Mexico City is one of the most vibrant cities in the world! This bustling city mixes historical culture with modern twists. Here you will find skyscrapers next to Aztec temple ruins. It also boasts some of the best food in the world. That’s why Mexico is at the top of every foodie’s must visit list! There are so many incredible places to dine and drink in Mexico City and this list barely scratches the surface. But here are some of our favorite things we ate, drank, and did Mexico City.
Río Ebro 51, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX
An oasis in the city. We loved staying at Casa Emilia. Since Mexico City is so big we decided to split up our time in two hotels, in two different neighborhoods. Casa Emilia is located in “Little Tokyo” area and was in a central location, walking distance from lots of restaurants, bars, parks & museums.
We loved all the greenery in the middle of the building. With only 7 rooms this cute bed and breakfast was the perfect place to return to and relax after a long day exploring the city.
Jalapa 208, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Our second stay was in Roma Norte at a beautifully chic hotel called Ignacia Guest House. Each room is decorated in a different color, ours was the green room. We loved the location of this hotel and especially loved the Roma Norte neighborhood. There are tons of lively bars and incredible restaurants around every corner here
Each morning we would have breakfast which changed daily in the cute little courtyard of the hotel. The chef made us breakfast sopes with beans, rice and fruit that was delicious.
Av. Álvaro Obregón 179, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México
Our favorite tacos of the trip were at this no frills taco shop! There are two locations which makes it a must-stop taco shop in Mexico City. They are famous for their chicharrón (fried pork belly) tacos which were insanely flavorful. We also loved the al pastor which is cooked on a giant spinning rotisserie. The salsas and cremas added the perfect kick of heat too. If we could recommend one taco spot this would be it!
Calle de Durango 200, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700, CDMX & Hegel 307, Polanco V Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
This ultra chic sister seafood restaurants are popular for good reason. They both have the same menu items, including their famous picture perfect tuna tostadas. They were one of our favorite bites of food on our entire trip, we loved the crispy onions and the tuna melted in our mouth! We also had the green aguachile which had fish, shrimp, octopus, scallops, pickled red onions and cucumbers marinated in a salsa verde broth. It was cold, crisp, citrusy and spicy. They are also know for their whole grilled red snapper which is half in a verde sauce and half in a red sauce. We made a reservation so we made sure we could get in but they also accept walk ins if you are willing to wait.
Tennyson 133, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550, CDMX
As soon as we booked our flights to Mexico City we made reservations at Pujol. Ranked the 9th best restaurant in the world in 2021, we couldn’t wait to dine here. The 7 course tasting menu by Chef Enrique Olvera was as beautiful as it was delicious; focusing on Mexican ingredients, history & gastronomy. The service was impeccable and we loved our table which gave us a glimpse into the kitchen.
The famous madre mole which was 2,660 days old was a highlight and to finish the meal was the most delicious churro we’ve ever had. We got a quick tour of the kitchen and the smiles in the photo below say it all. A meal we will never forget!
C. Atlixco 38, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
The best fish tacos we had were at this unassuming neighborhood taco spot near Parque España. We loved the fried fish and shrimp tacos with all the salsas and toppings which are self serve. We washed them down with some cold beers and afterwards walked through the park, a perfect cheap lunch spot.
Av. 5 de Mayo #10, Centro Histórico, CDMX, Mexico
This beautiful historical restaurant can be found in the downtown centro area, near the Palacio de Bellas Artes. You will feel like you’ve stepped right back into the 1870’s when you walk inside and see the intricate tiled floors and ornate ceilings. They are known for their table-side shaken carajillo cocktails and a tequila shots with their spicy sangrita or tomato juice chaser.
Av. Álvaro Obregón 65, Jardín, 87330 Heroica Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico
We had a lovely dinner at Maximo Bistro. This farm to table restaurant served French inspired dishes made with Mexican grown ingredients. This is place is on all the Mexico City foodie lists and reservations aren’t easy to get. In the center of the low lit dining room is a large tree which is the centerpiece of the area surrounded by rustic farm tables. A perfect foodies date night out in Mexico City.
Río Ebro 89, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
The second largest fish market in the world is in Mexico City which in turn means that there is some of the freshest fish served here, mainly some badass sushi. A restaurant group Edo Kobyashi from Japan has opened dozens of restaurants and bars in CDMX focusing on highlighting this abundance of fresh fish. We ate at Rokai Ramen-Ya and Hiyoko Izakaya and could have sworn we teleported to Tokyo. Incredible sushi isn’t something you expect to find in Mexico City but you will be missing out if you don’t seek it out.
