Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Canibal Royal
(Playa Del Carmen - Nightlife)

Mixed Feelings

First, I love the design and food in all of the projects that these owners have opened in Playa. I think they do really creative, high quality preparation of local sea food, and I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve ordered.

The problem I see with this specific place is that it’s a beach club, and they are trying way too hard to be exclusive and, well, they get a 5 for sexiness, but for me, it ends up feeling like an energy suck. The management walks around with ear pieces like they have serious security issues, and the waitstaff (in my experience) can be a little apathetic. I love the location, but if I’m going to feel like I am causing an imposition by ordering food or asking for simple things, I’ll just go to Fusion, where the food is also good and the waitstaff is just as beautiful, but a lot more cheerful.

My real issue developed when a friend, and long-time resident of Playa, took me with her to use a promotional offer she was given by the management. The offer waived the fee for beach chairs, and we planned to sit and have a drink. The waitress told us that we could not use the promotion unless we both ordered a $200 MX minimum of food. Worst part? — There were like 10 empty spaces because it wasn’t a busy day! So this waitress and the manager who got involved just seemed really stingy.

We could have left in a huff and gone somewhere else, but we ended up inside at a table where I ordered and enjoyed the most delicious shrimp tacos and lemonade because that’s how much I like the food!

Bottom line, the owners have to understand that it’s a little myopic not to honor promotions, especially for people who are full-time residents. When the low seasons come you always count on us for business! Train your waitstaff to understand this basic business concept. I’d really love to frequent this place as much as I do Diablito and Aguachiles!

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Cenote Dos Ojos
(Playa Del Carmen - Sights & Activities)

Spectacular!

I studied carbonate sedimentology as an undergraduate, so I’ve been around my share of cenotes, and I really like Dos Ojos. It is similar, although smaller, to some of the most famous cave systems in the western region of Belize, but it’s much more easily accessible. If you’ve never snorkeled in a cave, this is a perfect place to do it. The water is beautiful, and they caverns and caves are easy for a novice to explore. This is an easy day trip from Playa, and is good for families and children. My only issue with this place is that they have a small petting zoo-thing and they keep some monkeys in cages. I’m a huge monkey lover, and I hate seeing them cooped up….

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Coba Ruins
(Playa Del Carmen - Sights & Activities)

Great Day Trip

This is one of my favorite day trips to take with friends who visit Playa. If you start early you can get out to Coba and see the ruins during the morning. You can also plan a side trip to one of the many cenotes along the highway. I usually plan the day so we can reach Tulum by 1pm, and spend the afternoon at one of the beach clubs (I love Om) just eating and relaxing. Then it’s an easy 45 minute drive back to Playa!

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Java Joe's (removed)
(Playa Del Carmen - Restaurants)

Tiny Place, but Great Breakfast Take-out

I love the english muffins with egg and cheese! They also serve good bagels and other breakfast food, but I always seem to stick with my favorite. The service is fast and the owners are really nice, so I like supporting this place. It’s small, so I often just swing by for morning take-out.

Comments

1 year, 5 months, 1 week, 5 days ago

Karen Wood

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 281

Age: 51-65

sorry to tell you but Java Joe's is gone. he retired and went to the west coast

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

La Vagabunda
(Playa Del Carmen - Restaurants)

Disappointing

I hate to write a poor review because the owners of this place seem really nice and they are often really busy. I only ate here once, but I had a meal with a friend, and everything we ordered was bland and average. The service was very slow, especially considering they had tons of waitstaff on hand. The pricing isn’t too bad, but just isn’t a great value for what they deliver in taste and quality. I hope I’ll see some more positive reviews and have a better idea of what to order if I go again!

Comments

1 month ago

Andrea Aldrete

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 351

Cancun, Mexico.

Age: 15-23

Hello Amy I really understand your review, it happens. Anyway I like some of your reviews and I want to share some of theme, I know you're a member and not the page web maker, and my questione is about how to share your page, this may helps on this page growth, thanks, have a nice day

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

El Diez
(Playa Del Carmen - Restaurants)

My favorite burgers!

This place is terrific for meat and burgers. The house wine is also tasty and well-priced. They have really friendly, attentive service, especially considering the place is often packed with people!

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

That's Amore
(Playa Del Carmen - Restaurants)

Delicious Eggplant and Great Pizza!

This is the one place in Playa where I’ve had great eggplant parmesan! They use great cheese and cook it perfectly. It tastes almost exactly like a dish I once had in Florence, which I would die to try again! The pizza here is good too. I tend to prefer the crust and toppings at Piola on 38th Street, but this place does a nice job too, and they have a wood-burning oven. You can sit and watch Caminarte on Thursday nights at That’s Amore, and there is live jazz right across the street.
These guys should also get props for opening up a successful restaurant in a location that has seen repeated failures in the last 5 years!

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Ecoshanti
(Playa Del Carmen - Arts & Entertainment)

EcoShanti Makes Playa a Better Place!

No longer active

Amy Bowles

Leisure Traveller,

Rank: 2

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Age: 36-50

Fusion
(Playa Del Carmen - Restaurants)

Love It

Fusion is fab. I’ve always loved the food and the beach — especially at sunset. Great place to take my out-of -town guests. Only drawback is they stopped letting me bring my dogs…