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Where to stay in Playa del Carmen as a digital nomad
Discover the best options for where to stay in Playa del Carmen in our guide. Accommodations, colivings, and more.
Playa del Carmen is a tourist destination full of dreamy beaches, cultural and historical areas, and great connectivity. As a digital nomad, it’s essential to know where to stay in this paradise. That’s why this article brings you the best options for accommodation, coworking spaces, colivings, and cafés to work remotely while enjoying this stunning location. Here’s our guide on where to stay in Playa del Carmen and how to choose the right spot for your lifestyle and needs.
Accommodation options for digital nomads in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen offers specific choices for those who need comfortable housing, a productive workspace, and a balanced lifestyle. Below, we outline the most suitable options for digital nomads.
1. Furnished apartments
One of the most popular options for digital nomads in Playa del Carmen is furnished apartments. They’re usually rented monthly and include furniture, a fully equipped kitchen, and internet access. This setup allows a quick transition without worrying about logistics. Most of these places include essentials like electricity, water, and maintenance, letting you focus on remote work and enjoying the destination.
- Where to find them:
- Central areas such as Downtown and 5th Avenue are popular for their proximity to restaurants, cafés, and shops.
- Neighbourhoods like Playacar offer a calmer setting with access to beaches and green spaces.
- Zazil-Ha is another growing option, featuring modern flats at lower costs than in busier tourist areas.
Ideal for: Nomads seeking privacy, comfort, and flexibility to work from home.
2. Coliving: Shared spaces to socialise and work
Coliving has become a rising trend among digital nomads, and Playa del Carmen is no exception. These places combine private rooms with common areas to work, cook, and socialise. Many organise activities such as yoga, cooking classes, or networking events, creating the ideal atmosphere to meet fellow travellers and professionals.
- Top options:
- Selina Playa del Carmen: Offers private and shared rooms, coworking spaces, and access to community events.
- Outsite Playa del Carmen: Designed for remote professionals, featuring a central location and a quiet working vibe.
Ideal for: Those wanting a collaborative environment and meaningful connections with like-minded people.
3. Where to stay in Playa del Carmen: Long-stay Airbnb rentals
Airbnb is a great option for travellers seeking flexibility without compromising comfort. Many listings in Playa del Carmen offer discounts for stays of 30 days or more—perfect for those needing a home for weeks or months. Most provide high-speed internet and cosy working areas.
- Recommended Airbnb areas:
- Gonzalo Guerrero: A central district with highly rated listings and competitive prices.
- Coco Beach: Ideal for peace and quick beach access.
Ideal for: Digital nomads who want variety and flexible rental durations.
4. Minimalist studios and lofts
If you prefer smaller yet functional accommodation, studios and lofts are an excellent choice.
- Where to find them:
- Colosio is an up-and-coming area with affordable studios—perfect for nomads on a tighter budget.
- The Downtown Zone also offers more sophisticated studios with extra amenities like pools and gyms.
Ideal for: People wanting a compact, practical space with everything needed for comfortable work.
5. Coworking with accommodation
Another option that combines work and housing is coworking with accommodation. These places offer rooms along with access to shared workspaces, making it easier to find the right working environment. Internet services are usually more reliable than in standard rentals.
- Recommended options:
- Workation Playa del Carmen: Combines accommodation, coworking, and leisure activities for remote workers.
- The Nest Coworking & Residences: Perfect for those needing a quiet, well-equipped workspace with areas to relax.
Ideal for: Nomads prioritising stable internet and a productivity-focused environment.
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The best neighbourhoods and areas in Playa del Carmen for digital nomads
Location can make a huge difference when living and working remotely in Playa del Carmen. Some neighbourhoods stand out for their access to coworking spaces and cafés with reliable internet, while others offer peace and proximity to the beach. Here, we explore the best areas where digital nomads can find their ideal temporary home.
Downtown Playa del Carmen: Convenience and everything within reach
Downtown is the oldest area of Playa del Carmen. Originally, it was a small fishing village mainly inhabited by Maya traders who used it as a passage to Cozumel Island. During the tourism boom of the 1990s and 2000s, Downtown quickly became the commercial and cultural heart of the city.
Today, Downtown reflects a vibrant multicultural atmosphere. The influence of travellers and expats is visible in the variety of restaurants, bars, and shops along 5th Avenue. However, local markets and traditional celebrations like Día de los Muertos still preserve its Maya heritage.
Highlighted coworking and coliving spaces in Downtown
- Anana Coliving: A modern space with high-speed internet, private call booths, and networking events.
- Azure Coliving: Combines accommodation with coworking, offering an international digital nomad community.
Cafés for working in Downtown
- Ah Cacao: Great coffee, comfortable seating, and stable Wi-Fi. A favourite among freelancers and remote workers.
- Marley Coffee: Spacious tables, plug access, and a relaxed atmosphere for long work sessions.
Digital communities and events Downtown hosts several networking meetups and digital nomad gatherings at spaces like Selina, where connecting with like-minded people is easy.
Ideal for: Digital nomads who love convenience and the lively pulse of city life.
Playacar: Peace and green surroundings
Playacar developed in the 1970s as a private community to attract high-end residential tourism. The area was designed to offer safety and exclusivity, featuring homes, hotels, and golf courses. Yet before its urbanisation, Playacar was part of ancient Maya settlements. You can still find small archaeological ruins within the complex, showing its pre-Hispanic significance in trade routes.
The mix between modern design and Maya heritage gives Playacar a unique vibe. It also attracts many foreigners and families seeking a calm seaside lifestyle, adding to its international character.
Coliving and flats in Playacar
- Outsite Playa del Carmen: This coliving provides a serene setting with fully equipped working areas.
