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Recommended Reviews - La Buena Vida
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Great open-air atmosphere. Can be romantic (under a palapa next to the ocean), fun (great bar area) or festive (many tree house tables and areas that are great for groups). Service was excellent, and they had good recommendations ready. We had the classic fish ceviche, which was great. hubby had one of their signature juices, a blend of lime, basil and other flavors I could quite identify - very tasty. I had classic margaritas and they were very good. Also had the La Buena Vida Shrimp and Pok-Chuk. Both are house specialties and both were very good. I probably liked the shrimp dish a bit more. The pork dish was a bit tough, but I loved the seasonings. This is an epic spot for happy hour or dinner. Will definitely being coming back!
We love the spot in Akumal. The location cannot be beat. You were right on the bay with your feet in the sand. It's a gorgeous place to have dinner or drinks at sunset. There is a pool if you want to swim during the day and hammocks to relax in. There are even tree houses and swing seats at the bar. We have been at least four times and the service has always been great. The food can be hit or miss. Sometimes the chips are fresh and sometimes they are stale. The shrimp Aguachiles, and the chicken quesadillas are always on point. They do have a happy hour with great prices.
First of all, Akumal is a hidden gem in Mexico. It is between Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. Went to celebrate my husband's birthday. He wanted lobster and did La Buena Vida deliver. He said it was the best lobster ever. My dish was good too and very flavorful. We sat near the water and what a view. The servers weee very attentive and nice. The food and ambiance was so good, we went twice while there in Akumal
This is our second time visiting, first time was 10 years ago- pre-kids. It was a smaller, sleepier little place then! Love the vibe, can't beat the location! Definitely geared toward gringos and the prices reflect that- American prices for sure. The service was okay in the beginning but they got swamped and we had to ask for things multiple times. Dropped the star because the food wasn't worth the price, and they overcharged us for a drink and instead of correcting it, they changed a 2 to a 1 on a printed receipt and hoped we wouldn't notice.... Disappointing for sure.
Enjoyed a wonderful lunch here. Started with the mango shrimp aguachiles for an appetizer. Fresh and tasty to share after swimming at Yalku cenote. For entrees the table ordered Jose's Havana rice, fresh grilled fish, pollo Chaya and tabbouleh salad. Everyone was happy and satisfied with their meal.
Been here multiple times in our trips to Akumal. You can't beat the bayside view of the water. Stunning. The food is good but not great. I had the Jose's Havana rice which was a miss. Dry rice with little sausage and not much flavor. Margaritas for happy hour are very good and basically two for one. Tacos, the Cheyenne and the fried shrimp are really good. Need more servers. Our poor guy had half the outside by himself. Tried his best but was a bit overwhelmed. At least the view will help you relax as you wait.
This location is tucked in Akumal right on the beach- parking right in front. Guarded neighborhood. The vibe is great- just chill/touristy. If it's too windy you can ask to be seated upstairs which is closed in. We started with the guacamole and calamari both amazing. Oh yes and fresh coconut water straight in a coconut-refreshing. The Maya octopus is probably one of the best I've ever had. The fried fish was disappointing as it was such a small portion. I highly recommend coming here.
La Buena Vida is such a rare find. A place where the views, vibe and food are UNMATCHED. I heard so much about this place on Reddit and was skeptical that it could live up to the hype. It did, and was so much better than I imagined. Sitting Oceanside was such a delight and I was already happy sitting down to order. We started with a Mayan ceviche. My partner is a huge ceviche guy and said that this place is up there along with Peruvian ceviche. The fish was cooked (we think) in the ceviche but this was a plus in this case, because the flavors were so good! We followed that with tuna fillet and Fresh Shrimp A la Diabla. Both of these were so tasty! The shrimp was cooked in a red sauce which isn't anything too spicy but more of a tomato sauce packed with flavor. This restaurant is a great hangout spot, we saw many visitors just sitting with drinks, or chips and lounging around by the pool and hammocks. There was some parking out front by the street. Overall, highly recommend for the entire experience and wish I had a few more days in Akumal to return here.
