Playa del Carmen & Cancun

Colin:As half Jamaican living in Playa del Carmen for 4 almost 4 months I craved Jamaican food after a while. A local friend recommended Rockas and it was love at first bite. The jerk chicken was amazing and Rasta Pasta become one of my favorite dishes in my life. The food is authentic and the owners are the friendliest always looking out for there guest. If you want jerk chicken make sure you reserve some a day ahead especially if you plan to visit in a group.

Colin:If you enter the restaurant it gives you this unique family business vibe. I have been in Italy a lot and this place in playa del carmen just exceeded all expectations definitely like eating in Italy and I got addicted to the pizza. Also the staff / hospitality is 10 out of 10.

Colin:I you like meat this is the place2be. They have an all you can eat option where they bring different types of meat to your table all the time. In addition you have unlimited buffet access (drinks are excluded). The restaurant is really luxurios and the service is top notch. They never let you wait miss something and you are treated like royalty. Also the cocktails have been awesome and they have a huge selection of different liquors & wines.

Colin:A friend recommended this place 2 me and I believe it is an international chain. Anyways if you like shrimps especially fried shrimps this is the place 2 be. Not the healthiest food but extra tasty :)

Colin:If you visit Mexico remember the group called Rosa Negra. It is an organization with multiple restaurants like rosanegra itself, taboo, ora and in this case Funky Geisha, which was right next to Chambao. What I loved about it we had the choice to order from Chambao or Funky Geisha and could even mix it up. The location and design is a 12 out of 10 also there was a show in between. Also cocktails and food are amazing. It is expensive especially for Mexican prices but so worth it.

Colin:La parilla is a huge chain, which offers Mexican food. I must say there are better places if you just want to go for the food, but the vibe in there is worth the visit. La parilla has a few very good dishes and the service is excellent. Also the serve you drings transported on their heads. There is a desert with like a little fire show I can't remember the name but you can ask for it. If you are a group and want to have a good dinner in Mexican style this is a good place. But it is known as a touristic spot so if you want the real authentic Mexican experience this is not the place.

Colin:El Fogon is the place to be for authentic mexican food. We went there are a lot and it is also a place where locals go. For dinner the place is always crowded, so you might have to wait a little until a table gets free. The most famous meat is called al pastor, which is pork meat and really tasty. There are a lot of alternatives as originally it is made with beef. There is much more then tacos and the prices are really cheap compared to other places.

Colin:This greek place also had some amazing dishes. If you like greek food this is a really good place also with healthy options. We like everything except for the hummus as it did not taste like hummus. Good thing is it is near to the beach and has a small cute area to sit outside.

Colin:My favorite place to enjoy a lovely breakfast at the beach. Food was amazing, view was amazing only critic are tables, chairs etc. not the prettiest but what can you expect directly at the beach? A must visit for sure! Also after you can can rent a sun chair for a fair price all day long.

Colin:The picture shown above is not accurate at all, but fusion beach bar is the place2be. The drinks and food are much more expensive there then other places, but you will understand why. There is always music in the evenings live music followed by a fire show at night. Also different kind of artists ask to perform at the beach and it is just a whole vibe there. Grab a drink and see for yourself:) Also it is the only spot I know which serves hookah (shisha) at the beach.

Colin:Another Italian place I really liked. Sometimes there was live music, has a little romantic dinner light vibe but also a nice place to enjoy with friends. I had one of the best spaghetti carbonaras ever there and also all my friends have been more than satisfied.

Colin:If you never had chicago style pizza you will love this. Also the appetizers are amazing. Make sure you are hungry the portions are huge (typically american)

Colin:This place has amazing churros and different churros options. The original ones or filled with chocolate and so on. Don't let it become an addiction :P Remark: It is for take away not really much space to sit anywhere

Colin:This place is right next to the evolve gym and gives you just the right meal or shake after a good workout. Also an option without going to the gym of course.

Colin:My absolut favorite indoor gym in playa del carmen. If you want to workout with good equipment and feel like being in an actual gym this is it!

