Category Archives: Living in Mexico

Mexican Christmas Dinner, Much More Than Turkey, Stuffing and Gravy!

Posted on by

Mexican Christmas dinner might be an exciting experience for newcomers to this country, or a celebration full of memories for those seasoned retirees enjoying the holidays south of the border.

Retiring to Mexico goes beyond learning  a new language, or sorting out immigration and health insurance. Living in Mexico also pushes retirees to adapt old traditions and add new ones; mixing ingredients, languages, people and creating memories in your new home.

There are almost a million foreigners living in Mexico, there is a bigger offer of North-American products in the Mexican supermarkets. However, if you are planning to have a traditional Christmas dinner there might be a limited variety in items like: stuffing, cranberry sauce and others.

Some retirees stick to the traditional Christmas dinner and stock on basic ingredients when they travel home. Others ask friends and family to bring the ingredients from their places of origin and a third group improvises or adapts to the regional flavor and ingredients.

If you are wondering what would be a Traditional Mexican Christmas dinner, well it depends. Every region has its specialties and flavors so a christmas dinner can be a turkey, roasted pork leg, tamales, or even grilled meat.

So, if you are feeling adventurous this christmas, here are some suggestions to try a Mexican Christmas dinner:

A traditional Mexican Turkey dinner:

In Mexico a  traditional turkey dinner;  consists of a baked turkey stuffed with ground meat, spices and fruit. This is served with some pasta or potatoes as well as other traditional side dishes such as romeritos or Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Basque style cod).

A delicious suckling pig Roast (Lechon al horno)

This is my favorite Yucatecan dish, and if you are lucky enough to live in the Yucatan Peninsula you must try it! This is a traditional recipe but it is not spicy, and the flavors mix perfectly and leave a really juicy meat; it is also ideal to have the next day as Tacos or tortas.

Ingredients

(10-12 servings)

  • 1 piglet (12 – 16 pounds)
  • 6 sour oranges (the juice)
  • 6 crushed garlic cloves
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • Pepper
  • Ground cumin
  • Salt
  • Red Achiote paste (Annatto paste)
  • Baking soda

24 hours before roasting:

  1. Mix the ingredients to form a marinade and let the piglet soak in this juice for 8-24 hours
  2. Make deep cuts on the meat so the marinade can really soak in the meat  (if possible, do not pierce the skin)
  3. Rub the meat and skin with the marinade

Before roasting the pig in the oven:

  1. Dry the skin thoroughly with a paper towel
  2. Rub all the skin with cooking oil or lard

To roast the suckling pig:

  1. Place the piglet with the skin side up in a baking dish with the marinade as the cooking surface. Do not overturn the piglet until the end.
  2. Preheat the oven to high (200ºC) Introduce the piglet and cook for 1/2 hour
  3. Reduce the heat to 180º C, and  cook for 4 to 5 hours, depending on the size of the piglet.
  4. After cooking, remove from the oven and sprinkle the skin with baking soda, and use a clean cooking brush to spread the powder
  5. Return to the oven using the grill to brown, and let the skin get a golden color

Note: Follow this process and make sure the skin does not touch the cooking juice, in order to get a crunchy skin.

To Serve:

Cut into uniform pieces and bring to the table.

We hope you have a great time making these recipes, and enjoy your Mexican Christmas. We would love to hear what dishes are your favorite, and if you try our recipes please let us know how it turns out!

Christmas Traditions in the Riviera Maya: Posadas, La Rama and More…

Posted on by

Once that you choose the Riviera Maya as your new home, you will find there are Christmas traditions that are unique to this part of the world.

Retiring to Mexico is a dream for many; beautiful weather, cheap cost of living and with direct flights to most of the main North American cities. Over a million foreigners have chosen Mexico as their home. You’ll surely find many traditional ingredients to make your christmas dinner!

