Top 10 Health Food Stores in Playa del Carmen: Organic, Vegan & Local Finds
Playa del Carmen isn’t just about beaches and tacos. Okay, sometimes it’s all about beaches and tacos. Most of the time, yes, beaches and tacos.
But if you live here full-time, there will come a point when you say, “Enough tacos! I need something healthy to eat!” We know it’s hard to believe, but trust us, eventually, you’ll want to eat something healthy.
There’s a thriving health scene in Playa del Carmen, whether it’s eating right or working out. When it comes to food, this city is full of nourishing, wholesome, and organic food options, from coconut yogurt and gluten-free bread to locally grown veggies and superfood powders. Playa’s health food stores have something for everyone looking to live (and eat) a little greener.
Here’s our guide to the best spots in town.
- Dharma Deli: Sourdough & Superfoods – Your go-to for vegan and organic goodness.
- Wo’ Market: Eco-conscious shopping for organic groceries and low-waste living.
- Balab Health Market: Natural goodies, sustainable products, and refill options.
- La Tiendita: Hormone-free meats and hard-to-find health foods for conscious carnivores.
- Carnes Santa Fe: Premium cuts and cooking tips for the health-conscious meat lover.
- Ixchel Gourmet: Grass-fed meats and sustainably sourced seafood with delivery convenience.
- DAC Market: Local produce, organic finds, and Playa’s iconic fresh market.
- Bio Natural: Organic groceries and wholesome café meals in the heart of Playa.
- Chedraui Selecto: Convenient organic shopping with health-conscious staples.
- Your Neighborhood Fruteria: Fresh fruits, juices, and local finds just a stroll away.
- Tips for Healthy Shopping in Playa del Carmen: Eco-friendly practices, discounts, and embracing local products.
1. Dharma Deli: Sourdough & Superfoods – Your Go-To for Vegan & Organic Goodness in Playa
Location: Calle 38 Nte. Delivery available.
Dharma Deli is known for its artisanal, homemade offerings stocked with freshly prepared foods like vegan cheeses, kombucha, and gluten-free baked goods. They prioritize sourcing local, organic ingredients; the vibe is about conscious, healthy living. Our favorites at Dharma Deli are freshly baked bread made from sourdough, or “masa madre” in Spanish. We love their brioche and turmeric, and their sweetbreads are so good.
Visit their website to see all the delicious bread options. You can also order online for pick-up or delivery.
Top Finds:
- Vegan cheese and spreads
- Organic cold-pressed juices
- Kombucha and fermented goodies
- Gluten-free and plant-based baked treats
2. Wo’ Market: The Eco-Conscious Shopper’s Paradise for Organic Groceries & Low-Waste Living
Location: Calle 7 Sur Diagonal Playacar. Delivery available.
Wo’Market in Playa del Carmen is a go-to spot for anyone seeking organic, eco-friendly, and health-conscious products. Located on the airport road just outside Playacar Phase 2, this local health store offers a carefully curated selection of organic fruits and vegetables, natural beauty products, and pantry essentials for those pursuing a sustainable lifestyle.
They’re known for their variety of gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly options, making it easy to find specialty items that cater to different dietary needs. Beyond groceries, Wo’Market also stocks environmentally friendly household goods, such as reusable bamboo utensils and biodegradable cleaning products, encouraging a low-waste lifestyle. The store’s warm, welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff make it a favorite among locals and visitors committed to healthy, sustainable living in Playa del Carmen. We never leave the store without the hummus from Wo’Market, and it’s delicious!
Top Finds:
- Artisanal kombucha
- Organic cacao powder
- Locally sourced honey
- Hummus
3. Balab Health Market: Refill & Refresh with Natural Goodies and Sustainable Finds
Location: C. Diag. 85 Sur entre Calle 33 sur y Calle Kin.
Balab Health Market is filled with diverse organic, natural, and sustainable products, offering an impressive variety of organic fruits and vegetables, specialty superfoods, natural skincare products, and eco-friendly household items. Balab’s cozy, beach-inspired vibe and knowledgeable staff make it a pleasure to shop for items that are good for you and the environment. We love that they offer refillable items, like lotions, to cut down on our plastic usage. Their products are good for you and good for the environment. If you like using natural products, this is the store for you! Browse their catalog and look at some of the great items they have for sale.
Top Finds:
- Superfood-packed spirulina powder
- Organic almond butter
- Essential oils
- Eco-friendly cleaning supplies
4. La Tiendita: Playa’s Secret Spot for Hormone-Free Meats and Hard-to-Find Health Foods
Location: 50 Avenida Nte. Ejidal
We’ve mentioned a couple of great options for vegans and vegetarians, but we don’t want to leave out our meat eaters. La Tiendita is a charming little health store packed with unique, natural products perfect for anyone embracing a healthier lifestyle and are conscious carnivores. Their fridges are stocked with locally sourced, hormone-free, and high-quality meat, including standard options like beef, pork, chicken, and turkey and more exotic items like lamb, buffalo, quail, deer, wild boar, duck, and ostrich. They also offer a range of gluten-free and vegan snacks, making it a go-to spot for specialty health foods.
Top Finds:
- Free range eggs
- Locally sourced and hard-to-find spices
- Artisanal olive oils
- Organic teas
5. Carnes Santa Fe: Premium Cuts & Cooking Tips for the Conscious Carnivore
Location: 115 Avenida Sur, Ejidal.
