Guidebook for Playa del Carmen
Food Scene
Plank Gourmet Grill & Patio Bar
Great tasting menu
Catch
S/N ThompsonAwesome food and great roof top views
Oh lala
147 C. 14 Nte. BisSmall and intimate. Love the food.
Great atmosphere. Remember they only take Pesos--no credit cards!
723 locals recommend
La Cueva del Chango
Mz. 4 Calle 38 Nte.Great atmosphere. Remember they only take Pesos--no credit cards!
La Fe
Good drinks and ceviche.
La Famiglia
10 10 Av. SurGreat pizza and italian food. Frequented by the locals.
El Fogón
s/n 30 Avenida NorteEat like the locals and great margaritas
Don Sirloin - Av 30
Steps from the condo. Eat like the locals. Very inexpensive.
Starbucks Playa del Carmen Basico
S/N 5 Av. Nte.Just because you can :)
Hours: 6:30am-9:00pm Tuesday-Sundays. Closed Mondays. Description: This place has amazing coffee at prices that will make you think about going to the chain coffee shops. Besides great coffee they have pastries and food. There is also Wi-Fi. We think this place has some of the best coffee in Playa Del Carmen.
179 locals recommend
Choux choux cafe
con C. 24 NteHours: 6:30am-9:00pm Tuesday-Sundays. Closed Mondays. Description: This place has amazing coffee at prices that will make you think about going to the chain coffee shops. Besides great coffee they have pastries and food. There is also Wi-Fi. We think this place has some of the best coffee in Playa Del Carmen.
Hours: Monday -Sunday 6:30am-11:00pm. Description: Best place for tea in Playa Del Carmen with over 150 fresh teas to choose from. They also have cupcakes and cookies to go with it.
The Little Teaport
Hours: Monday -Sunday 6:30am-11:00pm. Description: Best place for tea in Playa Del Carmen with over 150 fresh teas to choose from. They also have cupcakes and cookies to go with it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Touristy and pricey but a must do at least once. The ultimate in entertainment: Shows, Drinks & Dancing.
970 locals recommend
Coco Bongo
Touristy and pricey but a must do at least once. The ultimate in entertainment: Shows, Drinks & Dancing.
Great club with an open dance floor and rope swings at the bar. If you don't feel like dancing, climb the stairs to one of the upper levels from which you can watch the revelries or recline to enjoy the ocean, as the club blends seamlessly into the sand.
41 locals recommend
Coco Maya Beach and Night Club
Calle 12 NorteGreat club with an open dance floor and rope swings at the bar. If you don't feel like dancing, climb the stairs to one of the upper levels from which you can watch the revelries or recline to enjoy the ocean, as the club blends seamlessly into the sand.
Dirty Martini Lounge
Calle 10 NorteGreat martini's! Go for the Tuesday 2X1 martini special!!
Parks & Nature
Perhaps the most popular beach club in Playa Del Carmen. This is the popular club with young people and people that want a lively atmosphere. There are many beach beds and chairs available In the inner courtyard of this beach club there is a pool that offers a different feel then on the beach. Most of the time at Mamitas there is lounge/chill/electronic music paying.
934 locals recommend
Mamita's Beach Club
8 Calle 28 Nte.Perhaps the most popular beach club in Playa Del Carmen. This is the popular club with young people and people that want a lively atmosphere. There are many beach beds and chairs available In the inner courtyard of this beach club there is a pool that offers a different feel then on the beach. Most of the time at Mamitas there is lounge/chill/electronic music paying.
This is a large beach club with a lot of chairs. There is a small pool and restaurant here.
210 locals recommend
Kool Beach Club
This is a large beach club with a lot of chairs. There is a small pool and restaurant here.
Coralina is described as a nightclub in the daytime and that is about accurate. This is more of a see and be seen beach club. If you like a club with a DJ and pool then you might like here. Beach chairs and beds are available along with bottle service and high-end services.
