15 Pros and Cons of Living in Playa del Carmen

Mexico is a country that’s so diverse and beautiful it’s hard to decide where to visit, let alone live. After living there for nearly five months, I can highly recommend staying on the Yucatan Peninsula, specifically, Playa del Carmen. But, of course, there are upsides and downsides to every city – in this post, I’ll share with you the pros and cons of Playa del Carmen.

The weather is warm, and the people are friendly, but there are certainly some struggles that come with living in Mexico – just like any other foreign country. Personally, I believe the pros outweigh the cons – but you can judge for yourself.

15 Pros and Cons of Playa del Carmen

The list below is based on my own personal experience, conversations with other expats and travelers, and reading other people’s thoughts online. There certainly seems to be consensus across the board, and it’s definitely knowledge you’ll want before heading out on your travels.

Keep reading to learn more about the stunning city in Mexico, and what you can expect if you relocate or stay for an extended period of time in this list of pros and cons of living in Playa del Carmen.

What is Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is located south of Cancun and north of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Nestled along the shores of the Caribbean Sea, it’s known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and laid-back vibe.

Millions of tourists flock to Playa del Carmen every year, and thousands of expats and digital nomads have called it home. Just a short flight from the U.S., it’s no mystery why this beach town has quite the draw. There’s an almost endless list of things to do in Playa del Carmen.

Pros of Playa del Carmen

There are so many advantages of Playa del Carmen and staying there long-term. Here is what I found during my five-month stay.

1. Digital Nomad-Friendly

One of the biggest pros of Playa del Carmen is its accommodations for online workers and digital nomads. With coworking spaces, cafes, beach clubs, restaurants, and coffee shops galore, you’ll always find a spot to pull out your laptop.

Playa del Carmen is growing exponentially, which means its infrastructure is improving as well. High-speed internet can be found all across the city, so you’ll always be able to meet those work deadlines.

My favorite places to work were Nest and Bunker; they are both coworking spaces. However, I also would splurge every…