Jazz Poulin

Travel Professional,

Rank: 1

Montreal, Canada.

Age: 24-35

Canibal Royal
(Playa Del Carmen - Nightlife)

Feels like Miami 1970 all over again

I was there on opening night last December and the place seems to be doing well ever since. It’s the same owners as Diablito Cha Cha Cha, La Santanera and Los Aguachiles. The DJ’s here don’t play your average pop 40 musich which is nice, it’s all cool chill house tunes you don’t normally hear. Canibal Royal is located away from the heart of Playa Del Carmen which I love, means you’re with locals or people who want to try something different vs. Mammitas Beach Club.

Try their mini hamburgers or Diablito tacos which are prepared in an old fashion wood burning oven. It’s a great place to hang out, get some shade or good food while reading / tanning on the beach. As long as you order some food / drinks they won’t charge you for the chairs, otherwise expect to pay about 50 pesos ($4 US). The staff here speaks English, they’re of course attractive but most of all pretty nice people.

Head to the upper floors to take nice ocean view photos or be that guy and stare at the babes below :)

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 Estrela

Facebook Traveller,

Rank: 42

Age: 24-35

Canibal Royal
(Playa Del Carmen - Nightlife)

Cool Spot

I went to this beach club maybe twice just to hang out on the beach. I did not end up ordering anything to eat so I can’t comment on the food, but it seems like a cool place. It was pretty busy when I went, however not as busy as other parts of the beach, which i liked. I like how they had music playing and i like the design of the place. The only thing I did not like was all the boats around. I don’t like the smell of gasoline while I’m swimming and it was annoying to watch out for some ropes in the water that the boats were tied to anchored on the beach. Other than that I would definitely go back.