Where are the best grocery stores in Playa del Carmen?

Shopping 1 week ago 1 answer 25 views FFer
Just moved here and overwhelmed by the options. Walmart, Chedraui, Mega... What's the difference? Where do I find specialty items like almond milk, good cheese, or imported products?

1 Answer

CCarolina 1 week ago

I buy ingredients for my bakery every single day, so I know these stores probably too well at this point.

For everyday shopping, Chedraui is the best value. The location on the highway is larger, but the one on 30th Ave is more convenient if you live in centro. Good produce, solid meat and fish counter. Walmart is there if you miss familiar brands, slightly more expensive but it carries more imported stuff. Mega Soriana is similar to Chedraui, sometimes better deals on produce.

For quality and specialty items, check out DAC (it's on 30th Avenue). They carry imported European cheeses that are hard to find anywhere else in Playa, good wines, organic stuff, specialty products. It costs more but for certain things it's worth it. For your almond milk question, honestly every store carries it now. Silk brand or the Mexican "NotMilk" which is actually pretty good.

For cheese specifically: DAC for European imports. Chedraui carries decent Oaxacan and Chihuahua cheeses, which are the essential Mexican cheeses you should be cooking with anyway.

Costco is in Cancún, about 45 minutes away. Same membership as the US and Canada. A lot of expats make a monthly trip for bulk buying and imported items they can't find here.

But my real secret: the Saturday organic market, the tianguis orgánico near Parque Fundadores. Local farmers, beautiful produce, fair prices. The tomatoes there actually taste like tomatoes. The herbs are fresh that morning. This is where I buy for my bakery when I want the best quality.

For the absolute lowest prices, the Mercado Municipal on 28th Street. Fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, all cheaper than any supermarket. Bring cash.

One more thing: never buy tortillas from the supermarket. Find your nearest tortillería. $20 MXN per kilo versus $40 in plastic packaging, and the difference in taste is not even close.

Budget for one person eating mostly at home: around $800-1,500 MXN per week ($45-85 USD).

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