Colin:There is an outdoor gym right at the beach with different courses like muay-thai,Yoga, boxing, HIT Trainings etc. For the gym you can buy a one time entry or get a whole week deal and the courses have different prices and options.

Colin:Cozumel is an island near to Playa del Carmen.It is famous for the resort near where the ocean has perfect color and you are able to see sea stars and other things. Also you can rent a scooter and cruise around the island.

Colin:We will for sure visit cenotes, however if you are interested in Scuba Diving through the cenotes this would be an extra activity, which of course can be organized.

Colin:There are a lot of tequilla offers but only few actually how the tequilla gets fabricated. Most of them will offer you free tequilla as tasting and in the end try to sell you bottles.

Colin:This was fun and a lot of adrenaline. If you are planning to do this make sure you bring the right equipment with you. I had open sunglasses, which meant after 15 minutes I was half blind. I will tell you what to take with you on the bucket list. The tour includes 2 guides through the jungle with ATV's and multiple stopping options at cenotes.

Colin:Martina Beach Club is a lovely way to spend a day at the beach in style. Sometimes there are events & beach parties and on other days it is just amazing to chill, sunbath cool down in the pool or ocean, watch the beautiful dancers and enjoy the music.

Colin:This place is way to over prized to just spend a day and chill, but if it comes to party at the beach this is the place 2 go to. The problem is you need to know when there really is a party. I guess on Saturdays you are always safe.

Colin:Mandala Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Cancun. It is really crowded but you can grab your towel few drinks and chill there at the beach. The other option is to enter the beach club, but there is a dress code and minimum consumption table reservation necessary. The music however is awesome and sometimes they have huge parties.

Colin:This beach is perfect to enjoy a day at the beach in the hotel zone. You can reach it by car or bus. Make sure you arrive early as this spot is well known. There is no restaurant or beachclub near so make sure you bring your own food, drinks, music etc. There is one store about 5-10min walk to get an ice box & drinks. There are also guys walking through the beach offering snacks and drinks but inform yourself of the prices first otherwise you will get screwed.

Colin:This beach is far away near to a few hotel resorts and the rest is only nature. If you want a day at the beach and feel like lost this is the place to go to. There is absolutely nothing near so make sure you bring your stuff with you. If you are lucky there is like a little restaurant depending on where you settle but if you walk further you will find nothing near. Remark: There will be a lot of seaweed at the beach probably as it is all nature and nobody is cleaning it.

Colin:Puerto Morelos is also a really lovely place and famous for its seafood. You will see a lot of little phishing boats and it is a really charming village along the beach with bars, restaurants and places to just relax.

Colin:Also further out in direction Tulum you will find Akumal Beach, which is only worth a visit if you plan to do a whole beach day. They have a small entry fee and a lot of offerings like Kayak, Snorkeling (Turtles), windsurfing, massages etc. The bay is really nice and totally worth the visit you can also combine it with the cenotes visit.

Colin:During daytime it is just a normal bar but at night it is a grace place to party. If you are into Hip Hop Music this is the place for it to turn up, dance and have a good time. Remark: People who dance on the bar get a free tequilla shot

Colin:Mandala is the biggest club in playa del carmen, but it is in premium segment and mostly table reservation is needed. The Music is Open Format, but we always had a great time there

Colin:This photo is from the bar during the day, but during night there is a whole club upstairs including a rooftop. They have Open Format on one floor and rooftop depends. Main focus is house/techno music.

Colin:This is the place for reggeaton music where also a lot of locals go to visit. The location is really special not like a normal club, which makes it interesting.

Colin:This place has an amazing location and you could also eat there and grab a few drinks. I loved to party here as no table reservation is needed, location is amazing and music also.

Colin:There is a Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen as in Cancun. The one in Cancun is much bigger. It is a huge show that turns into a party and a one time experience.

Colin:The senor frogs in Playa del Carmen was a bit lame. You have overpriced drinks a funny service team and some good music. The senor frogs in Cancun however was one huge party in the end and worth a visit if you do not want to spend to much money like in the other clubs at the strip.