Playa del Carmen is an amazing place to do your groceries as long as you know one or two tips from the locals.
Most of the big supermarkets are all located at 30th Avenue, so it’s pretty much one shopping experience after another.
Locals or travelers, take into consideration several points to choose from, to find the ultimate grocery store:
- Big parking lot space.
- As close to home as possible.
- All the favorite products.
- All the favorite brands.
- Freshness
- High-quality food.
So if you want to discover how Playenses do the everyday groceries shopping, please, keep scrolling down!
DAC
Small local market which offers fresh and high-quality products giving endless possibilities to cook either Mexican food or any international craving you may have.
If you are planning to cook during your stay, this particular market might become your great ally.
Looking for fresh fruits and vegetables? DAC is specialized in this subject. Asparagus, lemon, bean sprouts, passion fruit, figs. You name it, they have it.
Every day big jars are filled with dry fruits, herbs, and spices like rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, cumin. Variety of seeds like lentils, linseed, mole mix, wheat, and flour.
Organic products like soy and tofu patties, veggie premium pastor meat, and almond milk can be purchased.
In addition, if you get hungry while shopping, DAC has access to “La Ceiba” a small restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal with fresh products.
LOCATION:
30th Avenue and 20th street.
HOURS:
Monday – Friday: 7 AM – 10 PM
Saturday: 7 AM – 8 PM
Sunday: 7 AM – 2 PM
WALMART
It’s impossible to go wrong with The Walmart. It looks pretty much the same everywhere you go, you might even find your beloved products and brands.
Locals and travelers usually visit Walmart for the everyday home cleaning products, the good quality in meat, chicken and seafood.
If you are in the mood to have some drinks, the liquor and wine area is well distributed with popular brands and good prices.
Due to the location right in the middle of Downtown Playa, it’s always very busy.
[Even the fast check-out line gets crowded]
LOCATION:
30th Avenue between 8th street and 12.
HOURS:
Everyday: 7 AM – 11 PM
MEGA/SORIANA
Soriana is a Mexican company that provides good quality and variety of brands and products.
It’s a 50/50 battle with Walmart, it depends if you are looking for too specific articles or brands.
Just like at any other grocery store, you’ll find imported and local veggies and fruits, dairy products, ham, pet food, etc.
The bakery is a must, it’s never disappointing.
Mega is located inside a plaza with a cigar shop and an ice cream shop and on the outside you’ll find Santander Bank and a Vips which is like Denny’s Dinner.
LOCATION:
30th Avenue and Constituyentes.
HOURS:
Everyday: 7 AM – 11 PM
FRUITS & VEGETABLE STORES
Prepare yourself to be amazed by the colors and aromas from the freshest selection of fruits and vegetables from the local region. Of course, while supporting the local community.
In fact, it is one of the favorite stops at the Authentic Local Experience, here at Eating With Carmen Food Tours!
Some stores also work as fruits and juice bars.
These peculiar markets can be found almost everywhere in the local area such as Constituyentes Avenue, CTM, and 30th Avenue.
HOURS and LOCATIONS:
25th Avenue and 2nd street.
Everyday: 7 AM – 11 PM
30th Avenue and 3th street SOUTH
Everyday: 7 AM – PM
SUPER AKI
Here is where local bars and restaurants often buy big amounts of supplies for good price deals.
Exploring the isles of Aki can result in the discovery of cheap articles that might be useful only during your stay.
However, the low quality of meat, seafood, and chicken is well known.
LOCATIONS:
30th Avenue and 14 BIS street
30th Avenue and 40th street.
HOURS:
Everyday: 7 AM – 10 PM
CHEDRAUI
This supermarket is located a little bit far away from Downtown Playa del Carmen, close to Juarez Avenue and the Highway, Chedraui is found inside a plaza with some other stores and a computer/internet rental.
Among all the regular products, Chedraui has a great selection of imported, gourmet and organic products or snacks. They have a great section of wine and craft beers.
On a regular basis, the variety of fruits and vegetables are fresh and have great flavor.
At the beginning of the cash registers, there is a sales area that usually has great deals.
And for sure, not as crowded as any supermarket from downtown.
LOCATION:
Cancun-Tulum Highway and 3th street south
HOURS:
Everyday: 7 AM – 11 PM
SAM’S CLUB
Yes, your lifetime membership is allowed anywhere you can find a Sam’s Club.
Sam’s is a bit far from downtown, 5 minutes further than Chedraui, but a cab might be between $60 pesos or $80 pesos.
Feel at home with a similar organization of the isles but not all of the products are available in México.
In case you are planning a barbecue party or any gathering, Sam’s Club usally offers good deals in bags of chips snacks, sodas, any type of liquor, premium meat choices like picaña or frozen patties. Perhaps a couple of extra chairs or a bigger grill.
If you don’t want to spend your time waiting on check-out lines, Sam’s is a good option.
LOCATION:
Cancún-Tulum Highway, close to the 2nd PlayaCar entrance.
HOURS:
Everyday: 7 AM – 10 PM
LA EUROPEA
La Europea is a gourmet deli and liquor store.
They offer a great selection of wine, crafted beer, Tequila, Mezcal, Scotch, and many other spirits.
You can purchase different liquor brand gift boxes that might include a special edition batch bottle and glassware.
At the deli station, you’ll find delicious charcuterie, all types of cheese, caviar, sardines, local, and imported snacks.
There is the option where you can choose the ingredients to build up your baguette [let it cook for a while in the oven] for a very reasonable price.
LOCATION:
5th Avenue and Constituyentes at Quinta Alegria Mall.
HOURS:
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM
CONVENIENCE STORES
Nowadays, at almost every corner in Playa del Carmen, you can find these 24/7 grocery stores. Oxxo, 7 Eleven, Circle K and Go Mart offer everyday use products, liquor, cigarettes, shampoo, toilet paper, aspirin and some even have not so very fresh fruits and vegetables but you already know where to get those, right?
MINI LOCAL GROCERIES STORES
In case you are staying at the most local areas in Playa, you’ll be able to find a lot of small grocery stores, usually owned by a local family or an old resident. Most of them have the usual products as the other places, with local and imported brands, some may have fruits, vegetables, local dairy products, and hand made tortillas.
When buying your groceries at stores like this, you are not only supporting the local community but also you are getting involved in our everyday costumes.
Locations and hours depend on each store.
Playa del Carmen is everybody’s paradise! For our fellow vegan and vegetarian friends, we have a lot of options too. From local organic grocery stores to delicious all vegan and vegetarian restaurants, which you can visit guided by one of our tour guides here at Eating With Carmen Food Tours!
With this guide, at Eating With Carmen Food Tours, we invite you to immerse yourself in the streets of our beloved Caribbean town as you discover all the magic Playa del Carmen has only for you!
-A