- Furnished flats: Many monthly rentals include pools, gyms, and other amenities.
Recommended cafés in Playacar
- Café Antoinette: Great for long breakfasts while working on your laptop.
- Basic Foodie: Serves healthy dishes, outdoor seating, and strong Wi-Fi.
Ideal for: Those seeking a calm environment near the beach and a slower pace of life.
Zazil-Ha: A modern and growing neighbourhood
Zazil-Ha is a youthful area that’s grown rapidly due to Playa del Carmen’s tourism boom. Its name comes from the Mayan words meaning “clear water”, referring to the purity of local cenotes and the coast. Traditionally, this was a working-class zone, but with tourism’s rise, it has modernised with new buildings and housing projects aimed at travellers and temporary residents.
Zazil-Ha keeps a balance between its residential character and tourism growth. You’ll find local families and young digital nomads here. Its closeness to beaches and 5th Avenue attracts investors, leading to cafés, restaurants, and cultural centres celebrating Caribbean art and identity.
Coworking and coliving in Zazil-Ha
- Bunker Coworking: A small yet functional space with fast Wi-Fi and collaborative work areas.
- WorkZone: Offers shared areas perfect for socialising and working productively.
Recommended cafés in Zazil-Ha
- La Perla Pixan: Local café with a relaxed vibe and excellent internet connection.
- Choux Choux Café: Cosy spot with large tables, ideal for long work sessions.
Ideal for: Mid-budget nomads seeking a peaceful area with easy access to Downtown.
Colosio: Emerging and affordable alternative
Luis Donaldo Colosio is one of Playa del Carmen’s most authentic and developing districts. Initially, it was home to local workers from various Mexican regions. For years, the area had limited infrastructure and was considered low-income. However, recent urbanisation has attracted young digital nomads for its affordable prices and proximity to the sea.
Unlike more touristic areas, Colosio maintains a strong local spirit. You’ll find traditional eateries and markets that reflect community customs. The mix of its cultural roots and new developments gives it great potential, even though it’s less structured than Downtown or Playacar.
Accommodation in Colosio
- Affordable studios: Several modern and budget-friendly options available, perfect for long-term stays.
- Airbnb with monthly discounts: Many hosts offer significant reductions for 30-day stays or longer.
Workspaces near Colosio
- Bunker Coworking (in Zazil-Ha): A short walk away and a great option to work outside home.
- Selina: Though farther, many Colosio residents choose it for its social environment.
Ideal for: Digital nomads on a budget who want a seaside location in a growing community.
Frequently asked questions about staying in Playa del Carmen as a digital nomad
Here we answer the most common questions from people choosing Playa del Carmen as their remote work base. These cover connectivity, budgeting, and long-term accommodation options.
Playa del Carmen offers solid connectivity for most digital nomads. In central areas such as Downtown and Playacar, fibre-optic connections often reach between 50 and 100 Mbps. In developing zones like Colosio, service quality may vary but keeps improving. Coworking spaces and many colivings guarantee high-speed internet—ideal for video calls or transferring large files. Remember to use our eSIM for Mexico from Holafly for unlimited data.
Accommodation prices depend on the area and housing type. On average:
Downtown: A furnished one-bedroom flat costs between €700 ($800) and €1,150 ($1,350).
Playacar: Properties here are pricier, with rents ranging from €1,150 ($1,350) to €1,850 ($2,200), depending on amenities.
Zazil-Ha and Colosio: More affordable options, between (€550 ($650)) and €900 ($1,00)).Many flats and colivings offer discounts for stays longer than one month, which benefits digital nomads.
Generally, Playa del Carmen is a safe city to live in, especially in Playacar, Downtown, and Zazil-Ha. Still, like in any tourist destination, it’s best to follow basic precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit streets at night. Colosio, though improving, has areas with limited infrastructure, so checking with locals before choosing housing is wise.
The most commonly used platforms by digital nomads in Playa del Carmen include:
Airbnb: Popular for short and medium stays, with discounts for bookings of more than 30 days.
Facebook Marketplace and expat groups: Useful for finding apartments directly with owners, avoiding platform commission fees.
Colivings: Sites like Selina and Outsite offer flexible stays with access to shared workspaces.
Local real estate agencies: In areas like Zazil-Ha and Colosio, some specialized agencies manage furnished apartments for monthly rentals.
Playa del Carmen has a tropical climate with warm temperatures all year. However, the rainy and hurricane season runs from June to November, which may bring heavy rain and occasional internet or power interruptions. The best time for digital nomads is between December and April, when the weather stays dry and pleasantly warm.
Playa del Carmen has a vibrant digital nomad community and expat scene. The following options are great for networking:
Selina hosts social events, yoga classes, and remote-work meetups.
Nest Coworking runs tech talks and entrepreneurship sessions.
Social media groups on Facebook or Meetup help find local events, from book clubs to excursions.
The 5th Avenue area is also ideal for meeting people, full of cafés and bars popular with freelancers.
Colivings are perfect for digital nomads since they offer accommodation, coworking areas, and social activities in one place. Benefits include:
Flexible stays: You won’t need long-term contracts.
Community vibe: Meet other digital nomads and easily socialise.
All-inclusive services: High-speed internet, cleaning, and shared areas like kitchens and meeting rooms.
Prime location: Most colivings are in Downtown or near the beach, providing easy access to essential services.
Playa del Carmen is compact, so renting a car isn’t necessary. Many locals and nomads prefer bicycles or scooters since they’re easy to park and navigate through central streets. Additionally:
Public transport is available via colectivos (vans) connecting nearby zones and towns like Tulum.
Taxis and apps like Uber or Didi are also available, though limited in some areas.If you plan to explore further, renting a car for a few days is a smart choice.