However, moving to Mexico means to adjust to a whole different set of christmas traditions, such as:

“La Rama”

La Rama is a tradition with origins in Veracruz. Nonetheless, it has spreaded all over the southeast of the country including the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. This tradition is literally a branch of a tree, which is decorated as a Christmas tree and taken around the neighborhood.

In the Riviera Maya it is common to see groups of children going around with a branch of a tree or a decorated palm leaf, they do some caroling and then ask for a donation in cash.

Mexican Christmas Traditions

Posadas

Las posadas is a tradition with christian roots. They were celebrated with friends and family to commemorate Joseph and Mary and their journey to Bethlehem. The celebration was leaded by traditional caroling asking the owners of the house for lodging,  after the door was opened there was more singing and praying.

Posadas nowadays might be traditional or just regular Christmas parties with friends, neighbours, coworkers and family members. It is not rare to have invitations to these parties almost every weekend. Also, there is an abundance of food, drink, candies and pinatas.

Mexican Christmas Traditions

Pinatas

The pinata is maybe one of the most recognizable Mexican traditions. Pinatas have many shapes, colors and materials. However, the original pinata had the shape of a star. Also, it was part of the Christmas celebrations as a symbol of the seven deadly sins and the people using a stick representing virtue to overcome temptation. The blindfold represented the faith and finally the candy or fruit inside the pinata was a prize for those able to destroy it.

Pinatas are almost always present in Christmas parties in Mexico. Moreover, it is a great fun for children and adults.

Mexican Christmas Traditions

Are you familiar with any of these traditions? Have you witnessed them? We would love to hear your experience with Christmas Mexican celebrations.  The team in Let’s Retire in Mexico wishes you a Feliz Navidad!!

Pets & Vets in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

Are you planning to move to Playa del Carmen with your pet and you want to know which vets are the most reliable? Well, If you have been to this paradise before, you will be familiar with all the animals here. Everyone in Playa adores pets and you will notice walking around Playa del Carmen, especially the famous 5th Avenue, that a lot of people have a dog or two. So, if you are planning to come for a visit or to move here for good, do not leave your furry friends behind. With the warm weather here in Mexico, not only will you be in paradise but your pets will be too!

If you are looking to see how to bring your pets to Mexico, please check out our blog showcasing how to do that. This blog is to encourage you to bring your pets down to Mexico with you and to explain to you about the safety with animals here in Mexico and if you ever need to frequent a vet, where you could find the best ones.

Vets in Playa del Carmen

Of course with any place you take your pet, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings. Some people throw things on the ground that could harm your pet so being 100% alert at all times will help keep your pet safe. You will notice some places put out water bowls for pets along 5th Avenue. This is just to show you how thoughtful the locals here in Playa del Carmen are.

Here’s a list of the best vets In Playa del Carmen:

How to get there? –  Av. Paseo Tulum Mz 19A Lt 1 Local 12, Paseo Playacar. Playacar F2., 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Location: Av Luis Donaldo Colosio 37, Santa Fe del Carmen, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico 

  • Clinica Veterinaria:

Visit Clinica Veterinaria at  45 Avenida Nte., Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Location: Av. Tikal Mza 29, Lt 2 Antes de la pluma de entrada a Playacar Fase 2, Playacar Fase 2, Calica, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

 Coco’s is located on Calle 44 Nte, El Pedregal, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Where? Playa del carmen, Quintana Roo Colonia Zazil-ha, calle 38 Nte, /30 y 25 bis Av. Nte, Mza 38 Lote 10, Local 20 altos, C.P. 77710, Mexico

These vets will make sure your pets are safe!

Vets in Playa del Carmen

Depending on where you are located in Playa del Carmen, it is always important to check in to a vet and familiarize yourself with a good place for your animal. If worse comes to worse, you know what to expect when you take your pet into the clinic. You can register your pet with the vet clinic of your choice, so when you take your pet into the clinic that’s already been done. It’s important to stay up to date with your pet’s vaccines in order to avoid any infections or viruses.

