Things To Do, Eat & Drink
Chichén Itzá
About: Chichén Itzá is the most popular Mayan ruins site in the Yucatán Peninsula. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 2hr 40min. Entry fee: Approx. 36USD.
Tulum Archaeological Site
About: Mayan ruins. If Chichén Itzá is too far away, consider visiting this site. Driving time from Playa del Carmen: 30min. Entry fee: Approx. 15USD.
Adventure Parks - Xcaret, Xplor, Xel-Há
About: Combination of water park, theme park, amusement park, eco-archaeological park. Located in the jungle, with natural settings including underground rivers, cenotes (natural sinkhole exposing groundwater), and the sea. They have various parks, our favorite ones are Xel-Há and Xplor because they are the only ones we have been to so far :D. We plan on hitting up Xcaret next. Highly recommend visiting one of these if you are into theme parks. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 15min to Xplor; 20min to Xcaret and Xel-Há. Entry Fee: Approx. 100-135USD.
Aktun Chen
About: Scenic rainforest park with an underground river for swimming, a zipline and cave exploration. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 20min. Entry fee: Approx. 120USD.
Ecopark Kantun Chi
About: Ecological park with 5 cenotes and an underground grotto. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 10min. Entry Fee: Approx. 70USD.
Cenote Dos Ojos
About: A system of two interconnected cenotes. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 30min. Entry fee: Approx. 14USD; Snorkeling equipment can be rented for approx. 6USD.
Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue)
About: This is downtown Playa del Carmen, close to the beach. Street full of bars, restaurants and people watching. We love this street! A lot of our restaurant recommendation are in and around this area. Driving time from Barcelo Resort: 30min. Entry fee: None!
Restaurant (Breakfast / Brunch) - Kaxapa Factory ($)
About: Latin style breakfast / brunch. Takes reservations. Timings: Tue-Sun 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Closed Mondays. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Breakfast / Brunch) - Lara & Luca ($$)
About: European style breakfast/brunch. Walk-ins only. Timings: Mon-Sat: 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM; Sun: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Breakfast / Sandwiches) - Madrez Café ($$)
About: European-style breakfast / sandwiches. Walk-ins only. Timings: Daily 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) - La Cueva del Chango ($$)
About: Mexican style breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chill vibe. Takes reservations. Timings: Mon-Sat: 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM; Sun: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) - La Coronela Playa Del Carmen ($$)
About: Mexican breakfast, lunch and dinner. Takes reservations. Timings: Daily 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant CASH ONLY (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) - Carboncitos ($$)
About: Mexican and Latin style breakfast, lunch and dinner. CASH ONLY! Takes reservations. Timings: Daily 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant CASH ONLY (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) - Amate 38 ($$)
About: Mexican Yucatan breakfast, lunch and dinner. Has vegetarian options. CASH ONLY! Takes reservations. Timings: Mon-Sat: 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM; Sun: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown
Restaurant (Late Lunch / Dinner) - Ah Carbon! ($)
About: Mexican style late lunch (opens at 2PM) and dinner. Takes reservations. Timings: Mon-Sat 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Closed Sundays. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Lunch / Dinner) - El Fogón ($)
About: Mexican style street tacos, lunch or dinner. Walk-ins only. Timings: Daily 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Lunch / Dinner) - Axiote Cocina de México ($$)
About: Mexican style gourmet tacos for lunch and dinner. Good cocktails. Chill vibes. We enjoyed it. Takes reservations but not needed. Timings: Mon-Sat: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM; Sun: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Lunch / Dinner) - Los Aguachiles ($$)
About: Mexican seafood lunch and dinner. Walk-ins only. Timings: Daily 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Lunch / Dinner) - Madre Tierra ($$)
About: Mexican seafood & steak lunch and dinner. Takes reservations. Timings: Daily 12:00 PM - 11:30 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Dinner) - Cassa Ceviche
About: Peruvian seafood dinner. Takes reservations. Timings: Tue-Sun 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM, Closed Mondays. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Dinner) - Oh Lala ($$$)
About: Modern European, seafood, Mediterranean. Dinner only. Semi-formal setting. Make reservations. Timings: Daily 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant (Dinner) - Plank ($$$)
About: Seafood and Steakhouse dinner. Takes reservations. Timings: Daily 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.
Restaurant CASH ONLY - La Birria ($)
About: Mexican style tacos. Walk-ins only. CASH ONLY! Small shop. Timings: Have no idea what their timings are! Location: Playa del Carmen downtown.