Table Of Contents
- Digital Nomad FAQ’s – An Overview Of The City
- The 5 Quick Scores – An Overview Of The City
- Wifi Speed Tests
- Where I Stayed
- My Favorite Places To Work From
- Finding Community / Making Friends
- Transportation
- What I Ate
- What I Drank / Nightlife
- Exercise / Outdoors
Digital Nomad FAQ’s
Is Playa Del Carmen a good city for digital nomads?
Yes, Playa Del Carmen is a great city for digital nomads. It offers a vibrant expat community, affordable cost of living, and plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with a relaxed atmosphere conducive to remote work.
How is the internet connectivity and speed in Playa Del Carmen?
The internet connectivity in Playa Del Carmen is generally good, especially in the central areas and in expat-friendly neighborhoods. The speed is typically sufficient for most digital nomad needs, including video calls. However, it’s recommended to check with your accommodation or coworking space for specific internet speeds.
Is it easy to meet people and make friends in Playa Del Carmen?
Yes, it’s relatively easy to meet people and make friends in Playa Del Carmen, especially within the expat community. There are various social events, language exchanges, and expat groups that facilitate networking and socializing.
How much should I budget for a month in Playa Del Carmen?
On average, you can budget around $1,500 to $2,000 per month for living expenses in Playa Del Carmen. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses. It’s always a good idea to add an extra 30% to cover unforeseen costs.
Are there lots of places to work from in Playa Del Carmen?
Yes, there are plenty of places to work from in Playa Del Carmen. You’ll find numerous coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants with reliable Wi-Fi and a comfortable work environment. Some popular coworking spaces include Nest Coworking, Selina Cowork, and The Work Spot.
What are the best digital nomad neighborhoods in Playa Del Carmen?
Playa Del Carmen has several neighborhoods popular among digital nomads. Areas like Playacar, Centro, and Coco Beach are highly recommended for their proximity to amenities, safety, and vibrant expat community. Additionally, neighborhoods like Little Italy and Colonia Hollywood offer a more local experience with easy access to amenities.
Visitor / Working Visas
- Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa): For most travelers visiting Mexico, including Playa Del Carmen, a tourist visa is sufficient. Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and many others, don’t need a visa for stays of up to 180 days. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a tourist card (Forma Migratoria Múltiple, or FMM) which allows you to stay in the country for tourism purposes. Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
- Working Visa: If you plan to work remotely while in Playa Del Carmen, you typically won’t need a specific working visa as long as you’re not engaging in paid work for a Mexican entity. Many digital nomads and remote workers operate under tourist visas, as long as their income is generated outside of Mexico. However, if you intend to work for a Mexican company or engage in any form of employment within Mexico, you’ll need a working visa (FM3 or FM2), which requires sponsorship from your employer and compliance with Mexican immigration laws.It’s essential to check the specific visa requirements based on your nationality and intended length of stay, as regulations can vary. You can consult the Mexican embassy or consulate in your home country or visit the official website of the Mexican National Institute of Migration for up-to-date information on visa requirements and application procedures. Additionally, legal assistance from immigration lawyers in Mexico can provide guidance on obtaining the necessary visas for your specific situation.
Cost Of Living / Traveling Through
- 🧍 Avg. Cost Of Living (For Single Adult): Approximately $800 to $1,200 per month, depending on lifestyle choices and accommodation preferences.
- 🏨 Avg. Price Per Night For Hotel Room (near city center): Around $50 to $150 per night for a mid-range hotel room.
- 🏩 Avg. Price Per Night For Hostel Dorm Room (near city center): Approximately $10 to $30 per night for a dormitory bed in a hostel.
- 🏡 Avg. Price for apartments (near city center): Rent for a one-bedroom apartment typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 per month, depending on location, size, and amenities.
- ☕️ Latte: Approximately $2 to $4 for a standard latte at a café.
- 🍺 0.5 Liter Beer: Roughly $2 to $4 for a half-liter of domestic beer at a bar or restaurant.
- 🏋️♀️ Monthly Gym Membership: Around $20 to $50 per month for a gym membership, depending on the facilities and location.
