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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most excursions to the cenotes of the Riviera Maya entail the crowds of the big tour buses. This private tour offers an intimate and personalized experience for you and your companions. You will visit three cenotes in one day, where you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel. Afterward, you'll enjoy a delicious included Mexican lunch at a local restaurant.

This small-group tour combines two impressive archeological sites of the Yucatán Peninsula: Coba and Tulum. Let a guide accompany you around the ruins and explain their significance. This day trip from Playa del Carmen includes hotel transport, beverages and a buffet lunch, plus a swim in Cho Ha Cenote.

Treat that special someone to a truly romantic evening aboard the Columbus, a romantic Spanish-style galleon, with an indulgent dinner of lobster, steak or surf 'n' turf plus a live musician and, of course, an open bar. Choose between sunset and after dark options, and upgrade to enjoy round-trip hotel transfers and complete peace of mind. Please note: package excludes dock fees.

Journey deep into the Riviera Maya on this guided jungle buggy tour from Playa del Carmen. Steer a 4x4 buggy for about 18 miles and admire the lush forest scenery during this thrilling drive. Make a stop at a ranch for a refreshing swim and snorkel at a cenote. Hotel transport included.

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.

Whether you’re newly-weds, long-time lovers, or just starting out on your journey together, feel the romance of the Caribbean as you enjoy a 3-course dinner aboard a Spanish galleon. Glide from Nichupte Lagoon (Laguna Nichupte) to Love Lagoon (Laguna del Amor) as live saxophone plays and you dance to romantic ballads and sip drinks from the open bar. Your package excludes dock fees; photos are available at an additional charge.

Snorkel and swim in the Caribbean Sea and a freshwater cenote on a half-day tour from Cancun. Your guide first takes you to a snorkeling spot in the Caribbean to look for sea turtles and colorful tropical fish. Next, you continue into the rain forest to a nature park with an extensive underground river system. There you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the cenote for a quintessential experience in the Yucatan of Mexico. Includes snacks, guide, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Forget everything you know about going out to dinner... Let us take your taste buds on a journey through time, showcasing flavors and techniques from the Mayan empire to the present day. Learn and taste the influences of Spain, Africa, and the Middle East, with deliciously paired wines, mezcals, and tequilas, whilst sharing this 5-course meal with travelers from all over the world. Outstandingly fun, interactive and delicious!

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!

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.

Cast off on your own private, luxury cruise during this full-day tour with open-bar. Your catamaran crew will whisk away to In-Ha Reef to snorkel among turtles and tropical fish while they prepare snacks and cocktails and fresh ceviche for you to enjoy. Fish or swim in the calm water in La Bacona and ask your crew to grill up your catch of the day.

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.

This bike tour takes us to visit some delicious places in this paradise in the Mexican Caribbean, combining gastronomy and culture with a taste of this unique country. We will stop to see some of the iconic places in Playa del Carmen, until we immerse ourselves in its unique flavors and smells to learn a little about the gastronomic culture of Mexico. And taste some other typical product of this beautiful country. On this riding, in addition to taking unique photos, you will be able to taste typical food from the region, as well as food from other areas of Mexico. In this Bike Tour we will have 5 stops in different spots of Playa del Carmen to taste different truly Mexican foods and drinks.

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.

Charter a luxury yacht and set sail from Puerto Aventuras to In-Ha Reef on this private tour. Anchor at the reef to snorkel with sea turtles, swim among colorful fish in crystal-clear waters while the crew prepares fish and shrimp ceviche paired with fresh guacamole. Relax onboard as you sip a cold beer or a signature cocktail on the sundeck. Pricing is per group, based on a maximum of 12 people in your party.

With over 12 years of experience as a culinary instructor and more than 3000 students from around the world, Mexican Chef Coty will teach you not only a 3 course menu, but also about cooking techniques which will help you in your every day life. All this while you are having lots of fun! Vegetarians and vegans are welcome! Please let us know in advance of any dietary restrictions or food dislikes you might have so that you may fully enjoy this culinary experience!

Take a break from the beaches to explore a different side of Playa del Carmen on a bike tour that shows you the city's best graffiti, murals, and other street art. Gain insight into the local arts scene directly from your guide—a working artist—and meet other creatives during stops at art galleries. Plus, get the inside scoop on where to eat, drink, and play away from the tourist crowds during your stay.

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.