141 locals recommend
Coralina Daylight Club
S/N Calle 26 NteCoralina is described as a nightclub in the daytime and that is about accurate. This is more of a see and be seen beach club. If you like a club with a DJ and pool then you might like here. Beach chairs and beds are available along with bottle service and high-end services.
This beach club is on the north end of Playa Del Carmen and has a decent amount of beach beds. There is bar and food service here.
160 locals recommend
Martina Beach Club
AlbatrosThis beach club is on the north end of Playa Del Carmen and has a decent amount of beach beds. There is bar and food service here.
The last beach club on the north end is Canibal Royal. This has been the trendy but slightly upscale beach club for people that want chill/ lounge feeling and good ceviche and drinks. The beach is very small here but the palm trees and three story building offer a nice vibe.
380 locals recommend
Diablito cha cha cha
KM 9.6 Av. Boca PailaThe last beach club on the north end is Canibal Royal. This has been the trendy but slightly upscale beach club for people that want chill/ lounge feeling and good ceviche and drinks. The beach is very small here but the palm trees and three story building offer a nice vibe.
Right in the middle of Playa Del Carmen at 10th Street is Zenzi. During the day this beach club offers low laying beds and a restaurant. At night this is a spot to enjoy the beachfront restaurant.
366 locals recommend
Zenzi
Right in the middle of Playa Del Carmen at 10th Street is Zenzi. During the day this beach club offers low laying beds and a restaurant. At night this is a spot to enjoy the beachfront restaurant.
On 14th Street and the beach is El Taj. This beach club has nice umbrellas and a relaxed atmosphere. There is a restaurant as well here.
10 locals recommend
El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condo Hotel
Esquina C. 14 Nte.On 14th Street and the beach is El Taj. This beach club has nice umbrellas and a relaxed atmosphere. There is a restaurant as well here.
Sightseeing
Xplor Park by Xcaret
Km 282 Puerto JuarezXcaret
Rio Secreto
Cenote Chaak Tun
7 Avenida Benito JuarezChichén Itzá
Quick 45 minute drive. Check out the ruins and spend the rest of the day on beach.
999 locals recommend
Tulum
Quick 45 minute drive. Check out the ruins and spend the rest of the day on beach.
Easy 30 minute ferry ride. Explore the town, ruins, beaches or go scuba diving.
317 locals recommend
Cozumel
Easy 30 minute ferry ride. Explore the town, ruins, beaches or go scuba diving.
These ruins get over shadowed by the larger ruins in the area. Tours do not visit this area because for the most part tourist like visiting “name brand ruins” and taking that predictable photo with a semi famous pyramid. Many websites and tourist information outlets only talk about places where they can sell you something, for example a tour. So we are here to lift the secrecy of these ruins that are not even on many maps so you can visit them. These ruins are perfect for the people that like off the beaten path exploration and seeing local communities.
El Naranjal
These ruins get over shadowed by the larger ruins in the area. Tours do not visit this area because for the most part tourist like visiting “name brand ruins” and taking that predictable photo with a semi famous pyramid. Many websites and tourist information outlets only talk about places where they can sell you something, for example a tour. So we are here to lift the secrecy of these ruins that are not even on many maps so you can visit them. These ruins are perfect for the people that like off the beaten path exploration and seeing local communities.
Small fishing town. Great Beaches. Resembles Playa 20 years ago. Great snorkeling.
416 locals recommend
Akumal
Small fishing town. Great Beaches. Resembles Playa 20 years ago. Great snorkeling.
Favorite site to visit because it is shaded in the jungle and the opportunity to bike between the pyramids is cool. You also can climb the steep steps of the tallest pyramid there. Entrance is 64 pesos and parking is 40 pesos. Renting the bikes is extra. It is possible to do it yourself by bus but there is very limited options so make sure you know the times. From Cancun this makes for a full day with a tour and there is usually a stop somewhere else, either a cenote or Tulum. From Playa you can driver here and do a half day adventure or make a day of it with a stop at a cenote or in Tulum.
