Culture
Customs
Welcoming to foreigners? Yes LGBTQ friendly? Yes. Mexico offers greater legal equality than most countries in the Americas.
Etiquette tips
If you are in a group, when your meal arrives, make sure to say “Buen provecho” before you start eating.
How to great people
Handshakes and embraces are both acceptable. Greet each person individually if you encounter a group of friends.
Tipping norms
15-20% (tipping is optional)
Food
No matter where you travel in Mexico, you're guaranteed to have amazing food.
National dish
Tacos, of course!
Must try local food
This rich soup is made with pork, hominy, and red chiles along with extra toppings like avocado, lime, and salsa.
Poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo topped with a creamy walnut sauce.
Traditional breakfast with fried corn tortilla chips simmered in sauce and topped with eggs and avocado.
Mexican sweet bread with you can easily find in panaderias (or bakeries).
This rich soup is made with pork, hominy, and red chiles along with extra toppings like avocado, lime, and salsa.
Poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo topped with a creamy walnut sauce.
Traditional breakfast with fried corn tortilla chips simmered in sauce and topped with eggs and avocado.
Mexican sweet bread with you can easily find in panaderias (or bakeries).
This rich soup is made with pork, hominy, and red chiles along with extra toppings like avocado, lime, and salsa.
Poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo topped with a creamy walnut sauce.
Traditional breakfast with fried corn tortilla chips simmered in sauce and topped with eggs and avocado.
Mexican sweet bread with you can easily find in panaderias (or bakeries).
Restaurants to visit
Restaurant recommendations from nomads & locals. 4.0+ rating, great atmosphere and good food guaranteed.
A vegetarian restaurant with delicious food made from fresh ingredients.
Heads up — this is everyone's favorite taco place so it can get busy in the evenings!
This one is for seafood lovers! Try their ceviche, it's excellent.
A vegetarian restaurant with delicious food made from fresh ingredients.
Heads up — this is everyone's favorite taco place so it can get busy in the evenings!
This one is for seafood lovers! Try their ceviche, it's excellent.
A vegetarian restaurant with delicious food made from fresh ingredients.
Heads up — this is everyone's favorite taco place so it can get busy in the evenings!
This one is for seafood lovers! Try their ceviche, it's excellent.
Food festivals & markets
La Ceiba Park — An open-air market happening every Saturday, it’s a hub of art and culture with local vendors in Playa del Carmen. If you are looking for local markets in Playa del Carmen you can head to Calle 54 on Sundays.
Food delivery apps
Rappi (Android | iOS) Te Hago el Paro (Android | iOS) Uber eats (Android | iOS)
Art & music
Where to listen to live music
Fah Restaurant Bar — Rock&Roll, located on 5th Avenue.
Bloody Mary (formerly Kixten) — Another great spot for live rock music.
La Bodeguita del Medio — A Playa del Carmen classic and a good place to listen to live Latin music.
Theatre & film
Movies in Playa del Carmen are normally in their original language with subtitles in Spanish, although kids' movies tend to be dubbed.
Cinemex Centro Maya & Cinepolis Plaza de las Americas — Tickets on Wednesdays are half-price!
Joya show by Cirque du Soleil — Just a short ride from the city in Vidanta Resort.
Visual art
Gastón Charó Gallery — Supporting over 40 local artists.
