Playa del Carmen is a beautiful coastal town located in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Situated on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Playa del Carmen boasts stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and a vibrant nightlife scene. The town is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, offering a range of activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring the nearby Mayan ruins.

Parks & Gardens

Plaza Principal

The main square of Playa Del Carmen is a bustling hub of activity and the heart of the city. Located just a few blocks from the beach, this lively plaza is a must-visit for any traveller looking to experience the vibrant culture of this beautiful Mexican city.

One of the most notable features of Plaza Principal is the large gazebo at its centre. This iconic structure has become a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the bustling square. Surrounding the gazebo, you'll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes, each offering its unique blend of local cuisine, souvenirs, and handicrafts.

At night, Plaza Principal comes alive with the sounds of live music and dancing. Local musicians often gather in the square to perform traditional Mexican tunes, while dancers in vibrant costumes twirl and stomp to the beat. The energy and excitement of these performances are infectious, and it's not uncommon to see visitors joining in on the fun.

Another popular attraction in Plaza Principal is the weekly market, held every Wednesday. Here, you'll find a vast array of local goods, including fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional clothing. It's an excellent opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of Playa Del Carmen and to take home a unique souvenir or two though we missed it during our visit.

If you're looking for a place to relax and take in the beauty of Playa Del Carmen, Plaza Principal is an excellent spot to do so. The square's colourful buildings and lively atmosphere make it the perfect place to soak up the local culture and to connect with the city's friendly and welcoming residents.

Restaurants & Bars

El Hongo

Stepping into Restaurant El Hongo in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, felt more like entering a vibrant social hub than a typical eatery. The place was alive with local crafts adorning the walls and tables, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The unique layout of the kitchen, built around a tree, added a touch of whimsy and charm.

We were treated to a set menu of local dishes, each one a delightful exploration of the region's culinary landscape. The highlight was a birthday cake for one of our group members, a sweet surprise that added a personal touch to our dining experience. The service was exceptional, reflecting the heart and soul of this family-run establishment. More than just a restaurant, El Hongo is a beacon of opportunity for the local community, providing a space for kids and locals to gather and thrive.

One of the most memorable moments was hearing about the transformative impact of the restaurant. Once a dangerous and abandoned area on the outskirts of the city, it's now a thriving suburb, thanks in large part to the presence of El Hongo.

If you find yourself in Playa Del Carmen, a visit to Restaurant El Hongo is a must. Not just for the delicious food, but for the chance to witness and be a part of a community's remarkable journey of rejuvenation and growth.

Muelle de Chema

Near our hotel, we stopped in here for our final evening farewell drinks after dinner. One wall dominated by a huge TV playing music videos, the drinks were reasonably priced.

Café Andrade Restaurante

Empty when we called in for breakfast, they served a traditional Huevos Rancheros which was great with thick dark coffee.

Zitla Restaurant

A charming place, offering local food close to our hotel. It was our first meal together as a group.

Shopping

Quinta Avenida

Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida, also known as Fifth Avenue, is a lively and touristy pedestrian street that runs parallel to the stunning white sand beaches of the Mexican coast. The avenue stretches for several kilometers and is home to a wide range of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, making it the heart of the city's tourist district. Visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring the various attractions that line the avenue, from sampling local cuisine to picking up unique souvenirs and gifts from local vendors. Strange stores, like the tiger cub experience, dot the street, making it a somewhat bizarre experience.

The street doesn’t quite know what it is however, it balances on the edge of sensuality and banality. Women in windows dance, but the local sensitivity and imported American puritanicalism means the dancers are fully clothed, wearing more than most clubgoers in Europe would consider practical, let alone Amsterdam’s Red Light district that it so clearly would like to evoke.

The avenue is renowned for its atmosphere and colourful architecture, with stunning murals and street art adorning the walls of many buildings. The abundance of restaurants and bars on Quinta Avenida ensures that there is always somewhere to grab a refreshing drink or bite to eat, and many establishments offer live music and entertainment throughout the day and into the night. Dozens of popup pharmacies offer viagra and HGH at what we must assume are competitive prices and with the healthcare in the US being such an outlier in prices, even paracetamol are offered for discount purchase.

Walmart

Almost indescribably huge, Walmart is more city than store. Wandering around the labyrinthian aisles stacked to the distant rafters with products in boxes larger than you could ever need Walmart ensures you can get winter tyres, children’s toys, freshly cooked meats, mini-bikes, clothes and food in the same venue. Yeltsin, on visiting an American Supermarket in the late 80s famously wrote:

“When I saw those shelves crammed with hundreds, thousands of cans, cartons and goods of every possible sort, for the first time I felt quite frankly sick with despair for the Soviet people,”

Walmart to the Randall’s in Clear Lake is comparing Soviet stores to Randall’s, the scale of consumerist content is almost unfathomable. Critics claim Americans no longer walk, and that the mall and highway have killed the walkable American city. Going from the frozen section to pick up some motor oil is a trek equivalent to exploring many European city centres.

Playa Del Carmen