From dudes on skype living in playa.

How I can get to them? Is skype group still alive? Can you please add me, I asked above but nobody did

my skype Optimist1945

Can someone direct me to some information for playing in Mexico

I'd like to know if I should use Poker Refugees or if I should just do it myself.

How long can I stay there?
How do you open a bank account?
Any other important information I will need to make the transition.
I think I want to be in a big condo building with a lot of players, but I want to have my own condo. Any suggestions of where to go and what price to expect?

Looking forward to coming down to grind.

Thanks

You can do it yourself, it's not that hard. I'll just give you my limited experience from setting myself up in Mexico

Mexico isn't exactly big on "visa enforcement" like other countries might be, so I wouldn't worry too much about how long you can stay and all that. Just make sure you get Mexican car insurance (if you're driving, that is) and that should be fine. Otherwise, just use your IDs from back home and a passport. Yes, there's these extended tourist visas (the FFM, I believe) but I don't know anyone that bothers with them and I've never been asked for one in Mexico. I actually can't think of any situation where I've been asked for my passport or any other documents. No one really cares out here.

To be clear, I haven't had the need to get a bank account yet. I'm an avid Bitcoin user and I use the forums here to get people to ship me money on/off PStars. So that keeps me going just fine. However, I have researched this quite a bit and you should be aware that there is a difference between opening a bank account in a border town (like Tijuana, Rosarito, Mexicali, etc) versus something inland, like PDC. If you are in a town that is within 20KM of the US Border, there are much more relaxed requirements to get a Mexican bank account in US Dollars (which you will want, you DO NOT want to hold Mexican Pesos). My understanding is that you're better off starting in a border town, getting your banking setup and then use that account for the rest of the time in Mexico. You're going to need a local address, a local utility bill with that address and your passport and the initial deposit.

Overall, just go with the flow in Mexico. The Peso has been so weak against the dollar for so long, that USD is king. There's nothing that can't be solved without a little cash in Mexico. Knowing Spanish also helps.

Hello guys, I'm a 31 years old canadian mid/high stakes online cash game player in downtown playa with the gf for 1 month , she has a friend over so i guess i have more time for a boys night out or i could bring them if there is something out of the ordinary to do.

anyways, feel free to pm me i'm always in to meet new people

oh and please someone add me to the skype group, sn: jean.philippe.goulet.ratelle

ola,
french 37yo, lived in nyc for 12years and LA for 2. Gonna hit the roads of Mexico w gf, starting begining of january. add me to the skype group please: Smokin Raise

thanks and good luck at the tables!

Hello I am moving to Playa in early February can someone add me to the Skype chat group. Skype name- josh.phelps9115. I am also looking for a cheap studio apt. Or someone with a room for rent 6-12 month lease.

what s up los gringos!!
soon I'll be landing in cancun and then PDC
Ze famouss question from ze franch man:
any live table games ,casino or otherwise?
thanks a bunch for your time, good luck at the tables!

Hey, coming down to playa for 10 days at the end of the month and have a few questions.
1.I know this is a long shot, but is it at all possible to get my Stars account back and set up while i'm there?

2.Do I need to be concerned at all about carrying cash? bring travelers checks?

a response would really be appreciated, thanks in advance!

There is a casino with cash games (from 5/10pesos) and some tourneys. It's called RIVIERA GRAND CASINO. If you google it, you'll find their facebook page.

Hi, are there any other ladies grinding poker here in PDC?

FYI in case some of you are moving to Mexico or have friends coming in: The City Express chain is having an amazing sale right now. I booked my next Mexico trip for less than $35/night. They always have solid WiFi and their free breakfast spread is usually pretty decent. Expedia wanted $55 for the exact same room so it's quite a savings.

Hey, I'm coming in a week from tuesday and am going to be staying in playa for 10 days on a "pilot" trip. I'm coming with a friend and we have the first two nights booked at a hotel, we were planning on figuring out a place to stay for the other 8 nights while we're down there, do you think that we wouldn't have an issue doing this? or should we book the rest online? TIA

Has anyone used Poker Refugees to find housing/internet/banking,etc.? Is it helpful in finding local landlords and saving money in that regard?

I do have some time on my hands to explore but don't speak any Spanish. Would it be advisable to just fly down and go for it?

No you should be fine but make sure there is availability. It shouldn't be crowded at the end of Jan. And you won't get your Stars account opened for a 10 day trip.

Its super easy to do it just asking questions and working with people here. There's already been hundreds of poker players who've done the PDC life so no need pay someone to help you do it to.

Sounds good to me. Finding a place to rent on my own would be a good chance to meet people too.

What could I expect to pay for a relatively nice furnished 1BR in PDC starting February with pool/24 hr security/dedicated internet and ideally within a gated community/near the beach? Also, is the whole area near the main street safe? Is the whole of playa del carmen gated in or just some resorts /condos? or both? I'd be looking for a 3-6 month lease.

Also, could someone PM me the info for the skype group? thx!

The whole of Playa del Carmen is a city. There's like 250,000 people that live here. There are very few gated communities that I've seen.

1br with everything you want? probably like $1500+. It's harder to find 1br than 2br units imo. You'll need to take a 6mo lease to get the best rates.

Yes, Playa is very safe.

Thanks for the info! I've been looking on vivanuncios and noticed that most of the rentals are 2BR as well.

Do most people live in a poker house? What do you think it would be for one of a 2 or 3 BR that's furnished nicely but not in a gated community w/ security and maybe doesn't have a pool or isn't so close to the beach?

This isn't 2006-2010 Las Vegas where people are rocking 'poker houses'. Everyone lives in apts or condos, mostly with 1/2 roommates, some of us alone. $1000 for 2br with normal amenities that isn't on the beach.

Thanks for the info. I'm coming in on February 1 and planning to look at rentals. Any advice on finding one would be much appreciated. My skpye is HurricaneFighter0601 for the group.

Flying into Playa this week. Have already set up a meeting with a realtor to look at a few places in my price range. Once I get my lease and a printout for my electric bill how long does it take PS to unlock my account. What are the best options for deposit and cashout for an expat that does not have a bank account there. I don't want to open a mxn bank account. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS might not unlock your account unless you get a bank account. At least, when I got my account unlocked, I needed an apt lease, and a bank account printout. Best way to deposit is to trade cash with someone and have them transfer funds to you. Best way to withdraw is using Skrill debit card.

And I disagree with Gentleman Jack about City Express. Do not stay there, because they are outside of town. And while it wouldn't be very expensive to take a cab, there are plenty of hotels in town at similar prices. And the town is entirely walkable.

how much trouble is it to open a bank account there. I take it I just need the bank account for PS to unlock my account and funding my ps account will be done by transfer instead so minimum to open an account there is what like 100us or so

I've never heard of anyone being required to send in bank info just to unlock Stars. I had a US account converted to real money with my US driver's license and Mexican telephone bill. Shipped the docs, 6 hours later my account was set to go. The process really couldn't have been any easier.