7 years ago
Came here in 2012 because we were heading back from the ruins in Tulum! Our driver and guide recommended the place and he said it was a hidden gem in this little town so we took him up on it! One of the most coziest places you can come to here in Akumal! Every time we come down here, we make it a point to stop by once or twice; if you get the ceviche you have to get the mixed one as is as fresh as can be. Be careful with the house sauces because some of them are very spicy and it might ruin somebody's afternoon!! we ordered the empanadas and those are freshly made here; very good appetizer! The guacamole was on point, ambience next to the sea in unbeatable! Prices are so reasonable, it makes Cancun look expensive! Definitely a must visit place if you're in the area! Until next time La Buena Vida!! read more
This incredible beach bar is everything you read it is... an absolute must when in the area! A great bar with many cool aspects... Beach front, a pool, two tree houses, swings to sit on, hammocks, I could go on... The food was very good, the drink selection was awesome. Staff was friendly and hard working. Local craft beers available on tap and in bottles. The ceviche was really good and the mango ginger chicken empanadas were fantastic. We went twice during our week stay at Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort. It was about a 25 minute walk. Best of all... WE GOT ENGAGED IN A TREEHOUSE!!! Beat that ;) Make your way here while in the Akumal region, it is as fun as a beach bar gets! read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Stopped in for lunch and I was so happy that we did! We had an awesome view, it wasn't very crowded. Prices were great. Food was great. Our view was great! Can't ask for much more than that. The staff was very attentive. We hung out and took some photos on the swings at the bar after we ate. We also had some friendly iguanas visit us during our meal. read more
It's really hard not to live la vida buena when you are ensconced in such beautiful surroundings. Half-moon bay in Akumal is truly stunning, with its white sand beach and turquoise water. And the ability to sit at a table, feet firmly planted in said sand, sun blocked by palm fronds waving gently in the wind overhead. In short, the location is spectacular. This clubhouse-style restaurant has a covered "interior" bar, some fun swinging seats at buddy bars, and tables placed out on the sand on a terrace overlooking the beach. You can kick off your zapatos and dig your toes in as you munch on huge plates of fish tacos and other local fare. The menu itself reads well, and the food portions are generous. This place is definitely oriented toward gringos (the main clientele) and while the food is decent, it's not great. The one shining standout of all the things our group consumed was the house habañero hot sauce. Get that, and beware, It's very spicy, but has a great flavor to it (it's not just all heat). Fish tacos are large and in charge, and the yucatecan chicken is pretty decent. Overall, the food is A-ok, the service is forgetful at times, and it's not as local as I'd like it to be, but it's not as cheesy as a Margaritaville or anything, so there's that. read more
5 years ago
La Buena Vida has a view of the Caribbean to die for. You can enjoy this scene from the comfort of: - Huge bean bag beds. - Hammocks. - Lounge chairs on the beach. - The beautifully tiled POOL. - Tree houses complete with a bucket and pulley system for food delivery. - Swings in the bar. - Panoramic glass windows from upstairs. - A perfect little tiki hut table. I cannot imagine a more perfect location. This is one of those amazing restaurants you see in the movies or on the Travel Channel and never imagine it'd be real (at least for normal people). The food isn't spectacular, but it's certainly not bad. We enjoyed the Mayan chicken and the drunken chicken. We were not as crazy about the fish tacos, which seemed to lack any flavor at all and became mushy. The ceviche was our absolute FAVORITE dish we tasted. I really enjoyed the tamarind margarita, while my husband preferred the mango. We had a coco-frio and after we finished drinking the water, they peeled it and gave us chunks of fresh coconut to munch on. However, I'd eat just about anything so that I could enjoy the views and amenities of La Buena Vida. On our first visit, we decided to don our snorkeling gear and go for a swim in Half Moon Bay. Our waiter said it was a little rocky and not much to see out there, but boy was he wrong! Yes, it's rocky, but if you've got water shoes, you'll have a blast. We snorkeled around for at least an hour and saw beautiful coral, tons of fish and hung our with a 4-foot wide Spotted Eagle Ray for a good 10 minutes! It was an incredible experience, especially considering after your swim you can rinse off (La Buena Vida has a shower, too) and enjoy a cold margarita steps away from your excellent snorkeling paradise. If you don't have your own gear or want to stay above water, right next door you can rent snorkel gear and kayaks to explore the bay. read more
5 years ago
