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Authentic Food Tour in Playa del Carmen | Eating With Carmen - Cancún

Authentic Food Tour in Playa del Carmen | Eating With Carmen

Playa del Carmeneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Basic fitness required to walk city streets for several kilometers at a casual pace.

Overview

Take a three-hour walking food tour with Eating With Carmen in Playa del Carmen. Savor authentic Mexican dishes in local markets and hidden eateries away from tourist zones.

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Authentic Local Experience Playa del Carmen

3 Hours l All Ages

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About This Adventure

Embark on a captivating three-hour walking food tour through the hidden gems of Playa del Carmen, where you'll savor authentic Mexican cuisine and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the area. With a knowledgeable guide, explore local markets, taste unique dishes, and discover the city's vibrant history away from tourist hotspots.

Awarded ‘Best Of The Best Of 2022’ By TripAdvisor.

#1 Top-Ranked Food Experience in Latinamerica and #7 Worldwide.

The downtown area of Playa del Carmen may be one of the city’s most popular tourist zones, but there’s another part of Playa del Carmen that visitors and tourists rarely see. An area where the city’s young heart beats a little louder.

Under the Caribbean sun, this is the place that saw the boom of immigrants from all walks of life and areas of the world – from Italy and Lebanon, to Chiapas and Mexico City – bringing with them their incredibly distinct cuisines and cultures.

Once a sleepy fishing village only a few decades ago, Playa del Carmen is now one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America – with traces of traditional food from all corners of Mexico.

On this three-hour walking food tour, we’ll deep dive into a Mexican food + cultural experience in one of Playa del Carmen’s most unassuming neighbourhoods – an area of the city that’s managed to stay under the radar while other parts of the city have become popular visitor destinations.

We’ll explore the culinary diamonds of Playa del Carmen’s most authentic and local food, while at the same time becoming deeply aware of the Mayan Riviera’s history, culture and geography – and how they all work together to create the world’s most-loved cuisine: traditional Mexican food.

Our first stop takes us to Playa del Carmen’s most historic and central park, where your expert local guide will share insights into the area, the history and culture. From there, we will begin making our way into the backstreets of Playa del Carmen beyond the throngs of tourists, where we will try a handmade snack that’s been part of the Mexican diet since before the Spanish arrived on ships to the New World. We’ll also dig into an extremely Mexican style of quesadilla, prepared on the spot with a special ingredient considered a delicacy in the area.

From there, we’ll stop by a family-run market where they stock hard-to-find and seasonal fruits, vegetables and fresh-squeezed juices, where you’ll be able to learn all about these exotic foods from your expert guide. Continuing on our journey, you’ll make stops and eat at various locally owned and operated restaurants and street stalls – digging into places that are famous for their secretly-spiced tacos: cochinita, carnitas, pastor and more. Among many of the local institutions we visit, you’ll be able to continue gleaning more knowledge and insights into the history, food and culture from your guide.

And if those places weren’t enough, we continue on to another local restaurant that’s known for the best chocolate-spiced mole in town, and then we will finish our walk on a sweet note: at one of Playa del Carmen’s best, handmade popsicle shops. Here we’ll try classic, Mexican ice or milk-based frozen lollies that are infused with the local, exotic fruits of the area.

A unique and completely incomparable experience with a knowledgeable guide that accompanies you in this three-hour tour around the city, typically away from common tourist hot-spots. If you have an adventurous spirit and want to taste the authentic flavors of Mexico and meet its people, this is the tour for you.

With small groups of no more than ten departing daily, you’ll receive a highly immersive, generous and friendly experience. Perfect for couples, groups of friends, and families – we even take private tours upon request!

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Duration

3 Hours


Included

  • Guided tour with 7 stops in a 3-hour walking food tour tasting various Mexican specialties
  • 10 am tour includes tamal, fresh water, sope, fruits and fresh juices, cochinita pibil, carnitas, mole and more
  • 5 pm tour includes tamal, fresh water, huitlacoche, fruit and fresh juices, sorted meat tacos, pastor, mole and more. Vegetarian option available
  • History of Playa del Carmen and surroundings
  • Local street art

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Please Note

  • Non-alcoholic
  • Walking tour
  • Transportation to/from meeting point not included
  • Private tours are available. Please contact us for further information
  • Menu subject to change depending on availability

What to Bring

  • Comfortable clothing & shoes
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen

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Adventure Tips

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Expect to walk several kilometers on urban streets and uneven pavement during the tour.

Bring Sun Protection

Carry sunscreen and a hat to guard against strong Caribbean sun during daytime tours.

Come Hungry but Pace Yourself

Sample many dishes across stops, so avoid eating a large meal beforehand.

Stay Hydrated

Drink water throughout the tour, especially on hot days, as some tastings can be spicy.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Colorful tropical birds occasionally spotted near Mercado 28
  • Local iguanas basking in shaded courtyards

History

Playa del Carmen was a quiet fishing village just decades ago before evolving into a vibrant city with diverse immigrant influences shaping its food and culture.

Conservation

Eating With Carmen emphasizes sustainable and responsible tourism by supporting family-run businesses and promoting awareness of local cultural heritage.

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Adventure Hotspots in Cancún

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

Necessary for navigating urban streets and uneven sidewalks comfortably.

Sunscreen

Essential

Protects your skin from intense tropical sun exposure during daytime tours.

summer specific

Reusable Water Bottle

Essential

Helps maintain hydration while sampling spicy and savory foods.

Lightweight Hat or Cap

Provides shade to keep cool during warm weather tours.

spring|summer|fall specific