Playa del Carmen Starter Pack

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN), about 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen

ADO Bus: Comfortable, air-conditioned buses run from the airport to Playa (~$15 USD)

Happy Shuttle: Shared or private shuttle service, book online in advance

Taxi from airport: Fixed rates ~$60-80 USD to Playa del Carmen

Car rental: Consider renting at the airport if you plan to explore the region. Book in advance for better rates.

FMM Tourist Card: Given on arrival, valid for up to 180 days. Keep this safe - you need it to leave!

Visa runs: Many expats do "border runs" to Guatemala or Belize to reset their 180 days.

Temporary Resident Visa: For stays over 180 days. Apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country.

Permanent Resident: After 4 years on temporary, or if you qualify by income/investment.

Work permits: Needed to work legally. Your employer must sponsor you, or get one with your residency.

INM office: Immigration office in Cancun handles most residency matters. Arrive early!

RFC (tax ID): Required if you plan to work or do business in Mexico. Get it at SAT office.

Dry season (Nov-April): Best weather! Sunny, less humid, low 80s°F. Peak tourist season.

Rainy season (May-October): Daily afternoon showers, very humid. Usually clears by evening.

Hurricane season (June-November): Most activity Aug-Oct. Stay informed, have a plan.

Sargassum (seaweed): Worst May-August. Some beaches affected more than others. Check conditions.

Hottest months: May-September. Expect 90°F+ with high humidity. AC is essential.

Best months to visit: December-March for weather, but also most crowded and expensive.

Tip: Shoulder season (April, May, November) offers good weather and fewer crowds.

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Red Cross (Cruz Roja)

Tourist Police (Policia Turistica)

Tourist Protection (PROFEDET)

Hospital Hospiten Riviera Maya

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Walking: Central Playa is very walkable. Most restaurants, shops, and beaches are within walking distance.

Taxis: Abundant in town, typical rides cost 50-80 MXN. Always confirm price before getting in.

BiciPlaya: Free bike-sharing program available at various stations around town

Colectivos: Shared vans on Av. 30, ~10-20 pesos to nearby towns like Tulum or Puerto Morelos

ADO Bus: Long-distance travel to Cancun, Tulum, Merida and beyond

Scooter/Moto rentals: Popular option, ~300-500 MXN per day. International license recommended.

inDrive: Expat-favorite ride-sharing app. Often cheaper than taxis, you set your price. Great for digital nomads exploring the area.

Telcel: Largest coverage, best for traveling around Mexico. Buy SIM at any OXXO store.

AT&T Mexico: Good coverage in tourist areas, competitive data plans.

Movistar: Budget option, decent in urban areas.

SIM registration required: Residents need CURP, tourists need passport to buy a SIM card.

Home internet: Telmex, Izzi, and TotalPlay are main providers. Speeds vary by neighborhood.

Starlink: Growing popular with digital nomads. Works great in areas with poor fiber coverage.

Coworking with good WiFi: Nest, Bunker, and many cafes cater to remote workers.

Tip: Most plans are prepaid (recarga). Top up at OXXO, 7-Eleven, or via carrier apps.

Opening a Mexican bank account: Most require temporary or permanent residency.

Kapital (formerly Intercam): One of the few banks that opens accounts for tourists with just a passport.

BBVA, Santander, Banorte: Major banks. Require residency and proof of address.

Wise (TransferWise): Great for receiving USD/EUR and converting to MXN. Many expats use this.

ATM fees: Foreign cards often charged 50-100 MXN per withdrawal. Withdraw larger amounts less often.

ATM safety: Use ATMs inside banks during business hours. Cover your PIN, watch for skimmers.

Cash is king: Many local shops, tacos stands, and colectivos are cash only.

Exchange: Avoid airport exchanges. Use bank ATMs or reputable casas de cambio downtown.

Centro: Heart of the action. Walking distance to everything. Can be noisy, especially near 5th Ave.

Playacar: Gated community, quiet, beach access. Popular with families. Higher prices, need transport.

Gonzalo Guerrero: Local neighborhood north of centro. Authentic, affordable, growing expat scene.

