European Plan

The sun and sand are calling your name! If you’re looking to explore, a European Plan option might be best for you.

In the Mexican Caribbean, you’ll find a wide selection of hotels falling into this category, from five-star luxury to popular chains, stylish boutique hotels, and beachfront locales. The majority of EP hotels in the region are huddled in some of the more tourist-heavy cities like Playa del Carmen and Cancun since several restaurants are sitting right outside the hotel doors. Others are located in more tucked-away destinations, such as Tulum, Mahahual, Bacalar, or Chetumal, or on islands like Cozumel, Holbox, and Isla Mujeres, where travelers can have a more local experience dining at outdoor markets or seaside eateries during their stay.

Savor Your Stay

Travelers who want to plan their own appetizing adventure may prefer booking a European Plan hotel, as they can pick and choose when and where they want to dine, making their stay in the Mexican Caribbean a more diverse culinary experience. Splurge on a fine dining experience in one of Cancun´s restaurants, overlooking the Nichupté lagoon.

Restaurante Laguna

Or indulge in a tasty, authentic meal while strolling around Playa del Carmen’s main shopping street, La Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, which runs parallel to the shore.

While on Isla Mujeres, travelers can sample the traditional Tikin-Xic, a Mayan-style recipe of grilled fish coated in spices and wrapped in a banana leaf.

Or, for those staying on Isla Holbox, where hotels are on the smaller side and may only feature a single dining option, travelers can sample freshly-caught seafood or the island’s wildly popular lobster pizza at one of the handful of al fresco eateries by the beach, and in Chetumal, you will find restaurants by the beach that offer fresh Seafood and some others that serve Belizean cuisine, such as coconut rice and beans, meat pie or curry shrimp, all of this thanks to the proximity with the neighboring country.

Exterior View

Get the Perks

For those who prefer a pre-planned (and more pampered) experience, some EP hotels may offer package deals that include à la carte breakfast, dinners at the beach, or welcome cocktails at check-in. But for the most part, you’ll want to scout a few dining options in advance so you can try the area’s different culinary offerings and interact with the local culture, like in Maya Ka’an, a region located south of Tulum.

The idea here is to go with your own flow, whether that’s at more adventurous, off-the-beaten-path local joints or in the comfort of a hotel in an exciting city.