Merida 83, Roma Mexico City
This unassuming street food stall with a small flat top grill, table and umbrella sits on the corner of Merida & Colima streets and is famous for its gourmet quesadilla with homemade blue corn tortillas. The quesadillas are made fresh to order can can be filled with various toppings like chicken, pulled pork, mushrooms, salsa, guacamole & peppers.
This bookstore and cafe in Polanco is a great place to stop for breakfast or a coffee to start your day while browsing the great selection of books.
We learned in our cooking class that a Fonda is a restaurant that has good homestyle mexican cooking. We ate here one night and enjoyed a great authentic Mexican meal. They have Chile En Nogada which is sometimes considered the national dish of Mexico. Chile En Nogada is poblano chiles stuffed with shredded meat and topped with a walnut-based cream sauce called nogada and pomegranate seeds.
Photo by Fonda Fina
This charming little pastry shop in Roma serves freshly baked traditional European pastries, breads, and desserts. Come early to avoid the lines and grab one of the most sought after pastries in Mexico City.
Photo by Panaderis Rosetta
The famous churro chain has multiple locations around the city to find the most delicious churros.
We had the most mouth watering quesabirria tacos from this little taco stall. We loved the slow roasted shredded meat with melted cheese and the richly flavorful consomé broth to dip your tacos in. Absolutely delicious.
The “Firefly” this unassuming hole in the wall taco shop has some of the best al pastor tacos around. It’s open 24/7 and is nicknamed the firefly because of how it lights up at night and is always swarmed with patrons.
One of the best things we did in Mexico City was book the “After Dark Taco Tour” with Club Tengo Hombre. This tour took us around to some incredible little tacos spots that we wouldn’t have found on our own. Besides just eating tacos, we stopped at some fun bars with our newly made friends in our tour and learned a bit about the history of the Centro area. Would highly recommend for a fun night out in CDMX!
One of the best cooking classes we've ever done! We learned so much about Mexican cuisine and ingredients during the market tour and then had a fabulous day in the kitchen. We felt taken care of all day and were offered beers, water and snacks whenever we wanted. It was definitely an immersive experience. We cooked the most incredible dishes in the most beautiful kitchen. The highlight was the green mole tamales in banana leaves that we made from scratch. We would definitely recommend this cooking class to people who love to cook and want to learn more about Mexican cuisine.
We loved visiting the Frida Kahlo museum, also known as "Casa Azul.” This is where Frida Kahlo was born, raised, lived, and died. Inside the house you can see paintings by Frida and her husband, Diego Rivera. The home has been carefully preserved showing her furniture, bed, clothing and even the paints and paintbrushes she used. It’s fun to imagine Frida sitting in her bedroom painting. Her husband and her were revolutionary and we learned so much about them. After visiting Casa Azul walk over to Coyoacan Market for lunch and some shopping. This bustling market has tons of shops selling clothing, jewelry, accessories, clothing, textiles and more. There are tons of food stalls strewn throughout the market to choose from for an authentic Mexican lunch.
This massive building holds the Mueseo Nacional de Antropologia, the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican artifacts. We spent and entire afternoon here and didn’t even see it all. We loved looking at the ancient Mayan statues and artifacts. Any trip to Mexico City wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this extraordinary museum.
Templo Mayor is in the center of Mexico City. It is ruins that from the ancient city of Tenochtitlán, the ancient Aztec capital. Built in 1325 the temple was mowed over by the Spanish conquest in 1521 where the built a cathedral in it’s place. It is amazing to still see the ruins of this famous ancient city today right in the heart of modern Mexico City.
The most beautiful parks in Condesa. We loved watching the dog walkers and always stopped by the dog park areas and to see the dogs run and play. We spent some time here taking in the local life of Mexico City under the the shade of the vast array of plants and trees. After spending time in the parks we walked to El Pescadito to have some fish tacos.
Super old local covered market in Roma, selling local produce, spices, mole, hot sauces, cheese and more! This place has all the local Mexican food you could ask for and is where local restaurants come to shop. We did our food tour through here, bought some hot sauces and dried peppers and got some carnitas tacos at a small stall which were delicious.
