Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

The islands can be enjoyed as part of a side-trip when you are visiting nearby Cancún, Rivera Maya, or the Yucatán, or you could opt to stay on either island for an extended visit if you prefer to base yourself away from the mainland.

Experience Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres has a laid-back, simple and comfortable atmosphere where visitors go to relax, rest, and take part in a wide variety of water sports. The feel here is tranquil, rustic, and easy-going. You can count on the hotels being comfortable, without the commercial feel (and amenities) of nearby Cancún.

Isla Mujeres is also a popular destination for couples on honeymoon as well as romantic breaks. Families do holiday here as well, although they tend to day-trip from the mainland as extended stays on the island may prove a bit too quiet, especially for younger and energetic children.

Day-trippers from Cancún arrive on ferries during the day and transform the island into a hive of commercial activity as they wander around the town shopping, eating, drinking, and haggling with the numerous souvenir and crafts vendors. The beaches are also busier during the peak daytime hours as they, too, fill up with the day-trippers. But when the last evening ferries leave, the island calms down and returns to its natural serene and tranquil state.

Access to Isla Mujeres is by ferry or boat only. Ferries from several ports in and around Cancún transport foot passengers to Isla Mujeres frequently, seven days a week. The journey time takes about twenty minutes each way.  Once on the island, getting around is done principally by taxi, by bicycle, by golf cart, and on foot.

Learn More: Guide to Isla Mujeres

Experience Cozumel

Cozumel is Mexico’s original “Caribbean” destination: an island about forty miles south of Cancún situated off the coast near Playa del Carmen.  It’s Mexico’s largest Caribbean island, and also a major international cruise ship destination.

This island is a popular cruise ship destinations and because of this the island itself ranks among one of the world’s most visited tourist spots.  It is also one of the world’s top places for SCUBA diving: if you’re an avid diver you have probably heard of, or visited, Cozumel; if you want to learn how to dive, you can do that here, too.

San Miguel de Cozumel is the one and only town on the island. During the daytime when the cruise ships are docked, the town center becomes crowded with passing visitors, which fill the streets and provide a brisk trade for local merchants.  When the cruise ships pull away after sundown, the feel and atmosphere of Cozumel changes remarkably.

Many visitors to the island stay at one of the main beach resorts, which are situated about ten miles away from the town center, on the south side of the island. When you’re deciding where to stay on Cozumel island, there are two broad choices: you can either stay in or near the town center, or you can go out of town and stay at one of the beach-side vacation resorts. Less than five percent of the island is developed, and most of the undeveloped land is rugged wilderness featuring quiet and deserted beaches.

Cozumel island does have an international airport so direct flights to the island are available from Mexico as flights from overseas during the peak holiday season. Less expensive flights may be sought to Cancún, from where you can take a relatively short road trip to Playa del Carmen and board a passenger ferry to the island of Cozumel from there. The ferries cross frequently, seven days a week, and the journey time takes about 45 minutes each way.

Learn More: Guide to Cozumel

Playa del Carmen (often referred to as just “Playa” locally) was a little, unknown fishing village that was discovered by the traveler’s visiting Cancun and Cozumel and is now one of the fastest growing coastal towns in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen offers you the enjoyment of a simple beach holiday without the trappings and characteristics of a modern-day commercialized resort like Cancun. The tourist developments here are low-rise, taking into account the local environment, and giving playa a more charismatic and authentic Mexican feel. This is contrast to the highly commercialized resort experience which is common in places like nearby Cancun.

Playa del Carmen is quite a ‘young’ resort – in that it attracts a lot of people in the twenty to thirty-something age range. They come here looking for a comfortable holiday; to swim, sunbathe, stroll along the wonderful beaches, listen to bands playing in the open air, and dance at a club at night.

The fine resort hotels, situated in Playa and along the rivera maya are some of the finest in Mexico. They offer first-class facilities, great amenities, world-class service and a perfect environment to enjoy a vacation. Some of the resorts are adult-only, and popular with people coming to Mexico for a honeymoon. Many others are family-oriented, and are hugely popular for family vacations, especially during the Easter and Summer holidays as well as Christmas and New Year.

