papaya trip

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Papaya Island: Budget-Friendly Beach Escapade in Nasugbu, Batangas

Batangas is our go-to place for budget-friendly beach trips. This summer, I’m lucky to have discovered a new beach destination! I was invited by Biyaheros Travel and Tours  in one of their day trips to Papaya Island in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Island hopping tour

Boodle fight with seafood for lunch, staying in papaya island cove, how to get to papaya island, papaya island rates, book your trip via biyaheros travel and tours, reminders and tips, what to read next:, our day trip to papaya island, batangas.

Papaya Island is one of the several islands you can visit in Nasugbu, Batangas. Currently, it’s still an off-radar location, although it’s starting to make a name for itself especially for groups who are looking for easy beach options.

Since we were on a day trip, our van picked us up early in the morning in Manila and we traveled for about 1.5 hour to Nasugbu, Batangas. We got past Kaybiang Tunnel and stopped in the quarry, an area with signages for boat services going to Patungan Island or Papaya Island. We boarded a boat to reach the island.

After 20 minutes, a long shore lined with coconut trees, homey cottages and camping tents greeted us. The beach has a nice green color and reflects the forest growth in the island.

What you have to know about Papaya Island is that it’s a residential island set up with facilities for tourist beach-goers. It’s home to about 50 local families. As such, you can find a variety of accommodation depending on your preferred comfort and budget, as well as sari-sari stores and food stalls.

It’s your typical beach except that it’s less crowded and gives you the feeling of having to set foot on a virgin-ish location.

We had an outdoor cottage where we could leave our bags and rest. There was also an option to rent a closed cottage to secure our things.

We had a quick breakfast and then proceeded to our island hopping tour.

When you’re in Papaya Island, one of the things you shouldn’t miss is island hopping. An island hopping tour typically lasts 3-4 hours. Itinerary may vary, so ask your tour organizer or boatman to confirm what are the places included in the tour.

As for us, we were set to stop on 3 locations.

We passed by several islands, including Mother Elephant Cove and Baby Elephant Cove , which have funny island shapes.

We stopped by Santelmo Cove , which is a marine sanctuary. Locals simply call it fish feeding area. This is a great snorkeling area where you can see giant schools of fish swimming about, giant clams with pearls (if you know how to freedive) and various types of corals. This place is something everyone would enjoy.

We fed the fishes bits of crackers and bread, and they would come at us. It was fun and fascinating to see them swarm up to us. As I said before, in most places feeding is not practiced to prevent the fishes from being reliant on humans, but our guide said that the fishes here are already used to being fed since it was how they were propagated by the government for 2 years.

Santelmo Cove was my favorite in our island hopping trip. Make sure to bring your action camera here for beautiful underwater photos.

Our next stop was Taytayin Cove (in my past visit , it was called a cave), which is a giant arch. Tourists stop over here to swim and cliff jump. Snorkeling sights are mostly non-existent, although it’s possible to see a few corals and fishes in the water.

We headed to Taytayin Beach next. The beach is a private property so we were not allowed to set foot in the shore. As such, we decided to move to another spot which also has a small sandy area and stayed there for a little swim. My companions who were non-swimmers appreciated this break since they could dip in shallow water.

The last place we went to is Mugiw Island (pronounced as bug-yo), which is an optional island hopping activity. Here there are submerged caves where bats live and a cliff where you can take pictures. Cliff diving here is possible but may be dangerous since you’d have to make a big leap to avoid hitting the rocks below.

What I like about Mugiw Island is the route our boat took on the way back. We saw more submerged caves and close-up of cliffs where we could see rocks jutting out of the sediments. It’s actually interesting especially if you’re into unique rock formations.

In previous island hopping tours, Kabibinawan Cove is included in the itinerary but it won’t be from hereon. What I notice is that since some of the places in the island hopping tour are privately owned, the itinerary may change depending on whether outside guests will be allowed in these properties. Hence, there’s a continuing search for new locations for tourists to enjoy, such as Buguiw Island.

(By the way, I’d already been to these island hopping stops during our recent stay in Bituin Cove , which is about 30-45 minutes away. However, Papaya Island Cove is closer to these islands.)

A beach trip wouldn’t be complete without a boodle fight! As per Ms. Shane, seafood is abundant and cheap in Papaya Island so seafood was also served for us during lunch.

We enjoyed eating salted egg salad, grilled eggplants, pork liempo, crabs and grilled fish (not in the photo). There were slices of sweet watermelon for dessert. The boodle fight was good and it was more than enough for our group, since we had leftovers. I had 3 pieces of crab and, nope, I don’t regret it.

