Grocery Shopping in Playa del Carmen
The three primary grocery stores are:
- Soriana - on 30th Ave and Constituyentes
- Walmart - on 30th Ave and Calle 10
- Chedraui - On the east side of the highway at Juarez
You can also shop at Sams Club which is just south of Chedraui on the highway. But, unless you're feeding a big crowd, the quantities are too large. The three big stores are open from 7:00a.m. - 11:00p.m
Walmart has the best all around selection, in my opinion. A lot of folks walk to Walmart. Just walk down 5th Avenue to Calle 10; take a left and walk 3 blocks. You'll see it come into view. Going back to the condo is best done in a taxi because you may have a lot to carry.
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Here are some tips and some things that are unusual by USA standards.
1 Eggs are kept at room temperature
2. Meats and fish are often displayed unwrapped, on ice. I don't buy those items. I've started seeing more stores wrapping their meat and keeping it in a open cooler; just like they do in the USA. There are small meat markets around town called Carniceria's. They usually have arrachera cooking on a grill outside to draw you in. It is used in Fajitas.
3. All of the grocery stores have baggers. They are usually older men trying to pick up tips. I always leave my change for the baggers.
BE AS GENEROUS AS YOU CAN...IN MEXICO, GROCERY BAGGERS ARE PAID NO SALARY. Despite being assigned shifts and having to wear a uniform, the people who bag your groceries at Mexican supermarkets are not paid any wage - they earn only tips.
In Spanish, the usually elderly baggers are called 'cerillitos' - from the world 'cerillo' - or matchstick - because they were traditionally dressed in a white uniform with a red cap.
4. The supermarkets here offer a high US dollar exchange rate, so if you're managing your pesos, use your dollars for groceries! It's the best rate in town.
5. Mexico is not known for it's beef. There is only one place in town, that I know of, that sells USDA grade beef --Sams Club. So if you have a hankering, head to Sams.
6. Buying Alcohol- The sale of alcohol products is prohibited after certain hours but store hours vary. Typically between 9a.m. and 5p.m, you can buy alcohol anywhere, except for on Sundays; by law they cannot sell alcohol after 5:30 PM.
7. Bring along reusable bags - The State has banned all single use plastics
8. Most milk in Mexico is sold on the grocery shelf in sealed containers. It's not sold in the refrigerated section. Yes, it's real cows milk. The combination of UHT ultra-pasteurization and shelf-stable packaging eliminates the need for refrigeration and prevents spoilage without the use of preservatives. This gives the milk an amazing shelf-life of 6 to 9 months! Far beyond anything you'd find in the refrigerator.
There are also Natural foods store in Playa
There are only a few days a month to avoid Grocery stores
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