Playa Del Carmen
Mexico
Playa Del Carmen is quickly becoming Mexico’s newest hotspot for the type of sun chasers planning to stick around longer than a spring break trip. It’s a relative stones throw away from the U.S. and Canada but you’ll feel like you’ve landed on the other side of the world in this trendy beachfront pueblo that is already making a name for itself on the smoothie bowl scene (step aside, Bali!). An hour north and you’ll find yourself amongst the debauchery of Cancun. An hour south you have the hippie hang out of Tulum. Playa Del Carmen is a perfect mix of the two, providing modern-day comforts alongside laid back beach vibes, with some quintessential Mexican culture sprinkled in for good measure!
Key Location Info
Study Abroad Fees:
$2,300
N/A
We don't run Study Abroad Programs to this location currently.
This is where fees start for a 6 week Study Abroad Program to this location.
It's important to note that program fees increase as programs draw closer, so typically the sooner you secure your place on a program the lower fees you will pay.
Sometimes we run programs that are not 6 weeks. The fees for those programs will reflect the time frame.
To see what's included in your program fees, head to our dedicated Study Abroad page.
Gap Year Fees:
$2,500
N/A
We don't run Gap Year Programs to this location currently.
This is where fees start for a 6 week Gap Year Program to this location.
It's important to note that program fees increase as programs draw closer, so typically the sooner you secure your place on a program the lower fees you will pay.
Sometimes we run programs that are not 6 weeks. The fees for those programs will reflect the time frame.
To see what's included in your program fees, head to our dedicated Gap Year page.
Program Living Expenses:
$924
This is what we suggest Edumads bring as spending money on a 6 week program to this location. This estimate includes allowance for all:
- Food & drink
- Activities
- Entertainment
- Excursions
This figure is our estimate for a typical experience on a program. It's possible to spend far more or far less depending on your choices and priorities during your time abroad.
Our estimate for Gap Year programs and Study Abroad programs is the same.
Solo Edumad Budget:
$1,080
This is what we estimate it would cost per month to live in this location if you were to organize your own trip.
We teach students how to organize their own trips in the Edumadic Academy.
Chichen Itza
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this archaeological site is a major bucket list adventure. Chichen Itza was the center of pilgrimage for the ancient Mayan civilization for over a thousand years, and El Castillo is the infamous pyramid dominating all of the temples.
Cenotes
These underground water holes are native to the Yucatán Peninsula, which result from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes the water underneath. Because the water has been filtered through the ground, cenote waters are super clear!
Legend has it that the Mayans used cenotes for sacrificial offerings, and in recent years, divers have found human skeletons in the depths of the underwater caves that are thousands of years old! Don’t worry - there are plenty of cenotes to casually swim in without taking a deep dive into the caves.
Beach life
There are 2 miles of white sandy beaches in Playa that line the coast of the Riviera Maya along the Caribbean Sea. The beachfront comes to life from sunrise til sunset as the main hub of activity for beachgoers, water sports, outdoor movies & festivals, and al fresco dining. You’ll be spoiled for choice with all of the different beaches that each have a unique vibe. And since daily life revolves around the beach clubs, restaurants, and dive shops that dot the coast, the beach will be the centerpiece of anyone’s time here.
Authentic Mexico
There’s more to Playa del Carmen than tropical bliss. You’re in the epicenter of one of the most ancient civilizations, where the pyramids still stand and many heritage sites and museums exist to preserve its history. Mexican culture is all around in the open-air markets where you’ll learn the art of local haggling and in the authentic Mexican cuisine you can’t find anywhere else. The Riviera Maya may look different than the larger, land-locked cities throughout Mexico but you’ll have just as many opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture.
Scuba and snorkeling
Scuba diving and snorkeling take on a whole new meaning in Playa because the waters - both fresh cenotes and ocean - are at the crossroads of both marine life AND ancient civilization. Two for the price of one! Dive the caves and sinkholes where the remains of prehistoric animals have been found, go turtle watching out in the reefs, or explore the shipwrecks not far off the coast. There is an abundance of diverse sea life you won’t see anywhere else, so pack that your GoPro!