Playa has some excellent boutique craft shops that will offer you the opportunity to buy something quite unique to take home with you. See the section on what to buy in Playa del Carmen for details.

A definite advantage of Playa del Carmen is its geographical location: It is close to Cozumel, Cancun, and all of the fabulous archaeological parks in the area, so it makes an ideal base if you want to visit all of the main towns and resorts in this part of Mexico. There are also a number of eco and adventure tourism options to opt for – see Key Attractions for details.

Playa del Carmen is also part of the famous Riviera Maya – a stretch of towns and villages situated along beautiful beaches which extend from the southern edges of Cancun as far south as Tulum. You can read about the Riviera Maya in Key Attractions on this guide and also browse hotels, resorts and spas in the Riviera Maya region here on Mexperience.

Key Attractions

Relaxing, Sunbathing

Playa del Carmen today is a relaxing place – if you want to unwind, then this region of Mexico will make an ideal location for you. Choose Playa del Carmen when you want peace and tranquility on a beach sunbathing; or to take quiet strolls along soft, white sands with the cool waters of the Caribbean lapping your feet.

Sports Fishing Experiences

Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico’s top destinations for Sports Fishing – especially deep sea fishing! Read the Mexperience guide to Sports Fishing in Mexico and discover just what a fantastic day out a sports fishing experience can be on your next visit to Mexico.

Diving & Snorkeling

Divers and people who want to snorkel come to Playa del Carmen to enjoy the great waters and excellent diving conditions.

Swimming with Dolphins

You can swim with the Dolphins on Isla Mujeres. Connect to the guide to Swimming with Dolphins in Mexico for details.

Other Water Sports

Sports Fishing and Kayak rental are the two other main activities people enjoy during a visit to Playa del Carmen. Connect to the guide to Watersports in Mexico for details.

Day Trips to Cozumel

You can catch the ferry across to the Island of Cozumel for a day. The ferry port is near the town’s main square and just a quick walk from the hotels.

Spas in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen and The Riviera Maya (see below) are host to some excellent Resort Spas. For more information about Spa experiences, and how to benefit from a magnificent health spa experience, connect to the Mexperience guide to Spas in Mexico.

Nature and Adventure Tours

A number of nature and adventure tours are easily accessible from Playa del Carmen (and Riviera Maya). Tours include visits to the nearby Xel-Ha and Xcaret natural water parks, as well as tours to visit nearby Cenotes (water caverns) as well numerous archaeology parks. See Also: Nature & Adventure in Mexico

Archaeology Parks

Nearby Playa del Carmen you’ll find an extensive choice of Maya ancient cities, converted into archaeology parks open to the public. Nearby parks include Tulum, which overlooks the turquoise Mexican Caribbean, Coba, and Chichen Itza, voted as one of the “new wonders” of the world.

Xel-Ha National Park

Day-trips to Xel-Ha are readily available and very convenient from Playa del Carmen and resorts along the Riviera Maya. Xel-Ha is a national park which has been converted into a water theme park built around a collection of natural lagoons and inlets. The park offers a range of water activities, primarily based around snorkeling, although you can also float down the river in a ring, dive under water without tanks (they connect hoses to a helmet) and swim with dolphins (this costs extra and space is limited, so arrive early if you want to do this). There are also five restaurants and a bar which you can eat and drink at free if you paid the all-inclusive price.

Playa del Carmen is Part of The Riviera Maya

The 125km stretch of coastline that stretches from the southern edge of the resort town of Cancun, through Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, finishing at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, is known as the Rivera Maya.

About The Riviera Maya

A number of small towns and villages, nature parks, resorts and the Mayan Ruins of Tulum feature along the edge of this coast. Besides the well known and developed areas of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the coast’s four other main points of interest are:

Puerto Morelos – as yet an undeveloped quiet village, perfect for a break away from the crowds and commercialism surrounding Cancun.