 

Best Places to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the Riviera Maya

Posted on by

Thanksgiving has become an increasingly important celebration in the Riviera Maya, as the number of North American visitors keeps growing every year. It does not matter if they are a residents, snow birds or just tourists, they all celebrate Thanksgiving Day and local restaurants are getting ready to serve the best fare of turkey.

There are thousands of restaurants in the Riviera Maya, so how do you find a homey traditional dinner? Top Mexico Real Estate is always looking to provide the most relevant and accurate information, so you can find the best places to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the Riviera Maya.

What do we mean by the best? The most fancy?  The most expensive? The one that pays us a fee to publish their names? No! We are listing the restaurants that have crowds waiting for their dinner, the one that has a fanbase among the local expats, the one that will transport you from the sandy beaches of the Caribbean to whatever home is.

Our top picks for Thanksgiving Day Dinner are:

Wah Wah: Thanksgiving dinner on the beach

Wah Wah is a big favorite, among locals, expats and tourists. This restaurant in Playa del Carmen offers cold drinks nice casual food and live music. If you are looking for a beachfront venue for your dinner, Wah Wah is the place to be.

This year there will be a delicious menu that includes: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Cabbage Rolls, Glazed Carrots, Garlic & Butter Squash, Deviled Eggs, Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Fresh Bread, and Cranberry Sauce!

Wah Wah’s  buffet dinner will have a cost of $300 pesos per person, and there is going to be a special 2×1 in Margaritas. The food is going to be served from 4 until 7 in the afternoon.

If you want to have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner here, please contact Wah Wah.

Mom’s Bar: The homey Thanksgiving dinner in the place where everybody will know your name

Mom’s Bar is another popular place to have Thanksgiving dinner, and traditionally they offer a delicious traditional menu. This year, they are having a Thanksgiving buffet dinner on November 23th 2017 at 7:00 P.M.

The buffet will be served only for 60 people, so it is important to make reservations ahead of time. The dinner will cost is $275 pesos per person. However, keep in mind that the menu doesn’t include drinks, therefore you must purchase them separately.

The buffet includes:

  • Oven Roasted Turkey
  • Smoked Ham
  • Mashed Potatoes & Turkey Gravy
  • Stuffing
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Creamy Cole Slaw
  • Cranberry Sauce with Almonds & Raisins
  • Dinner Rolls & Butter
  • MOM´S Double Chocolate Rum & Almond Cake with Iced Cream

If you want to contact Mom’s Bar and make reservations, visit their facebook page.

Turtle Bay Cafe: A delicious Dinner ready to take home

Turtle Bay is located in Akumal Bay and it is one of the best places in the Riviera Maya. Also,the food is incredible and their pastries are to die for.

The secret of their flavor is using a Mayan technique to cook the turkeys, as they are cooked in an underground oven or pib. This allows the birds to cook at a very slow pace, while retaining all its juices and flavor.

Nonetheless, if catering doesn’t work for you, you can also pick one of the two available times to have dinner at the restaurant.

Here is a menu, if you’d like to have a look:

Thanks for reading our blog and we hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving day. Please let us know if you know about another venue to enjoy Thanksgiving Day. We would love to hear about your plans, and share this information with other readers.

Happy Thanksgiving Day, from the team at Let’s Retire in Mexico!

As a token of our appreciation, we have included a special guide filled with Insider Tips for the Riviera Maya. Click on the link below to download this incredible guide with all the best spots to eat, shop, swim and adventure in the Mexican Caribbean!

 

 

The Best Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

Have you been thinking of yoga studios to begin a healthier lifestyle? If you’re currently living in Playa del Carmen or you’re planning to live here, there are great yoga studios. Not only these studios provide yoga classes, but also meditation and teacher training courses.

For those of you who are not familiar with what yoga is or how you do yoga, let us explain. To begin with, yoga is a way of getting in touch with your body. Its connecting with your inner energy and focusing on what you body is telling you to do. There are many different ways to do yoga and many different yoga poses out there. Yoga is doing different breathing techniques and meditation, which helps to improve your health and happiness! In other words yoga is good for you!