The next hours during our day trip was our free time to stay and explore Papaya Island Cove. I took it as time to eat merienda since there was a stall nearby selling tusok-tusok and halo-halo.

I also tried swimming on the beach. It was low tide so I settled somewhere that’s only up to my knees. There are areas covered with seaweed, but overall it’s still swimmable and even kid-friendly since children can easily navigate through the shallow water.

Overall, what I can say about Papaya Island is that it may not have the blue beach we’re all looking for in Batangas, but it’s a good beach escapade nonetheless. In fact, I would say that Papaya Island has everything you want in a typical beach getaway . It has a decent beach, island hopping and snorkeling activity, various accommodations depending on your budget and more. It also offers fresh seafood which you can enjoy in your meals.

A day trip here is enough for those who’re looking for a quick & affordable beach trip. For snorkelers and freedivers, an overnight stay might be more appropriate since there will be more time for water activities. I actually preferred to have stayed overnight, but unfortunately I had a commitment the following day.

Papaya Island is an ideal option for barkada, family and even team outings.

Papaya Island can be found in Nasugbu, Batangas. Locals also call it Sitio Iba Cove .

From Manila, it will take you 2 hours to reach Papaya Island.

• From Manila, ride a bus (Saint Anthony of Padua or Saulog Transit) en route to Ternate, Cavite. In the town proper, rent a tricycle to the Quarry or Barangay Patungan (P300 one way).
• From the port, ride a boat to Papaya Island (20 minutes).

Boat transfers are advertised in the port, so you don’t need to worry about booking in advance. If you have already reserved an accommodation in Papaya Island, boat transfer may also be included in your package.

For private cars, there are parking spaces in the port. Rate is P100 overnight.

Here are the current rates ( Updated as of 2020 ):

• Boat transfer: P2000 round-trip transfer to Papaya Island. Includes cottage rental. Good up to 4-6 pax.
• Island hopping : P700 (good up to 2 pax)
• Guide fee for trekking to Kabibinawan Cove : P300

You may also rent a boat to Patungan Cove, which is an alternative to Papaya Island. Rate is P1500 (good up to 4-6 pax).

Here are other optional fees:

• Bonfire at night – P100 woodfire rate
• Kabibinawan Cove local guide fee – P30 per head
• Kwebang Kabag (Mugiw Island) – P75 per head
• Snorkel rent – P100
• Recreational activities: billiard, volleyball, videoke – price varies

For easy, hassle-free trip to Papaya Island in Nasugbu, Batangas, I recommend booking thru Biyaheros Travel and Tours. Biyaheros Travel and Tours arranges exclusive tours and joiner tours.

Biyaheros offers day tour and overnight packages. Inclusions are as follows: round-trip transportation, meal(s), island hopping.

Here are the island hopping stops:

• Santelmo Cove
• Taytayin Cove (Lagoon)
• Taytayin Beach
• Mother Elephant Cove & Baby Elephant Cove (running tour)
• Kainting Island
• Sitio Iba Cove

For inquiries and booking, please contact Biyaheros Travel and Tours in the ff: Facebook- Biyaheros  | email: [email protected] | mobile:  09174590731 / 09201356073

• Papaya Island does not have a white beach. Regardless, it’s a good choice for families, even with kids.
• There are sari-sari stores in the island.
• There is solar electricity available for overnight stays. During daytime, you may need to rent a generator.
• Another place you might want to visit is Bituin Cove , which is located several minutes away. However, it’s better suited for backpackers since there are no commercial establishments or rooms there. You will need to bring your own tent.
• Masasa Beach is another beach we recommend!

Disclaimer : Thanks Ms. Shane Iguiban of Biyaheros for inviting me! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you been to Papaya Island in Nasugbu, Batangas? Do you have other affordable beach getaways in Batangas to recommend?

Visiting Batangas soon? Read these essential travel guides!

• Best Batangas tourist spots
• Best Batangas beaches
• Batangas delicacies you need to try
• Best Batangas beach resorts

Looking for fun, affordable summer getaways near Manila? Check these out:

• Alibijaban Island and Burias Island (Quezon & Masbate)
• Jomalig Island (Quezon)
• Maniwaya Island (Marinduque )
• Bulalacao (Oriental Mindoro)
• Tambobong Beach and Cabongaoan Beach (Pangasinan)
• Best Beaches Near Manila for Quick Getaways

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Enjoy discounts with KLOOK using our promo code: TARALETSANYWHEREKLOOK

Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).

18 Comments

John dreck velasco.

Hello po ask lang po kung may contact number po kayo ng resort kasi di na po available yung fb page nila and gusto po sana naming mag pa reserve.

