There are more than 16,000 expats living in Playa del Carmen. That’s around 6% of the total population of this beautiful beach town in the Mayan Riviera.
A big percentage of that are retirees from the US and Canada.
Why do so many people choose to retire in Playa del Carmen?
Well, the motives are not too hard to guess. It has nice weather all year round, a crystal-blue ocean, low costs of living, excellent food, and high living standards. Take your pick.
Let’s explore Playa del Carmen as a retirement destination so you can make an informed decision on whether or not it could be a fit for you.
Living in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is located in the state of Quintana Roo in the southeastern corner of Mexico. Its location is privileged as it is right by the Caribbean Sea. It used to be a small fishing town just 20 years ago. But its growth accelerated exponentially in recent years. It became an alternative to its neighbor, Cancun, because visitors wanted to experience a less touristy version of Mexico.
Despite this boom, Playa del Carmen has managed to maintain a healthy balance. It developed without losing too much of its charm and soul.
Now the city has more than 300,000 habitants. Its main source of income is tourism and is the chosen home of some celebrities such as the French DJ David Guetta, and Mexican actress Ana Claudia Talancon.
Climate
The weather in Playa del Carmen is very consistent and nice throughout the year. In winter the daily mean is 73°F (22°C) with lows of 64°F (17°C). The summer months are the hottest, reaching daily means of 82°F (28°C) and highs of 91°F (32°C).
Hurricane season in the whole Caribbean area is between July and November with the highest risk in September and October. Most hurricanes are minor and generally harmless, but every 20 years or so the area is affected by one or two larger ones.
It is extremely rare for Playa del Carmen to see low temperatures. Even during the rainy season (August – October) the temperature doesn’t drop much. Sometimes even the drops of rain feel warm.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen
The whole Mayan Riviera is full of activities for all kinds of budgets and tastes.
Some of our favorite ideas of things to do in Playa del Carmen for retirees are:
- Visit all the incredible seafood and Mexican food restaurants. From hole in the wall fondas to fancy restaurants.
- Take long walks on one of the many beaches. All beaches in Mexico are public.
- Learn salsa dancing in one of the many studios.
- Visit one of the multiple nearby Mayan ruins. Places like Chichen-Itza, Xel ha, and Tulum are only one to three hours away.
- Check out the many nearby cenotes. These are beautiful natural underground swimming pools that are very hard to find anywhere else in the world.
- Volunteer in beach cleanups, animal rescue centers, or jungle conservation groups.
- Take a cruise. Daily cruises sail daily from Playa del Carmen. You can visit the Mayan reef or the nearby island of Isla Mujeres.
- Volunteer to teach English to locals. And improve your Spanish in return.
- If you are more adventurous. There are a lot of ecotourism activities in the area like spelunking, swimming in underground rivers, riding four-wheelers across the jungle, etc.
- Try your luck at a casino. Gambling and sports betting are legal and well regulated in Mexico. Many hotels in playa del Carmen have casinos for both guests and visitors.
- Take a spa day to rest after all those activities in one of the many Temazcales (nature’s version of a steam bath) or one of the many resorts that offer day passes.
Cost of living
Just like anywhere else, the cost of living in Playa del Carmen is going to vary depending on your specific situation and budget. But we’ll take a shot at giving you an idea of what you can expect.
The cost of living in Playa del Carmen is $1,300 to $2,200 for a couple. This will get you a comfortable lifestyle that would cost twice or thrice that amount in the United States or Canada.
While prices in Mexico are considerably lower than in the US, the Mayan Riviera zone has seen an increase in the cost of living due to its popularity.
Playa del Carmen is around the middle in comparison to nearby cities. It’s cheaper than Cancun or Tulum, but it’s more expensive than Puerto Morelos.
The approximate monthly expenses for a couple living in Playa del Carmen are:
| Item | Mexican pesos | US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Rent / housing | $7,000 – $25,000 | $350 – $1,250 |
| Food / groceries | $7,000 | $350 |
| Utilities | $2,000 | $100 |
| Public healthcare | $2,500 | $125 |
| Housekeeping (twice a week) | $2,400 | $120 |
| Dining out / Entertainment | $4,000 | $200 |
| Transportation | $2,000 | $100 |
| Total | $26,500 – $44,500 | $1,325 – $2,225 |
With these costs we are assuming a comfortable lifestyle with a bit of wiggle room.
Of course, prices can vary depending on your budget and standards of living. If your budget is much higher than that, there are beachfront properties with a very expensive, but an unparalleled view. On the other end, there are Mexican families of four living with much less than the estimates in the table above.
To learn more about finding housing check out this article on how to find long-term rentals in Mexico.
Language
Most people in PDC speak at least basic English. Locals are used to dealing with tourists so they’ll at least understand basic words and try their best to help if you need any assistance.
Around 30% to 40% of people in the city speak English conversationally. So making friends and finding folks to talk to isn’t much of a problem.
Retiring in Playa del Carmen
Retirement communities in Playa del Carmen
The move to any new city can be intimidating. Much more if it’s to a different country with a different language. It’s natural to look for people that speak the same language as you and can share their experiences to make the transition easier.
So you might be wondering where do expats live and what are the best neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen?.
The following map will give you an idea of where most expats live. Click for a higher resolution version.
- Playacar – This is a huge, brand new gated community. Many retirees choose to live here or around the area. Rents are considerably more expensive here than in the rest of PDC as it is considered a more upscale area.
- Calle 11 – Around this area, you will find plenty of condos and neighborhoods with many retirees and tourists. Thi area is generally safe and is in the mid to high range when it comes to prices.
- Centro – Downtown Playa del Carmen is full of activity, near the beach, and is where the nightlife happens. It is one of the noisiest parts of town but it is also full of life. Here you will find the younger tourists and digital nomads. Rents are in the mid-range.
- Gonzalo Guerrero – This is one of the areas that has grown the most in recent years. It is full of apartment complexes and residential communities. Rents are high in comparison to other areas.
As a foreigner, it is also always a good idea to join the local expat Facebook groups like the Expat & Locals in Playa del Carmen group where people are always sharing tips, news, and information. It is also a good place to start meeting some people in the area.
Visa requirements
Mexico does not require a visa for tourists coming from the US, Canada, UK, Japan or the European Union. But that only grants you a max stay of 180 days.
For long-term stays, like retirement, a visa is necessary.
First, you will need to apply for a temporary resident visa. This is a one-year permit that can be extended for 3 years. In total, it allows you to live in Mexico for 4 years.
When that one is close to expiration, you will be able to apply for a permanent resident visa. This permit allows you to stay indefinitely but it adds a few obligations too. The most important one is that under permanent residency, you will be taxed on any remote income (under temporary residency you are only taxed on income generated within the country).
The good news is Mexico has tax treaties with most countries to avoid double taxation. So, if you do decide to retire in Playa del Carmen permanently, you won’t have to pay taxes for that income in your country of origin anymore.
We have a whole article on visa requirements that goes into extra depth on the subject.
Alternatives to Playa del Carmen
If you are set on retiring in the Mayan riviera but you are still not convinced about PDC, consider its neighbor town, Puerto Morelos. It’s a much smaller, bohemian town just 45 minutes away.
It is also a more budget-friendly option. It made the list of our best cheap beach towns to live in Mexico.
Summary
- Playa del Carmen is a gorgeous beach town in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. It is an excellent place to retire.
- There are many retirement communities in the city. This will help make the move much easier.
- The cost of living in Playa del Carmen goes from $1,300 to $2,200 USD.
photo credits:
cover photo: Javier Ruata