Now lets see the best yoga studios in Playa del Carmen:

  • Yoga By The Sea

This wonderful studio is exactly what you need to relax and start your day in the best way. These classes include yoga facing the sea. How geat does it sound? For more information about Yoga by the Sea, visit their website here.

Find this yoga studio in: Palapa Suuk, Calle CTM (46) between avenida 5th and 10th, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Yogaloft

Yogaloft offers incredible plans and passes at a very reasonable price. Also, if you’re interested in becoming a yoga teacher, they provide an excellent teachers training certification. If you want to read more about this studio, click on this link.

Address: 10 Avenida Nte., Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico 

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Yoga District

In this yoga studio you can practice Power and Vinyasa flow yoga. Classes are provided by certified teachers who will guide you and take you into a deeper practice. Classes in Yoga District are from Monday to Sunday.

To visit this studio, head to Av. Aviación, Plaza Paseo Cobá, Local 220, Playacar Phase 1,  77713 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico 

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Ananda Yoga

Casa Ananda provides Hatha, Natural, Kaula, Vinyasa, Tai Chi, Pranayama, among many more yoga classes. They even have postnatal classes for newborns and moms. Also, they have yoga classes for kids. For more information about classes, schedules and teachers, visit their website here.

Address: El Pedregal, 77712 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico 

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Yoga Company

Yoga Company is a yoga studio right in the center of Playa del Carmen, only a few steps from the beautiful beach. In addition, Yoga Company has a vegan restaurant and an organic shop. If you want to know more about this wonderful place, visit their website or facebook page.

Address: Calle 26 numero 128, entre 5a y 10a Av. Col. Gonzalo guerrero , Playa del Carmen, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Gam Yoga

Gam Yoga offers gong healing, Tai Chi, Meditation, Yoga and Tzolkin. This studio also provides personalized and private classes. You can book a class and have an amazing experience through a spiritual healing. To see more about yoga and to book a private class, contact them through their website.

Gam Yoga is located in Calle Quinta Avenida, Luis Donaldo Colosio, 77728 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

  • Yoga Shala 38

Yoga Shala 38 is offering a teacher course which includes 200 hours of yoga. The course will begin on February 10th, 2018. Isn’t this a good way to start a new year? If you want to know more about this yoga studio, visit their facebook page right here.

Yoga Studios in Playa del Carmen

Although finding places can be a little tricky in Playa del Carmen, reaching these yoga studios is really easy. In addition, we have included the full address to follow or put into your maps. This way it will take you directly to the yoga study of your choice.

Each studio offers beginner lessons and different classes to meet the needs of every individual. In addition, these yoga studios also offer english classes.

Once you experience the sensation your body feels when you enjoy your first yoga session, we are sure you will be hooked. Yoga is something that once you get the hang of it and figure out your poses and the ones you enjoy doing on your own- it’s possible to do yoga from anywhere, including your bedroom, on a beach or even in your bed!

Day Of The Dead In Mexico

Posted on by

Day of the dead is a big holiday we celebrate in Mexico. Some people even celebrate it in different countries all over the world. The day of the dead is exactly how it sounds. Mexicans take a day to remember all their loved ones that have past away. This particular day of course is important everyday but, here in Mexico people like to denote one day out of all the other days to be extra special. There are many different festivities that go on in Mexico too during the day of the dead. This ritual has been going on for thousands of years already.

Frances Ann Day puts this three day celebration of the day of the dead into perspective:

“On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children’s altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives. The three-day fiesta is filled with marigolds, the flowers of the dead; muertos (the bread of the dead); sugar skulls; cardboard skeletons; tissue paper decorations; fruit and nuts; incense, and other traditional foods and decorations.”

