Playa del Carmen

Overall Score

3.6

The town of Playa-Delta-Charms stretches along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and is located almost midway along the kilometer-long resort area that stretches from Kankun to Tulum. The bright blue waters, wide, sandy beaches, rugged terrain, and the lazy inlet and mass of recreational activities are the main advantages of the area. The developed tourism infrastructure makes for a wonderful holiday experience.

In ancient Spain, the area that is now the resort city was called Chaman-Ha. It was a place of rest for the Maya people on their way to their sacred island of Qosumel. Its name is translated as "Island of the Lily of the Lake. It was a permanent settlement in the early 20th century, when they began fishing for fish. Later, people from other places came here to grow cucurbits.

The creation of a steam connection between the city and Kossumel Island has transformed the village in a dramatic way. It turned from a fishing village into a resort village in a short period of time. It is now one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico. ×The number of its inhabitants is constantly growing due to the influx of immigrants from other regions of the country. Tourists here include Europeans and North Americans.

In spite of the abundance of hotels, new hotels are constantly popping up, even more modernized than the ones that have been built. Fifth Avenue, which runs parallel to the seashore, is considered the most lively pedestrian street. Along it are numerous shops, boutiques, and souvenir shops. The white minnow, the blue sea, and the lazy sky are the natural treasures of the area.

100 USD = 1,726.66 MXN

Overall Score

3.6
  • Tap water: No, not drinkable
  • Religious government: Non-religious
  • Population: 150,000 people
  • GDP: $8,444 / year
  • Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
  • Power outlets: 115V60Hz
  • Internet: 13 Mbps
  • Best wireless: TelCel
  • Pay without cash: No, cash only esp. for foreigners
  • Tipping: Service is not included in all restaurants (though this may vary by location or for a larger group), so it is customary to tip 10 to 20 percent of the total bill. Bartender: It’s acceptable to tip 10 to 20 pesos per drink or 10 to 15 percent of the total bill.
  • Apartment listings: Comparto Depa
  • Apartments: Airbnb
  • Hotels: Booking.com
  • More hotels: Hotels.com
  • Best taxi: Uber
  • Best coworking space: NEST
  • Online electronics shop: Linio
  • Best short-haul air carrier: Volaris
  • Best intl air carrier: Aeromexico
  • Monthly costs for expat: $950
  • Monthly costs for family: $1600
  • Monthly costs for local: $460
  • Meal: $3.5
  • Small Cola: $0.6
  • Beer 1 Pint: $1.8
  • Coffee: $1.2


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