Ejidal/Colosio: West of highway. More affordable, local vibe. Need scooter or car.

Luis Donaldo Colosio: Mix of local and expat. Good value, still walkable to centro.

Zazil-Ha: North of centro. Quieter, residential. Good middle ground for families.

Tip: Rent short-term first to explore neighborhoods before signing a long lease.

Choux Choux: Popular French-Mexican breakfast spot on 5th Avenue

Basic Foodie: Healthy bowls and brunch, great for remote workers

Mercado 30: Local food market on Av. 30 with authentic Mexican food at local prices

La Cueva del Chango: Charming jungle garden setting, excellent traditional Mexican breakfast

Tacos: Try street tacos on Av. 30 or at Parque Fundadores. Al pastor is a must!

Bendita Costillas: Expat-loved Argentinian steakhouse. Amazing ribs and steaks at reasonable prices.

Coffee shops: Ah Cacao, Chez Celine, and many digital nomad-friendly cafes

Groceries: Chedraui, Walmart, and La Comer for international products. Local markets for fresh produce.

Tip: Many restaurants on 5th Avenue are tourist-priced. Head a few blocks inland for better value.

Playa Mamitas: Popular beach club area with loungers, bars, and lively atmosphere. Entrance fee for facilities.

Playa 72: Quieter local beach at Calle 72, less crowded, good for families

Playacar Beach: Beautiful white sand in the gated Playacar community, public access available

Xpu-Ha Beach: 20 min south, stunning turquoise water, worth the trip for a day

Akumal: 30 min south, famous for swimming with sea turtles (arrive early!)

Playa Maroma: Often rated one of the best beaches in Mexico, resort area

Sargasso (seaweed) season: Typically May-August. Check conditions before heading to the beach.

Drone Sargasso Report: Check current beach conditions

Cenotes: Swim in natural sinkholes. Try Gran Cenote, Cenote Azul, or Cenote Cristalino.

Mayan Ruins: Visit Tulum ruins (45 min), Coba (1 hr), or Chichen Itza (2.5 hrs)

Xcaret Park: All-day eco-park with snorkeling, wildlife, and evening show

Cozumel: Take the ferry (45 min) for world-class diving and snorkeling

5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida): Pedestrian street with shops, restaurants, and nightlife

Water sports: Paddleboarding, kiteboarding, jet skis, and diving tours available

Yoga: Many studios and beach yoga sessions throughout town

Day trips: Isla Mujeres, Holbox Island, Sian Ka an Biosphere Reserve

Beach volleyball and soccer: Pickup games at various beaches

PDC Fitness Club: Free outdoor workouts at the stadium. Popular with expats and digital nomads staying fit.

Deportivo Mario Villanueva: Municipal sports complex with pool, gym, and courts. Low fees for residents.

CrossFit and gyms: Multiple CrossFit boxes and gyms throughout town

Golf: Playacar has an 18-hole course, other courses nearby

Diving: PADI certification courses and advanced diving available at many shops

Running groups: Several expat running clubs meet weekly

Padel tennis: Growing in popularity, courts available at various clubs

Municipal Palace playground: Free playground near the main square

Parque La Ceiba: Large park with playground, walking paths, and events

Xcaret parks: Kid-friendly eco-parks with wildlife and activities

Beach clubs: Many are family-friendly with shallow pools and activities

International schools: Several options for English-language education

Playacar: Gated community popular with families, bike-friendly streets

Tipping: 10-15% at restaurants is standard. Tip in pesos when possible.

Taxis: Always agree on price before entering. No meters here.

5th Avenue shopping: Expect vendor approaches. A polite "no gracias" works.

ATMs: Use bank ATMs inside branches to avoid skimmers. Santander, HSBC, and Banorte are common.

Drinking water: Tap water is not potable. Stick to bottled or purified water.

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN). USD widely accepted but you will get a worse exchange rate.

Spanish: Basic Spanish goes a long way. Locals appreciate the effort!

Sunscreen: Bring reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen is banned at many cenotes and eco-parks.