Buying groceries/liquor in the hotel zone

[birxalie]

Hey everybody! I'm new here so go easy...

I have a trip planned with a few girlfriends a couple months from now, but we are on a budget and opted to save a bit of money by not going all-inclusive and instead getting a place in the hotel zone with a mini kitchen (we'll probably go out for most dinners but just want to be able to eat cereal/sandwiches and drink some beers during the day).

I was just wondering whether there are grocery stores/mini marts in the hotel zone. Also, will it be easy enough to purchase liquor/beer in the hotel zone or will we have to travel to wal mart or into the city to buy it?

Thanks!

[Bonez]

Originally Posted by birxalie

Hey everybody! I'm new here so go easy...

I have a trip planned with a few girlfriends a couple months from now, but we are on a budget and opted to save a bit of money by not going all-inclusive and instead getting a place in the hotel zone with a mini kitchen (we'll probably go out for most dinners but just want to be able to eat cereal/sandwiches and drink some beers during the day).

I was just wondering whether there are grocery stores/mini marts in the hotel zone. Also, will it be easy enough to purchase liquor/beer in the hotel zone or will we have to travel to wal mart or into the city to buy it?

Thanks!

You might get better response in the living in Cancun forum! The locals there will have way better advice on this one. I do know from experience that you can buy liquor in stores like Walmart and there is one right on the bus route. Cabs are also fairly cheap so you could do a power shop on the first day and get set up.

[David & Rhonda]

You can buy groceries,liquor,almost anything you can buy in the states and ride a bus pretty cheap to do your shopping.. Even when I'm in a place that has room service but no coffee pot in the room I want coffee as soon as I wake in the morning. The last two trips to Cancun my room didn't have a pot so I went to Walmart, bought cheap coffee maker and coffee and just left it when I went home.

[GONZO]

Dao57 that is exactly what we do too. We stayed where we didnt have a fridg and I got a styrofoam cooler for the room and got ice across the street after my morning pot of coffee. So we had a cheap margarita bar right in the room!!

Brixalie I would for sure do the walmart trip if you are on a budget. Take the bus to walmart and then a cab back to the hotel so you dont need to struggle with the bus and your groceries, the cab may cost 15 to 20 USD depending on where your staying. You will save an armload of money on alcohol though, IMO.

[birxalie]

I appreciate the input, but I am still wondering if there are any liquor and/or grocery stores in the hotel zone itself. While a trip to wal mart does make sense (and will probably happen) I would rather avoid spending a couple hours making the trip while I could be out enjoying the sun. Also, even if we do make the trip, there will inevitably some things that we miss, so it would just be reassuring to know there is somewhere more convenient to pick them up.

[Rich and Linda]

Originally Posted by birxalie

I appreciate the input, but I am still wondering if there are any liquor and/or grocery stores in the hotel zone itself. While a trip to wal mart does make sense (and will probably happen) I would rather avoid spending a couple hours making the trip while I could be out enjoying the sun. Also, even if we do make the trip, there will inevitably some things that we miss, so it would just be reassuring to know there is somewhere more convenient to pick them up.

LaEuropa (lagoon side down north of Kuklacan Plaza) is a store we go to get our booze, some bread, pasta and a few other things. Not really a grocery store, but it works for us.

[CancunCanuck]

No real grocery store in the hotel zone, just "mini-marts" and convenience stores. It really is worth your while to head downtown, the new Superama on Bonampak is close to the entrance to the hotel zone, shouldn't take you too long to get there depending on where your hotel is. Still best to hit the Walmart though, bigger selection and cheapest prices. The mini-marts in the HZ are "tourist priced" as you might guess, even the "Oxxo" (like a 7-11) is more expensive in the hz than downtown.

[SCMcons]

There is a reasonable Mini-Super around KM 7.5 in the Hotel zone. It is in a small strip mall directly across from the El Presidente Hotel. Prices on many things are similar or just slightly higher then downtown. They don't have as wide a selection as the major stores downtown but do have luncheon meat, bread, milk, coffee, cereal,chips,liquor, beer,soda,etc.
Also there is a Superama on Bonapak just as you exit the hotel zone. It is approximately 200 meters on the right on Bonampak as you get to the Glorietta(roundabout) when leaving the hotel zone.

[rodman4085]

The bus rides from the HZ to downtown/Wal-Mart are part of the whole experience! WM is also a great place for souvenirs/t shirts/hats/spices/seasonings/Vanilla to bring home.....and their bakery rolls for breakfast will make you drool!!!!
Bus there, and cab it back....you can be done in about 2 hours, do it early in the day, so you can hit the beach!

[GONZO]

Or go agter the sun goes down and have dinner downtown!!

[angels_among_us]

I know you want to avoid walmart but if your on a budget you need to hit it. BUT I always love the trip down town to that area!! You can hit Market 28th before you go to Walmart also!

[Princess015690]

What are good restuaruants near walmart, and is the water still down in that area filtered, or is it only safe in the hotel zone?

