Playa Del Carmen and Tulum Mexico Real Estate | Life in Playa del Carmen: schools, clinics, and essentials

Everyday essentials in Playa del Carmen: schools, clinics, supermarkets and daily conveniences

Playa del Carmen is more than a vacation spot — it’s a place to live well

While Playa del Carmen is best known for its turquoise beaches and lively tourist zones, it’s also home to a growing community of full-time residents, families, retirees, and digital nomads. For many of them, choosing Playa as a place to live comes down to more than just the weather — it’s about quality of life, convenience, and access to everyday services.

From international schools and private healthcare to grocery stores, pet services, and local transportation, Playa offers the infrastructure needed for a comfortable, long-term stay. In this post, we’ll break down the essentials that make living in Playa del Carmen not only feasible — but surprisingly easy.

Private healthcare and clinics

Playa del Carmen has a solid network of private hospitals, walk-in clinics, dental offices, and labs. Many doctors speak English and are used to treating foreign patients.

Commonly used clinics and hospitals:

• Hospiten Playa del Carmen – full-service hospital with emergency care

• Costamed – multi-specialty medical group with lab and imaging

• Amerimed – emergency and specialist care, plus insurance billing

• Numerous private general physicians and specialists across the city

Pharmacies are easy to find, and most medications do not require a prescription. Health insurance or out-of-pocket care is typically far more affordable than in the U.S. or Canada.

Supermarkets and grocery delivery

Playa del Carmen has a variety of grocery options, from large chains to specialty organic stores.

Main grocery stores:

• Chedraui Selecto and Mega Soriana – for mainstream groceries

• Walmart, Sam’s Club, and City Club – for bulk and international items

• DAC Market – popular local spot for produce and deli goods

• Bio-Organicos, Aki Vegano, and Verde Vivo – organic and vegan options

Most stores offer home delivery or same-day pickup via apps like Rappi, Cornershop, or directly from the store websites.

Schools and education options

For families relocating, Playa del Carmen offers a number of bilingual and international schools, including:

• Colegio Inglés

• Instituto Tepeyac

• Puerto Aventuras International School

• Weston Academy

• Laurea World School

Educational options range from Montessori to SEP-accredited private institutions, with most schools offering classes from preschool to high school. Some schools follow a U.S. or IB curriculum and are popular with expat families.

Transportation and mobility

Playa is a very walkable and bike-friendly city. Most people who live here full-time get around using:

• Bicycle or electric scooter

• Private car or rental vehicle

• Taxis, which are easy to find and affordable for short distances

• Local colectivos (shared vans) and ADO bus service for intercity travel

• Uber is not officially permitted, but similar private driver apps like InDrive are commonly used

Pet services and everyday convenience

If you're moving with pets or planning to stay long-term, Playa has plenty of everyday amenities:

• Vets, pet hotels, groomers, and dog parks

• Laundry services, dry cleaners, and mobile car wash vans

• Reliable Wi-Fi and fiber-optic options like Telmex, Izzi, and Totalplay

• Plumbers, electricians, and appliance repair available on-demand

• Apps for food delivery (Rappi, DiDi Food, Uber Eats)

• Private gyms, yoga studios, and community centers

Living in Playa del Carmen doesn’t mean giving up on everyday comforts. In fact, many expats and full-time residents find the cost of living manageable, the services convenient, and the quality of life refreshingly high.

Whether you're relocating for a season or for good, Playa offers all the practical elements that make daily life flow — with the bonus of beach walks, tropical breezes, and year-round sunshine.