This market in Roma Norte is a rad food hall with a rooftop beer garden. There are tons of different restaurants and bars to choose from. There are local artisans selling things and along this street and in the area are some fantastic vintage shops. You should definitely take an afternoon and wander around the Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods. They are colorful with amazing trees and greenery lining the sidewalks, our favorite area of Mexico City
A record listening bar with fun and creative cocktails. We loved our evening spent here sipping on our drinks and listening to funky tunes.
There are a few different Gin Gin bars throughout Mexico City and they are popular for good reason. Good ambience, good drinks focusing on gin, good music, good vibes all around.
Av. Álvaro Obregón 298, Colonia Condesa, Cuauhtémoc, 06140 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Hidden in the streets of Condesa is this amazing little mezcal bar. With a huge variety of mezcal from all over Mexico from different regions we recommend doing a mezcal tasting. This bar is always popping and a great time!
Av. Álvaro Obregón 151, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
To get a fantastic view of Mexico City seek out one of it’s rooftop bars! Supra was a little hard to find but once we took the elevator to the top of the building we found a chic little rooftop bar and restaurant that wrapped around the building. The views here for sunset would be fantastic, sipping on a cocktail and watching day turn to night as the lights come on in the city below.
Av. Álvaro Obregón 106, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Ciudad de México, CDMX
With two locations, one in Roma Norte and one in Polanco these bars are consistently ranked the best in the world. With knowledgeable staff of mixologists these cocktails are unique and made with fresh and fun ingredients.
We loved Mexico City and are already planning our next trip back!
Ciao!
Jeff & Angela
We were so excited about our upcoming trip Tulum. It’d been on our radar for awhile and we finally made it down to the Riviera Maya and had 5 days to explore this tropical paradise. What started as a yoga retreat in the 70's, Tulum is complete with a perfect white sand beach, organic farm to table restaurants, swanky jungle bars, and bohemian shopping. There are two sides to Tulum, the beachfront and the town. All of the best and expensive hotels are on the beach along with the pricier dining options. The small town of Tulum is a 15 minute bike ride away has cheaper lodging and more local style taquerias. We stayed at an AirBnB in the town for $30 a night which include bikes and was in quiet neighborhood called Villas Tulum. We rode our bikes down to the beach everyday but enjoyed the more local feel of staying in the town. Tulum is becoming more popular lately for good reason.
People come from all over the Riviera Maya to visit the gorgeous Mayan Ruins of Tulum. Situated on the cliffs over looking the turquoise and blue water we were in awe of these ancient buildings. It is incredible to think that the Mayan Civilization picked this spot as a location for one of their cities.
TIP: Make sure to pack a swimsuit when visiting these ruins. Swimming is allowed at the beach (pictured below) and you will definitely want to take a dip after viewing the ruins in the heat. It was surreal swimming in the water with the ruins towering above you on the cliffs. This beach was also one of the cleanest and had the clearest water of any beach we visited this trip. Go early! We were here and had this entire beach nearly to ourselves, by 11 AM the beach was full! Riding your bike will provide the fastest way in and out!
When visiting the Riviera Maya you have to swim in a cenote. These natural fresh water pools are unique to the area and are scattered throughout the surrounding jungle. Rent a driver for the day to find some off the beaten path. We visited Cenote Samula and Xkeken on our way to the city of Valladoid and because we werer there early we were the only people inside the cave.
Cenote Samula
Swimming in these cenotes was one of the coolest experiences we ever had. We had the place entirely to ourselves with only the bats for company.
TIP: At 10:30am in Cenote Samula this magnificent ray of light beams down into the pool and creates a dramatic effect.
Cenote Xkeken
One of the most picturesque beaches in the world Tulum beach is what keeps visitors coming here time and time again. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful beach. Lined with chic hotels and bars you could spend days walking along the beach popping into fun little spots to eat and drink the day away.
If you have the chance head inland to the colorful little town of Valladolid. Only 45 minutes from Chichen Itza this Spanish colonial town is a great base if you would like to spend time at the biggest ruins in the area or is a fun day trip. In the center of the town the idyllic Cathedral de San Gervasio overlooks the main square. Spend the afternoon moseying along the winding streets amongst and the sherbet-colored walls of the its vibrant town square
Spend the afternoon moseying along the winding streets amongst and the sherbet-colored buildings. Stop at a local restaurant to indulge in traditional Mexican fare.
