10 Best Cafes in Playa del Carmen (Laptop Friendly)

Playa del Carmen is a gorgeous, fast-growing city in Mexico , right on the Caribbean Sea. It has stunning beaches, a vibrant culture and nightlife, and tons of great spots for digital nomads to work. Here, we’ll highlight some of the best cafes in Playa del Carmen to post up with your laptop.






I had the great pleasure of living in this glorious beach town for five months and was lucky enough to explore many of Playa del Carmen’s best cafes. Keep reading to learn about my top choices.



Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Playa del Carmen






After living in and sipping my way around Playa del Carmen for nearly half a year, I compiled this list of my favorite cafes and coffee shops in the city based on the quality of the coffee, food, service, location, my personal opinion, and customer reviews. I visited more cafes than listed here, but I’ve narrowed them down to my favorite 10 cafes based on the above criteria.



1. Marley Coffee – Best Cafe in Playa del Carmen Overall






There’s so much to love about Marley Coffee; it’s without a doubt one of the best cafes in Playa del Carmen. It’s located at the end of 5th Avenue, so it’s outside of the “busy” area. It has fast WiFi, yummy drinks, and tasty snacks.



Located on the ground floor of The Fives Hotel Downtown , the shop is relaxed and has plenty of spots to pull out your laptop for a day’s work. As well as the great coffee on offer, there are also plenty of outlets to keep you fully charged.



You’ll find classic coffee drinks like Americanos and lattes, in addition to frappes, smoothies, and more. If you’re hungry, enjoy a freshly baked pastry or a croissant sandwich.



Marley Coffee Information



Address: 10 Avenida Nte. & Calle 2 Nte Local 2C, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529842065500 Operating Hours: 7 am-10 pm every day Must-Try Items: Hot Americano, bagel con queso crema, roll de canela Average Cost: $3-$5 per latte, $5-7 per sandwich, $2-4 for pastries Website: Marley Coffee



2. Ah Cacao –Best for Cenral Location






Ah Cacao has a few locations scattered throughout the city, however, the downtown location is by far the most popular and most centrally located. It’s a hot spot for digital nomads and has some incredible chocolate-themed drinks and food, as well as coffee.



The WiFi is known to be super fast, and there are plenty of seats for online workers. The downsides to this busy cafe are that it can become quite crowded and pretty loud, and there’s a lack of power outlets.



They specialize in all things chocolate, so I’d definitely recommend a mocha or frappe alongside a chocolate croissant. But their traditional coffee drinks are fantastic as well.



Ah Cacao Information



Address: 5ta Avenida con Calle 2 Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Operating Hours: 7 am-11:15 pm every day Must-Try Items: Chocolate frio, chocolate brownie, chocolate tamale Average Cost: $4-$5 per latte, $4-6 per main, $2-4 for desserts Website: Ah Cacao



3. Choux Choux Cafe – Best for Food






If you talk to any digital nomad in the area, they’ll tell you the Choux Choux Cafe is one of the coolest cafes in Playa del Carmen. Endearingly known as “The Choux,” I personally love this spot for work because of its amazing food – it also has lots of vegan options.



The WiFi is always strong and reliable, and the tables are spacious enough for a workspace. The biggest downside about Choux Choux is that it can get very busy and loud, and the servers don’t love it if you stay longer than a couple of hours.



Grab a table and order a freshly squeezed juice, protein shake, or doppio espresso. They also have different coffee styles such as pour-overs and Chemex. If you’re hungry, go for the mushroom eggs Benedict – it’s to die for.



Choux Choux Cafe Information



Address: Av. 20 Calle 24 Norte con, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Operating Hours: 7 am-5:30 pm every day Must-Try Items: Vanilla sky protein shake, mushroom eggs Benedict, brie tartine Average Cost: $4-$6 per latte, $7-11 per main, $3-6 for desserts/pastries Website: Choux Choux Cafe



4. Basic Foodie – Best for Outdoor Tables






Basic Foodie stands out as a favored spot among digital nomads, known for its vibrant outdoor space and welcoming ambiance. While it’s currently a fairly well-kept secret in the nomadic community, its popularity is on the rise.



