So You Just Moved to Playa — Here's Week One

Welcome to Playa. The beach photos don't lie, but the first week here runs on a different set of rules than wherever you flew in from. Save yourself some trial and error — here's what to know before you unpack the last box.

Getting Around: inDrive Over Taxis

Uber has a complicated relationship with Playa's taxi union, so most locals and expats use inDrive instead — you name your price, a driver accepts, and you agree before anyone gets in the car. It's the closest thing to rideshare pricing you'll get here.

Street taxis are everywhere, but they don't run meters — agree on the price before you get in, every time. As a rough guide, a short hop within your neighborhood should run 40–60 pesos, and crossing town (say, Centro to Playacar) is closer to 100–150. If a driver quotes double that on sight, it's a tourist markup — negotiate or wave down the next one.

Don't Drink the Tap Water

Stick to bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Most apartments have a garrafón (20L jug) service you can have delivered — ask your landlord or neighbors who they use. Restaurants and reputable bars use purified water and ice, so eating out is generally safe.

Shower Water Runs Hard

Playa's water is hard — expect mineral buildup on shower heads and a different feel to your hair and skin than you're used to. A shower filter helps, and it's worth switching to a heavier conditioner. Don't panic if your hair feels different the first few weeks; it's the water, not you.

Sargasso Season

Roughly April through October, seaweed (sargasso) can wash up heavily on the beaches — some years worse than others. Hotels and beach clubs clear their stretches daily, but public beaches vary. If the beach you're picturing is seaweed-free white sand, plan around the season or pick a beach club that actively clears it.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

This isn't the same heat you're used to, and plain water isn't going to cut it on its own. Get familiar with agua del día or agua fresca — water blended with fresh fruit, sold everywhere from stands to sit-down spots — and keep electrolytes on hand. Your body is losing more than you think out here; treat hydration like a daily task, not an afterthought.

A Note on Toilet Paper (Yes, Really)

Two things worth knowing before you're caught off guard: a lot of the toilet paper sold here is scented or has additives, which can cause irritation or UTIs — worth seeking out an unscented, additive-free brand, especially for anyone prone to either. And around here, toilet paper doesn't go in the toilet — it goes in the small trash bin next to it, every time, for anything. Mexico's plumbing and sewage systems generally aren't built to handle paper going down, so this one's non-negotiable no matter where you are in town.

ATMs: Always Decline the Conversion

When an ATM asks if you want it to "convert" pesos to your home currency before dispensing, say no — always choose to be charged in pesos (look for "continue without conversion"). That prompt is a markup in disguise; your own bank's exchange rate is almost always better. Also budget for a flat ATM fee most machines charge on top, regardless of what you choose.

The Best Tacos Are on the Side of the Road

The unassuming taco stands parked on street corners and empty lots — plastic stools, a griddle, maybe a hand-painted sign — routinely beat the sit-down restaurants on both price and flavor. Follow the line of locals, not the reviews.

Rappi Delivers Almost Everything

Rappi is the app to have — food delivery, but also groceries, pharmacy runs, and even cash withdrawals in a pinch. It's the closest thing to a one-app-does-it-all here, and worth setting up your first week.

Shop the Fruterías, Not Just the Supermarket

Small fruterías (fruit and veg stands) are on nearly every corner and are almost always cheaper and fresher than the big chains for produce. Get to know the one closest to you — prices are usually posted or easy to ask for, and it's a good way to start recognizing your neighbors.

Where to Actually Grocery Shop

For everything else, the big grocery stores — Chedraui, Soriana, and Walmart — all have locations around town and cover the packaged goods, meat, and household basics the fruterías don't. Chedraui Selecto tends to have the widest imported/specialty selection if you're missing something from home.

"You don't need to figure Playa out alone — every expat here was new once too."

Find Your People — WhatsApp & Facebook Groups

There's a gazillion WhatsApp and Facebook groups for expats and locals in Playa — for housing, buy/sell, recommendations, venting, you name it. Ask around and you'll get added to a handful within your first week. They're loaded with gems: who's hiring, which landlord to avoid, where to get your AC fixed same-day. Join more than you think you need — you'll prune later.

The Takeaway

None of this is complicated once you know it — it just isn't written on a welcome sign anywhere. Get inDrive on your phone, stock up on garrafón water, and find your frutería. The rest of it you'll pick up living it. And if you want to meet people doing the same thing, that's what our mixers are for.