We ate at the restaurant in the courtyard of Hotel El Mesón del Marqués and had a fantastic meal. The tortillas were made right in front of you and the menu included a lot of local dishes. We are still drolling over the Yucatan lime soup we had here.
Fresh ingredients and handmade tortillas at Hotel El Mesón del Marqués
One of our favorite things about Mexico is Tequila and Mezcal! We were lucky to have the opportunity to visit a tequila distillery on our way back to Tulum from Valladolid, We got a tour through the blue agave field and sampled different aged tequilas. While this is a small distillery it will give you some insight into the tequila making process. If you are looking for a real tequila focused trip you will need to head to the region of Jalisco.
Km. 4.5, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
After eating only Mexican food for two weeks Posada Margarita's homemade Italian pasta was just what we needed. We came here for lunch and ended up spending the entire day lounging on their beach chairs. The funky bohemian vibe at this restaurant/hotel was welcoming and relaxing. We never wanted to leave!
We loved the fresh made forccaia which was a free appetizer with every meal. (Pictured above) We also fell in love with these unquie beach huts in front of the restaurant (Pictured below). If you're lucky you can hang out in one of these for the day after your meal free of charge.
We loved Posada Margherita and want to stay in one of their few beachfront rooms next time we come to Tulum. Great food, awesome ambiance and a beachfront location! What else do you need?
Boca Paila Km8, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Looking for a good time and some great tacos? Tacos Eufemia is one of the most happening spots on the beach. With cheap tacos and even cheaper beer this place is always packed. It's a fun place for a day party. Expect to leave with a full belly, sunburt nose and with lots of new friends.
Carretera Tulum Boca Paila 7.6Km, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
The most talked about restaurant in Tulum is undoubtedly Hartwood. All the food is sourced from local farms and is soley cooked over an open fire. People line up for hours to snag a table at this famous hot spot. For us, after all the hype the food fell a little flat but we still enjoyed our evening and watching the Chef cook over the hot coals right in front of us was a great experience.
Av. Tulum, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Head into Tulum town and search out this open air taqueria. You will know you've arrived when you see the giant al pastors roasting on spits. This no-frills taqueria is a local favorite and for good reason. The food here is insanely delicious and incredibly cheap. It's worth the journey into town to eat dinner at Antojitos, this place is perfect.
Carr. Tulum-Boca Paila Km 7. 5, Tulum 77760, Mexico
This cute cafe nestled in the jungle has a completely healthy and vegan menu. Grab a hammock and enjoy an homemade yogurt bowl with fresh local fruit while sipping on a cocconut milk coffee.
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km 7.5, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Another Tulum hot-spot Casa Jaguar has an incredible ambiance. Set back in the jungle the vibe here is swanky and the food and drinks are divine. We came here for one thing, churros dipped in chocolate, but we would also reccomend coming here for dinner. In Tulum there are so many amazing restaurants there is no way you could eat at them all. Looks like we will just have to plan another trip back soon.
Carrer Tulum Boca Paila Km 8 Frente a los Lirios, Tulum 77780, Mexico
This super unique restaurant and bar can be found along the main beach drag. Keep an eye out for the silver airstream trailer tucked in along the palms. This kitchen on wheels serves up tasty tacos!
Sit at the bar and check out the funky palm tree wall paper while the bartender mixes you up a delicious tropical cocktail.
Carretera Tulum Boca Paila Km 7, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Famous for its chic white bar swings overlooking the ocean, CoCo’s is definitely posh but the setting is rad. Expect to pay $12+ for a drink but it’s worth it to kick up for feet for awhile on one of their adorable white swings.
Carretera Tulum - Boca Paila Km 7,5, Zona Hotelera, 77780 Tulum, QROO, Mexico
Ziggy’s cocktails were some of our favorite in Tulum. Like most of the beachfront bars the drinks are a little pricy but the bohemian design and cool vibe will make you never want to leave.
TIP: Try some of their incredibly unique mezcal cocktails!
Beach Road Km. 7, Boca Paila, QRO, Mexico
Look for the shine of the neon pink sign out front and mosey your way into this jungle bar. Craft cocktails and tapas are the name of the game here. Come for a pre-dinner sipper or stay and dance the night away under the disco ball to the sounds of live music at one of Tulum’s most hip bars.