- 🚊 Local Transport – Avg. One-Way Ticket Price: Public transportation fares are minimal, with an average one-way ticket costing around $0.50 to $1 for bus or colectivo rides within the city.
- 🍝 Avg. Dinner Price: Dinner at a mid-range restaurant typically costs between $10 to $20 per person, excluding drinks.
- 📱 Avg. Data Plan Per Month: Mobile data plans vary depending on the provider and data package, but an average monthly plan with a decent amount of data might cost around $15 to $30 per month.
- 🏢 Avg. Cowork Per Month (near city center): Monthly coworking space memberships range from $50 to $150 per month, depending on the amenities and location of the coworking space.
The 5 Quick Scores
- Internet Speed – 4/5
- I ran about 10 wifi tests all over Playa Del Carmen, below are the averages. Here’s the breakdown
- Avg. Download Speed = 51.73 MBPS
- Avg. Upload Speed = 29.14 MBPS
- Avg. Latency = 62.72 MS*
- Fastest internet I Got In The City – was on the co-working network at Nukolo House
- *Not sure what these metrics mean? Read my guide to getting fast wifi here.
- Ease Of Connecting & Making Friends– 5/5
- There are a bunch of events and groups here, it’s super easy to also make friends with other digital nomads at hostels or even just at bars. From the perspective of a digital nomad, this has been my favorite city I’ve been to so far. I will be going to Medellin, Colombia this winter though, which is quite the mecca so stay tuned!
- Nightlife – 4/5
- Quinta Avenida has plenty of bars and lively spots, and even a couple rooftop bars.
- Places To Work From – 4.5/5
- There are a lot of great places to work from here, and I sat at multiple places for hours working without any issues More details on this below.
- Affordability – 3.5/5
- In comparison to other latin cities, this isn’t the cheapest place in the world. However, with the budget of an American city you can live super well here.
Wifi Speed Tests
| Type / Device | Name | Upload | Download | Latency |
| Co-Working Space | Nukolo House | 280.08 | 87.77 | 67 |
| Cafe | Choux Choux | 133.20 | 57.56 | 75 |
| Co-Working Space | Selina Co-Working | 44.28 | 44.30 | 6 |
| Cafe | Bajo Cafe | 27.00 | 9.13 | 55 |
| Cafe | Ah Cacao – Quinta Avenida between Calles 38 y 40 | 25.90 | 33.44 | 79 |
| Hotel | Selina – Guest Wifi | 22.64 | 20.04 | 8 |
| Cafe | Starbucks – Quinta Avenida & Calle 28 | 13.17 | 57.52 | 92 |
| Cafe | Marley Coffee | 9.34 | 8.14 | 39 |
| Cafe | Starbucks – Paseo Del Carmen Location | 1.63 | .38 | 35 |
| Cafe | Starbucks – Quinta Avenida & Calle 10 | .16 | 2.20 | 165 |
Where I Stayed
Nest Playa del Carmen
Affordability:
- Offers competitive rates for accommodation, catering to various budget preferences.
- Provides seasonal promotions and special packages for guests.
Wifi:
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the property.
- Reliable connectivity ensuring seamless online experiences for guests.
- Accessible Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and public areas.
Avg. Download Speed:
- 120 Mbps download speed on average, allowing for fast access to online content and downloads.
Avg. Upload Speed:
- 60 Mbps upload speed on average, facilitating smooth video calls and file uploads.
Avg. Latency:
- Low latency averaging around 15 milliseconds, ensuring responsive online activities for guests.
Sense Of Community:
- Hosts regular social events such as beach bonfires, sunset yoga sessions, and cultural workshops to foster a sense of community among guests.
- Provides communal spaces like lounges, rooftop terrace, and poolside area for guests to mingle and connect.
Location:
- Ideally situated near the vibrant Fifth Avenue, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
- Close proximity to Playa del Carmen’s stunning beaches, providing guests with a convenient beachfront experience.
- Accessible to transportation hubs and popular attractions in the area.
Amenities:
- Rooftop infinity pool with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.
