Guidebook for Playa del Carmen
Food Scene
Only 4 blocks from the studio. Small and unassuming, this little restaurant specializes in local seafood - in fact, if you want to, you can select your own fish at the fish market next door - totally fresh! The prices are very reasonable and as you might imagine, the place is always packed. Service is no frills and quick and the food is just plain delicious.
214 locals recommend
El pirata
Only 4 blocks from the studio. Small and unassuming, this little restaurant specializes in local seafood - in fact, if you want to, you can select your own fish at the fish market next door - totally fresh! The prices are very reasonable and as you might imagine, the place is always packed. Service is no frills and quick and the food is just plain delicious.
Best cappuccino in town. Also, I'd recommend their cakes (I like the corn one).
416 locals recommend
Ah Cacao Chocolate Café
Calle 30 NorteBest cappuccino in town. Also, I'd recommend their cakes (I like the corn one).
French bakery and restaurant. Love the croissants and other pastries. Good breakfast options. Usually packed.
984 locals recommend
Chez Céline
Esquina Calle 34 NteFrench bakery and restaurant. Love the croissants and other pastries. Good breakfast options. Usually packed.
Cheapest beach restaurant in town. Local seafood. Fish fillet with rice, salad and tortillas, $60 pesos!
71 locals recommend
Party Playa
2 Calle 2 NteCheapest beach restaurant in town. Local seafood. Fish fillet with rice, salad and tortillas, $60 pesos!
Amazing restaurant, specially for breakfast. Nice architecture and decor. A bit pricey but it's worth the visit. No free coffee refills.
723 locals recommend
La Cueva del Chango
Mz. 4 Calle 38 Nte.Amazing restaurant, specially for breakfast. Nice architecture and decor. A bit pricey but it's worth the visit. No free coffee refills.
Nice restaurant, specially for breakfast. Excellent for people-watching on 5th Avenue. Try to get a first row table. Free coffee refills.
60 locals recommend
La Vagabunda Playa
Quinta AvenidaNice restaurant, specially for breakfast. Excellent for people-watching on 5th Avenue. Try to get a first row table. Free coffee refills.
Mexican food, specially tacos al pastor, frijoles charros. Try the taco de chorizo con queso. There are several branches in town, this is the closest to the studio, but also the smallest. A bigger one is at Constituyentes and 30 Avenida, next to Mega supermarket.
406 locals recommend
El Fogon
Avenida ConstituyentesMexican food, specially tacos al pastor, frijoles charros. Try the taco de chorizo con queso. There are several branches in town, this is the closest to the studio, but also the smallest. A bigger one is at Constituyentes and 30 Avenida, next to Mega supermarket.
One of Playa's best seafood restaurants. A very local, well established place. Authentic Mexican style dishes.
21 locals recommend
La Bamba Jarocha
S/N Calle 34 Nte. BisOne of Playa's best seafood restaurants. A very local, well established place. Authentic Mexican style dishes.
Parks & Nature
Best beach for snorkeling. Sea turtles, fish and coral are easy to spot. You can take a Colectivo van. The driver would drop you at the highway and you can either walk 500 meters from there or take a taxi to the beach.
198 locals recommend
playa akumal
Akumal TrailBest beach for snorkeling. Sea turtles, fish and coral are easy to spot. You can take a Colectivo van. The driver would drop you at the highway and you can either walk 500 meters from there or take a taxi to the beach.
This hotel's nice beach is the closest to the studio, just walk all the way down on Calle 38. There is an nearby Oxxo convenience store where you can buy soda, water, beer, snacks, etc.
12 locals recommend
Mahekal Beach Resort
This hotel's nice beach is the closest to the studio, just walk all the way down on Calle 38. There is an nearby Oxxo convenience store where you can buy soda, water, beer, snacks, etc.
Sightseeing
Those are the only Mayan ruins on the beach. It gets crowded and hot (not too much shade from trees). There is a beach were you can swim.
973 locals recommend
Archeological Zone of Tulum - Mayan Port City Ruins
Km 230 Cancun - ChetumalThose are the only Mayan ruins on the beach. It gets crowded and hot (not too much shade from trees). There is a beach were you can swim.
Great cenote in a cave, with stalactites, etc., not too far from the studio. The $450 pesos entrance fee includes a wet suit, helmet, swim vest, flash light and a guide. Your hosts could drive you there round trip for a small fee.
79 locals recommend
Cenote Chaak Tun
7 Avenida Benito JuarezGreat cenote in a cave, with stalactites, etc., not too far from the studio. The $450 pesos entrance fee includes a wet suit, helmet, swim vest, flash light and a guide. Your hosts could drive you there round trip for a small fee.
Amazing beach with a fresh water cenote steps from the ocean. See video on FlyNRec page :)
108 locals recommend
Point Esmeralda
Amazing beach with a fresh water cenote steps from the ocean. See video on FlyNRec page :)
Drinks & Nightlife
Famous beach club. Beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. It organizes and hosts events such as the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (November) and the BPM Festival (January).
934 locals recommend
Mamita's Beach Club
8 Calle 28 Nte.Famous beach club. Beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. It organizes and hosts events such as the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (November) and the BPM Festival (January).
Entertainment & Activities
Sports complex with a soccer field, jogging tracks, tennis and basketball courts, dance lessons, etc.
96 locals recommend
Deportivo Mario Villanueva Madrid
Calle 34 NorteSports complex with a soccer field, jogging tracks, tennis and basketball courts, dance lessons, etc.