Andromeda Ote & Calle Centauro Sur, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
One of the most lively bars in Tulum town, Batey’s Mojito and Guarapo Bar shouldn’t be missed. They are known for their can sugar mojitos which are made with freshly pressed cane sugar! You can see their sugar cane press built into this old VW bug. You can watch as they crush the sugar stalks emitting this delicious sweet sugar which is used in all the mojitos. Each drink is garnished with a raw cane sugar stalk. Make sure to chew on your stalk to taste the pure sugar. Delicious! When we were here you could hear this beautiful jazz music from a block away, as we followed the tunes we entered into this place and saw a 20 piece band setting the perfect tone for a fun night out.
Av. Tulum, Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
We stumbled across this bar one night in the town while we were shopping. The cool hanging Edison bulbs and chic interior design drew us in. We came back every night, chatted with the nice bartenders and enjoyed the rad music.
TIP: Come by after midnight, when the real party begins as a nightly DJ takes the stage.
Km. 4.5, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
We had to add Posada Margherita to our favorite bar list as well as our restaurant list because these cocktails we just that good. Everything from the rustic wooden menu boards to the fresh unique ingredients blew us away. We loved this spot. If you could only go to one restaurant/bar in Tulum this should be it!
We hope you find yourself in Tulum and have the chance to check out some of these amazing restaurants. If you do make sure to leave us a comment and us know what you think!
This small island north of the Yucatan Peninsula is a laid back paradise. The whole island is car-free with the main mode of transportation being bikes and the occasional golf cart. We spent 4 days living the good life on this sleepy little island.
Car-free downtown
One of the best things we did was rent a golf cart for the day. The island is only 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. Our golf cart was a beast with giant wheels and because it rained the night before we spent the day splashing through mud from one side of the island to the next.
We spent an entire day relaxing under our own private beachfront palapa in Casa Sandra Boutique Hotel. This place was beautiful and the beach bar was just steps from the water. If you are in Holbox walk along the beach until you find the perfect spot and just pay a few bucks to lounge for the day.
The iconic Holbox ocean hammocks! If you're coming here you have to find these and spend some time swinging over the water.
We aren't going to tell you where these are. Holbox is small and it was fun searching and discovering these for ourselves.
The whole island of Holbox is only made up of a few streets. By the end of our 4 day stay we had a pretty good idea where everything was but we loved roaming the streets and looking at the eclectic and skillfully done street art.
Brightly colored buildings line the streets.
Calle Tiburón Ballena (Calle principal), 77310 Holbox, Mexico
Our favorite restaurant in Holbox. We ended up eating here for breakfast and for dinner. We loved the funky open air design of this place and the food was always fresh and delicious.
Beachfront, inside Casa Las Tortugas
If you're looking for a romantic ocean front meal make sure to check out to Mandrina's beach club. Along the main beach and part of Casa Las Tortugas Hotel this place is easy to find. We had an amazing meal here and probably had the best spot in the house for enjoying the most beautiful sunset.
One of the most magnificent sunsets we saw on this trip! Check out those colors.
123 Main Street
One of the most special restaurants on the island El Chapulin, is all about fresh and local ingredients. Instead of a menu the chef comes directly to each table and describes the nightly dishes which are all based on the catch of the day and what ingredients are in season. Luckily for us the local fisherman pulled in some lobsters earlier that day.
For a cheap and quick bite to eat head to the daily market on main street which sells local produce and also delicious tacos, tortas and more.
Each night and sometimes during the day, the local street carts sell a variety of different on the go food for cheap. Whether you're looking for late night tacos or an ice cold coconut on the beach these little carts are always a great idea for a quick bite.
TIP: Try a marquesita from one of the nightly food stalls. These delicious crepe style desserts are unique to the Yucatan region and are a great late night snack. You can find them at one of the food carts near the main square.
Av. Pedro Joaquín Coldwell s/ número, 77310 Isla Holbox, Qroo, Mexico
This tiny beach shack has the best location on the island to catch an epic sunset. With only a few swings at the bar this place is small but you can grab your drink and find a place on the sand to watch the sun set.
TIP: Are you a fan of micheladas? They are our favorite!! And most restaurants in Mexico serve them. When ordering make sure to get a "Ojo Rojo" that is what they call these deliciously salty red beers. Yum.
Av Damero 310, Holbox, Q.R., Mexico
A craft cocktail bar and restaurant tucked into the jungle. This place is a hidden gem. The cocktails were intricate and didn't disappoint. We meant to come back here to try out the food but didn't get a chance. Definitely on our list for our next visit.