This is an excellent spot, all around great! First of all the view! It's amazing, it's right on the beach. You walk down a few stairs and you're in the water. Secondly, the food and the service! The menu is very extensive, everyone in my party ordered something different! I had the shrimp tacos and they were delicious! They even have items for vegetarians which was actually what brought us in. The staff was so welcoming and accommodating. Also, they accepted credit cards!!! Which...many do in Akumal, but not down the road in Tulum, which was a hassle at times. They also had craft beer which was awesome, I had the Akumal ale and a very extensive drink list. The prices are very reasonably priced and it's about a 10 minute walk from downtown Akumal, where you can snorkel with turtles. Check it out! read more
We were staying down the beach so vowed to try this place at least once. On the last night, we went for a sunset stroll along the beach and got here just in time for happy hour which is from 5pm-6pm. The margaritas are around $2! We snagged a table closest to the water, although there are also tables with swings and a little treehouse should you desire to embrace your inner child. We got the seafood platter for two which we really enjoyed and recommend (boyfriend loved the butterfly shrimp in particular and I'm always a sucker for fresh ceviche). We also enjoyed the guacamole, chips, and salsa. Be warned - The habanero salsa is no joke! For drinks, we liked the regular margarita and the jalapeño margarita. The Pina colada, although initially tasty, melted too quickly so only order if you're a quick drinker! read more
12 years ago
Location is the best and so is the food. We lived a mile away from there and I hung out almost every day there. Sipping on nice, cold refreshing beverages, while lounging around on the HUGE bean bags on the beach. The food is great. We even had our reception there after our wedding renewals. read more
What an amazing little find in the picture perfect beach of Akumal. After an eventful day of snorkeling with the sea turtles, my friend and I ventured to La Buena Vida because of the stellar Yelp reviews. We were met with several days of high volume tourist action in the beaches of Playa del Carmen, and we were hoping to find a sanctuary in Akumal where we could drink a few beverages and nibble on good seafood. La Buena Vida was pretty full when we got there, but we still managed to snag a few swing seats by the bar that gave us a beautiful view of the ocean. This was probably our favorite beach bar/restaurant on our entire trip simply because of the ambiance and the quality of their food and drinks. The mixed ceviche was so refreshing, and we were almost too full to enjoy our fish tacos and cochineal pibil. Everything was very reasonably priced, especially considering the quality and view! A must-try on your next visit to Akumal. read more
7 years ago
Our favorite bar in Akumal area!!! Fantastic atmosphere on the water, toes in the sand, swings at the bar, great vibe! Great drinks for not so bad price! I had the fish tacos and they were my second favorite of the whole trip! Thanks for hosting such a big and loud group! read more
8 years ago
This is what you think of when you hear beach restaurant. They have something for everyone. Want to sit and stare at the water? Want to relax in a hammock? Want to swing? How about eating in a tree fort? Seriously, something for everyone! And the food is fantastic! The empanadas and shrimp were to die for! Perfect view, so relaxing, and great food. What more could you ask for? read more
7 years ago
We went here for breakfast and coffee and it was great. The view was amazing, the food was good and fresh, and the waiters were pretty good. It's nice to be in under the shade with a cool breeze while you eat your food. read more
We grabbed a late lunch at La Buena Vida. We had a great view of Half Moon Bay. We saw they offered a microbrew, which was a nice change. We ordered guacamole, calamari and fish tacos. We were enjoying the sea breeze and our feet in the sand, all was good. Then, you know that saying "Some days your the bird; others your the statue?" Well, I now know what it's like to be the statue. A bird totally pooped on my leg. It fell from the palm he was perched upon above me. EW! Thankfully, our food hadn't arrived yet. I've never been so paranoid during a meal, though. I was on edge the rest of the time. The food was fine, but it lacked pizazz, my husband had a couple good pieces of calamari, but all the rings I tried were chewy. The tacos were better, but I wasn't impressed. I was missing bold flavor, everything seemed a bit bland. It's a shame, because we've really enjoyed La Buena Vida previously, maybe being pooped on soured the experience? Still, it's a really cool place. Great for a lazy afternoon. read more
7 years ago
12 years ago
