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.

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!

Drink and eat your way through Playa del Carmen with this group taco and beer tour. You’ll visit five different restaurants and will get a drink and a bite to eat at each stop along the way, with more free beer available in your tour van. After you visit the fifth restaurant, you’ll have a bit of free time to hang out on 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida) before returning to your hotel.

Snorkel with Mexican whale sharks on a full-day group snorkeling tour off the Yucatan Coast from Playa del Carmen. Under the direction of an expert guide, swim with the world’s largest fish while looking out for dolphins, manta rays, and turtles. Immerse yourself in the marine magnificence of Mexico’s waters on this spectacular small-group adventure.

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.

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.

Save money and time by pre-booking a shared transfer service between the Cancun International Airport and your Playa del Carmen Hotel. You'll ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle from the airport straight to your hotel, without the added expense of a private transfer or taxi. Both one-way and round-trip service is available for added convenience.

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.

Combine a visit to stunning Isla Mujeres with a fun-filled cruise on the Carribean Sea during this shared full-day excursion. Your boat comes equipped with an open bar with unlimited drinks, games and contests, and a tasty buffet-style lunch. Enjoy two snorkeling stops, with masks and equipment provided—Punta Sam Reef and Playa Norte—before free time to shop, stroll along the island, or take a swim in a private beach club.

Pre-book your airport transfers from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen to save time and avoid the stress of seeking out a taxi on arrival. You can choose from one-way transfers to or from the airport, or book a round-trip service for added convenience. If you're getting picked up at the airport, your driver will monitor your flight in case of any delay.

Swim with sea turtles in Akumal Bay without having to worry about buying your own snorkel gear by booking this private excursion led by a professional guide. You only need to bring a bathing suit and a towel, as all snorkeling equipment along with beach entry is included in the tour price.

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.

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.

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.

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.