Beautiful cocktail at Luuna
Beachfront part of Palapas Del Mar Hotel - Av. Paseo Kuká mza. 133
You don't have to be a guest at Palapas Del Mar to enjoy the Sky Ball and pool located on the roof of their beachfront hotel. We spent an entire day at this chic rooftop bar, sipping cocktails, reading and taking dips in the infinity pool.
Calle Hernán Cortés, 77310 Holbox, Q.R., Mexico
We stayed at the Marvin Suites during our stay in Holbox and couldn't have been happier. Most of the beachfront hotels charge almost double what we paid to stay here. Although it wasn't on the beach, it was right downtown and had AC. We would definitely recommend Marvin Suites, our room was giant and very clean. With the island being so small staying in the town was nice and taking the two minute walk to the beach.
Av. Paseo Kuká mza. 133 , 77310 Holbox Island, Q.R., Mexico
Sushi Bar and Hotel Pool
Our choice for a luxury hotel in Holbox. We would love to stay here next time we come here. We loved the tiny designer bungalows at this hotel, each with their own pool. The top floor has the rad Sky Bar with the infinity pool and below was a Sushi Bar next to the hotel pool. This place was a dream.
Calle Igualdad sin numero, M.1, L. 2, 77310 Isla Holbox, QR, Mexico
Another badass property on the beach; Casa Las Tortugas has it all. A lagoon style pool, beachfront restaurant and a cool beach lounge area. This would have to be our other top pick for places to stay in Holbox.
We hope that you find yourself in on this paradise island one day and that this guide helps you find some of the best things Holbox has to offer.
CHEERS!
- Jeff and Angela
The best way to explore Cozumel is on the back of a scooter. We rented one for the day for $25, hopped on and took off. There is one main road around that goes around the island so it's basically impossible to get lost. Our first stop was at Playa Palancar. This beach was picture perfect and had a funky little beach bar and restaurant. Keep an eye out for the baby raccoons running around. After a quick swim in the ocean we took off again and headed to the Eastern side of the island where there are less people and more seculuded beached.
Empty beaches on the East Shore
The glory of having your own moped is the ability to stop anywhere you would like. As we were cruising along the coast a small tiny shack with the word "Mojitos" on it caught our eye. We flipped a quick U-turn and arrived at one of the coolest little bars we've ever been to.
Mojito Bar
We are still dreaming about the mojito we had at this little bar. It was made with tons of fresh mint and grinded into a paste with a pestle and mortar.
Unlike your usual mojito where you muddle mint then have leaves floating around inside your drink, this mojito was super smooth and a bright green color.
Once you get your mojito go relax in one of the many hammocks on the beach behind the bar.
Next we heading along down the coast and stopped at Coconuts for lunch. This lively restaurant and bar is right on the cliffs.
After a full day exploring the island we headed back on the ferry to Playa Del Carmen. Cozumel was a fun day trip and there was no better way to see it than on the back of a moped.
Our first stop in the Riviera Maya was the lively beachtown of Playa Del Carmen. We heard about it's amazing food and thriving craft cocktail scene and couldn't wait to visit. The main street in Playa is Quinta Avenida (5th Ave). It is the main street in the downtown area and is lined with beautifully designed restaurants and bars. It runs parallel to the beach only a few blocks up.
Our AirBnB
We found an AirBnB close to the beach that was at the end of 5th Avenue and we were easily able to walk around and explore. It was only $55 a night for a one bedroom apartment with a kitchen, AC, fast wifi, and a pool. What else do you need?
The pool at our AirBnB
We spent three days lounging on the beach and getting a feel for the area. Expats from around the world end up settling in Playa because of its perfect climate, affordable prices, and a semi-westernized feel. If you want a real deal Mexico experience, Playa Del Carmen isn't the place to go. If you want a mellow intro to Mexico with plenty of great restaurants, bars, and beaches this is a great first stop.
The beaches in Playa del Carmen are beautiful and are completely public. You can walk along the entire beach from one end to the other. Bring your own blanket and cooler for the day and claim your own spot in the sand; or pay to use a chair and umbrella at a beach bar. Either way make sure you log some beach time. It seemed that the further south we went the nicer the beaches got!
When visiting the Riviera Maya you cannot miss a visit to one of the fresh water cenotes found here in the Yucatan.