Akumal – one of the least commercialized areas of this coastline, Akumal offers the perfect place to relax away from the hype and bustle of Cancun and other commercially developed areas. The location has a high number of holiday houses for rent, making it a popular place for families and couples who want to enjoy the experience and economy of a self-catering rental holiday.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere is located between Tulum and Akumal and is a federally protected reserve that features freshwater canals, tropical forests, mangrove wetlands, lagoons, prairies and a 70-mile long barrier reef – the second largest barrier reef in the world.

Costa Maya – the area south of the Sia Ka’an Biosphere to the coast off Belize. The area holds attractions for SCUBA divers and sports fishing, although the beaches themselves are not as attractive as the ones further up the coast if you’re looking for swimming, bathing and strolling opportunities.

Getting There & Around

By Air – Playa del Carmen has an airstrip that handles small charter aircraft and private air taxis. AeroCaribe, the main local small aircraft operator, has an office near the airstrip. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – Local buses and suburban vans carrying holiday makers and their luggage comfortably, travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and back daily on a regular basis. The suburban vans “Collectivos” are white and offer excellent value for money, carrying up to 10 passengers and their luggage comfortably for just a few dollars each. You can board them from their base near the bus stations at both Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Long distance buses connect Cancun with Merida, all main sities on the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas, the Gulf Coast and Mexico City. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – You can drive to Playa del Carmen from Cancun by taking Highway 307. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s provincial towns and cities — including its beach locations and the scenery and attractions near them — consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Tricycle Taxis – In certain areas of town, only tricycle taxis are allowed. They will take you and your luggage very efficiently to your hotel, or to the ferry that crosses to Cozumel.

On Foot – Most of Playa del Carmen is accessible on foot; and for exploring the local area, walking around is by far the best way to experience Playa del Carmen.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Playa del Carmen Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Most of Playa del Carmen’s banks with ATM machines are found downtown on Avenida 5. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

What to Buy in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a good place to buy arts and crafts and unique curios that you will not find elsewhere. There is a selection of shops in town around the main plaza. In recent years, the art and craft outlets have been raising their game; they are now offering tourists fine examples of locally and and nationally produced, hand crafted works; effectively undergoing a transition from being tourist craft outlets into specialist craft boutiques.

Local Climate

The climate in Playa del Carmen is very much like that of Cancun: Hot and humid, but the humidity is not as drenching as it can be in some other places in Mexico. August through October is hurricane season in this part of the world – and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during these months. The rainy season is May through October. November through February is the high season on the Riviera Maya, and the weather remains quite hot during these times, which attracts many “snow birds” from northern USA and Canada and Western Europe for winter warmth and sunshine.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico

Cozumel (“Coh-zoo-mel”) is Mexico’s original “Caribbean” destination; an island about 40 miles (64km) south of Cancun and Mexico’s largest Caribbean island with a total land area of approximately 308 square miles (798 sq km).

Cruise ships make regular stops at the port, and as a result of this, the island itself ranks among one of the most visited tourist places in the world.

There is only one main town on the island—San Miguel de Cozumel. During the daytime when the cruise ships are docked, the town becomes quite busy; at night, when the cruise ships pull away, the feel and atmosphere of Cozumel changes remarkably.

Less than five percent of the island is developed; and most of the undeveloped land is rugged jungle with quiet, deserted beaches.

The main beaches and beach resorts are about 10 miles (16km) outside of the town on the south side of the island. When you choose where to stay in Cozumel, there are two broad choices: you can either stay in or near the town center, or you can go out of town and stay at one of the resorts along the beach.

Besides quiet relaxation, a few small Mayan ruins and some general water sports, diving and snorkeling are the main attractions here, and this is directly attributed to the fact that there are around 100 dive sites that are recognized as being of world-class standard—some deep enough for SCUBA divers and some shallow enough for snorkeling.