The day of the dead is actually a happy day here in Mexico. As a matter of fact, Mexicans celebrate all the fun events they had with their past ancestors and people they are remembering on this day. Many people bring their favorite food and beverages to the cemetery and say prayers. This helps to speak with the souls of the dead. They also drop of flowers and photographs and anything that helps represent their life. Most people on this day go to the gravesites and clean around their graves. Moreover, some people even spend the night next to their loved ones grave or have a picnic beside it.

Ofrendas to the death

In addition, Mexicans also prepare an ofrenda, which is an altar they dedicate to the person they are remembering. They decorate this altars with traditional food, candies, candles and more. In Mexico, ofrendas are so important and meaningful that there are even contests. Basically, people dedicate to decorate an altar with objects that symbolizes a person. The result is actually amazing and ofrendas are really beautiful.

Also, public schools and different government offices prepare different arts and crafts on this day. This day is a big day in Mexico and it should not go without some sort of applause to your deceased. Some locations around Mexico even dress up and deceased or they wear seashells on their clothes, because they believe they will wake up the dead. Each person has his or her own way to celebrate this day and it is a neat holiday to be in Mexico for!

What is a Cenote?

Posted on by

You might have heard the word ‘cenote’ when traveling to Mexico, or even read about it on one of our other blog posts – and wondered what is a cenote. Well, a it is actually a natural-hole underground which was caused by limestone bedrock collapsing. Another term for cenote is a sinkhole.

Cenotes are a very popular attraction in Mexico, especially in the Riviera Maya. People go swimming in the cenotes, and use them for snorkeling and diving. If you get tired of spending every day at the beach, and need to escape the hot sun for a couple day, we would highly recommend visiting a few different cenotes. Each sinkhole has a different entrance price. However, this is well worth it! When you research as to which one you want to visit during your time in the Riviera Maya, we would recommend packing your snorkeling gear or renting some before you come. Some cenotes offer gear for rent but most of them requires you to bring your own.

Cenote Sinkhole

Cenotes are amazing because the atmosphere is very natural

You are in the middle of nature, swimming in a natural sinkhole with hundreds of different fish swimming around you. It is definitely something you will want to experience during your time in Mexico. Depending on the cenote you decide to visit, there are cliffs that you can jump off of. This is for the daring travelers.

Packing list for a day at a Cenote:

  • Towel
  • Snorkeling gear or diving gear
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Biodegradable sunscreen
  • Water shoes
  • Underwater camera or any camera
  • Money for entrance fee

Top cenotes in the Riviera Maya:

  1. Cenote Azul
  2. Cenote Ponderosa
  3. Dos Ojos
  4. Gran Cenote
  5. Ik Il Cenote
  6. Rio Secreto

Cenote Sinkhole

Each one of these cenotes is driving distance from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Rio Secreto is a neat sinkhole because it is actually connected by a river underground.  Whether you want to experience this place on your own or book a tour and hear about the history, that’s totally up to you; nonetheless, we would recommend making time for this one. If you live in Playa del Carmen, Rio Secreto is only five minutes outside of town. If you are on a tight budget and don’t have money to pay for entrance fee’s, there is a small cenote on the beach towards the north end of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.

 

 

Basic Spanish Sentences to Learn for Fun

Posted on by

The Riviera Maya is a great place to retire. It has great weather all year round and also there’s a lot of English speaking people both expats and locals. As a result, it’s easy to go on your daily activities, even if you don’t speak Spanish.

But it’s always a good idea to have some basics of the local language. It’s useful to have at least a few spanish sentences to ask or answer common questions. Also, local people actually appreciate when you do an effort to communicate in Spanish.

Here we have included some basic spanish sentences to practice for fun!

See if you can pick up on it. They will make your life in Mexico a lot easier!

Buenos días – Good morning

Buenas tardes – Good afternoon

Buenas noches – Good evening

¿Cómo te llamas? – What is your name?

Me llamo… – My name is…

¿Cómo estás? – How are you?

Estoy bien, ¡gracias! – I am fine, thanks!

¿Y tú? – And you?

