Grocery/Market Buys

In Tulum, shopping at the grocery is a strategic move if you plan on staying on the beach. There are no mini-supers, markets or anything else aside from restaurants on the beach.

There are two major groceries in Tulum – San Francisco Assis on the main strip and a brand new Chedraui on the beach access road. For those familiar San Francisco Assis is more like a Kroger where Chedraui is the Wal-Mart of Mexico. You can get your canned goods, drinks (beer, liquor, water), and snacks at these stores. For produce, you are better off stopping at one of the produce stands on the main street. In most cases the goods are better and cheaper.

Staying at the beach, you won’t have refrigeration, so canned goods (beans, tuna, salsa), fruit, vegetables and eggs are your best options. And if you get some good sandwich rolls from a bakery you’ll be surprised at all the variations you can come up with — at least we were!

So planning your meals is prudent, because it will cost you a lot if you have to go back to town or eat out at a beach restaurant.

NOTE: If you do have to scoot back to town, it’s worth going to a beach access lot and finding a ride share. And you can always try hitch-hiking, of course.

 Antojitos La Chiapaneca

Antojitos — Mexico’s version of appetizers or snacks. And these are the saving grace for the taste buds of any tramper.

Tacos, salbutes, tostadas, gringas — all variations of meat, lettuce, tomato, tortillas and other interchangeable things like cheese or avocado. And given your penchant for spice, lots of salsa options.

And Antojitos la Chiapaneca does it just as good if not better than any antojito shack in all of Mexico – at a more than reasonable price. For just a couple dollars, you can try a variety of the options and fill your belly.

And don’t let the line out the door dissuade you from chowing down here. The service is quick and a seat will open up quick enough — it is well worth the wait.

Antojitos la Chiapaneca opens each day for dinner and is located just next door to the bus station in the town center. Alcohol is not served here, but as with anywhere else — you won’t be turned away for bringing your own beer in.

Post-script: You might in fact be turned away for the beer, or asked not to drink it. But it’s worth the shot, right?

 Take me to DOING: TULUM

Take me back to TULUM // Take me back to MEXICO // Take me HOME