Basics: Be sure to arrange transportation from the airport with your resort, as some of the independent drivers at the airport are not very reliable.

Be prepared for a wait at the airport—even after clearing customs, luggage can take a while to arrive. Additionally, while this may not always be the case, when we flew, customs agents were stopping everyone and checking through their suitcases. They confiscated our cheese from our hand luggage, as such products are not allowed to be brought in from outside the country.

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Security & Transportation: The resorts in Playa maintain a very high level of security. Each time you leave the resort, the guard at the entrance will ask for your names, a phone number where you can be reached, and when you expect to return. This is to help ensure your safety throughout your stay.
Most resorts also offer their own taxi services, so you don’t have to rely on outside companies, which may be less reliable.

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Minyan: Chabad offers minyanim throughout the year. During high season, they often arrange additional minyanim at some of the more popular resorts. If you’re staying over Shabbos, we recommend contacting one of the local rabbis to find out whether there will be a minyan at your specific resort. Popular resorts like Banyan Tree and Grand Hyatt typically have minyanim during peak travel times.

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Kosher Food: There are several kosher restaurants in and around Playa del Carmen, some are located in the city, while others are within resorts.

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• Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort has an on-site kosher restaurant called The Grill Playa. Food can also be ordered to your room for an additional cost. The hotel offers kosher vacation packages as well.

• Grand Velas Riviera Maya works with Chabad of Playa del Carmen to provide kosher options on site.

• Banyan Tree offers an on-site kosher restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Shabbos meals.

 

Meat Restaurants in Playa:
Two Smokers, Moshe Cube, Let’s Meat Steakhouse.
There's also Platinum Kosher Grill located in Cozumel.

 

Dairy Restaurants in Playa:
Bruncho, Malka, Bake & Roll by Mas Pan, and Yummi Lawaj.

 

Chabad also offers catering and takeout options. We ordered dinner from them on our first night there, and it arrived hot and was absolutely delicious.

Additionally, Chabad runs two kosher supermarkets in Playa, offering basic groceries as well as frozen meat and poultry.

 

Weather: Playa del Carmen generally enjoys sunny and beautiful weather year-round, with occasional storms during hurricane season.

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Hotels & Attractions
The resorts in Playa del Carmen are massive and stunning. Each one feels like a city of its own, fully secluded from the hustle and bustle of city life. Our resort felt like a little bubble. Most resorts offer shuttle services throughout the day to help guests get around, but we especially enjoyed walking and exploring the grounds on Shabbos afternoon. There were endless paths and walkways through wooded areas that kept us entertained all afternoon.

There are also many attractions in Playa. Even during high season, the area manages the crowds well. However, if you plan to book an excursion, such as a private boat or a tour through a specific company, we recommend doing so in advance, especially if you're traveling around holidays, mid-winter break, or spring break, since Playa is such a popular destination.