Cancun is often thought of as the party capital of Mexico, thanks to its slew of all-inclusive resorts, endless beach clubs, and nonstop tourist entertainment. And while it’s certainly beautiful, retirees planning to relocate to Mexico are often after something a bit calmer, while still wanting to enjoy the Caribbean coast.
Along the rest of the Riviera Maya, there are plenty of other great options that offer a more laid-back lifestyle. Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area is the most obvious choice, and in recent years it’s become a hot spot for American and Canadian retirees — and for good reason. If you are thinking about retiring south of the border, here are a few great reasons that Playa del Carmen should be on your list of places to check out.
Location, Location, Location
For years, the best way to reach Playa del Carmen was to fly into Cancun International Airport and drive about 50 minutes south. But in late 2023, things got even easier with the opening of Tulum’s brand-new international airport just over an hour to the south. Now, Playa del Carmen sits almost perfectly between these two major hubs, offering plenty of flight options and flexibility for making quick trips back home or welcoming visiting family members.
Playa del Carmen also sits directly across from the island of Cozumel, which has its own airport with additional regional connections and also serves as a major cruise hub. Retiring to another country may feel like a big step, but when you’re this well connected, it’s helpful that travel logistics are one less thing to worry about.
Stretch Your Budget Further
Cancun’s tourism-driven economy means that the cost of everything from accommodations to food to shopping is priced to take advantage of short-term visitors. While Playa del Carmen is far from the cheapest beach town in Mexico, its balance of tourism and regular residents means there are always multiple options for where to buy groceries, household staples, and other everyday necessities.
The value of the peso constantly fluctuates against the dollar, and over the past few years it has gotten significantly stronger. That means that those thinking about relocating to Mexico long-term should take an even closer look at their budgets. Factoring in healthcare, transportation, and monthly utilities alongside the activities you’ll want to enjoy in retirement will provide a more accurate picture, and for many retirees, Playa strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality of life.
Live Close to the Action
To some people, Playa del Carmen might feel like a city on its own, which can work in favor of those who relocate there: You’ll be able to take advantage of everyday conveniences like big grocery stores, modern healthcare facilities and other amenities which can be hard to find in some of Mexico’s smaller beach towns. But understandably, not all folks will want to live right in the middle of Playa’s downtown. Fortunately, just a few kilometers away are plenty of quieter spots like Playacar and Puerto Morelos, which both offer more space and a calmer day-to-day pace of life without giving up access to the benefits that Playa offers.
Playa also has a large and well-established expat retiree community. It’s easy to find English-speaking doctors, social groups, and neighborhoods full of people with similar interests and in the same stage of life. Playacar specifically is a top pick among retirees due to its walkability, premiere golf course, and condos with beachfront access. Other nearby coastal towns like Akumal or Puerto Aventuras also offer a similar smaller town, community-focused feel which can help make retirement abroad less intimidating and way more enjoyable.
Residents, Not Resorts
When many people picture Cancun, they think of high-rise hotels with buffet restaurants downstairs — which is true for much of the city’s touristy hotel zone. And while Cancun certainly has other more residential neighborhoods outside of that area, the city in general is much larger, more hectic, and more spread out, often making daily life and navigating from place to place a bit of a headache.
Playa del Carmen, on the other hand, has a much wider range of retirement-friendly housing, offering condos, townhouses, and gated communities — many of which are brand new construction — and are located much closer to the beach. Everyday errands are much more manageable, and the variety of options in the housing market is tailored for long-term residents, not just short-term guests.
Home Outside the Comfort Zone
Like Cancun, Playa del Carmen certainly has its own version of a tourist zone — Avenida Quinta, which runs parallel to the beach and is packed with cheesy souvenir shops, vendors hawking boat tours, and even a Señor Frog’s. But as soon as you step away from that strip, the vibe changes entirely. Plenty of Mexicans who don’t work in the tourism industry still live and work in the heart of Playa del Carmen, which means you’ll find neighborhood markets, local restaurants, and small businesses that give the city a much more authentic feel.
That balance is a great aspect of retirement life — you can enjoy the comfort zone of a large expat network while not being too far removed from regular everyday life in Mexico. Part of the fun of living abroad is choosing to shop where locals shop, eat where families eat, and take part in the local traditions, all which will make living in Playa del Carmen feel less like one long vacation and more like a real home.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s the turquoise beaches, delicious Mexican food, or a more laid-back lifestyle, the Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo has strong appeal for retirees. But knowing where to relocate can make all the difference between settling into a real community with a regular routine and feeling like a perpetual tourist. For many, Playa del Carmen offers the right mix of convenience, connection, and calm, making it one of the best places to consider if you’re looking for a convenient retirement destination on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.