In Playa del Carmen, most bars and restaurants
are to be found on La Quinta (5th Avenue) a charming,
bustling pedestrian street that is Playa’s epicenter.
It is great to sit back with a cool drink here and watch the
different nationalities roam past. There are also great places
to eat on the beach that allow you to really get that Caribbean
feel. There is no way to get bored here with the endless variety
of cuisines and cultures available. From Mexican to Chinese,
Swedish, Italian, Thai, German, Cuban and much much more,
everyone’s tastes will be adequately catered for. Restaurants
here are usually intimate, family run affairs with friendly
service.
Aside from the bigger, more touristy eateries on La Quinta,
keep in mind that there are other great places to go for a
bite, especially since these are even more authentic and will
truly give you a glimpse of what true Playa del Carmen’s
locals are like. Dare to wander our a little and see what
you come across. For further information on Mexican
food and local dishes, click here.
Price Range
Remember that we are talking about Mexican pesos here. On
average, you will get a great Mexican meal for around 30 pesos.
Keep in mind though that prices on La Quinta will
escalate a fair bit into the 100 – 200 peso range.
Tipping
Truly a part of Mexican life, you should consider tipping
the maid at your hotel, taxi drivers, restaurant waiters,
etc. In Spanish a tip is referred to as a propina.
The standard tip at a restaurant is around 10% of the bill.