Top Playa del Carmen Food & Drink

Don’t leave your experience of Playa del Carmen’s food scene to chance; let a guide reveal some of the city's best food spots on a culinary walking tour that provides a comprehensive introduction to first-time visitors. Stray from the beaten path and discover lesser-known Mexican specialties that you may otherwise have missed.

Chefs, home cooks, and foodies who appreciate a good meal will enjoy this hands-on cooking class led by a local. Meet up with your host and the rest of your small class at a local spot, then hit the shops and spice markets to gather ingredients for the meal. You’ll be cooking at your hosts’s home, and the best part is that you get to eat the dishes you prepare. 

Awaken your senses on a tour of street food stalls and shopping spots in picturesque Playa del Carmen. Escape the tourist crowds of the beach to immerse yourself in the traditional culture of Mexico with a knowledgeable guide. Visit popular local haunts to savor local delicacies like grasshopper stuffed tacos (if available and in season) and rich tamales, washing your samples down with fiery shots of tequila. Explore bespoke boutiques for unique souvenirs as you discover some of the city’s prime shopping venues.

Get beyond the tourist restaurants on a 3-hour culinary walking tour of Playa del Carmen, as you discover the city’s locally-owned cafes and street food stalls. Come hungry for tastings and drinks at five locations, and get an insider introduction to the Playa del Carmen food scene.

Bring your appetite on this foodie tour in Playa del Carmen. By taxi and on foot, an in-the-know guide whisks you to five of the best restaurants and street stalls not frequented by tourists, where you will sample authentic Mexican cuisine, made up of Maya and Spanish influences. At an open-air farmer’s market, learn how fresh ingredients are used in dishes. Discover places and foods that you never would have found on your own!

Travel through the Mayan jungle on this action-packed all-day guided tour. Hop on your own ATV (or ride along with a driver) and head to a cenote, an underwater pool, where you can take a refreshing dip. Then fly above the treetops on a ziplining course. A local Mayan lunch is included. Only those 18 years old and above are permitted to drive their own ATV.

Journey to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on this full-day tour and experience this incredible archeological site with a local guide. Arrive at first time in the morning to take amazing photos with the archeological site almost for yourself, walk along El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan and learn how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan Civilization. Visit the colonial town of Valladolid, stop at a cenote for a refreshing swim and enjoy a typical buffet lunch with vegetarian options. Hotel pick up available from Cancún, Rivera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras & Tulum Visit to Chichén Itzá, Cenote and Valladolid with free time to enjoy the place, buy souvenirs, take photos, etc. Have a great insight to the Mayan culture with this full day guided tour and choose the option that suits you best.

Explore coral reefs, ancient history, and nature in the Riviera Maya on an combination tour that features some of the best of Yucatan in a single day. Snorkel through the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, visit the Tulum archeological site, and swim in a cenote, then explore a limestone cave and take a jungle walk. This tour includes entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and door-to-door transport from hotels in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

Take an off-road romp in the jungle beyond Playa del Carmen on this half-day excursion. Drive or ride in a 2-person buggy and follow a guide first into scenic parts of the Playa del Carmen not frequented by tourists, before bouncing and bumping your way into the jungle. Wash off the grime during a swim at a gorgeous underground cenote and journey to an authentic Maya village. This small-group tour is limited to 14 passengers, ensuring you’ll receive personalized attention. Hotel transport is included on this family-friendly outing.

The Yucatan Peninsula offers visitors a treasure trove of history, from the pre-Columbian archeological sites of the Maya civilization, to 16th century towns settled by the Spanish. Experience this history firsthand with a full-day tour from Cancun or the Riviera Maya. See the ancient Maya site Chichen Itza (admission not included) the pyramid of Kukulcan, and explore the architecture in Valladolid. After a busy day exploring, refresh yourself in the waters of the Saamal, and enjoy a delicious buffet meal.

Visit Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Ek Balam ad swim in a cenote in one day. Experience one of the world’s wonders without the noise and hassle of crowds on this early access tour. Follow a certified archeological guide on an ancient adventure to sacred cenotes, colossal pyramids and a vast ball court. Visualize the prosperous Mayan empire as you gain insight into one of the ancient world’s most powerful civilizations with captivating commentary from your knowledgeable guide.

Embark on the ultimate eco-tourism experience: a visit to Río Secreto Nature Reserve, an incredible semi-sunken cave system located just a few miles from Playa del Carmen. Don a wetsuit, helmet and headlamp to explore this underground river's vast wonders, marveling at its impressive rock formations and splashing through the waters of its limestone tunnels as your guide identifies unique vegetation and tiny creatures along the way. Back on solid ground, savor a traditional Maya lunch and relax in the jungle before returning to your hotel.

