Are you ready to get yourself a tan and spend a sunny day on the beach but still missing the essential piece? We at Chew & Lush are the definition of what you would call Beach Bums and we know there is one thing that can’t be missing: the perfect swimwear! So we hopped on our bikes and did a little research to present to you the best local shops for swimwear and bikinis in Playa del Carmen.
We are always looking for authentic stores with a little story: Most of our above-listed brands are handmade, work with sustainable materials like cotton or linen and a variety of unique natural fabrics. While exploring, we found boutiques that specialize in unique local designers to places where you can customize your own bikini. Who doesn’t want to wear something special being somewhere special?
Why should we buy local ?
Most people head straight to the big fashion players while abroad. H&M, ZARA and Forever21 are quite tempting due to the familiarity.
Here’s the deal: According to the U.S. Small Business Innovation, by buying local you are boosting the local economy which creates job stability and helps shape the community’s identity. In addition, many local designers are creating amazingly stylish products which most are one-of-a-kind – not mass-produced.
Lastly you are helping make a small business owner’s dream come true. And what better way to support the community and look good in your new swimwear?
So lean back and explore these cute shops while you are in Playa del Carmen:
Local swimwear shops to explore
Bedouin Life Concept
This brand from Playa del Carmen is a must go-to if you are looking for beautiful, local swimwear. They offer a lot of kinds of hand-made cloth, dyed with natural dye and recycled. In their Tent Store on 5th Avenue you can not only find the most beautiful bikinis.
The Bedouin Life Concept also has boho-style dresses, pants and more made out of cotton. Also visit this local shop to step up your wardrobe after the beach.
Location: 5th Avenue between 28th and 30th Street
KAI.MAR | The Suitcase Clothing. Co
The Suitcase Clothing. Co is a collective fashion consciousness. It offers a mix of one-of-a-kind pieces from all over the world featuring local designers and artists. In their shop KAI.MAR you can find amazing swimwear from their own label “By Kairi”. What we love most about it: you can mix and match different styles and sizes. If you can’t find the perfect match: they also have pieces from YOU YOU Bikinis, another local Mexican Caribbean brand.
Location: 1st Avenue, between 20th Street and Av. Constituyentes
Sandmade Swimwear
The name says it all – this brand from Playa del Carmen provides you with the cutest handmade swimwear for your perfect beach day. They are using high-quality materials, offering a variety of sizes and styles for different body types. Our true highlight about Sandmade Swimwear: a lot of their pieces are reversible, so you literally get 2 for 1. You can find them at two locations in Playa del Carmen. One is close to the ferry and the other one is a small stand right on 5th Avenue and 34th Street.
Location: 5th Avenue, 34th Street
AlasOlas
Do you want to get creative and shine in your own unique designed swimwear? Then you don’t want to miss AlasOlas. At this local shop you can choose the ideal material, lots of different styles and details yourself. The brand’s patterns and styles are colorful and inspired by the Mexican Caribbean. Besides creating your own swimwear, you can stop by their shop at 10th Avenue and 26th Street, where you will find a lot more colorful choices for your perfect beach day.
Location: 10th Avenue between 24th and 26th Street
La Bikineria
Last but not least on our list of best local swimwear shops is La Bikineria. Their premise is that every woman should feel comfortable in their skin. Every single piece of their swimwear is consciously produced by hand from Mexican communities with the best fabrics brought from various parts of Mexico. They also have small, unique batches of dresses, skirts and more, made of Mexican cotton and linen.
Location: 5th Avenue, between 20th and 22nd Street
What is your favorite swimwear shop in Playa del Carmen? Let us know if we are missing out on a hidden gem.
