When we decided to take a family vacation to Mexico, we had one goal in mind: soak up the sun, eat amazing food — and do it all while staying halal. If you’re a Muslim family looking for the perfect mix of beaches, culture, and halal-friendly eats, follow along — this one's for you.
✈️ Touchdown in Cancun — Let the Journey Begin
We landed in Cancun, picked up our rental car from Hertz, and hit the ground running. We opted for a one-way rental, planning to return it later in Playa del Carmen before ferrying over to Cozumel for the second leg of our trip.
Landing in Cancun
🥙 First Meal in Mexico: Barakah Halal Food
After a long flight, we were starving. Not knowing much about the area, we played it safe and searched for a halal spot. We found Barakah Halal Food, tucked inside a quiet mall near the Hotel Zone. Our first meal — tacos, a burrito, and a shawarma with drinks — came out to around $60 USD. The food? Just okay. But hey, we were grateful to find halal in a new country.
Barakah Halal
Barakah Halal Chicken Tacos
🏖️ Hotel Zone Bliss: Westin Spa & Beach Days
We spent our first four days at the Westin Spa Resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Picture turquoise water, white sand, and your kids building sandcastles while you sip coconut water under a palm tree.
Westin Spa Cancun Entry
Westin Spa Balcony Room
🌮 Taco Heaven: Don’s Tacos & Burritos — A Hidden Gem
On our first night, just steps from the Westin, we stumbled upon an absolute gem: Don’s Tacos and Burritos. Let me tell you — this place delivered. Authentic, fresh, and bursting with flavor, these were some of the best tacos we had the entire trip.
Perfectly grilled mahi mahi, each taco felt like a love letter to Mexican street food. The house-made sauces? Spicy but irresistible. We were in and out in under 30 minutes and left with full bellies and big smiles.
Dons Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos
🏛️ Culture Break: Day Trip to Chichén Itzá
After two days on the beach, we craved adventure. So we drove 2 hours inland to see the incredible Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá.
Fuel up beforehand — we made a much-needed stop at EGO Panadería for rich lattes and buttery pastries that hit the spot before the long drive. After exploring the ruins and returning to Cancun, we treated ourselves to dinner at EGO Restaurante, conveniently located next door to the café.
EGO Panaderia
Chichen Itza
Their wood-fired pizza and fig salad were absolutely phenomenal — the perfect way to unwind after a hot, history-filled day.
Ego Restaurant - Margarita Pizza w/ Fig Salad
🌮 Local Gems in Cancun
Back in Cancun, we ventured outside the Hotel Zone to find local halal-friendly eats. El Pueblo’s was a highlight — super accommodating, with a whole vegetarian page. The veggie tacos were chef’s kiss, and our waiter, Himay, made us feel right at home.
Veg Tacos at El Pueblo
🍨 Street Sweets: Discovering Marquesitas in Cancun
After devouring those mouthwatering veggie tacos at El Pueblo, we decided to stroll through downtown Cancun — and that’s when we discovered Marquesitas.
If you’ve never heard of them, Marquesitas are a Yucatán classic — imagine a thin, crispy crepe with the crunch of a waffle cone, rolled up and filled with your choice of ingredients. You’ll find vendors making them fresh on the street, and trust me, the smell alone will draw you in.
We went with the traditional Nutella and banana combo, while the kids opted for strawberries with cream cheese (yep, that’s a thing — and it slaps). You can even add a sprinkle of shredded Edam cheese if you’re feeling adventurous — it sounds weird but somehow works.
Marquesitas
🚗 Road Trip to Playa del Carmen
On day four, we checked out and drove to Playa del Carmen, where we stayed the night before heading to Cozumel.
Dinner stop: Kabob Express, one of the few halal places in Playa. Solid 7/10 food, but pricey compared to local options.
Kabob Express - Khubideh
🌅 Stroll & Sup: Playa del Carmen Boardwalk + Hidden Fish Taco Haven
After our meal at Kabob Express, the kids were eager to stretch their legs and stroll the Playa del Carmen boardwalk—a lively waterfront promenade filled with music, street performers, and ocean breezes. It was the perfect prelude to dinner.
As twilight set in, we ventured a bit further inland—away from the beach crowds—and stumbled upon a hidden gem: Cartoccio Street Food Mar y Tierra (aka Cartoccio Playa Street Seafood).
Cartoccio's Basa Fish Tacos
What grabbed our attention? Their fish tacos, hands-down the best in all of Quintana Roo. Reviewers rave that these tacos are “juicy” and “incredibly flavorful”—three tacos go for only ~100 pesos (around $5‑6 USD) with a drink included . The fish is fried to crispy perfection, topped with crunchy cabbage, creamy slaw, and just enough zing from fresh lime and salsa.
