One of the best ways to get the scoop on Playa del Carmen, Mexico is to sit down with some expats in person and coax them for information, but where to do you go to meet English speaking expats in Playa?
I’m sure there’s many different approaches and there is no one place where expats hangout. After all, expats are pretty independent and don’t fit any particular mold. Some are busy with local businesses, work, or family while others keep to themselves or hang with a close group of friends. However, after being here for a few months I’ve found some places where where you’re likely to run into English speaking expats. English speaking does not necessarily mean American. There are expats in Playa del Carmen from all over the world, and many who do not speak English as a native language speak excellent English as a second language.
If I were in Playa del Carmen looking for expats, the first place I would look is Bad Boys on a Saturday between 4:00 and 8:00 PM. Bad Boys is a beach club and bar located between 2nd and 4th street (Calle 2 and Calle 4) on the beach. On Saturdays, and sometimes Thursdays, JJ and The Nasty Bastards Band play live rock-and-roll music which generally draws a fair number of English speaking expats from their beach chairs. Besides, the music is great, the beer and margaritas are cold and it’s a great way to spend a Saturday evening. The burgers are great too!
During the week, there’s generally a handful of English speaking expats at Bar Ranita on Calle 10 between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue after nine. Jez, a Brit who has lived all over the world, or so it seems, manages both the Hotel La Rana Cansada and the Bar Ranita. Look across and down the street at the Beer Bucket, for another possibility. The Beer Bucket is popular with locals and tourists and is owned by Captain Ron and Sharkey, two characters you’ll want to meet. (Don’t forget to check the upstairs bar.) In the north end of Playa, we have met expats at Pinche Gringos Sports Bar on 1st Avenue at 26th Street.
If you prefer coffee instead of beer, get up early and grab a fresh cup of brew and a breakfast sandwich at Java Joe’s on 10th street one half block west of 5th, just a few doors from Starbucks. Java Joe’s has been here for 10 years and any self respecting expat would choose Java Joe’s over Starbucks anytime. 