options to suit all budgets, average prices are in line with Europe in 2024.
Safety
While Mexico has an unfortunate reputation for crime and violence, this is generally the case only in certain areas and situations. While Playa del Carmen has its share of security problems, overall it is a comfortable place to live. As with all North American cities, be vigilant and take the necessary precautions you normally would: stick to more central neighborhoods and ones you know well; avoid walking alone at night; don’t carry significant amounts of cash with you; lock your house up when you’re leaving, and avoid illegal activity.
Transport
The nice thing about Playa del Carmen is you can walk everywhere in the downtown area. Local public transport is cheap, although not for everyone. The colectivo mini buses aren’t for the faint hearted and often have no seatbelts. There are some bicycle paths, although these could be improved. There is an affordable bicycle-sharing scheme run by the local government. Taxis are abundant and fares generally range from $50-100 MXN ($2.50-$5.00) for local routes. Just agree on the price before mounting. Parking meters cost $10 MXN (50c USD) per hour.
So, will you move to Playa del Carmen? If you are curious about immigration to Mexico, or would like more information, email Adriana Vela at info@immigrationtomexico.mx.
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Please note that figures are approximate, and experiences and opinions will vary. This article is for general information only.