Rattling off the best cafes to work from in Playa del Carmen
For digital nomads, Playa del Carmen can be a bit of a whirlwind.
The city is hot and alive, far from the quiet pace of a town like Puerto Escondido. There’s a constant stream of international vacationers here, as well as transplants from across Mexico.
Yes, the mention of Playa del Carmen rings with connotations of nightlife and bikini-clad influencers. But there’s also a thriving digital nomad scene here — I mean, if you can work from anywhere, why wouldn’t you opt for a white sandy beach?
To help you out, here are some of the best cafes to work from in Playa del Carmen.
Best Cafes to Work From in Playa del Carmen
1. Bajo Cafe
Bajo Cafe is a serious contender for the best work spot in Playa.
The whole place has a really funky layout. Standard tables and chairs mingle with swings, cushions, and even a jacuzzi across a combination indoor/outdoor design.
Copious electric fans. Blazing fast internet. Small-batch kombucha. And to top it all off, their meal combos are bomb. A great place to work the day away.
Hanging with new friends, animal and human, at laid-back beach club Zenzi
2. Zenzi
Some folks would overlook Zenzi as a co-working spot, probably because it actually bills itself as a beach club.
But personally, this was my go-to work home for a while.
Zenzi’s enclosed outdoor seating area is literally on the beach, meaning you can send emails with your toes firmly in the sand — the ideal digital nomad experience.
There’s food, WiFi, and also a daily 2-for-1 cocktail deal that goes until evening…
Ah Cacao with Kev and Parvi of Monkey Abroad. Right: Mocha Latte, Mexican-Style Chocolate Fondue Drink, Steamed Chocolate Tamale
3. Ah Cacao
Ah Cacao was the first spot I visited to get work done in Playa.
As the name implies, they specialize in chocolate-based items (the Mexican chocolate coffee is quite tasty).
Ah Cacao has multiple locations across town with a few differences — the one on Calle 30 is all outdoor seating, while the one on Calle 38 has two floors, etc.
Depending on which location you’re at, the outdoor seating can get hot, plug outlets can get scarce, and ambient noise can make itself known. The good news is, you’ll be eating chocolate while that happens.
4. Que Huevos
I’m here right now as I type this!
This egg-centric cafe offers a little bit of everything. Plenty of traditional Mexican breakfast dishes, as well as healthy/vegan options, and several interesting takes on coffee, like a homemade espresso horchata or the stylish espresso tonic that I just consumed.
They’re playing some relatively loud music in here, and you may have to deal with occasional street performers/vendors/wanderers.
That being said, this place is still a winner, owing to its unpretentious, beachy vibe and its commitment to quality food.
5. Bendito Cafe
Bendito Cafe is widely praised by the digital nomad scene, and by connoisseurs of fine coffee — however, it was closed for the pandemic each time I visited Playa del Carmen.
If its doors are open again when you visit, check out Bendito Cafe (and let me know how it is, while you’re at it).
6. Choux Choux Cafe
Choux Choux is a well-known local spot.
Lots of seating, lots of charging outlets, and reliable internet. Besides that, their coffee menu is top-notch, and they offer plenty of vegan options for food.
They do close at 3:00 PM every day, though, which is a bummer.
7. Cerveceria Chapultepec
Don’t look at me like that.
A “cerveceria” is, of course, a bar. But Cerveceria Chapultepec is more than that — it’s a wildly successful and expansive brand, where every item costs the same price: 23 pesos, or about $1.
Fueled by this exciting premise, the franchise exploded in popularity, opening over 100 locations in just five years across Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Bolivia, El Salvador, Honduras, Spain, and the US.
I know what you’re thinking. Do $1 beer and margaritas really scream “co-working space?
Hear me out though. At Cerveceria Chapultepec, you can work beneath winding trees on the outdoor patio. There’s internet, there’s people-watching, and you can casually nibble the day away on $1 Baja shrimp tacos and mini sliders.
The chain has several locations around Playa, but my favorite spot is on Calle 10, where you’re within view of the ocean. Besides, a cheeky beer or two might help get your creative juices flowing…
That’s the list. Playa del Carmen is a great town, full of vibrance and excitement.
If you manage to avoid getting lost in the club scene, the blur of Tinder-swiping vacationers, and the cheap tequila, you’ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of Playa’s digital nomad community. And there’s honor in that.
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