How much does it cost to live in Riviera Maya Mexico?

Cost of Living for American Expats in Riviera Maya Mexico

The Riviera Maya is located in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico. The Riviera Maya stretches from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen and Tulum, a distance of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles).

Located within the Riviera Maya are a number of important Mayan archaeological sites, including Chichen Itza (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Coba and Tulum. There are also numerous cenotes that offer great spots for swimming. You can explore these places while staying in one of many luxurious hotels or resorts available in the area.

Accommodations on the Riviera Maya tend to be all-inclusive resorts that cater to international tourists for most of the year. The cost of living in this area varies depending on where you go, but here is an overview of what you can expect when it comes to expenses.

Housing and Utilities

Rentals will fall within the range of $350 to $450 a month. Expect lower prices if you’re willing to live in a small or older home, or away from the beach.

For those looking for something more permanent, freehold property is available at a wide range of prices. A two-bedroom condo in Playa del Carmen, the most popular part of Riviera Maya, will go for about $220K USD; expect to pay more if you want ocean views or need more space. In desirable areas like Tulum, though, you can buy a three-bedroom house for about $220K USD—let’s call that our baseline price for Riviera Maya real estate.

If you have a budget of around $120k USD or more then you can find great 1-bedroom studios for sale in Tulum Mexico.

Utilities are cheap in Mexico—your electric bill will be around $30 per month and your internet will be even less than that—but taxes add up pretty quickly on an imported house like ours (we have to pay some hefty import fees and at least one tax every year).

Living in Riviera Maya is a dream come true for many people—and it can also be budget-friendly. Freehold property is available, as are condos and townhouses. If you prefer to rent, there are lots of options. Utilities are inexpensive; expect to pay about $100 for electricity and water for a home with 2 bedrooms.

Locally-Produced Food

For the most part, locally-produced foods are going to be cheaper than imported foods. This is because of the lower transportation costs associated with not having to transport food halfway around the world.

In addition to being more affordable, there are other benefits associated with buying locally-produced food. The first is that you’re able to get fresher produce and other items when they’re produced nearby. This high quality of produce and food usually means that you don’t have to use as much seasoning in your cooking, which can add up over time. Another benefit is that locally-produced food often has less packaging than imported foods. Less packaging means less waste for a better environment and more money in your pocket!

Imported Food

Imported food is significantly more expensive than locally produced. A gallon of milk costs $5-6, while a pound of ground beef costs between $8 and $12. If you want to buy imported products such as cheese, chocolate, or breakfast cereals, be ready to pay even more. Of course, the price varies according to the quality and brand: You can find good deals at Costco or Walmart but expect prices that are 30% higher than in the USA for most staple items.

Transportation

When it comes to the cost of transportation in Riviera Maya, there is good news and a little bad news. The good news is that gas prices are low by Western standards, costing about $3 per gallon. A rental car will run you anywhere from $15 to $40 per day, depending on the model. Tour buses are available to take visitors to all the main tourist attractions. If public transport is your thing, there are local buses available for an incredibly affordable price of 15 cents per ride or 75 cents for an all-day pass. Taxis can be used as well, which run around 10 pesos ($0.55 USD) for each person in the vehicle. The only downside here: those who have been pulled over for minor traffic violations have reported that many police officers expect “gifts” after writing their tickets—so always drive carefully!

Healthcare

Riviera Maya is known for its breathtaking scuba diving. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the water, it’s important to have health insurance in case of an accident or emergency. You never know what could happen; even the most experienced divers can get nervous when they unexpectedly encounter a shark or whale shark.

To purchase private health insurance, you can visit your local mall and speak to someone at Seguros Monterrey. They will ask about your medical history and provide you with a monthly quote based on your information (your age and any pre-existing conditions will play a role in determining cost).

Family Life at the Beach

If you decide to move to the Riviera Maya with your family, know that there are great beach destinations that also happen to be kid-friendly. But before you go and start getting all sandy, here are some other things you should consider:

Schools: If the kids are school age (and don’t yet speak Spanish), you’ll want to look into international schools in the area. There’s quite a selection of these, but be prepared because they’re pricey—about $10,000-$20,000 annually per child.
Activities: While there are plenty of beaches in Mexico where you can swim year round and get sand everywhere as much as you want, sometimes a change of pace is nice. In addition to pool time at your hotel or resort, take a look at what else is available for families in the area. Many resorts have supervised kids’ clubs for little ones who enjoy activities such as arts and crafts or sports; others offer babysitting services if parents need some time alone; and then there are the water parks!

Riviera Maya is a spectacular place to visit – and considering the cost of living there, it’s not out of reach for many retirees and families.

Riviera Maya is a spectacular place to visit – and considering the cost of living there, it’s not out of reach for many retirees. For example:

A pack of tortillas in Riviera Maya costs about $0.75 USD.
A dozen eggs in Cancun will set you back about $1.29 USD.
A liter of domestic beer costs around $0.90 USD in Playa del Carmen, while an imported beer will set you back about $1.75 USD at a local grocery store there (at a restaurant, expect to pay more).
You can buy fresh tropical fruit and vegetables at the local market in Playa del Carmen for around half what you would pay state-side.

Consider these prices when making your budget!

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