If you have decided to rent a condo while in Playa del Carmen or have special dietary needs or preferences, we have many grocery stores and shops where you can find pretty much everything you would need.
YES, WE HAVE A WAL-MART
Located on the corner of 30th Avenue and 10th street, the Wal-Mart is open from 7am through until 1am daily and walking distance from anywhere within the city center.
It has a full grocery store within the shop and a section for souvenirs. Beware of items made in China and less than authentic Mexican souvenirs.
A pharmacy is also available as is a hairdressers, cigar shop and "dollar store" area near the cash area. It has an extensive alcohol selection.
Please beware of the time share / tour salesman after the cash area.
There is also a second Wal-Mart that is accessible via taxi and less "touristy", located on Arco Vial and Colosio. From the city center area, the taxi should cost about 35 pesos one way.
Always ask the taxi driver for the price before getting in!
LOCAL GOODS & ECO-MARKETS
If you like localhome-made goods, organic andsustainable options, hand-made souvenirs, or someoriginal artworkthen the Eco-Markets arefor you. Because eating well is living well.
Eco-Markets are available every.....
Friday Morning -Les Alizes Condominiums - CTM and Flamingo 9am - 11am
3rd Saturday -Parque La Ceiba - Calle 1 Sur, Diagonal 60 en Ejido 11am - 6pm
Tuesday - Kava Kasa - located on Calle 22 between 5 and 10 avenues 11am - 1pm
3rd Sunday - Caracol Marino - Calle 80 between 5 and 10 avenues - 4pm - 7pm
MEGA COMERCIAL
The Mega (or the Comer for the locals) is located on the corner of 30th Avenue and Constituyentes. Also with extended opening hours from 7am through until 11pm daily. This mega-store has a clothing section,pharmacy, household goods as well as the grocery section.
Within the shop there is a cafe, and a cafeteria-style restaurant where you can grab a quick bite.
Downstairs from the Mega, you will find a hairdressers, ice cream shop, aswell as a GNC, selling some natural products and a wide variety of supplements.
Time share and tour salespeople operate on the lower level of the grocery store, so just be aware.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKETS
If you want a farmer's market for fruit & veg, DAC is where you will want to shop. The produce is fresh and they also have home-made goods, fresh breads and they also have a small organic section witha few specialty items.DAC can be found on 30th Avenue just north of Constituyentes.
There is another fruit & vegetablemarket called Marsan, also located on 30th but on the south end of the city on the corner of 3rd street.
On CTM street on the north side of town, there is another small market located between 5th and 10thavenues. They have a selection of fruits and vegetables, but they also offer fresh fruit juices and coconut water.
SORIANA
There is a tiny Soriana grocery on 30th near the corner of 38th. It has basic grocery items, fruits and vegetables, butchers, bakery and ready made packages goods. Small pharmacy on site.
The larger Soriana supermarket is located in Centro Maya shopping mall on the highway, just as you are leaving Playa del Carmen town. Accessible with a taxi, public transport or if you rent a vehicle. You have your produce section, butchers, dairy and bakery sections as well as the frozen and packaged goods.The store is quite large are you have an electronics section, household items, and hardware section. They also have a pharmacy. There is a clothing section and a number of souvenirs. The toy area is quite large and has quite a few choices. They do intermittently have a selection of organic goods as well as imported items.
BULK STORES
If you prefer the bulk stores, Sam's Club and City Club are located on the highway heading south out of Playa del Carmen.
The City Club is located in Centro Maya (west side of the highway) and the Sam's Club is located on the East side of the highway, both when driving south on the main highway.
If you already have a membership from elsewhere, you will be able to use it here. If you do not have a membership, they will sometimes allow you to pay a fee in order to make purchases but this has been known to change without notice.
CHEDRAUI
There are two Chedraui markets. One is located between the highway and Avenida 45 at Calle 5. The other is located in Plaza las Americas shopping mall. The latter has an extensive section of imported products and quite a few organic items (not produce but packaged goods).
SHOPPING FOR BABY
All major grocery stores will have diapers, wipes and other baby items. Baby food is also readily available, but the ingredients may vary from what you are used to at home, there is extra added sugar to many of the ready-made baby food options.
GLUTEN FREE ITEMS
Your best bets to find gluten free flours and options are: Bio-Organic, DAC in the specialty section; Mega and Chedraui sometimes have gluten-free flours that can be used for baking.
HOME DEPOT
OK - so it is not for groceries but we are excited!New since August 2014 - Playa del Carmen now has a Home Depot (Yeah!!) Located on the West side of the highway, near Avenida Colosio.