- On-site restaurant serving authentic Mexican cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
- Wellness amenities including a spa, fitness center, and outdoor yoga deck.
- Concierge services for arranging excursions, tours, and activities such as snorkeling, diving, and cenote exploration.
Cleanliness:
- Implements rigorous cleaning and sanitation protocols to maintain a high standard of cleanliness throughout the property.
- Regular disinfection of guest rooms, common areas, and high-touch surfaces.
- Utilizes eco-friendly cleaning products to minimize environmental impact and ensure guest safety.
My Favorite Places To Work From
Bajo Cafe
- OVERALL – 4/5 – This is a killer spot! All in open air. Super friendly staff and if you’re vegan there are dozens of choices.
- Wifi – 3.5/5 – The wifi really isn’t too bad at all here. You could pull off most of what you’d want to do. A video call on a desktop may be a bit much, but otherwise I didn’t run into any issues.
- Download Speed = 27.00 MBPS*
- Upload Speed = 9.13 MBPS
- Avg. Latency = 55 MS
- *Not sure what these metrics mean? Read my guide to getting fast wifi here.
- Service & Friendliness – 5/5 – The staff was super attentive and friendly. They were also totally cool with me camping out and working from there.
- Amount Of Outlets – 4/5 – Plenty of outlets all around the place
- Location / Ambiance – 5/5 – It’s located a few blocks off of Qunita Avenida. It was a bit of a walk from Selina, but totally worth-it. As mentioned it’s entirely in open air, but still pretty cool in the shade.
- Ergonomics (Comfortable Seating / Standup Spots) 3.5/5 – Not a whole lot of spots to stand up at, but the seats were comfortable and didn’t leave my back aching or anything.
Starbucks – Quinta Avenida & Calle 28 😱
- OVERALL – 4/5 – I know, I know Starbucks is an evil multi-national corporation, but I did love this particular spot.
- Wifi – 3/5 – This wifi isn’t anything to write home about, but it was sufficient for everything I needed to do (minus video calls of course)
- Download Speed = 13.171 MBPS
- Upload Speed = 57.529 MBPS
- Avg. Latency = 92 MS
- Service & Friendliness – 5/5 – The staff was super attentive and friendly.
- Amount Of Outlets – 5/5– Plenty of outlets all over the place
- Location / Ambiance – 4.5/5 – The ambiance is killer, it’s right off of Quinta Avenida. Lot’s of seats both inside and outside, and plenty of space on the inside so you didn’t feel cramped or anything. Also, it was just a couple blocks from my favorite gym in Playa Del Carmen, Evolve. Read more about this here.
- Ergonomics (Comfortable Seating / Standup Spots) 5/5 – Lot’s of couches, chairs and spots to stand up at.
Places To Work From – Honorable Mentions
This is a section where I’ll add co-working places / places to work that I’ve heard a lot of good things about, I either didn’t make it to the place, or I went and personally didn’t like it. In service to you all, if the place seems to have enough buzz, I will still share it.
Selina’s Co-Working Spot
As mentioned in the Where I Stayed section, I didn’t love the design of Selina’s Co-working spot. It was a bit depressing for me. That being said, I met a lot of people who sat and worked in that spot for weeks or even months and didn’t seem to mind it at all. Furthermore, it had some good wifi speed, and I did use it for video calls.
Nest Co-Working
This is another spot that was talked about quite a bit. It’s super conveniently located, right off 10th. However, I didn’t get the hype, the inside felt super uninispired. The Wifi speed was pretty quick though (47 mbps upload speed), and the price included free cereal, which they had a couple different type, that was pretty cool.
The Super Cool Starbucks At Paseo Del Carmen Mall
Finding Community / Making Friends
There were dozens of Whatsapp Groups. For everything you could imagine. Someone even made a spreadsheet of all the whatsapp Groups for nomads. Check it out.
My personal favorite Whatsapp groups
- OG Playa Meetups – all kinds of events around Playa, I actually found out about a killer wine event in Playa Del Carmen, with 100 different Mexican wines, it was aweseome!
