When and Where to Shop at Playa del Carmen Markets
Playa del Carmen boasts a thriving community filled with artists, artisans and health-conscious cuisine, all reflected in the small city’s extensive local markets. Riviera Maya clothing designers, artists, organic companies and small businesses flock to these regular events to sell their homemade and handmade products to the local community, making them a great spot for expats to meet like-minded people and discover new Playa products.
Below is BuyPlaya Real Estate’s list of Playa del Carmen’s most well-known markets, each with a wide range of organic and handmade items to purchase. Most of these local markets are hosted on “Mexican Time”, usually with no regular dates, so we have included some links to their Facebook pages so you can follow along with their upcoming calendars and events.
Kava Kasa Market
Where: Kava Kasa at Calle 22 between 5th and 10th Avenues
When: Every Tuesday from 11am to 2pm
Facebook pages: Kava Kasa Local Market Kava Kasa
Primarily a yoga center, the charming open-air palapa at Kava Kasa also serves as a local market on Tuesday mornings. Here, you’ll find all kinds of local products, including artisanal bread, coffees, handmade jewelry, artisanry, eco-friendly alternatives and healthy cuisine (like vegan tamales!)
Sábado de Tianguis
Where: Parque La Ceiba, Calle 1 Sur and Diagonal 60 in Colonia Edijal
When: 3rd Saturday of every month
Facebook page: Parque La Ceiba
The serene and lush setting of Playa del Carmen’s famed Parque La Ceiba provides the ideal backdrop for a nature-inspired local market. These weekend events not only feature a market selling local food and products, but also family activities like book readings, craft workshops, games and more.
Puerto Morelos Market
Where: Casa Caribe B&B in Puerto Morelos, Avenida Rojo Gomez
When: Several events a year during high seasons (6 events coming up this 2016-2017 season: November, December, January, 2 in February, March, with the 1st market of the 2016 high season will be Saturday, November 26 from 11am to 5pm)
Facebook pages: Puerto Morelos Market Casa Caribe
This bright and colorful indoor-outdoor market is hosted in the garden area of the most iconic hotel in the beach town of Puerto Morelos, just half an hour north of Playa del Carmen. Each event has over 40 vendors selling jewelry, clothes, arts and crafts, and all kinds of delicious food. Best of all, the Puerto Morelos Market features 3 – 4 food trucks at the entrance! Organizer Jorie Germann Maloney tells us, “This year, we will be adding live music and a craft class at each market. (Each time it will be different.) Since we got perfect weather at all 3 last season we know that won't be the case again, so we are renting shade/rain protectors for the whole property so it's a rain or shine event!!”
Farmer’s Market at El Pueblito
Where: El Pueblito area of Mayakoba resort
When: No set schedule, but roughly once a month (next Farmer’s Market is Saturday, September 17 2016 from 5pm to 8pm)
Facebook page: El Pueblito at Mayakoba (El Pueblito posts a calendar for upcoming events on their Facebook page at the beginning of every month)
This charming Mexican-style square has become a gathering place for Riviera Maya locals thanks to their frequent family events, with outdoor movie nights, yoga, concerts and more. Over the past few months, their Farmer’s Markets have provided a beautiful atmosphere for an evening of Mexican cuisine and locally sourced products. El Pueblito says this is “an event for the whole family, where local producers offer a wide variety of gastronomic products, artisan products, and healthy products.
All this surrounded by good music and activities for children.” Even though it’s located at the luxurious Mayakoba Resort, entrance is still free!
Coco Beach Eco Market
Where: The pool area of Les Alizes condos, Calle 46 and Calle Flamingos
When: Friday mornings from 9am to 11am (the market is currently taking a break for the summer, but they will be back starting October 7, 2016)
Facebook page: Coco Beach Eco Market
A popular choice for the Playa del Carmen expat community, the Coco Beach Eco Market features a variety of healthy, fresh, locally-made cuisine and food products set around the lovely pool area of Les Alizes condos. In addition to health food, you’ll also find products like handmade jewelry, home décor, and plants.
Mercado Vegano Playa
Where: Varies between different park areas of Playa del Carmen
When: Every few months
Facebook page: Mercado Vegano Playa
Designed especially for vegans living in the Riviera Maya, this vegan event in Playa del Carmen is much more than just a market. In addition to stands selling locally made products, you can also enjoy vegan-themed workshops, presentations and cuisine made right at the event. Mercado Vegano has also started hosting similar events in Cancun.
As you can see from the above list, Playa del Carmen’s market community provides all kinds of options for a healthy, organic and even vegan lifestyle, as well as bountiful opportunities for interacting with locals and expats alike. If you’re still dying to move to this exciting beach destination or purchase a vacation property, visit us online at BuyPlaya.com to see what condos, houses and beach homes we have for sale for all kinds of budgets.