Muy bien – Very good

¿Qué haces? – What are you doing?

Thank you – Gracias

Muchas gracias – Thank you very much

De nada – You’re welcome

Perdone – Excuse me

Disculpe – Sorry

¿Puede ayudarme? – Can you help me?

No entiendo – I don’t understand

No hablo español – I don’t speak Spanish

Estoy perdido – I am lost

¿Dónde vives? – Where do you live?

¿Qué edad tienes? – How old are you?

¿Qué hora tienes? – What time is it?

¿Cuánto cuesta eso? – How much is that?

¿Qué es esto? What is this?

¿Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?

¡Bienvenidos! – Welcome!

¡Feliz cumpleaños! – Happy Birthday!

¡Muy bien! – Well done!

¡Cuídate! – Take care!

¡Diviértete! – Have fun!

¡Buen provecho! – Bon appetite!

¡Nos vemos! – See you!

¡Hasta pronto! – See you soon!

¡Hasta mañana! – See you tomorrow!

¡Hasta luego! – See you later!

Spanish sentences

Practice these spanish sentences and soon you’ll be using them confidently.

It is important pronouncing the words correctly, so people can understand what you are saying. Some words sound the same but mean completely different things, so pronunciation is very important in the Spanish language! Just remember to have fun. You will not be fluent in one day, so don’t give up. Learning something new takes time and practice.

Also, there are many applications you can use to become fluent in Spanish, like “Duolingo”, an app that you can download on your cell phone to practice basic words and phrases every day. This app also has different levels that you have to pass before you move on, making the learning process a bit more challenging.

Are you ready to start? ¡Qué bueno!

Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

When you move to a new place, it’s always hard transitioning from what you are use to. That also includes finding new restaurants to enjoy. Playa del Carmen is home to several delicious cuisines, from Mexican, to Italian and even French. However, if one day you feel hungry and want to find a delicious and budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen, you will surely have many options.

Here’s a list of a few budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen:

  • Papa Charly

This exquisite Pasta Factory is perfect for anyone looking for a delicious Italian restaurant. You can find Papa Charly in Calle 30 Nte and 25 Avenue. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Ferron’s Jerk Chicken

Nothing like a delicious chicken with a Jamaican style! If you like spicy grilled chicken, then Ferron’s Jerk Chicken is the perfect restaurant in Playa del Carmen to visit. Make sure to try the delicious smashed potatoes.

Visit Ferron’s Jerk Chicken in 105 Nte Local 3, entre Constituyentes y 30 Bis, Col. Ejido.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Chez Céline

Chez Céline offers lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks. This French cuisine has home-made  bakery products. Its croissants and bagels are definitely worth trying! To eat in Chez Céline, head to the 5th Avenue and calle 34 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Piola

Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious but also inexpensive slice of pizza? Alternatively, Piola also offers a vast menu with salads, pasta, paninis, etc. Make sure you visit this delicious and budget-friendly restaurant right in the center of town between 5th ave and 1st ave North and Calle 38 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Pizza Renzo

Pizza Renzo offers diverse pizza toppings. You can pick as many slices as you can eat! This pizza restaurant is one of the favorites for locals, not to mention it is completely budget-friendly!

Visit Pizza Renzo in 10th ave, inbetween Calle 24 and Calle 26 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • El Fogon

If you want to try authentic Mexican food, specially tacos, we highly recommend to visit El Fogon. This place offers delicious food at an amazing price. We also recommend trying the vast variety of tacos El Fogon offers. If you want to visit this place, head to Costituyentes Ave. and 30th Avenue.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • La Brocherie

This place not only offers great food but also an amazing atmosphere! La Brocherie has delicious gourmet grilled chicken. In addition, La Brocherie offers the best selection of French wines and beers.

