The Full Newcomer Checklist
Every step for your first 24 hours, first week, first month, and beyond -- askplaya.com
The Full Newcomer Checklist
Every step for your first 24 hours, first week, first month, and beyond, all in one place.
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Stage 1 — Your First 24 Hours
Get Connected
☐Confirm your phone works in Mexico
☐Set up WhatsApp (everyone uses it)
☐Save your address for easy sharing
☐Connect to reliable Wi-Fi
Get the Basics
☐Get pesos in small bills (20s-200s)
☐Buy purified water or a garrafón
Can I Drink the Tap Water?☐Find your nearest grocery store
☐Pick up basic household essentials
Be Ready for an Emergency
☐Save 911 for emergencies
Who Do I Call in an Emergency?☐Know where key documents are
If You're Moving Into a Home
☐Confirm you have electricity
☐Confirm you have running water
☐Check your air conditioners
☐Find the breaker panel and shutoff
Stage 2 — Your First Week
Set Up Your Home
☐Learn how electricity is paid
☐Learn how water is paid
☐Learn how your HOA is paid
☐Learn how your gas supply works
☐Arrange internet service
☐Learn your cisterna, pump and tinaco
☐Find out how trash collection works
Get Your Everyday Routine Working
☐Learn your grocery-delivery options
☐Learn your food-delivery options
☐Find a laundry option (if needed)
☐Find a hardware store
☐Find a purified water source
Can I Drink the Tap Water?
Get Comfortable With Money
☐Understand pesos vs. dollars
☐Understand ATM currency conversion
☐Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion
☐Decide how you'll access pesos
☐Learn how to pay bills without a bank
Learn Your Neighborhood
☐Find your closest grocery store
☐Find your closest pharmacy
☐Find your closest colectivo stop
☐Find your nearest beach access
☐Find your nearest hospital or clinic
☐Explore your neighborhood on our map
Learn Your Transportation Options
☐Try a colectivo where it makes sense
☐Learn where to catch your colectivo
☐Compare taxis, inDrive and Uber
☐Learn where the ADO terminals are
☐Learn your options to Cancún Airport
Start Using Useful Spanish
☐Learn how to ask for the check
☐Learn basic numbers and money
☐Learn how to say your address
☐Learn a few transportation phrases
☐Download Useful Spanish offline
Stage 3 — Your First Month
Preparing Your Home
☐Set an A/C cleaning schedule
☐Understand hard water and sarro
☐Consider filtration or a softener
☐Learn tropical pest-control basics
☐Prepare for power outages
☐Get surge protection for electronics
Get More Comfortable Living Here
☐Consider a Mexican phone number
☐Learn Mexican tipping customs
☐Learn basic WhatsApp etiquette
☐Learn a few useful Spanish phrases
☐Learn how deliveries work
☐Learn how locations are shared here
Start Enjoying Playa
☐Explore a different neighborhood
☐Find a favorite beach
☐Try a local market
☐Check What's Happening in Playa
☐Find an activity or meetup you enjoy
☐Take a trip using ADO or ferry
Build Your Healthcare Plan
☐Identify a clinic for routine care
☐Find a pharmacy you like
☐Plan for healthcare costs
☐Plan for your regular prescriptions
☐Keep medical info accessible
If You Own Property
☐Find your clave catastral
☐Confirm the status of your Predial
☐Learn when and how Predial is paid
☐Learn your fideicomiso trust fee
☐Know your HOA obligations
☐Keep your closing documents
☐Know your utility account info
Get Your Documents Organized
☐Know your residency renewal date
☐Keep digital copies of documents
☐Know where to find your CURP
☐Determine whether you need an RFC
☐Keep property documents organized
☐Keep utility and payment receipts
Stage 4 — Once You're Settled
Money & Administration
☐Decide if you need a bank account
☐Learn how to send money to Mexico
☐Learn about resident discounts
See which discounts you qualify for
Healthcare & Safety
☐Understand hurricane preparation
☐Create a basic home emergency kit
Transportation
☐Understand the Cozumel ferry
☐Learn how the Tren Maya fits in
☐Learn the basics of driving and parking
You live here now. You don't need to know everything about Playa. You just need to know where to find the answer when you need it.
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Need more detail on any of these steps? Scan the code or visit Ask Playa for full answers, sources, and Useful Spanish.
