Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Last minute trip to Mexico? No problem.

Here is the highlight reel of my latest trip to The Riviera Maya and travel reccomendations for visiting Playa del Carmen, Mexico. 

 For a handy travel packing list – download my Packing List Template that you can print at home.

To / From the Airport:

Planes, trains, and automobiles…
Walking out of customs at the Cancun Airport can be overwhelming as there are tons of solicitors trying to grab your business for a taxi or coach into town.

Skip the headache and invest in a pre-planned mode of transportation.

1. Check with your hotel or resort first. The hotel may have a shuttle that runs to and from the Cancun Airport. This is ideal.
2. No shuttle? It’s okay – call or email the hotel concierge desk and ask if they have any preferred transportation vendors or taxi companies.
3. Even Better? Work directly with the hotel to arrange a round trip service, who has already negotiated a pre-set rate. Sure, it may be a bit more expensive than a shared coach with 40 other people, but if you’re on vacation – wouldn’t you rather ride in a private or semi-private car with no hassle?

Where to stay:

All inclusive vs. fend for yourself?
This really comes down to personal preference and what type of vacation you are planning.

• All inclusive – perfect for families or traveling parties who are going to a resort that is located further away from the city center. This is also ideal for you party animals that are planning on racking up a large bar tab. The one drawback is that the quality and variety of the food may/may-not be compromised at these resorts.
• If you are like me and like to adventure out to have the local cuisine, skip the all-inclusive offer and book at a hotel that has a decent number of local fare nearby. This past trip we stayed at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen and it was fantastic. (The Telegraph considers it one of the best hotels in Central America)

• Hotel Review : Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
  • Brand new hotel, modern decor, gorgeous infinity pools, friendly bi-lingual staff, coffee and juice bar al fresca, private beach access and the location allowed us to go explore Playa and all the local specialities.
  • And when you don’t feel like leaving the resort, there are 2 fabulous restaurants on the property serving a great variety of food at very reasonable prices. Pro tip: I could dine at La Cocina Restaurant every day and eat their pulled pork quesadilla with fresh guacamole and chips. No joke – I probably ate these at least 3 times during our stay.

What to eat:

If you took my advice above and booked at a hotel near downtown Playa del Carmen, you’ll want some recommendations for where to eat. Here’s just a sampling…

Brunch – because there is no breakfast hour when you are on vacation…

• Chez Celine – French food in Mexico? Yes, trust me. Read more on TripAdvisor 
• Zenzi Playa del Carmen – great beach-side informal dining Read more on TripAdvisor
• Bio Natural – for all you health nuts Read more on TripAdvisor

Lunch & Street Food

• La Cueva del Chango – Amazing local cuisine with secluded outdoor patio and fantastic food
• Mexican fresh fruit stands at La Quinta Avenida market
• El Rey Del Tacos – easy and tasty street tacos
• Churros – market street stall (location: corner of 25th Ave. and Benito Juarez)
• Don Chendo Chicago Style Pizza – ok, it’s not exactly like Chicago deep dish, but the crust, toppings, and caprese salad is amazing. Read more on TripAdvisor

Dinner

• Oh Lala – international cuisine, fine (but relaxed) dining. Be sure to make a reservation in advance
• Plank – gourmet grilled meats and seafood, a wonderful spot to celebrate a special occasion. Read more on TripAdvisor

Dessert
Being the dessert snob that I am, it was tough finding great desserts in Playa. But – here are two places where I managed to devour some sweets.

• Amo Gelato – refreshing scoop of gelato for your stroll down the 5th Ave shopping area
• Au Chocolat – skip the coffee here and grab a homemade brownie and single serving of the chocolate gelato from the counter.

What to explore:

• Walk down La Quinta Avenida (5th Ave) – but don’t be surprised by the street vendors vying for your attention
• Take a cultural tour – check with your hotel concierge and book a half day or full day adventure in the Mayan territory. We opted for a half day tour of The Mayan Ruins of Tulum which filled our desire for bus-time and crowds.
• Dig into some research on The Riviera Maya area and plan your favorite stops
• Or sit by the ocean and enjoy the sun

Traveling with a group?

Need help keeping your expenses separate? Use this awesome iOS app called Splitwise to track, split, and then request money to settle up with your group at the end of the trip. Pro tip : it also works brilliantly for splitting meals and party expenses. https://www.splitwise.com

Viajes seguros!