Question: ​We are relocating to the Playa del Carmen area and hope to be settled by August 2016. We are headed to the area in April to search for homes and check our private schools. We have a 16 year old son. He speaks English and French. No Spanish (at this point). Is there a private school that teaches all the core subjects in English with the option of learning Spanish? We are concerned about this. He would be going into grade 11 this year. 
-Robert

Answer: Hello Robert! I don't have any personal experience with the high schools in Playa, because our oldest son is only 9 years old. However, there are plenty of expats in the area that send their teens to private schools in the area. You have several to choose from. Colegio Ingles is a private school that is recommended by other expats and is suitable for older children and teens.  I would try them first. That is my best suggestion, but there are several schools that you should consider and pay a visit in-person so you can feel comfortable with their staff, location, and educational offerings.

Your son will learn Spanish very quickly if he speaks fluent French. Both are romance languages and are very similar. Living in Playa will be an immediate Spanish-Immersion and he should pick up the language speaking with other kids, probably within a year or two he will be speaking fluently.

Contact info for Colegio Ingles in Playa Del Carmen:
Address: Lote 4 Fraccion 24 Col Ejidal, Sin Nombre, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Phone:+52 984 267 2999

The weather has been warm and sunny this week, and there have been occasional showers but we can tell that it's gearing up to be a wonderful summer again in the Mayan Riviera. We are enjoying the sun with our kids and taking some exploratory trips towards the pretty little Muyil ruins which are a great place nearby to see a well-cared for archaeological site.  

It's small but the ruins are impressive and the area is lovely. Just look at these nice walking paths. I took lots of great photographs and could have stayed much longer but the kids were getting antsy. 

Like many of these locations around Mexico, there is a Virgin de Guadalupe prominently displayed. Every time we have visited, there is a candle lit in her honor. A few times, we saw visitors stop and pray before the little shrine before moving on to view the ruins. These ruins are a short drive from Tulum and worth a visit. If pitaya (dragon fruit) is in season, you can find little carts selling it nearby, pick up a few because the fruit is delicious and you can purchase it very cheaply down here.