If you want to try some French grilled chicken, go to 15th avenue, between Calle 6 and Calle 4 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Don Sirloin

Don Sirloin is a popular place amongst tourist and locals and there are several locations in Playa del Carmen. Don Sirloin also offers Mexican food and its speciality are tacos. The most popular and close to downtown Playa is in 10th ave between Calle 12 and Calle 14 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • El Nativo

The best place in town for breakfast and brunch! In addition, El Nativo offers delicious and nutritive juices and milkshakes for an amazing price. You can find this place in 30th Avenue and Calle 20 Nte.

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

  • Chiltepin

We highly recommend Chiltepin when it comes to delicious fajitas and fish tacos. Also, this place has a great atmosphere to have fun while enjoying a delicious taco. There are a few of these restaurants located around the town, though the one in 20th Ave and Calle 34 Nte is a great option!

Budget-friendly restaurants in Playa del Carmen

Each of these restaurants offers plates under 100 pesos. We included a mix of restaurants like Italian, French, Mexican, and Jamaican.

If you’re not looking to spend a high amount of money on food but you still enjoy good cuisine, we would recommend staying off of 5th avenue. Eating on 5th avenue is amazing, but it is a little more expensive than eating on 10th avenue, 20th avenue, or even 30th avenue. Each Avenue past fifth offer delicious and budget-friendly restaurants!

If you eat on 30th avenue at El Nativo sometime, don’t be alarmed to see mostly locals enjoying their dinners too! As you’ve probably heard before, locals know the best spots in town. So it’s always good to ask locals for more budget-friendly restaurants around Playa del Carmen!

 

Daily Activities You Can Do in Playa del Carmen

Posted on by

What comes to mind first when you are thinking of something to do in Playa del Carmen? Would it happen to be the beach? But let us tell you, there are way more activities to do other than just spending all your day at the beach.

Here are some ideas of daily activities you can do in Playa del Carmen

Have you ever thought of renting a bike, joining a gym or salsa class? Maybe even a sports team if you’re into that. What makes Playa del Carmen so special is that there are so many activities here for all ages. Whether you are a child and looking for swimming lessons or you are in your teens and you would like to try out a new sport. Maybe you are in your early 50s-70s and you would like to get out and play tennis a couple times a week.

Anything and everything is possible in Playa del Carmen

There is one unique Canadian restaurant whose owners are a couple and each week they have a trivia night, along with other charitable events throughout the year. This restaurant is called ‘Moms.’ Let us tell you, if you are a Canadian and you are used to Mom’s homemade cookin, then we would highly recommend visiting this place. It’s not just great for Canadians. This couple welcomes each and every person here with open arms. There are also pool tables here too, which makes the perfect games night.

Getting back to the activities we had mentioned before. If you are looking at bike rentals in Playa del Carmen there are many different shops scattered around the town.

Activities in Playa del Carmen

One place in Playa del Carmen that has great reviews is Playa Bike Rentals. You can find this place in 24 street between streets 10 and 15. They charge the following prices below:

1-3   Days = $10.00 USD per day

4-7   Days = $38.00 USD for the period

7-14 Days = $5.00 USD per day

This company is opened 9am-9pm Monday-Saturday.

If you’d like to play tennis, there are many tennis courts all around the town. Some places you have to reserve ahead of time, and some are on a come and go basis. We would recommend reviewing the times online prior to heading to the courts.

For swimming lessons, we would recommend ‘Kiin Ha’ indoor pool and sports center based on their reviews. They open from Monday-Friday from 7:00am-10:00pm and Saturdays from 7:00am-1:00pm. Depending on how many classes you would want to enroll in the prices vary. They are located just off Constituyentes Avenue, one block north between 85th and 90th avenue.

Activities in Playa del Carmen

If you woud like to do a water activity, we would recommend trying SUP (stand up paddle-boarding.) If you haven’t already done it before, “Aloha Paddle Club” offers lessons and board deliveries. They are located at: Inti Beach club which is located at Calle 4 and Calle 6 in the center of town.

Now that you know about amazing activities you can do in Playa del Carme, go out and have fun! Living in paradise has this and many more incredible advantages!