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Cancun
Royal Resorts
- The Royal Sands, villa I5025
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13.5 No. 32 Seccion A, Segunda Etapa, Zona Hotelera Cancun, Q.Roo, Mexico 77500 Phone: +52 (998) 881-0100
- The Royal Cancun, villa B1042
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 4.5 Lote C2 y C2A, Zona Hotelera Cancún, Q.Roo, Mexico 77500 Phone: +52 (998) 881-0100
Get reservations at Peter's (Cancun) and Oh Lala (Playa) days before you go, they're small and fill up fast.
What to take
For kitchen:
- cocktail shaker, foil, baggies, saran wrap, wire whisk, spices, kitchen sponge.
- They provide: scissors, squeezer
For general use:
- rubber bands, koozies (esp for narrow cans)
Good idea to bring your own pillow.
For Mexican Coffee
- French press, fine sieve, cinnamon sticks.
Wines
- Lorca Malbec Poetico (2007) (at Puerto Madero, but gone now)
Restaurants
- Thai-Elefanta
- Elefanta Reviews - good Indian cuisine (km 12.5)
- Thai Reviews - La Isla (km 12.5)
- Puerto Madero - Reviews - epic Chilean seabass, nice Malbecs (km 14)
- Hanaishi - Reviews - fantastic sushi in Plaza Caracol (km 8.5)
- Irori - Reviews - great sushi in downtown
- Cenacolo - Reviews - nice Italian restaurant hand made pasta excellent (moved to km 12.5) loved the shrimp fettuccine (Not to be confused with the Nicoletta 1/2 wheel version) quality la sagne, sausage ravioli. outside seating on the lagoon available. Has the enormous pepper mill. Two locations, as of May 2025 the hotel zone location is temporarily closed, the downtown location is still open.
- El Fish Fritanga - Reviews - Hidden gem - Great spicy fritangas, ceviche - lunchtime atmosphere - beach under palm trees (km 12.5)
- Harry's - Reviews - excellent steakhouse (km 14.5)
- Peter's Restaurante - Reviews - very friendly, excellent food (downtown) - epic hot Fois Gras, superb Tamarind Ribs, save room for dessert!!
- Hiromi - Reviews - first rate sushi! (km 2)
- Rosa Negra - Reviews - creative dishes, fab desserts (esp chocolate orb!) (km 15)
- Porfirios - Reviews - first rate Mexican, mariachi supreme! (km 14)
- Taboo - Reviews (new 2020) - Excellent shrimp, service very good and surprise fireworks at 10PM Walking distance -- across the street from The Royal Sands
- Ilios - Reviews - Greek cuisine, huge show at 8:30, great fun! Across street from Royal Sands
- Nicoletta - Reviews - First rate Italian.
- La Dolce Vita - Reviews - Classic but delicious Italian
- Other Nick Picks
Also
- La Habichuela - Reviews - was ok, moved and looks better (downtown)
- Fred's House - fish/steak - get a booth * 2015 disappointing menu, service still excellent, good ceviche, don't order grouper for two(km 14.5)
- Fantino - at the Ritz Carlton - Reviews - tasting menu plus wine pairings - expensive - used to be excellent, but stuffy and boring now (km 14.5)
Closed
- El Conquistador - Reviews - excellent dining at the Royal Islander (km 16.5)
- La Madonna - Swiss Fondue at La Isla (closed 2018)
- Savio's Bistro - excellent Italian fish house, by Freds (closed 2016)
- La Destileria - Reviews - great tequila, fine Mexican food (km 12.6) (closed 2021)
- Tempo - at Paradisus - Reviews - Fantastic multi-couse 3-star Michelin Basque restaurant (waiter Florenzio always remembers us) (km 16.5) (closed 2019)
- Du Mexique - Reviews - first rate French cuisine, Best Duck Ever! (downtown, book for after 8pm) (closed 2020)
Playa del Carmen
- The Royal Hacienda, villa B106
Mza. 70 Lt. 2 Carr. Chetumal-Puerto Juárez Km289+10, Centro Playa del Carmen Solidaridad Q. Roo. 77710 Phone From US: 01152 (984) 206-3110
Restaurants
- Aldea Corazon - Reviews gorgeous cenote/garden, Mexican/Mayan food, friendly service good chicken mole (5th and 14th Norte.)
- Oh Lala! - Reviews - EPIC, no theme, just excellent food. Get reservations days before (14th norte between 10th&15th)
- Dirty Martini - Reviews -Great martinis Mango, Cucumber, Chocolate, Key Lime (the best) - 1st between 8th&10th norte. nice staff and fun place.
- Plank - Reviews - Superb drinks, service and food outstanding. New 2014 . Connected to Imprevist. Scallop starter, salmon main excellent. Beef Wellington just ok. bet. 5th Ave and 1st on calle 16 norte).
- La Bedega del Medio - Reviews - Cuban, when the music's on, be there!
- La Famiglia - Reviews - spectacular Italian, try the lasagna, scaloppini and Italian sangiovesse!
Also
- Madre Tierra - good service, used to have excellent food, bit ordinary in 2017 (5th & 14th norte)
- Imprevist - Reviews Mediterranean/Asian Fusion, quiet street. Was excellent, but now just basic menu (1st & 14th norte)
Closed
- Curry Omm - Was very tasty UK style Indian (10th south end) (Closed Jan 2020)
Tulum
Restaurants
- El Bistro at Ziggy Beach - fun beach bistro, fish + passion fruit cevice, coconut shrimp and cocktails
- Mezzanine - Thai great food, beautiful location.
Activities
- Cancun: Snorkel boat trip to see Sailfish, see Queen Angel
- Scuba trip to Dos Ojos cenote
- Playa: Scuba dive with Bull Sharks, tons of fish
- Playa: Coba trip interesting with excellent Cenote swim.
- Laguna Kaan Luum