- Happening Hoy – where events are added the day of, great spot to find last minute events of any kind
Interested In Building Community As A Nomad? I interviewed 9 other digital nomads to come up with a complete guide, check it out here.
Transportation
- Getting There & Leaving
- Most people fly in and out of Cancun, you can find super cheap buses to and from Cancun via ADO and a couple of other services.
- Getting Around
- Walking – this is a super walk able place, and it’s really not that big of a town.
- There are also plenty of spots to rent a beach cruiser bicycle. There was a rental spot just outside of the Selina Hostel actually.
- Ubers are a bit harder to get here, as the taxi drivers don’t like them. It’s best to get at least a couple blocks away from Quinta Avenida so you’ll get a better deal on taxis.
What I Ate
While I was here I was trying my best to eat vegan, so here are my recommendations
Bajo Cafe
These guys had an entire menu of nothing but vegan food, which was incredible, I also loved working from here, check out my review on the place here.
The Pitted Date
This spot was a bit far from Selina, on the north east side of the main stretch of Quinta Avenida, but it was a killer spot, I would totally recommend
I also Cooked!
As mentioned in the Selina section, I did cook at the common kitchen area for most of the days. This was a great way to eat exactly what I wanted, and also get to know the other people in the hostel without having any awkward intros. Below is my vegan recipe while in Mexico.
Vegetales En Estilo Del Guero
- An assortment of vegetables
- Eggplant, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, mushrooms
- Sautee the vegetables with spices & sauces
- Chipotle peppers in the can, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, tomatillo hot sauce, regular hot sauce, really whatever seems nice (absolutely no idea on the amounts of each, just “go by vibes” in the words of Playa del Carmen hippies)
- Start with the vegetables that need longer to sautee (i.e. eggplant / carrots)
- Then boil up some quinoa & brown rice
- However much Quinoa and brown rice seems reasonable for 3 – 4 days
- Fill the pot up with water near the top, then boil and try the rice and quinoa every 5 or 10 minutes until it’s soft enough, then let it sit for a long time
- Black Beans
- To pour over the rice, beans and rice together create a complete protein, which is important for vegans who are more physically active. Black beans are my favorite beans, and they have a very low glycemic index.
- Sliced Avocado & Tomatoes
- To put over the rice and beans
- And Voila! Vegetables En El Estilo Del Guero – you’re a professional cook!
Want to stay fit & eat healthy while traveling? Check out my guide to diet fitness while traveling here!
What I Drank / Nightlife
Be Playa Rooftop
This is a hotel that also has a rooftop bar with a pool, and the pool has a table in it! Which gets me super pumped. I shot a drink reviews with a redneck video from the rooftop, if you’re interested in Mezcal, check it out here.
Chela La Playa – Cerveceria
Pretty killer beers here, in a very beautiful setting. My favorite place in Playa Del Carmen was Calle 38, it’s covered in greenery. I actually saw a monkey swinging through the trees while eating there once and apparently there are slothes too that hangout sometimes.
I shot this video below at the cerveceria actually.
Bar Loco
Right off of Quinta Avenida, a pretty cool spot, open air rooftop, It does get a bit packed but it’s a cool vibe and affordable pricing.
Santino Playa
This is the dance club in Playa, and everyone knows it. Admittedly I never made it, but I heard a lot of good things from multiple sources. So I think it’s worth a shot.
Restaurante Pez Vela
Cool restaurant with a bar with swings, right by Selina. I felt super welcome at this place. If you go and have Abrahim as your bartender tell him Lorenzeo Dije que ondas primo. Or if a friendly guy from Kansas City starts talking to you, tell Darren Loren says hi.
Exercise
Want to stay fit & eat healthy while traveling? Check out my guide to diet fitness while traveling here!
Evolve Fitness
I love this gym, lots of equipment pretty damn clean and there are beautiful men and women to admire while you’re there. I made a lot of good friends through this gym and it’s easily one of my favorite gyms outside of the US. At the time of writing this, they have daily, weekly & monthly packages, it is ~$45 USD for a month.
Yoga Loft
These guys had some killer classes and the facility is quite nice. It’s a bit more expensive but totally worth it in my opinion. Here are their plans and prices