Playa del Carmen is my favorite place in the Riviera Maya. Staying in Playa is ideal to explore the most important points of interest as it is quite central. Unlike Cancun, where tourists primarily stay in their hotels, in Playa del Carmen you can easily explore the town and do many things.

These are the basic activities you can do in Playa del Carmen:

• ​Go to the beach
• Go shopping
• Eat delicious food
• Party

Where to stay? I recommend staying in the new part of Playa del Carmen, which is from Calle Constituyentes to Calle CTM. I like this area because it is quiet and has the best restaurants. You can walk to the party scene but not be in the middle of it, which is mainly at the intersection of Calle 5ta Avenida with Calle 10 and 12.

Breakfast - There are three excellent places to have breakfast that I recommend:

La Cueva del Chango (Calle 38 between 5th and 1st Avenues) - The place is incredible, and the food is delicious. It is undoubtedly the best place in all of Playa del Carmen for breakfast. They serve Mexican food and very delicious fruit juices. The place is usually full, so make a reservation. If you don't, try to arrive relatively early (before the hangovers come) or be prepared to wait between 30 minutes to an hour to get a table. The most famous dish is the chilaquiles. (I don't like to write about these places because it makes my mouth water.)

Chez Celine - (5th Avenue with Call 36) It is a French bakery that serves French-Mexican breakfasts and delicious bread. In the morning, they have a promotion of mimosas for those who want to start the day with a bang. Like La Cueva del Chango, Chez Celine gets crowded, and you may have to wait between 30 minutes to an hour to get in. Make a reservation, arrive early, or be prepared to wait a bit.

La Brioche - (Calle 38 corner with 5th Avenue) - La Brioche is another place that serves French-Mexican breakfasts. Here, the specialty is bread. If you like to have bread and coffee for breakfast, this is your dream place. There are also egg dishes and other things.

After breakfast, you will want to go to the beach, obviously, and here are some options I recommend:

Playa Mamitas - If you like to party and be among people, this is your place. Playa Mamitas has the best beach clubs in Playa del Carmen. You can go to this part of the beach without equipment and rent a lounge chair.

Calle 38 - At the end of Calle 38, there is an entrance to the sea. In this area, people who bring their own beach equipment usually settle. The beach is beautiful here, and there is a more relaxed atmosphere than in Playa Mamitas (which is only 200 meters away walking).

Playacar - The beach of Playacar is the most tranquil and extensive in Playa del Carmen. It is a public beach, and you can enter even if there is a fence at the entrance. You have to bring your own beach equipment. This is the least recommended because it is a bit far.

After spending the morning at the beach, you will surely open your appetite. I will recommend the most delicious restaurants in Playa del Carmen.

El Pirata - (Calle 40 between 5th and 10th Avenue) - This place was not a restaurant; it was the fish market of Playa del Carmen when tourism had not yet arrived. Fishermen bring their fresh products in the morning to El Pirata, where they are sold in the fish market and also prepared in the restaurant. It is a local place without luxuries and air conditioning. If you don't like that discomfort, I don't recommend it. If you like seafood, at El Pirata, you will remember that God does exist. They can fry a fish (whatever they catch), prepare garlic shrimp, devil octopus, or make a ceviche with fish, scallops, shrimp, and octopus. A delight! You can also pair it with a cold beer. This place also gets crowded, and you cannot make a reservation. Arrive early, around 1 pm, after 5 pm, or be prepared to wait to get in.

Primer Plato (15th Avenue between Calle 2 Sur and La Juarez, Phone: 984 168 874) - Some Sicilians decided to move to Playa del Carmen and prepare the most delicious Italian seafood in Mexico. The restaurant is EXTREMELY small, and there are no tables. There is only a bar that can accommodate about 8 people. Call before you go because it is not always open.

The sun starts to set, and we have to walk a bit to burn off some of the calories. We will continue our day with a walk along 5th Avenue to do some shopping. Walking along 5th Avenue from the port to Calle 40 takes about 45 minutes at a normal pace. Shopping can take much longer.

Finally, dinner...

Las Hijas de la Tostada - (5th Avenue between Calle 38 and 40) - The tastiest seafood tostadas in the world. Besides, the atmosphere is very pleasant.

Salento (Av. CTM 20, Phone: 984 108 7621) - If you like pizza and pasta, you will fall in love with this place. The prices are quite accessible for the quality of the food. As it is a bit far, generally, there is not much of a problem getting in. I highly recommend it.

After dinner, if you want to party, I recommend going to the intersection of Calle 5th and Calle 12.