Feel the warm Caribbean night breeze on your face as you fall in love all over again on this romantic dinner cruise. Glide across the Nichupte Lagoon on a Spanish-style galleon accompanied by the timeless rhythms of live sax as you enjoy your choice of beef, vegetarian, lobster or surf ‘n’ turf against the setting sun. Upgrade to add transfers from Cancun and Puerto Morelos hotels. Package excludes dock fees.

Taste your way through Playa del Carmen on this vegan and vegetarian walking tour. Get off the beaten path and learn about the best non-meat options on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Stop by spots like a traditional Mexican market and authentic Yucatecan restaurants for complimentary tropical fruit dishes and drinks, delicious ceviche, and amazing vegan tacos.

Foodies that want to uncover the unique culinary scene in Playa del Carmen need to get off the beach, and away from the resort, for this off the beaten path food tasting excursion. Meet your group in central Playa del Carmen, and get ready to taste the diverse local cuisine, from ceviche and barbecue, to tacos and tamales. Along the way, sample tropical juices—or aguas frescas to locals—and satisfy your sweet tooth with an authentic chocolate drink.

I’m David Marquez, founder of www.sabormexico.com.mx Created to show the Mexican culture and its flavors. I had more than 15 years cooking for others and i loved Mexican food its really my passion. I travel all around Mexico for more than 5 years just to personally search the most accurate recipes, to share with the people on the class. During those years, I learn about the Mexican roots and traditions, and discover my passion for teaching others all that knowledge. Traditional local food expert*

Get out of Cancun for the day and embark on an adventure that is strikingly different to the usual beach activities. Board a sailboat and head for a reef in the the Caribbean Sea to discover the underwater museum (MUSA). A unique place in the world, the museum is home to submerged statues made by several Mexican artists. Includes lunch and drinks.

Take a cooking class with a local chef and learn to make authentic Mexican dishes. The class begins with a discussion about the items on the lunch menu, then it’s off to a nearby market to shop for ingredients. Back in the classroom/kitchen, help prepare the meal as you learn about local cuisine and culinary techniques. Once the cooking is done, enjoy the home-cooked meal together.

Experience a deeper side of Mayan culture on this outing where you will enjoy the privilege of practicing two ancient rituals with a local shaman. First, the cocoa ceremony, where you will smell, feel, and taste raw cocoa, which the Mayans called "drink of the gods." Then, experience a traditional temazcal ceremony, which takes place in a natural sauna made from volcanic stones and involves four stages of ritualistic purification. Enjoy some light refreshments while you rest in a hammock afterward.

Relax knowing that your party’s every need is attended to on this all-inclusive cruise. The hospitality (and tequila) flows freely from the moment you board “La Pirata,” a 51-foot Sea Ray yacht. Snorkeling gear and standup paddleboards are provided, as well as a state-of-the-art sound system for your music library. Cruise remote coastlines as you eat, drink, and enjoy the yacht's luxe amenities.

Cruise the Riviera Maya in style during this half-day, private tour aboard a chartered luxury yacht. Let onboard staff take charge of logistics while you relax on on the sleek sundeck, enjoy a tasty, all-inclusive lunch, or make use of complimentary snorkeling equipment and paddleboards along stunning Inha Reef.

Get away from the crowds on this 4-hour private yacht tour from Puerto Aventuras. Enjoy fresh ceviche and an open bar as you head out to a top snorkeling location, and then swim, snorkel, or fish using provided equipment. This half-day tour can be scheduled for the morning or the afternoon, letting you choose what best fits your schedule.

Explore the Riviera Maya in style during this private, half-day cruise in a chartered yacht. Follow a tailor-made itinerary, including an optional snorkeling stop in Inha Reef. Sunbathe on the spacious sundeck, or cool down over a complimentary cocktail. A tasty lunch, snorkeling gear, and a karaoke set are also included.

Immerse yourself in the glittering splendor of the Caribbean Sea on a private half-day yacht tour from Playa del Carmen. On a luxurious yacht, you’ll sip champagne as a courteous crew attends to your every need. On arrival at a reef, you’ll snorkel alongside turtles while the crew prepares flavorsome ceviche for lunch. Then, drop anchor at Playa La Bocana to relax on soft sands and sip unlimited drinks from an open bar before concluding your tour with delicious cheeseburgers. Receive undivided attention from your crew on this private tour.