[Ana]

You can also buy on line and get your drinks, beerks, ice and chips at your hotel room, try www.soriana.com hotel zone zip code is 47500

[212eric]

On the topic of liquor, there is a farmacia in front of the the Plaza Flamingo shopping mall that has excellent prices. It took me by surprise, but I found Corralejo Reposado tequila for considerably less at this place than at any other location in the Hotel Zone. On another plus side, they sell a lot of snack items and there is a pharmacy on premises as well. For higher end choices and wonderful food items, definitely check out the La Europea located just south of La Isla Shopping Village shopping mall.

212eric (Author)

[T.J.]

Princess - Everywhere serves bottled water downtown and the ice is all purified. I brush my teeth with tap water and could drink it most likely, but I choose not to. But if you are a water drinker stick with bottles. I have ordered "agua natural con hielo" many times without problems and not paid the price for the bottled.

A great little restuarant is Super Carnes. As you get off the bus from the HZ, it is across the street at the next light, to the right of Elektra, which is bright yellow with red letters. Try the Paquette de Arrachara. Yummy.

A bit more upscale but not pricy, is La Troje. It is on Acenceh, which is sort of the extension of Labna, the street that runs beside Sam's which is next to Walmart. Incredible salads (Ensalada Margarita is my favorite) and crepes. Best to take a taxi but you could walk it in 10 minutes. Just head down Labna/Acenceh and stay to the right of VIPS. About 2 more blocks on your left.

There are other good places but a tourist could never find them easily. Depends on how fancy or how native you want to try.

[T.J.]

Nice and casual. I forgot La Creperia. On the right just before the Walmart bus stop from the HZ. Just walk back the way you came. More popular for breakfast and lunch. Healthy choices when you consider their bakery which is a part fo the restaurant.

[Princess015690]

darn.. tj please tell me you live there.. maybe you cna meet up with us, and show us some places! lol

[YogiHilt]

Hey, we've been there 17 years, and have owned for past 7 years in hotel zone. No need to go into Cancun for sam's, Walmart or Chedraui.. they now have what is called a Super Walmart on Bonampak Ave. Bonampak Ave is at the 1st traffic light leaving the hotel zone(instead of traveling a few miles into town). Get off bus at light, walk to the right a few hundred yards.. Walmart's on the right, next to the Pemex Gas Station. Walmart Prices, good stock. Would probably be cheaper and easier to get cab back to your hotel if you get a big order. Cab would prob be $5-7 from there. But take bus if you all can carry bags. Busses are part of the fun of Cancun.

[Traestree]

Yogihilt, take the bus to walmart and then ride a cab back its the best way,we just got back and spent about 120 dollars in walmart and did just like you stated tried to keep the cost down and at the same time have some good food.
And while there make sure you get some of there awesome fruit.

[CLW]

Originally Posted by YogiHilt

Hey, we've been there 17 years, and have owned for past 7 years in hotel zone. No need to go into Cancun for sam's, Walmart or Chedraui.. they now have what is called a Super Walmart on Bonampak Ave. Bonampak Ave is at the 1st traffic light leaving the hotel zone(instead of traveling a few miles into town). Get off bus at light, walk to the right a few hundred yards.. Walmart's on the right, next to the Pemex Gas Station. Walmart Prices, good stock. Would probably be cheaper and easier to get cab back to your hotel if you get a big order. Cab would prob be $5-7 from there. But take bus if you all can carry bags. Busses are part of the fun of Cancun.

I "walked" the route that you stated and found the Pemex station, but there is no Walmart there unless Google maps is out of date. It is an empty lot next to the Pemex station.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by CLW

I "walked" the route that you stated and found the Pemex station, but there is no Walmart there unless Google maps is out of date. It is an empty lot next to the Pemex station.

Yep Google Maps is out of date (summer 2010?) there is a newly built "Walmart" at that location. Opened maybe 4 months ago.

It's owned by Walmart but it's not as big as a proper Walmart and called Superama.

[ToriB]

The Superama that Yogi is talking about was completed after the google vehicals came through. It's there though. And most of the time the bus driver will not let you off at that light. The first stop out of the hotel zone is a block up the road, so you will have to walk down the hill and then make a left onto Bonampak. Superama is a Walmart Co, but smaller with less variety and more expensive. Better to stay on the bus for 5 more min and go to Walmart.

Steve, you type so much more faster then me!

[Steve]

Think we posted at the same time Tori, but yeah I agree the bigger Walmart is probably worth the extra few mins on the bus for a more varied selection and better prices.

[gabesz]

Originally Posted by birxalie

I appreciate the input, but I am still wondering if there are any liquor and/or grocery stores in the hotel zone itself. While a trip to wal mart does make sense (and will probably happen) I would rather avoid spending a couple hours making the trip while I could be out enjoying the sun. Also, even if we do make the trip, there will inevitably some things that we miss, so it would just be reassuring to know there is somewhere more convenient to pick them up.

There are convenience stores OXXO stores in the hotel zone but not much in staples such as breakfast foods, etc. But the prices are much higher then Wal Mart. So the trip is worth the time but it does not take hours rather about 30 minutes each way.

[TraceyUk]

You can get most things in the supermarket opposite the Presidente on the Hotel Zone. It is more expensive though.
Have a good trip.