The cafe offers a menu of comforting, straightforward dishes complemented by robust and reasonably priced coffee. Plus, it caters to the needs of remote workers with several power outlets to connect to inside and fast WiFi. The outdoor space is so serene and tranquil – it’s ideal the ideal place to knuckle down and get through some work in peace.



My favorite items on the menu include their straight-up latte with soy milk, any of their baked goods, and the avocado grilled cheese.



Basic Foodie Information



Address: 25 Avenida Nte entre Calle 26 y calle 28N, Hollywood, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529841825772 Operating Hours: 7:30 am-8 pm, Mon-Fri and 7:30 am-3 pm Sat-Sun Must-Try Items: Flavored latte with soy milk, avocado grilled cheese, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie Average Cost: $2-$4 per latte, $6-10 per main, $3 for desserts (example) Website: Basic Foodie



5. Bajo Cafe/Mercado 30 – Best for Quiet Workspace






Bajo Cafe, nestled just a stone’s throw from Choux Choux mentioned above, quickly became my go-to spot for a productive afternoon of work in Playa del Carmen. Its tranquil atmosphere makes it an ideal setting for focusing on tasks. It’s also more of a spot for locals than tourists, which means it’s often quieter than other locations.



The cafe has a steady, reliable WiFi connection, though it can occasionally fluctuate during busy periods. Their menu is lovely, with classic coffee options, teas, smoothies, and fresh juices. If you’re hungry, they offer everything from enchiladas and pasta to breakfast sandwiches and egg dishes.



The staff is amazingly friendly and will happily provide an extension cord for your table if you’re not seated near a power outlet, which I really appreciated, on more than one occasion.



Bajo Cafe/Mercado 30 Information



Address: Calle 30 Nte LB, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529841305116 Operating Hours: 8 am-10 pm, Mon-Sat, closed Sunday Must-Try Items: Chilaquiles, crema poblano pasta, espresso Average Cost: $2-$4 per latte, $5-9 per main, $2-3 for desserts Website: Bajo Cafe



6. Bio Natural – Best for Healthy Options






If you’re looking for a laptop-friendly cafe with lots of healthy food options to choose from, Bio Natural is a prime spot for digital nomads. Its central location, combined with a chill environment, makes it perfect for work, and a relaxing place to spend the day.



Known for its healthy food and drink options including maca coffee and nutritious bowls, I loved coming here when I needed a nutrition blast. With a menu bursting with organic, vegan, and gluten-free choices, it’s truly a paradise for the health-conscious.



Beyond being a cafe, Bio Natural serves as a vibrant community hub. It regularly hosts wellness and sustainability events, making it a great place for nomads to connect and engage.



Bio Natural Information



Address: 10 Avenida Nte., Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529841888982 Operating Hours: 8 am-11 pm every day Must-Try Items: Peanut butter maca coffee, fitness breakfast, vegan nachos Average Cost: $4-$7 per latte, $6-12 per main, $6-10 for desserts (example) Website: Bio Natural



7. MiDogo – Best for Lattes






Although I only worked here a couple of times, MiDogo is a comfy spot known for its exceptionally tasty lattes, alongside a variety of coffee, milkshakes, and matcha. The baristas are super welcoming, and the atmosphere is really comforting, ideal for those settling in with a laptop.



The WiFi is generally reliable for basic internet use and browsing, but it might not be the best for big uploads or downloads. Another thing to keep in mind is that outlets are limited unless you snag a spot near the wall.



The highlight of the cafe for me was their creative lattes and impressively yummy food. The red velvet latte was insanely good and the enchiladas tasted like grandma made them.



MiDogo Information



Address: Avenida 10 entre calle 14 norte y, C. 14 Nte. Bis, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Operating Hours: 8 am-10 pm every day Must-Try Items: Red velvet latte, orange coffee, enchiladas rojas Average Cost: $2-$5 per latte, $5-10 per main, $3-5 for desserts Website: MiDogo



8. Fresco Hábito – Best for Environment and Vibes






Fresco stands out as a top choice for unique cafes in Playa del Carmen. Its prime location near the main beach and 5th Avenue makes it ultra-convenient, especially for those staying in the bustling tourist area.



