Playa Del Carmen Great Eats & Sleeps at Great Prices
based on 31 votes
Authentic restaurants in all price ranges that still won't break the bank.
Budget to boutique hotels to fit anyone.
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Playa del Carmen
- Category: Best of
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors, Beachgoers
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: local, authentic, mexican, food, restaurants, playa del carmen, budget, cheap
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1. General Info on Eating Local & Avoiding Montezuma's Revenge
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In my opinion, the best meals are off 5th Avenue. Wander the side streets, check out the menus, be brave and have a seat. Practice your Spanish, try out the spicy, homemade salsas and it just might be the meal of your trip!
I have eaten from street vendors and red plastic table and chair family joints in several parts of Mexico and never had a problem. Always wash your hands or sanitize before dinner, drink and brush teeth with bottled water and eat foods at proper temperature and chances are you will be fine. Pina coladas in moderation as coconut juice is a natural laxative.
¡Buen Provecho! |
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2. La Cueva del Chango Best Breakfast
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Popular restaurant tucked in the jungle garden between the beach and the street. We sat outside next to a water feature and little stream. We ordered eggs scrambled with chaya, nopales, ham, mushrooms, onions, side of potatoes, pot o'beans and tortillas and chilaquiles with eggs. The red and green salsas, in cute wooden bowls with little wooden spoons, were not very picante but very flavorful. The whole meal with drinks was splendid and under $12 for 2 plus tip. Loved it so much we suggested it our neighors in the hotel.
They raved about it, so we all went back! Empandas with nopales, chaya, and cheese as appetizers. We split the special of the day, omelette with shrimp. Heavenly
Tour the grounds which is also a "vivero", nursery with plants for sale. Check out the glass bottle roof of one the buildings and be sure to visit the waterfall sink in el bano! ¡Buen provecho! |
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3. Dr. Taco Budget Lunch
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Colorful, little, hole-in-wall with the best fish tacos. Sit at one of 3 booths, a common wood table or at the couter on the other side and watch the "lab tech" at work. Fish and shrimp are available breaded and fried or grilled.
The salsa basin allows you to mix and match toppings like cole slaw, cucumber salad, burn your mouth salsa and a mild mayo/ketchup like mixture. That's just a few of my favorites plus more. Lunch for 2 about 10 bucks. |
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4. La Pesca Best Dinner
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| Mexican seafood restaurant off the beaten path, Avenida 30, near Constituyentes, across from the Mega grocery store. I meant to order the shrimp casserole, but somehow I ordered a fillet of fish Veracruz that was still good. The atmosphere is nicer inside than on the patio. The owner was friendly and service was prompt. Try a "Beso de angel" dessert shot. Reasonable prices and highly recommended for a nice dinner. |
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5. El Faisan y Venado
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Authentic Mayan and Mexican fare located in a hotel on HWY 307 near Juarez. Large dining room, good for big groups or families. We had conchita pibil and pollo mole that were excellent. Not a romantic atmosphere like the other well know Mayan place, but the flavor of the food rivals any other at half the prices.
20 peso cab ride in the rain and we walked back. |
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Why Thai food in Playa? Because it's tasty, fun atmosphere and the fruit is mashed by hand for the HUGE margaritas! I usually eat Thai food once a week anyway.
This is "Euro-Thai Fusion" with Swedish Meatballs as an offering. I opted for Mango Marg, Shrimp Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls and a 1/2 order of shrimp red curry with mashed potates. Everyone had a delicious meal, as always! |
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| One of the Mayan restaurants in Playa Del Carmen. Romantic garden seating is availabe or relax in the A/C indoors. Their menu is an interesting read, check it out online. The Mayan Sacrifice caught my eye. It was a spectacle of a drink and I knew I just had to have it. The food was a sample of traditional Mayan cuisine all new to us. Can be a budget experience if you go for lunch, order appetizers or one of less expensive offerings. |
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| The frijoles are all that people say! This "locals" place now has 3 locations and the one across from the Mega was filled with travelers. Try for a seat away from the grill if you are lucky enough not to wait in line! Getting so popular! The places next to it were empty but I'm sure they are worth a shot. |
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| Small, budget hotel right on 5th Ave that is changing just like Playa. Just a few years ago the interior was painted in bright colors with a Mexican theme and rooms with A/C and cable were $25. Now that has been replaced with a sleek silver theme and $35-40 rooms. Still one of the best budget options in town. Great for a pair of travelers on a budget. Tell Raquel Hola! |
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Ave price:
$93
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Charming budget hotel in the quiet north end of 5th Avenue. Rooms are equipped with mini-fridge, A/C, cable TV and even towel animals. $46-$64
Front desk provides beach towels and coupons for Mamitas Beach Club.
Deals on rates can be found online and highly recommended for those that are easy to please and not looking for pampering in a hotel room. Save that money for massages, drinks and dinners. |
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Ave price:
$164
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This boutique hotel doesn't quite fit into the budget category. With all the money saved by eating locally, a splurge is affordable. The staff goes above and beyond with remembering names, room numbers and always saying hello. Our jacuzzi suite was private and romantic. If you don't plan on hanging out at the hotel much, go with a regular room. Breakfast is included at the restaurant, El Bistro, downstairs. King size bed was comfortable in the simple bedroom. Bathroom had a large glass shower, stylish sink basins and plenty of products. We loved our stay. With so many places to stay in Playa, make sure this one is on your list. |
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A one hour massage for $29 is a great price! My massage was professional and relaxing. The only difference from my previous experience is they use towels on the table instead of a sheet.
There are several massage operations and spas in town. Massages are also available on the beach around Playa Maya and the beach clubs. Relax and enjoy. |
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13. Mamitas Beach Club
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One of the beach clubs that rents chairs, beds and palapas in Playa Del Carmen can be found at Calle 28 and the beach. Many hotels give out coupons to guests so arrive early. Waiters serve sun worshippers with drinks from the bar and food. Massages also available.
You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to stay at a beach hotel and get waited on at the beach! Chairs are 30 pesos each but beach front beds are more expensive. 200 pesos plus order a bottle or 1,000 pesos worth of food and drinks. |
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14. Luna Blue Hotel & Garden
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I have not stayed here but did visit the Garden Bar for a few Sarita b. Careful's. Laidback , swing bar in a cool garden filled with lush plants and banana trees. Order food for delivery from across the street and tell the bartender to keep them coming!
Located on Calle 28 Norte between 5th and 10th Avenue. |
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Compliment coloradowanderer
coloradowanderer
Love of Food with a great beach nearby
