🌟 Ejido Sur: Playa del Carmen’s Emerging Culinary & Residential Hub
Just five years ago, Ejido Sur was a quiet residential area known mostly for its 10×20 meter land lots. Today, it’s rapidly transforming into one of the most desirable areas to live and invest in Playa del Carmen, nestled within the city’s so-called “Diamond Zone.” And surprisingly, it all started—with the stomach.
🍽️ A Local Culinary Revolution in Playa del Carmen
Ejido Sur and its surroundings are experiencing a true culinary awakening. In recent years, standout restaurants have popped up, rivaling the best gastronomic areas of the city. With strong identities, personalized service, and creative flavors, these eateries are redefining the area’s food scene.
Here are some of the top highlights:
🍽️ Top Restaurants in Colonia Ejidal Sur – Playa del Carmen
- Alux Restaurant – Contemporary Mexican cuisine inside a spectacular underground cave
📍Av. Benito Juárez Mza. 217 Lote 2 – 💰 $$$$ – Unique experience for special occasions - Anafre Cocina a la Leña y Vino – Wood-fired Mexican dishes & great wine list
📍Calle 23 Sur between Diagonal 80 and 85 – 💰 $$$ – Cozy ambiance - Criollo Playa del Carmen – Chef-driven local menu with rotating creativity
📍Calle 31 Sur between 80 and 85 – 💰 $$ – A favorite for gourmet dinners - Mezcla PDC – Fresh brunch, vegan options, smoothies, and excellent coffee
📍Calle 3 Sur between Av. 40 and 45 Norte – 💰 $$ – Great for cozy evening dining - Sushi Shangri-La – Classic rolls & Japanese specialties in a chill vibe
📍Diagonal 85 with Calle 37 Sur – 💰 $$ – Great value - Bendita Costilla – Chargrilled ribs & meat with Mexican sides
📍Calle 19 Sur and Diagonal 80 – 💰 $$ – Local carnivore’s delight - Jonny D Burgers – American-style burgers with signature fries
📍Calle 60 Sur and Calle 3 Sur – 💰 $ – Tasty & casual - Pizza Da Portare – Authentic Italian pizza with thin crust & stone oven
📍Calle 39 Sur, Ejido Sur – 💰 $$ – Dine in or takeaway - Doki Doki – Ramen, sushi & Japanese fusion in a modern setting
📍Diagonal 60 Sur & Av. Benito Juárez – 💰 $$ – Flavorful & beautifully presented - Perché No – Honest Italian cuisine with great service
📍Av. Balamcanché Mz 30 Lt2, Playacar – 💰 $$ – Relaxed & well-designed - Sinónimo – Italian fine dining with refined presentation
📍Diagonal 60 Sur & Av. Benito Juárez – 💰 $$$ – Ideal for a special night out - Wolf Café – Specialty coffee, healthy breakfasts, chill work-friendly vibe
📍Av. 85 & Calle 35 Sur – 💰 $–$$ – Brunch, laptops, & DJs on Saturdays - Tacos ALV (Vegan Tacos) – 100% vegan taquería with bold flavors
📍Calle 17 Sur – 💰 $ – Unique, delicious & affordable (online orders available) - Lexie’s Comida + Café – Creative, fresh dishes perfect for brunch or lunch
📍Plaza Valenia, Prolongación Av. 115 – 💰 $$ – Stylish & highly rated - El Hongo – Mexican fusion with a community focus & urban art
📍Calle 19 Sur between 85 and 90 Av. – 💰 $ – Colorful, cultural & tasty
This wave of culinary creativity has sparked a “gastronomic snowball”—the more quality offerings emerge, the more investors and locals are drawn in, raising the standard of living for the entire neighborhood.
🏡 Why Ejido Sur Is One of Playa del Carmen’s Most Desirable Areas to Live & Invest (2025)
Thanks to this cultural and culinary boom, Ejido Sur—known locally as “Ejidal”—has become the second most desirable area to live in Playa del Carmen, just behind the beach and downtown. Its quiet streets, organized developments, and rising social scene make it ideal for families, young professionals, and savvy investors.
🌿 Premium Residential Communities in the Area:
- Valenia Residencial
- Bosques de Bambú
- Bambú Residencial
- La Joya
These communities offer high-quality homes and condos with security, controlled access, green areas, and amenities such as pools, coworking spaces, and gyms—designed for comfort, functionality, and style.
💰 Average Rental Prices in Ejido Sur (2025)
| Property Type | Monthly Rent (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $16,000 – $20,000 MXN |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $22,000 – $24,000 MXN |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (Unf.) | $21,000 – $24,000 MXN |
| 3-Bedroom House | $18,000 – $25,000 MXN |
| Small Commercial Space | $8,000 – $12,000 MXN |
| Large Commercial Space | $15,000 – $25,000+ MXN |
Competitive prices combined with lifestyle quality explain why demand continues to grow.
⚡ Urban Planning & Underground Infrastructure
A key advantage of Ejido Sur is its planned infrastructure. It was one of Playa del Carmen’s first urbanistically designed zones, which means:
- 🌐 Underground electrical wiring
- 🚀 High-speed fiber-optic internet
- 🚰 Efficient potable water & drainage systems
This translates to better service quality and an aesthetically clean cityscape—ideal for long-term property value and peace of mind.
🏗️ Growth Potential
Its strategic location in the south of Playa del Carmen connects it to main city expansion roads and makes it a part of the city’s sustainable urban development plans.
It’s also minutes away from the Riviera Maya’s most famous theme parks:
- Xcaret – ~5 mins
- Xplor – ~5 mins
- Xenses – ~5 mins
- Xel-Há – ~30 mins
This makes it a prime choice for both full-time living and mid- to long-term rentals—especially for workers at the parks or repeat visitors with rental cars.
🏥 Education & Medical Services in Ejido Sur
The area also stands out for its growing selection of quality schools and healthcare, making it even more appealing for families.
🧠 Recommended Schools:
- Ekilibrio School – Bilingual alternative school focused on emotional & active learning
- Colegio Inglés – Well-established private school
- Colegio Weston – Trilingual, international curriculum
- Ekbe – Neuropedagogical alternative (nursery to middle school)
- Britt Academy – Only Knotion-based STEM bilingual school in the area
- Instituto Tepeyac Campus Xcaret – Bilingual education
🏥 Nearby Hospitals & Clinics:
- Hospiten Riviera Maya – Private hospital with top-tier care
- Costamed Playa del Carmen – 24/7 service, labs, X-rays, specialists
- Médica Playa – Specialist clinic (dermatology, chiropractic, etc.)
📌 Conclusion
Ejido Sur is no longer just another neighborhood. It’s a vibrant part of Playa del Carmen’s Diamond Zone, blending good food, modern urban planning, great connectivity, and quality of life. Living or investing here means embracing a modern, practical lifestyle in a fast-growing market full of long-term value.