The cafe gets quite busy around lunchtime, so grabbing a table can be challenging unless you arrive early. If you do, though, you’ll immediately fall in love with the tropical-meets-bohemian vibes.



I was blown away by their fresh and creative menu. You can expect to find items like housemade almond milk, spiced coffee, matcha waffles, ceviche, and Buddha bowls.



Fresco Habito Information



Address: Calle 1 Nte. S/N, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529841474529 Operating Hours: 8 am-6 pm, Mon-Fri, 8 am-6:30 pm Sat, and 9 am-6 pm Sun Must-Try Items: Spiced coffee, agua magica, matcha waffles Average Cost: $3-$6 per latte, $6-12 per main, $4-7 for desserts Website: Fresco Hábito



9. Ojo de Agua – Best for Variety






This place is more of a restaurant than it is a coffee shop or cafe, but Ojo de Agua is an awesome workplace during its quieter hours. They have screaming-fast WiFi and plenty of seating, including a wonderful patio, making it an ideal spot for digital workers.



I love this restaurant because their menu variety is so fantastic, and the chilaquiles are arguably the best in the city. If you visit post-brunch in the early afternoon, this might just become your new favorite workspace.



Ojo de Agua Information



Address: Av. CTM 20, Zazil-ha, 77720 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +529842315186 Operating Hours: 7:30 am-6 pm, Mon-Sat and 7:30 am-5 pm Sun Must-Try Items: Fresh guava juice, strawberry horchata, salmon tacos Average Cost: $2-$5 per latte/juice, $6-10 per main, $3-6 for desserts Website: Ojo de Agua



10. Starbucks – Best for Reliability






Alright, I know, you can get Starbucks practically anywhere around the world, but let’s face it – they’re consistent and reliable. No matter where I am, including Playa del Carmen, I can count on the WiFi and a perfect frappuccino from Starbucks.



There are multiple locations in Playa, but I like the one on 5th Avenue because of its window seating that allows for people-watching in between screen time. They also have power outlets, so recharging isn’t an issue.



My go-to beverage is a vanilla sweet cream cold brew with a birthday cake pop. It’s the perfect little treat while getting my work done.



Starbucks Information



Address: Quinta Avenida S/N, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Phone: +528002880888 Operating Hours: 7 am-10:30 pm every day Must-Try Items: Java chip frappuccino, birthday cake pop, grilled cheese Average Cost: $3-$5 per latte, $4-7 per main, $2-5 for desserts/pastries Website: Starbucks



Playa del Carmen Cafes and Coffee Shops FAQs



Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about the best cafes in Playa del Carmen:



What are the best cafes in Playa del Carmen? The best cafes in Playa del Carmen are Marley Coffee, Ah Cacao, and Choux Choux Cafe. Do you tip in Playa del Carmen? Yes, it’s customary to tip 15-20% in Playa del Carmen. What neighborhood has the best cafes in Playa del Carmen? The neighborhood with the best cafes in Playa del Carmen is the central/downtown area, especially along and off 5th Avenue. Does Playa del Carmen have good coffee? Yes! Playa del Carmen has excellent coffee, both local and imported, in many varieties and preparations. How much is an average coffee in Playa del Carmen? The average coffee in Playa del Carmen is around $3-$5, depending on the cafe and the complexity of the beverage. Is coffee popular in Playa del Carmen? Yes! Coffee and coffee shops are very popular and plentiful in Playa del Carmen. Which coffee shop is the most popular in Playa del Carmen? The most popular coffee shops in Playa del Carmen are Choux Choux Cafe and Ah Cacao. What is the least crowded coffee shop in Playa del Carmen? The least crowded coffee shop in Playa del Carmen is Bajo Cafe.



To Summarize



There’s no question that Playa del Carmen is quickly becoming a haven for digital nomads. From my personal experience, I can see why. It’s breathtakingly gorgeous, the weather is perfect, the people are welcoming, and laptop-friendly cafes are abundant.



From bustling to serene and everything in between, you’re sure to find your next favorite work spot with delicious coffee no matter where you’re located in town.
The post 10 Best Cafes in Playa del Carmen (Laptop Friendly) appeared first on Goats On The Road .

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