I love this place just for the atmosphere alone. I visit every time I'm in Mexico. Beautiful ocean view - check Swing seats at bar - check Beer buckets - check Palm Tree hut you can sit in with table and chairs & dumb waiter corona bucket if you're brave enough or sober enough to climb up it - check This is just a great place to sit and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere. We always order the botanero dish which is an appetizer that comes with beef, chicken, queso, guacamole, peppers & onions as well as tortilla shells. Enough for a meal for two. My husband eats the meat and I eat the veg. They also have a large drink & food menu. They are known to have full moon parties though I've never been. It's further down the road in Akumal just keep following the road after the arch, you won't miss it. There is a small parking lot across the street and a few shops. It's definitely worth checking out. read more
11 years ago
If you're in Akumal, this is a great place to stop after a day of snorkeling! You'll enjoy a delicious meal with your feet in the sand and an incredible view of the sea. I ordered grilled fish tacos, guacamole and their Akumal ale. Food and service were both excellent. Bonus: the bar has swings! read more
Great casual restaurant and bar next to the beach. Fantastic views of the water. Has a very chill vibe as the floor is covered in sand, has multiple palm trees providing cover overhead and huts. Food is pretty good but isn't spectacular. Happy hour is between 5-6pm which offers drinks at a reduced price. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
8 years ago
Oh my gosh! The view is breathtaking from the beachside but even better upstairs from the treehouse! The food - hold the phone, Pepe'! WOW. So fresh, flavors on point, served by those super friendly locals, who always seem to make me feel like they've known me for years... Best part, as if one needs any other reasons to find this off the beaten path spot, the tequila selection is outstanding! For those inclined to taste local flavors, try their tequila flights! Excellent way to try multiple different tequilas you may not have even heard of before. I know I was schooled on some brands as well as flavas! This place, especially because of its secluded yet gorgeous locale, makes it a must do! read more
My first review as a yelp Elite'18 and I'm not even in the U.S., much less in California. But the food here is amazing and you can't beat the view. Hubby and I staggered in to this cool treehouse of a restaurant after 8.5 hrs in planes and 2 hours in an automobile in the pouring rain (we now really appreciate all the reflective lines on the highways in the U.S. as well the drainage system back home)just before closing time. And the host and waitstaff were as gracious and attentive as if it were only 7pm. We closed the place down but never felt rushed. And everything was so good. We started with guac and I had a margarita and hubs had the Akumal Ale on draft. All fresh and tasty. Marg was perfect and not too sweet. Just like I like it. I ordered the fillet of fish ajillo and it was just as good as the other place in Akumal they does amazing fresh fish but a huge portion here. We could have easily split it. And the grilled veggies accompanying it were incredible. There was some herb or spice that I couldn't quite put my finger on that was the perfect accent without overpowering the taste of the veggies. Hubby had the Tampiqueno and the mole on it was so good. Only drawback there was his sauce and veggies were a little cooler temp-wise than he liked. I ordered a side of the platanos and the plate was heaped with enough for a meal all on its own-crispy and hot. I'll be having them for breakfast in the morning back at our villa. Our total bill for 2 drinks, 2 meals and appetizer and the huge side was $33.55 US. You can't do that in California. And such good food. Tip wasn't inclusivo but I always tip 20% in the Yucatán because I've never had bad service here and everyone takes such pride in everything they do and are so friendly. It was dark and stormy out but the blowing palm trees just outside the glass shutters enclosing the treehouse looked cool and I can't wait to see the scenery in the daylight. We will be back several times over the next 5 days as there were at least 3 more things on the menu that I want to try. A few days later: this is a fun place for more really great drinks and appetizers and to listen to some very talented, local and/or expat karaoke singers in English and in Spanish. Never got back here in the daytime, as the beach/pool in front of our house a block south was just too easy, but it looks like it would be fun then too. read more
6 years ago
4 years ago
11 years ago
The Resturant has only been open 3 weeks. Ordered the Caesar salad the octopus salad for appetizers both were 5star. The pizza was wonderful and he pasta was delish. We will be here Thursday night for NFL & Pizza. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
We just got home yesterday and already miss La Buena Vida. We were in Akumal for 8 days and ate there 7 times! Awesome food, friendly staff, yummy drinks!! They even cooked the mackerel my son caught on his fishing trip and he loved it. My favorite little spot in Akumal. Can't wait to go back!!! read more
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More info about La Buena Vida
Calle Caleta Yalku S/N
77710 Akumal, Quintana Roo
Mexico
Directions
984 875 9061
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Visit Website
http://labuenavidarestaurant.com
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