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.

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

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!!
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)
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

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 - 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