My second home: Playa del Carmen
It was my first destination when I decided to leave in 2018 and I could not help but return in 2022 when I took my first solo trip overseas.
Playa del Carmen for me is like a second home, it is a place where I feel safe, comfortable, familiar, and that always manages to surprise me.
There are no great museums or monuments to visit but it is a perfect starting point to travel the area and discover some of the most famous wonders of the world.
Until about twenty years ago Playa del Carmen was just a fishing village, like nearby Puerto Morelos, and now it has become a large tourist town of more than 300,000 inhabitants.
You can find everything you need, bars and great restaurants, nightclubs, water sports and all kinds of activities.
My favorite places
Asadero el Pollo
20 Avenida Nte. 652, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
Here you can eat only Chicken, tortilla, rice and possibly add a drink.
A simple place frequented mostly by locals.
“El Pollo” best I’ve ever had.
Saladè
Calle 10 Nte 147, Centro, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
If you want to eat something healthy and fresh this place is perfect! You choose the size of your salad (between small, medium and large) and then you choose all the ingredients and finally all you have to do is enjoy it.
Their cool drinks to add to the menu are great.
La ceiba de la 30
30 Avenida Nte. entre Constituyentes y 22 norte, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
This, on the other hand, is my favorite place when it comes to smoothies. They are fresh and freshly made, you can choose from a huge selection.
Don Sirloin – Avenida 10
MZA 122 LTE 3 10 Avenida Norte , between Calle 12 , Calle 14, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
If you want to eat meat and great tacos this is one of the best places. Simple, spartan but good quality. Found many around town this one for me was the most convenient, close to coworking and where I lived.
Fruit Stand
Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Messico
Juices, smoothies and fresh fruit. This is a great place if you love fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also find dried fruits, eggs and fresh tortillas every day.
Tortas del Carmen
Entre calle 2 y 4, 15 Avenida Nte, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
Fixed menu of meat and fish, with about €5 you can have a full meal (in my case: fish, rice, salad, tortilla and agua del dia).
Choux Choux Cafe
Av. 20 Calle 24 Norte con, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Messico
This is perhaps my favorite place ever, ideal for brunch and breakfast. Great prices, always fresh food and definitely large portions.
These are just a few of my favorite places, but I am sure I will continue to update them over time.
