In terms of Mexico beachfront real estate, one area which has grown to be a favorite over the past two decades is that of Playa del Carmen, located on the Yucatan Peninsula about an hour south of Cancun. While the one-time fishing village has grown into a lively tourist hub with many high-quality international restaurants, boutique shops and world-class services, one stretch of beachfront right next to the quaint town center has retained a very exclusive character for the most discerning buyers. This is Playacar, Phase 1.
The Beaches and Oceanfront
Playacar enjoys all aspects of what made the beaches in Playa del Carmen and the Mexican Caribbean famous:
- The soft, white sand – If you enjoy walking in the sand, there are few places in the world that can boast sand that is so fine and soft on your feet, or so white – a real visual pleasure as well.
- The turquoise Caribbean – Behind this soft sand is the uniquely beautiful Caribbean sea, with a color that has no rivals.
- The wide, spacious beach – These same beaches are very wide and spacious across Playacar and downtown Playa del Carmen, offering large amounts of space to enjoy walking, lounging and other beach activities.
Luxury Homes
Of course, the best way to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches is to live in a well-designed, spacious home overlooking these same beaches. Playacar Phase 1 is defined by upscale hotels and boutique resorts, elegant, low-rise condominiums, and luxury Playa del Carmen homes.
A contemporary design spacious 3 or 4 bedroom home with a yard or a patio directly on the beachfront can be found for around $1.2 to $1.5 million. Features will include beach views from most rooms, comfortable outdoor spaces to enjoy the beautiful views and the refreshing ocean breeze and pools.
A couple of blocks back from the beach, similar homes can be found from about $750,000 USD to about $1 million. These homes are only a very short walk from the beach (5 minutes, if you really take your time) and are located on beautiful, tree-lined roads, surrounded by other elegant homes. Playa del Carmen condos directly on this beachfront start around $500,000 USD.
Each of these property choices can bring a significant income for owners through vacation rentals; even condos can bring in around $2500 USD per week during peak seasons, and large homes would generate significantly more.
Exclusiveness
Playacar Phase 1 is a gated community with restricted access, only permitting residents and official visitors of the community’s upscale hotels and rental condos. The streets are quiet and safe, the roads are beautiful, and the properties are all of high-end quality and tasteful residents.
While all beaches in Mexico are public, there are no public accesses in Playacar; at the point where Playacar and downtown meet, the beach is virtually cut off by the ferry dock to Cozumel and an adjoining restaurant which almost meets the water (the only point that’s not really wide; there are convenient stairs up to the dock, however, should you choose to walk that way.) Those using the beach in Playacar are those same residents and visitors who can officially enter through the gated security. Playacar is among the best choices to live in Mexico on an exclusive beachfront.
Downtown – Walking Access
This part of Playacar is truly “the best of both worlds.” While offering a high level of exclusiveness, it is located directly next to the heart of Playa del Carmen’s downtown tourist area. Whether by the beach or by the road access, it is only a short, pleasant walk.
Right where Playacar ends, at the point where the ferry dock juts out, there is a new, small outdoor plaza, called “Paseo el Carmen” with boutique shops, excellent restaurants (including the Cuban chain “Bodeguita” – the original in Havana was where the Mojito was invented), nice bars, and American chains (Starbucks, Johnny Rocket’s, etc.) The walkways are decorated with fountains and benches.
At the north entrance to the plaza, begins Fifth Avenue. At this point there is a parkette between the road and the beach, with a traditional Mexican gazebo, a space for community events, many trees and flower gardens, a children’s play ground and a quaint little church.
Passing this picturesque view there begins the main stretch of Playa del Carmen’s main tourist street, which is a pedestrian walkway, lined with everything from taco shops and burger joints to fine Argentinian steakhouses and elegant restaurants serving traditional Mayan food (with an international “fusion” element added), from tourist nicknack shops to high-end jewelry stores, from live reggae bars to cafes with live jazz or champagne bars with piano concerts. There are also a number of gelaterias, pizza shops and Italian restaurants; Italians are the second largest expat group here after Americans.
If you want to enjoy Playa del Carmen at its best, living on one of the world’s favorite beaches in a very pleasant, exclusive community, with easy access to all the lively activity of this town’s main tourist street, consider Playacar.
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