Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Editor
March 12, 2023
Playa del Carmen is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a place to work and explore. Located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Playa del Carmen offers a unique combination of stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and a low cost of living. With its close proximity to the United States, it is easy to travel to and from. The average temperature in Playa del Carmen is a comfortable 25°C (77°F) year-round, making it a great place to work and relax. The city also offers a wide variety of activities, from snorkeling and scuba diving to exploring the nearby Mayan ruins. Additionally, the cost of living in Playa del Carmen is significantly lower than in many other popular digital nomad destinations, with a one-bedroom apartment costing an average of $500 USD per month. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and low cost of living, Playa del Carmen is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a place to work and explore.
Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
71%
Quality of life -
31%
Cost of living -
68%
Connectivity -
82%
Weather
56
General
| Currency | MXN |
| Population (in millions) | 0.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Not Ranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Playacar, La Playa |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Corona |
| Most popular local dish | Cochinita Pibil |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Tulum Ruins, Xcaret Park, Cozumel Island |
| Discount airline | Volaris |
| Major airline | Aeromexico |
| Largest ride sharing company | Cabify |
| Primary train stations | Playa del Carmen Station, Cozumel Ferry Station, and Cancun International Airport Station |
| Primary airports | Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 200000 MXN |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Av. Constituyentes Mza. 2 Lote 1, Centro Comercial La Gran Plaza, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B |
| Supply voltage | 127V |
| Best electronics store | BestBuy |
| Best internet carrier | Telmex |
| Primary cellular carrier | Telcel |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 1,000 MXN |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Farmacias Similares |
| Best restaurant chain | La Fisheria |
| The best grocery store | Chedraui |
| The most popular fashion brand | H&M |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $20,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $25,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 16% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 180 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 2000 MXN |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Bancomer |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Becoming more common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 066 (general), 080 (police), 065 (ambulance), 068 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 545 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Catholic |
Quality of life
71%
-
50%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
72%
Property to income -
50%
Crime -
75%
Healthcare -
82%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | MX$12,750 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 11.25% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | MX$5,167 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | MX$54,000 |
Cost of living
31%
-
Purchasing Power
38%
-
Rent
23%
-
Food
37%
-
Restaurant
31%
-
Workspace
38%
-
Transport
28%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | MX$16,842.71 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | MX$11,625.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | MX$31,666.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | MX$15,687.50 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | MX$316.67 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | MX$21.62 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | MX$36.50 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | MX$33.83 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | MX$136.33 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | MX$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | MX$160.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | MX$22.93 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MX$36.67 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | MX$75.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | MX$141.14 |
| Apples (1kg) | MX$38.08 |
| Oranges (1kg) | MX$25.63 |
| Potato (1kg) | MX$30.97 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | MX$16.71 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | MX$18.92 |
| Tomato (1kg) | MX$22.57 |
| Banana (1kg) | MX$18.70 |
| Onion (1kg) | MX$32.25 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | MX$203.00 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | MX$125.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | MX$537.08 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | MX$125.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | MX$53.71 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | MX$85.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | MX$20.49 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | MX$15.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | MX$53.12 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | MX$1,486.30 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | MX$0.64 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | MX$456.33 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | MX$893.95 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | MX$316.67 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | MX$80.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | MX$10.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | MX$300.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | MX$23.46 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | MX$360,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | MX$400,000.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | MX$42.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | MX$45.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | MX$250.00 |