Carnes Santa Fe in Playa del Carmen is the spot for high-quality meats and a favorite if you value fresh, flavorful cuts. Known for its premium selection, Carnes Santa Fe offers a range of options from grass-fed beef and juicy steaks to free-range chicken and pork, catering to everyone from home cooks to barbecue enthusiasts. The butcher shop takes pride in sourcing meats carefully, ensuring quality and taste in every bite. We love that they offer tips for cooking the meat they sell. You can find videos on their social media from their in-house chef on how to perfectly cook a steak in a pan, in the oven, or on the grill.
Top Finds:
- Pre-marinated meats
- Packages with different cuts of meat, perfect for barbeques
- Free Range Chicken Breasts
- Homemade Chorizo
6. Ixchel Gourmet: Gourmet Delivery of Grass-Fed Meats & Wild-Caught Seafood
Location: Delivery only
Ixchel Gourmet offers high-quality meat and seafood for delivery, making gourmet shopping more accessible than ever. Orders are placed via WhatsApp, and they have an extensive catalog of meat and seafood available. Ixchel Gourmet is invested in serving its customers the highest-quality meat that is better for their health and the welfare of animals.
Top Finds:
- 100% grass-fed beef
- Sustainably sourced seafood
- Wild-Caught Alaskan Salmon
- Pet Mixes for your four-legged family members
7. DAC Market: Local Produce & Health Finds in Playa’s Iconic Fresh Market
Location: Avenida 30 and Calle 20
DAC is an icon in Playa del Carmen, and for good reason. It crosses between a traditional Mexican market and a health food paradise. This place is full of local, fresh produce and carries organic and sustainable options. We love stopping at DAC around Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Christmas time because they always have traditional decor items for sale, items for your altar, or piñatas for your Christmas celebration. A nice little restaurant on site, La Ceiba, is a great spot to grab a bite with some of the best chilaquiles in town.
Top Finds:
- Fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs
- Mexican raw honey
- Gluten-free and vegan pantry items
- Eco-friendly beauty products
8. Bio Natural: Organic Groceries & Wholesome Cafe Meals in the Heart of Playa
Location: Two locations! 5th Avenue between Calle 40 and 42 & 10th Avenue and Calle 16 Nte Bis
Bio Natural is a favorite health food store and café in Playa del Carmen, known for its range of organic products, fresh produce, and wholesome snacks. With two locations in Centro, this shop offers everything from plant-based proteins and natural supplements to eco-friendly personal care items. The attached cafe is a big plus, serving delicious, health-focused meals like vegan burgers, smoothie bowls, and fresh juices.
Top Finds:
- Vegan & gluten-free bakery items
- Homemade almond milk
- Locally Sourced Honey
- Açai bowls from the attached cafe
9. Chedraui Selecto: Convenient Organic Shopping with Health-Conscious Staples
Location: Calle 34 and 10th Avenue
It’s not specifically a health store, but the new Chedraui Selecto in the city center has a fantastic selection of organic and health products. From organic fruits and veggies to dairy-free cheeses, they’ve expanded to offer a lot for health-conscious shoppers. It’s convenient, especially if you live in Centro without a car and you’re looking to grab staples without visiting multiple stores.
Top Finds:
- Organic produce section
- Dairy-free cheeses and milks
- Gluten-free bread and pasta
- Natural cleaning supplies
10. Your Neighborhood Fruteria: Fresh Fruits, Juices, & Local Finds Just a Stroll Away
Location: Basically any corner in Playa del Carmen
One of our favorite things about living in Playa del Carmen is that you can leave your home and walk a block in almost any direction, and you’re sure to find a local spot selling fresh veggies and fruit. These are called “Fruterias,” and we love them! These fruterias usually sell fresh juices like orange, mandarin, green, beet, carrot, other seasonal fruits, and coconut water and often have free-range eggs, homemade salsas, nuts, and more.
Our favorites are Fruteria El Eden, located on CTM between 10th and 15th Avenue, Fruteria Esmerelda, just across the street, and Tienda de Abarrotes.
Tips for Healthy Shopping in Playa del Carmen
- Bring Your Own Bag: Many health stores encourage eco-friendly practices, so packing a reusable bag helps the planet and your image as an eco-warrior! Even big supermarkets like Walmart and Sorianna no longer offer plastic bags for groceries, so you must grab your reusable bag as you head out the door.
- Ask About Discounts: Some stores offer discounts on certain days or for members. Follow all these great health stores on Instagram to avoid missing out on deals.
- Look for Freshness: Playa is tropical, so check expiration dates, especially on nuts and oils, which can spoil in the heat.
- Embrace Local Products: Playa has fantastic locally-made items like honey, coconut oils, and sea salts. These often taste better and support local businesses.
Playa del Carmen is a vibrant place for healthy living, with many options for anyone seeking nutritious and delicious finds. We love that you can stop by these shops to check out what they have in person, or if you prefer, you can jump online and place your order from the comfort of your couch. They make eating healthy easy even if their store is a little off the beaten path. Whether you’re stocking up on superfoods, seeking eco-friendly items, or just looking for a great smoothie, you’ll have plenty to explore when it comes to health food stores in Playa del Carmen.
