Cancun

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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 77500
Phone From US: 01152 (998) 881-0100

Get reservations at Peter's and Du Mexique (Cancun) and Oh Lala (Playa) days before you go, they're small and fill up fast.

What to take

For kitchen: scissors, cocktail shaker if you like, foil, baggies, saran wrap, wire whisk, kitchen sponge and lime juicer.

For Mexican Coffee: French press, fine sieve, cinnamon sticks.

Wines

• Lorca Malbec Poetico (2007) (at Puerto Madero, but gone now)

Restaurants

• El Conquistador - Reviews - excellent dining at the Royal Islander (km 16.5)
• Elefanta - Reviews - good Indian cuisine (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
• Thai Lounge - Reviews - La Isla (km 12.5)
• Cenacolo - Reviews - nice Italian restaurant hand made pasta excellent (moved to km 12.5) loved the shrimp fettucini, quality la sagne, sausage ravioli. outside seating on the lagoon available
• La Destileria - Reviews - great tequila, fine Mexican food (km 12.6)
• 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)
• Du Mexique - Reviews - first rate French cuisine, Best Duck Ever! (downtown, book for after 8pm)
• Peter's Restaurante - Reviews - very friendly, excellent food (downtown) - epic hot Fois Gras, superb Tamarind Ribs, save room for dessert!!
• Fantino - at the Ritz Carlton - Reviews - Fabulous service, tasting menu plus wine pairings - expensive - good for special occasions (km 14.5)
• Tempo - at Paradisus - Reviews - Fantastic multi-couse 3-star Michelin Basque restaurant (waiter Florenzio always remembers us) (km 16.5)
• 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
• Other Nick Picks

Also...

• La Habichuela - just ok Mexican (km 13) - show. 2020 - gone. New restaurant Bueno Barra
• 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)

Closed

• La Madonna - Swiss Fondue at La Isla (closed 2018)
• Savio's Bistro - excellent Italian fish house, by Freds (closed 2016)

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 gorgeous cenote/garden, Mexican/Mayan food, friendly service good chicken mole (5th and 14th Norte.)
• Curry Omm - very tasty UK style Indian (10th south end)
• Imprevist - Mediterranean/Asian Fusion, superb food, friendly staff, excellent service, clean restrooms, quiet street (1st & 14th norte)
• Sur - excellent Argentinian steakhouse, v.good service (5th & 10th norte)
• Oh Lala - EPIC, no theme, just excellent food. Get reservations days before (14th norte between 10th&15th)
• Dirty Martini -Great martinis Mango, Cucumber, Chocolate, Key Lime (the best) - 1st between 8th&10th norte. nice staff and fun place.
• Plank - 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).
• Mar de las Pampas Argentinian, downtown option nice atmosphere off the beaten track at 34th Norte. Food ok.
• La Bodeguita del Medio - Cuban, when the music's on, be there!

Also...

• Madre Tierra - good service, used to have excellent food, bit ordinary in 2017 (5th & 14th norte)

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