Without doubt, Cozumel is a diver’s paradise, and if you are a diver or you want to learn how to dive, Cozumel should feature in your Mexico itinerary.

If you’re seeking non-water based activities, then Cancun or Playa del Carmen on the mainland will probably be a better base, although boat excursions to the mainland archaeological parks in the area are available from Cozumel.

If you want to spend your holiday diving, snorkeling and relaxing away from the commercialized resort scene of Cancun, with occasional easy access to more active pastimes a short ferry ride away on the mainland, the island of Cozumel may be just what you are looking for.

Even if you don’t stay on the island, excursions or short stays on Cozumel are available from Cancun and Playa del Carmen; you can read about these in the Getting There and Around section on this guide.

Key Attractions

Beaches on Cozumel

There are many great beaches and beach clubs on the island of Cozumel, such as Chankanaab National Park (see below), Paradise Beach, Playa San Francisco and Playa Palancar. These beaches can be found about 5-10 miles (8-16 km) south of the main town and cruise ship piers.

The east side of the island has a more rugged coastline and offers miles of quiet windswept beaches. See ‘Eastern Shore of Cozumel’ below.

If you’re looking for water sports equipment (e.g. sailing boats and windsurfing) then head out to east side of the island to the Playa Bonita Beach Club where you’ll find operators providing what you’ll need. See Diving and Snorkeling, below.

Diving and Snorkeling

If you want to SCUBA dive or just snorkel in the clear shallow waters and see the coral and fish, Cozumel has some of the best waters in the world to experience this activity! If you have never SCUBA dived before, then Cozumel is a great place to learn. There are hundreds of dive operations offering well-priced and well-organized courses here. See Also: Water Sports in Mexico.

The Eastern Shore of Cozumel

You can’t swim on this side of the island – not safely, anyway. The waves pound the rocky shoreline and curl back, creating powerful undertows.

The view, however, is magnificent, and the road that hugs the edge of the coast is a great scenic route, begging to be seen, experienced and enjoyed!

People who drive along here often pull over and park to gaze out across the shore and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the area. There are some restaurants along the route too, waiting to serve you the fresh catch of the day or a refreshing fruit juice cocktail. You will see and hear wildlife everywhere in this area; exotic birds and big iguanas greet visitors on their tour along this amazing shoreline.

Boat Cruises from Cozumel

Touring boat trips are available for those who want to explore some of the waters around the island. Some tours can include stops that allow you to dive off and snorkel around the luscious waters; others stop at beautiful remote beaches and serve a nice lunch. Glass hulled boats are also on offer; these cruise around the shallow reefs and give you a window into the marine world surrounding Cozumel.

Sports Fishing Experiences

Cozumel is one of Mexico’s top destinations for sports fishing – especially deep sea fishing! See Also: Sports Fishing in Mexico.

Chankanaab National Park

At the center of this park—and the pride of the island’s local people— there is a land-locked pool (cenote) connected by an underground tunnel to the sea. The name Chankanaab loosely translates to mean “little sea”, named after the natural pool.

You can snorkel in the sea and the beach at the park is wonderful—one of the best on the island; it’s perfect for sunbathing. Entrance to the water is by means of stone steps. You’ll find restaurants, toilets and a few shops here, too.

Some natural gardens, home to sub-tropical plants from over twenty countries (450+ species), surround the lagoon, and nice pathways have been constructed, along with some replica Mayan statues and ‘ruins’, to complete the setting. The park is open every day from 8am and closes around 5pm.

Mayan Ruins

The San Gervasio (pronounced “Her-vah-sio”) ruins, which date back to 100 BC, can be found on Cozumel; they, like all of the other archaeological sites in the area, are very popular with visitors from all over the world.

Mayan women made a pilgrimage to the temple here as it was thought that Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, resided locally and would help them to conceive if they trotted across to visit the island from the mainland. All Mayan women tried to make at least one pilgrimage here from the mainland at some point in their life.