We watched our kids’ eyes light up as they took their first bites—so much so we promised to return before our trip ended. And we did—twice.
⛴️ Ferry to Cozumel: Smooth Sailing (Sort of)
We caught the Winjet fast ferry to Cozumel the next afternoon. Get there early if you want to sit upstairs with the ocean breeze — we didn’t, and ended up in the bottom hull. 😅
Pro tip: Ask the attendant for a barf bag — the ride can get rocky.
🎣 Cozumel Vibes: From Fish Feasts to Reef Snorkels
First stop in Cozumel? Picking up another rental and reuniting with the fam at Centro, the central square just steps from the ferry.
For lunch, we headed to the legendary Pescadería San Carlos — a humble, no-frills seafood joint where you pick your fish from a cooler, and they cook it up fresh, just the way you like it. We went for the whole fish fried, along with some fish tacos and drinks — all for under $70 USD. A total halal seafood dream in paradise.
Fried Snapper with Rice and Cole Slaw
And since it happened to be Father’s Day, the experience was even more memorable. The owner had organized a small celebration — complete with a live local musician playing festive tunes and a Father’s Day raffle where dads could win a free seafood platter. It was such a warm, unexpected gesture that made the day feel extra special. Sitting under a palapa, surrounded by good vibes, great food, and family — I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate.
After lunch, we checked in at the stunning Westin Cozumel — a picture-perfect paradise with turquoise reef waters right outside our window. It looked like something off a postcard or desktop wallpaper.
Snorkeling here was unreal — crystal-clear, wave-free water, a bath-like temperature hovering around 80°F, and vibrant reef life just steps from the shore. The kids couldn’t get enough — every dive revealed something new and mesmerizing.
Westin Cozumel
🍹 Mocktails & Jet Skis at Hemingway
Dinner at Hemingway’s was a highlight: mocktails, pinadas (virgin piña coladas), and jet skis right next door. My son and I rented one ($85 for 30 mins) and took off into a mesmerizing gradient of turquoise to deep blue wateV
Virgin Mohito with Fish Tacos
🚙 Island Drive & Seaweed Surprise
We drove around the island hoping to discover more beaches… but were met with tons of seaweed, especially along the eastern coast. It smelled awful. So our tip: stick to the resort beach, which is cleaned and pristine.
Seaweed Cozumel
⛴️ Back to Playa & Final Taco Stop
Two days later, we caught the ferry back to Playa del Carmen and headed straight to Cartoccio’s for one final round of those unforgettable fish tacos.
Round 2 at Cartoccio's
Rented another car from Mex Rent a Car and took a spontaneous trip to Tulum. Sadly, we missed entry to the ruins (cut-off is 3:30pm sharp). So we explored the beach town and grabbed some coffee — but again, seaweed everywhere. Not worth the hype this time of year.
Tulum Sign
🌮 Last Night in Cancun: Back to El Pueblo & a Sweet Sendoff
On our final night, we made one last trip to El Pueblo for a farewell round of those legendary tacos. The salsa? Still fiery enough to make you break a sweat. 🌶️
As we stepped out into the warm night air, we were approached by a young boy on a bike selling chicle (chewing gum) — a familiar sight across Mexico. He offered us a small pack with a shy smile, and of course, we bought one. It was a quiet, heartfelt moment — a simple reminder of the beauty and hustle of everyday life here.
Boy Selling Gum
✈️ Homebound
After breakfast at the hotel, we packed up, returned the rental at Cancun Airport, and flew back home to New York, grateful for an adventurous and halal-friendly vacation in paradise.
Breakfast at Hotel
As we boarded the plane and looked back on all the memories — the reef snorkels, the fish feasts, the chicle boy, and the unexpected Father’s Day celebration — one moment stood out.
Back in Playa del Carmen, we passed a mural that read:
“Never Stop Dreaming.”
And that’s exactly what this trip reminded us: you don’t have to compromise your values to explore the world. There’s beauty, culture, and halal-friendly adventure out there — all you have to do is dream it, plan it, and go.
Until the next journey… ✨
📍#Muzspotvacation | #HalalMexico | #NeverStopDreaming | #MuslimFamilyAdventures | #HalalVacation
💡 Final Travel Tips for Muslim Families Visiting Cancun, Playa & Cozumel
✅ Use the Muzspot App to scout halal or vegetarian-friendly food spots before heading out.
🕌 You may not find many mosques, so pack a prayer mat and track salah times.
🍽️ Ask for “sin cerdo” (no pork) or “vegetariano” if you’re eating at local spots.
🌊 Stick to west coast beaches to avoid seaweed during certain seasons.
☕ Always try the local coffee. Mexico has hidden gems on every corner.
Ready to plan your halal adventure in Mexico? Save this itinerary, grab your passport, and get ready to make unforgettable memories — one taco at a time.
