Playa del Carmen
Mexico

Playa del Carmen Recommendations

Recommend

Discover trusted local favorites from the community

31 recommendations

Recommendations in Playa del Carmen

Restaurants & Cafés •manu_ortegamanu_ortega

Lost Tiki is a great place for a relaxed atmosphere and good food and drinks. It's a spot worth visiting while you're in Playa! For drinks and food, Lost Tiki is a top pick, with a unique atmosphere and great food and drinks. The owners are good friends of some locals, who visit each other's restaurants to try each other's food.

Restaurants & CafésPlaya del Carmen •Carlos Eduardo Martinez

Cantina Don PP is a must-visit for its authentic Mexican experience. It's a 100% Mexican concept that takes you back to the old times. As a local guide, this is the place to go for traditional Mexican dishes, and it's located in Playa del Carmen.

EducationPlaya del Carmen •paulapaula

Every Wednesday at Zitla (34 between 5th and 10th), there are gatherings to meet people and practice languages. These gatherings start at 7pm, making it a great opportunity to socialize and improve your language skills in a relaxed setting.

HousingCalle 3 Sur with Ave 40 •Carolina

Chedraui Plaza is a convenient location with quiet surroundings, yet still close to the main tourist zone. It's a 15-minute walk to the beach, but only 5 minutes with an electric scooter, and you'll find affordable rent prices in this older part of Playa del Carmen.

Otherempty string •rachel

Cenote Minatauro is a great option for those looking for an accessible cenote experience. You can park just 10 meters from the entrance, and the terrain is mostly flat. There are chairs and tables available, but be aware that they're first come, first serve, so it's best to arrive early. The entrance to the cenote has stairs with a handrail, and there's a rocky bank and a wooden platform to enter the water from.

Shopping •Mariana

Xcaret Artesanal Feria is a marketplace where you can find authentic molcajetes, traditional Mexican stone tools used for grinding spices and other ingredients. One option is a small molcajete that costs around $800 pesos, which is a good price considering the quality and craftsmanship of the item. The feria is worth visiting even if you're not looking for a molcajete, as it offers a variety of traditional Mexican goods and souvenirs.

Restaurants & Cafésempty string •Daniela

One of the best restaurants in town, in the opinion of locals. Everything on the menu is good, and the ambiance is excellent. It's a little pricey but worth it, with apps ranging from $9 to $16 USD, entrees from $15 to $20 USD, and sides for $8 USD. Drinks are $12 USD. You can expect to spend around $50 USD per person without tip.

ServicesPlaya del Carmen •Lorena N

Estudio Antara does great work. Located in Playa del Carmen, Estudio Antara is a reputable tattoo shop with professional artists.

Fitness & SportsPlaya del Carmen •PabloPablo

Go running to deportivo Mario Villanueva, right there you gonna make lots of friends. You'll be fine only speaking English, is very normal people speaks Spanish and English here. But make sure to learn also some Spanish, locals will be more happy with you because you are adopting our language and culture.

HousingGuerrero Gonzalo/Hollywood area •Oscar

Guerrero Gonzalo and Hollywood area have multiple one bedrooms vacant and fully furnished With your budget of up to $1,700 USD/month, finding a place like Guerrero Gonzalo should be simple. You can walk around the area and look for rental signs or online listings, or consider using a realtor for assistance with negotiations.

Restaurants & CafésCalle 8 •patriciapatricia

Ay Taco is a must-visit for its delicious tacos. Located on Calle 8, near the old Palacio Municipal, this spot is worth visiting entirely. It seems to offer great deals on Rappi regularly.

Transportation •paulapaula

Get a private transfer from the airport to your Playa del Carmen home for 800 pesos. Additional trips within Playa del Carmen, including shopping and waiting, cost 200 pesos for reasonable distances and times, or can be negotiated for longer trips.

HousingPlaya del Carmen •patriciapatricia

Che Playa Hostel seems to fit the bill for a safe, clean, and affordable stay in Playa del Carmen. It offers small rooms for solo female travelers, with a maximum capacity of 4-6 people, and a female-only dorm option. The hostel is also close to the beach and has a rooftop bar with a pleasant evening atmosphere. This makes it an ideal choice for a solo female traveler looking for a budget-friendly and social stay.

Services •BetoBeto

I'd highly recommend Oscar - he was fantastic. His tour included Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and a Cenote, and the cost for two people was $490, plus entrance fees to Ek Balam.

ServicesPlaya del Carmen •Lucia

La Chuleta is the go-to meat shop in Playa for everyone I know, they have a way better selection than Chedraui. It's located on Calle 20 between 35-40 ave.

Restaurants & Cafésnear downtown Playa del Carmen •Lorena N

Recommended for its delicious tacos de cochinita, a local place that serves excellent food. Located near the highway, not far from downtown Playa del Carmen, making it easily accessible.

OtherPlaya del Carmen •Ana R

Xcaret Arte Popular México 2026 winners is a beautiful opportunity to see Mexican traditions, craftsmanship, colors and regional culture in one place. It can be a really nice addition to a September itinerary, especially for those planning a Riviera Maya trip for that time of year.

Restaurants & Cafés •PabloPablo

DejaVu Taqueria is a fantastic vegan taco cart that is good enough to make your meat eating self happy. It was one of our favorite places we ate in PDC, the night after our tour.

Restaurants & Cafés •SergioSergio

Tacos El Nero is a great place to try for delicious tacos. It's one of the recommended options by a local. With so many options available, you can try different types of tacos and see which ones you like best. The tacos are also relatively affordable, making it a great value for the price.

ServicesPlaya del Carmen •carlosmendozacarlosmendoza

Tours Aldea offers a unique private experience with certified local guides, combining regulated sea turtle snorkeling in Akumal with visits to two contrasting cenotes. The total price of $5,775 MXN ($350 USD) for two guests includes private A/C transportation, certified guide, regulated snorkeling experience, entrance fees, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, three tacos per person, snacks, water or soda, and complimentary photos.