Katherine Cortes

Hello! Wala po akong number ng resort, pero meron mga posted sa FB. Search na lang kayo. 🙂

Hi miss kath. May nasave po ba kaung mairreccomend na bangkeros po?

Wala po kasi packaged tour yung amin. Pero marami naman dun nakaabang na mga bangkero.

Jayson Ramos

Hi ms kath. Ask ko lang po kung may electricity dun sa island or sa cottage na irerent sa papaya island. Tnx and more power.

Meron naman.

Hello P.O. open na po ba kayu pwde na po ba punta galing manila ano po requirements

Hello. Please message the LGU directly.

Hello po open na po ba kayu pwde na po ba punta galing manila wala na po ba requements dadalin

Pano po pumunta dyan from pasig manila tapos commute lang po? Wala po bang need na travel pass or swab test. Thank you po

Hi ano ano po ung travel requirements?

Hi Rhian, are you referring to the current travel restrictions? If so, please message the LGU or Batangas Tourism directly.

corazon soqueno

Open na ba as of today Papaya island for campers and tourist?

Hi. I’m not sure, kindly check with the LGU of Batangas.

Hello po ask ko lang po if iavail yung 2k na boat transfer, kasama na po yung cottage dun? Hindi na po mag a-add ng rental fee? And dun po ba na 700 for island hopping, per head po ba yon?

irish evangelista

Hello po! saan po pwede mag=overnight sa papaya island? Can we bring our own tent and sleep on the island itself? May mga tao po ba doon kapag gabi na?

May community sa island so merong rooms & cottages. Pwede rin tent.

HI! sa package rate, ano-ano ang inclusive???

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Tulum’s Papaya Playa Project Review (My Honest Take)

If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Tulum and are looking for an honest Papaya Playa Project review, then you’ve come to the right place.

Just south of Cancún in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum used to be an off-the-beaten-path, sleepy beach town, but the secret’s officially out. It’s now become one of Mexico’s most popular destinations.

With so much growth in recent years, it’s no surprise that the hotel scene has seen exponential growth as well, and there are now hundreds of options to choose from—which can be really daunting, especially if it’s your first time visiting.

While there are a ton of amazing options that you could spend a lifetime trying out, it’s likely that you’ve already heard of the Papaya Playa Project or at the very least seen pictures of it floating around Instagram.

A project by the Design Hotel’s team, it’s one of the most popular hotels to stay at in Tulum (they’re known for their epic beach parties) and also one of the most photogenic because of its unique architecture and rooftop pools.

Since we stayed here on our last trip to Tulum, I wanted to do an in-depth Papaya Playa Project review , to share my honest thoughts on our stay and tips on when you should or shouldn’t book this hotel for your own trip.

Keep reading for my full Papaya Playa Project review that will go over everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip. 

But first, you might be wondering…should I stay in Tulum town or by the beach during my trip? 

While you can choose to stay in Tulum town which is about 15 minutes from the main beach area without traffic (it’s worth noting that there’s often a fair amount of traffic though), staying on the beach will give you a whole different experience.

If you’re in search of the hipster/boho beach vacation vibe that Tulum is known for, I’d recommend staying on the beach side of town, which is also referred to as “the hotel zone.”

So, they call it the hotel zone for a reason—there are a lot of hotels along the beach road, like a million. But my favorite thing about Tulum is that it doesn’t have the giant high-rise hotel chains like you’ll find in other parts of the Riviera Maya.

The hotels in Tulum are much smaller, boutique-style spaces that feel intimate, connected to nature, and they are impeccably designed (the interior design everywhere is truly stunning). This is why I recommend staying on the beach for first-timers to Tulum who can stomach the prices.

If you want to read an in-depth guide on all the different areas of Tulum to stay in, I’d recommend checking out this post I wrote on how to decide where to stay in Tulum.

Why You Should Stay at Papaya Playa Project Tulum

As one of the most iconic hotels in Tulum, chances are you’ve seen this place splashed all over Instagram. Part of the Design Hotels group known for their collection of boutique, luxury hotels around the world, the Papaya Playa Project looks like it’s right out of the pages of a magazine.

Between the beautiful beachfront guest houses that are nestled in the jungle, the private room-top pools, their impressive focus on sustainability—and of course—the amazing nightlife, you can stop your search here if you’re looking for the quintessential place to stay in Tulum.

Favorite Features of the Hotel 

The unique design and layout.

One thing I love most about the Papaya Playa Project in Tulum is the unique design and layout of the space.

It’s basically a cluster of treehouses and cabañas that are tucked into the jungle…but that are also right on the beach. You get the best of both worlds here (let’s just say, it’s very Instagrammable). 