These ruins have more symbolism than majesty about them, unlike some of the mainland Mayan ruins which have both. Half of the fun of this excursion is getting there. Don’t expect to see the most amazing ruins ever—you won’t. What you will see is a modest temple that was extremely significant to women, especially during the days of the Mayan civilization.

You can pay a tour guide to show you around, or you can buy a guidebook locally and walk around yourself. If you don’t want to drive to the ruins (or you don’t have transport) you can rent a cab for a fee; he/she will wait while you tour and take you back to San Miguel.

Day Excursions to the Mainland

Trips to Playa del Carmen and Xcaret and Xel-Ha water parks and the ruins at Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba are easily accessible and very popular. Day trips can be arranged in advance and tend to start at around 9am, returning you back to the Island in time for dinner at around 6pm.

Getting There & Around

By Air – A limited number of domestic and international flights, as well as some smaller charter airlines, fly into here. Flights to Cancun are more plentiful and often cheaper. The Cozumel airport is about 2 mile (3 km) north of downtown San Miguel de Cozumel. Take the airport colectivo vans (buy your ticket at the terminal) into town; they drop off at the two main “hotel zones” in Cozumel. Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for Airlines in Mexico. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

Airport Transfers: If you’re arriving in Mexico by airplane, you can book your airport transfer in advance. Airport Transfer services are available from all of Mexico’s key airports and offer the choice of either a Standard or VIP service level. Standard shuttles will transport up to ten people and their baggage in a modern and comfortable suburban van to/from local hotels; the VIP service provides transportation exclusively for your party, taking you and your belongings directly to/from your local hotel. Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details and to reserve your Airport Transfer.

By Bus – From Cancun International airport, you can take a bus to Playa del Carmen then take the passenger ferry to Cozumel. See By Ferry, below.

By Car – The Car Ferry from Puerto Morelos (a few miles north of Playa del Carmen) is less frequent and takes longer to cross. Car parking is difficult in Cozumel, so unless you really have to, leave your car on the mainland and take the passenger ferry.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s provincial towns and cities — including its beach locations and the scenery and attractions nearby them — consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

By Ferry – You can travel to Cozumel on a passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen, or if you have a car, drive to Puerto Morelos for the Passenger/Car Ferry (limited services – check locally). During daytime hours, passenger ferries from Playa del Carmen depart just about every hour. Check locally on timetables as they are subject to change and also check the time of the last ferry back. The ride takes around 45 minutes each way.

By Foot – Most of the San Miguel downtown area is accessible on foot; but if you want to visit other areas of the island like the natural park, the beach clubs and the ruins, you’ll need to hire a taxi or rent a car.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Warning About Mopeds – Mopeds can zip you around Cozumel, but beware – they can be dangerous too. We strongly recommend you consider the alternative: an open air Jeep, which will only be a little more expensive, but much safer.

Cozumel Essentials

Telephone: Cozumel’s telephone area code is 987. Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes

Exchanging Currency: Most of Cozumel’s Banks with ATM machines are found within the commercial center of the main town. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Diver’s Certificate: If you’re planning to dive beyond the depths of novice diving (i.e. beginner’s course), make sure you bring your diver’s certificate with you.

Recompression Chambers: Cozumel has several – inquire locally for details.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

What to Buy in Cozumel

Shopping in Cozumel features a lot of duty free items; clothing, jewelry, plus other ‘duty free’ goods are sold in abundance here, targeted principally at cruise ship holiday makers. If a cruise ship stays late (most leave early evening), these shops stay open until late. You can also find a few Mexican arts and craft shops here.

Local Climate

The climate in Cozumel is very much like that of Cancun: hot and humid, but the humidity is not as drenching as it can be in some other places in Mexico because of the island breezes. August through October is hurricane season in this part of the world, and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during these months.

The rainy season is May through October. November through February is the high season and becomes quite hot, although evenings can be cooler, so a warm pullover may be a useful item to pack with you during these months.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico