Daily Life
Everyday essentials, money, shopping and local know-how.
13 articles
When Can You Buy Alcohol in Playa?Sunday beer runs, supermarket cutoffs, restaurant drinks, hotel bars and alcohol delivery: here's how alcohol sales work in Playa del Carmen.
What Are the Voladores de Papantla?Discover the meaning behind one of Mexico's most remarkable traditional ceremonies, and what to know about seeing it at Parque Fundadores.
How Can I Order Groceries for Delivery?Get groceries delivered to your door without navigating supermarket aisles, carrying heavy bags, or figuring out how to get everything home.
Playa’s Secret Cenotes: The Hidden World Beneath the CityBeneath Playa del Carmen's streets, homes and businesses lies a remarkable world of limestone caves, hidden freshwater and ancient natural history. Here's what most residents never realize is right beneath their feet.
Golf in Playa del CarmenCourses, green fees and resident discounts: where you can play, what it costs, and how to ask for a local rate.
Mexico's Holidays & CelebrationsFrom Día de Muertos and Mexican Independence Day to Carnaval and Playa's own Feria del Carmen, discover what Mexico celebrates, when it happens, and what to expect when you live here.
A Guide to Playa’s BeachesFrom busy downtown beaches to quieter stretches north of Centro, Playa del Carmen has very different beach experiences. Here’s how to choose one, and what to know about public access, certifications, sargassum and swimming conditions before you go.
Mexican Money: A Beginner's Guide to Pesos, Coins & BillsLearn to recognize Mexican coins and bills, understand what they're worth, and say everyday prices in Spanish.
Power Outages in Playa del CarmenPower outages happen often enough in Playa that it's worth knowing what to do before you're sitting in a hot, dark house with a dying phone. Here's how to figure out what's wrong, report an outage to CFE, protect your food and electronics, deal with heat and water problems, and prepare for the next one.
Pesos or Dollars? What Currency Should You Use in Playa del Carmen?A simple guide to choosing the right currency at card terminals and ATMs in Playa.
Is Marijuana Legal in Playa del Carmen?Mexico's marijuana laws are more complicated than “yes” or “no.” Here's what residents and visitors in Playa actually need to know about possession, personal use, smoking, COFEPRIS authorizations and the 5-gram rule.
Can I Drink the Tap Water in Playa del Carmen?What to know about Playa's tap water, cisternas and tinacos, garrafones, bottled water, refill stations, delivery, filters, water softeners and reverse osmosis.