Garden of Eden cenote
There are many different types of cenotes; some are inside caves while others look like tiny jungle lakes. The usual entry fee it only between $5-$10. The water in the cenotes is fresh and crystal clear. There are several different species of fresh water fish who live in the cenotes so make sure to bring your snorkel and mask. We visited the Garden of Eden cenote which was only a short 20 minute taxi drive from Playa Del Carmen.
TIP: To keep the water in the cenotes clean and clear they prohibit the use of sunscreen and bug spray with deet. Because of this some of the stores in town sell deet-free bug spray. Remeber to grab a bottle before you visit one of the cenotes.
For a fun day excursion hop on the ferry and go to the tiny nearby island Cozumel. These ferries run every hour and only take 45 minutes. When we visited Cozumel we rented a moped and explore the island. There is only one road that goes around the island and there is very little traffic which is perfect for a moped. Where the ferry drops you off is the touristy side of the island, get out of there as fast as possible! The other side of the island offers perfect beaches and beautiful turquoise water. We had a blast cruising around the island and hitting different beaches and bars along the way!
TIP: When in Cozumel head to the east side of the island and look for this tiny mojito bar. The mojitos served here are made with a pestle and mortar and were the best we've ever had! We are still dreaming of this delicious green cocktail.
30 Avenida Nte., Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Our favorite restaurant in Mexico! No trip to Playa del Carmen would be complete without at least one meal at one of El Fogon's two locations. This casual taqueria is always packed because the food is insanely good and cheap. With a completely open kitchen you will see a huge al pastor spinning on a spit and two chefs cooking up all the food on a flat top grill. The al pastor here is the holy grail of taco meat, find it, eat it, repeat.
TIP: Try one of everything! We especially loved loved the al pastor tacos, chorizo tacos, and chorizo queso. (Pictured above)
Av Constituyentes Manzana 63 Lote 3, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
A great little restaurant between 5th Ave and the beach. This outdoor restaurant focuses on seafood tacos, ceviche and tostadas. We loved this spot and came back twice! We especially liked the variety of sauces put on each table, it allowed you to spice up your tacos to accommodate your taste buds.
TIP: Try the tempura shrimp taco here. It was one of Ang's favorite from the entire trip.
Ceviche tostada at Los Aguachilies
5 Avenida con calle 34, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Follow the scent of freshly baked bread and you will undoubtedly find yourself at Chez Celine. This authentic french bakery on 5th street serves homemade pastries, breads, snadwiches, coffee, crepes and more. Come here for a long brunch or grab an espresso here in the evening and enjoy this little french bistro in Mexico.
Ham and Cheese crossant breakfast
Calle 10 Norte 27, Playa del Carmen 77720
A literal hole in the wall, La Cochi-Loka is an awesome little find in Playa. This walk up shop specializes in "cochinita pibil" which is a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork from the Yucatán Peninsula. We had it on a torta with homemade bread, queso topped with purple onions and habanero sauce. For only few bucks this is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite.
5 Avenida, Calle 38, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico
This restaurant is one of the most popular spots on 5th Ave and specializes in one thing. tostadas! The menu has a variety of creative tostadas with seafood and delicious sauces. With a fun atmosphere, good drinks and sublime food this place is always packed.
Calle 34 Norte Entre 5ta Y 10, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
If you are a big fan of mezcal (like we are) La Perla Pixan is the place for you. This bar exclusively makes cocktails containing mezcal. We came back to this bar a couple of times and had the chance to try a few of their unique cocktails and also some different types of mezcal. We loved how the mezcal shots came with lemons, cinnamon, and coffee to try with the smokey flavors of the mezcal.
Calle 38 Nte. 152, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720, Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
With a sophisticated craft cocktail menu and a beautifully designed bar, Trujillos blew us away. With giant trees literally shooting out through the roof; this place was stunning. The cocktails were complex, made with fresh ingredients and highlighted local spirits. The bartenders were great here and after some chatting they had us sampling some really unique ingredients and liquors native to the area.
Inside the Mahekal Beach Resort, Calle 38, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R.
Coconut Kiwi cocktails and fresh Pina Coladas at Fuego! We stumbled across this beachfront bar in the Mahekal Beach Resort while walking down the beach. The tropical beach setting at Fuego is complete with hammocks, twinkly lights and sits directly on the main beach. Stop in for a piña colada, they are just right here.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post on some of our favorite spots in Playa Del Carmen. If you are planning a trip to the Riviera Maya we hope you have a great time in this lively beach town.