232 locals recommend
Cobá Zona Arqueológica
307 Carretera Federal TulumFavorite site to visit because it is shaded in the jungle and the opportunity to bike between the pyramids is cool. You also can climb the steep steps of the tallest pyramid there. Entrance is 64 pesos and parking is 40 pesos. Renting the bikes is extra. It is possible to do it yourself by bus but there is very limited options so make sure you know the times. From Cancun this makes for a full day with a tour and there is usually a stop somewhere else, either a cenote or Tulum. From Playa you can driver here and do a half day adventure or make a day of it with a stop at a cenote or in Tulum.
Ek Balam is the newer ruin to visit out of the big ones and has gotten more popular to visit. It is 3rd out of the 4 by distance and is usually done with a tour. Attached to this site is a cenote that you can pay extra to swim in. This can make a nice drip after hiking around the ruins. There is even one pyramid you can climb here and you get to see the flat Yucatan Peninsula. Entrance is 130 pesos and parking is free. These ruins are third in size of the top four. The site is semi shaded and will make for a 3/4 or full day with a stop in Valladolid.
170 locals recommend
Ek Balam
Ek Balam is the newer ruin to visit out of the big ones and has gotten more popular to visit. It is 3rd out of the 4 by distance and is usually done with a tour. Attached to this site is a cenote that you can pay extra to swim in. This can make a nice drip after hiking around the ruins. There is even one pyramid you can climb here and you get to see the flat Yucatan Peninsula. Entrance is 130 pesos and parking is free. These ruins are third in size of the top four. The site is semi shaded and will make for a 3/4 or full day with a stop in Valladolid.
Muyil ruins is a small site just south of Tulum. Very few tourist come here because Tulum ruins suck in most tourist because the amazing views off the cliffs and the name it has for itself. What this site is good for is a quiet walk among a semi shaded area and a nice trail out to the lagoon in the back. Entrance to the trail is 50 pesos extra. Make sure you climb the lookout tower and make it all the way out to the lagoon. Entrance is about 54 pesos now and parking is free. If you have been to Tulum and Coba and have a car this makes for a nice half day trip with a stop in Tulum for something to eat.
232 locals recommend
Muyil
Muyil ruins is a small site just south of Tulum. Very few tourist come here because Tulum ruins suck in most tourist because the amazing views off the cliffs and the name it has for itself. What this site is good for is a quiet walk among a semi shaded area and a nice trail out to the lagoon in the back. Entrance to the trail is 50 pesos extra. Make sure you climb the lookout tower and make it all the way out to the lagoon. Entrance is about 54 pesos now and parking is free. If you have been to Tulum and Coba and have a car this makes for a nice half day trip with a stop in Tulum for something to eat.
Shopping
Fifth Avenue
5 Avenida NorteEndless shopping
Essentials
Blocks from the condo. Need money, Walmart's ATMs are the best and cheapest in Playa.
679 locals recommend
Walmart Playa Del Carmen
30 Avenida NorteBlocks from the condo. Need money, Walmart's ATMs are the best and cheapest in Playa.
MEGA Soriana
101 30 Avenida Nte.Similar to Walmart.
Great wine and liquor selection. Awesome breads, cut meats and cheeses. They also make sandwiches for during lunch hours.
WINERY & plus
Great wine and liquor selection. Awesome breads, cut meats and cheeses. They also make sandwiches for during lunch hours.
Getting Around
A block from the condo but you can only go TO the Cancun Airport (No Arrivals from the airport). You can travel to other parts of Mexico from this terminal.
178 locals recommend
Terminal Autobuses ADO Cancún
A block from the condo but you can only go TO the Cancun Airport (No Arrivals from the airport). You can travel to other parts of Mexico from this terminal.
Alamo
158 Avenida ConstituyentesWe always rent from Alamo.
Ferry Cozumel
239 Av Benito JuárezBuses To and From Cancun Airport.
372 locals recommend
ADO Terminal Turistica Playa Del Carmen station
5 Avenida NorteBuses To and From Cancun Airport.