The property is super expansive too, so there are tons of little nooks to discover during your time here. You could honestly just park it at the hotel for your entire stay in Tulum and feel like you did a lot, though I would recommend going off property to get the full Tulum experience 😉

The Secluded Stretch of Beach

Another top feature of the hotel for me is the stretch of beach that it’s on. Being on the north side of the beach road, you’ll have fewer tourists walking up and down the sand past your cabana or beach lounger than if you were further south where more of the bars and restaurants are clustered.

The beach area here feels a lot more private and secluded, and that’s not the case for a lot of other hotels in the area.  

Exciting Nightlife

But Papaya Playa Project is anything but sleepy. While you can still get your fair share of R&R here, the hotel is also known for its nightlife—especially the wild full-moon parties that go late into the night.

Weeknights can be quieter, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that travelers with kids or those looking for true peace and quiet stay here. It can get loud on the weekends…but it’s also a lot of fun. 

Helpful Free Concierge

There are also great amenities like secure parking on site (not every hotel in Tulum offers parking) and a free concierge who you can communicate with you via text and help book things like off-site activities and last minute dinner reservations. 

We wanted to grab dinner at Habitas on our first night but were getting to the reservations a bit last minute. The PPP concierge was super on it, was able to get us in easily, and texted us every step of the way to let us know when we were confirmed.

Commitment to Sustainability

Lastly, it’s hard not to be impressed by their dedication to sustainability and preserving the beautiful nature on and around the property.

The resort has managed to preserve 93% of the surrounding jungle through their building process, and they’ve made it their mission to achieve a zero emissions and zero contamination community.

Location of Papaya Playa Project on Tulum Beach

Paying attention to the location of things is super important in Tulum as traffic can get hectic and you want to give yourself enough time to get to tours and dining reservations.

What you need to know about Papaya Playa Project is that it’s on the northern end of the main road of the hotel zone, which means that it’s one of the closest hotels to the road that leads out of town to the ruins, the cenotes, downtown, and the airport.

While this can be a pro because it’s super easy to get in and out of, the con is that it’s a bit further from the south side of beach road where most of the popular restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and shops are.

Traffic can get intense too (it took us an hour in a cab to get from PPP to a lunch spot a few miles south down the road), so just keep that in mind if there are a lot of places on the southern part of the beach that you’re planning to spend time at.

Luckily, the hotel has free bike rentals that make getting around a little easier though, so be sure to take advantage of them!

I do think a pro of the north side of the beach is that it’s generally a little quieter and less touristy overall. So one suggestion would be to consider splitting up your week and staying at two hotels in different areas of the beach so you don’t have to do a ton of traveling in between. 

Property Highlights

Tulum is a boho beach paradise, and if you’re looking for the quintessential Tulum experience, you’ll find it here. 

Located on acres of unspoiled jungle right on the ocean, Papaya Playa Project Tulum offers visitors 900 meters of private beach, beach clubs, restaurants and bars, yoga and wellness experiences, easy access to outdoor activities, art installations, and more.  

Here is a full list of the resort’s amenities:

• 900-yard exclusive and isolated beach
• Beach Club and Restaurant
• Mixology Bar
• 24-hour Coffee Shop
• Room Service
• Roca Raw Vegan and Seafood Restaurant
• Playa Solar Alternative Beach Club
• Jungle Shala with Temazcal and wellness activities
• Immersion Program for artistic, spiritual, and wellness experiences
• Art Walk with unique installations and art experience
• Kite surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding

I mean, what else could you want from your Tulum experience?

Read MOre: 15 Magical tulum beach hotels

The Rooms at Papaya Playa Project

There are close to 100 rooms in the resort with three main types of accommodations to choose from: villas, casitas, and cabañas.

What’s quite unique about this hotel is that they have options to suit a wide variety of budgets—villas are the most pricey, with casitas being more mid-range and cabañas providing the most affordable option.

The villas are the most luxurious option and have extra amenities like a private butler, in-villa dining experiences, private beach cabanas and more—and they are spacious with multiple rooms, so a good option if you’re traveling with a group.

They’re definitely the priciest option, but you’ll get an unforgettable experience staying in one if you can swing it. 

The Casitas

The casitas are smaller than the villas and are perfect for couples or close friends traveling together (note: there’s only one bed). There are multiple casita options to choose from—some have ocean views, others offer jungle views, and there are new casita lofts that offer views of the beach, high-ceilings, and a large private terrace.

And no Papaya Playa Project review would be complete without mentioning the “Private Plunge Pool” which is basically your own private dipping pool right outside your casita. It’s the amenity you didn’t know you needed but that will quickly become your new obsession. 

The Cabañas

If you want the Papaya Playa Project experience but you’re on a stricter budget, the cabañas will be the best option for you. Smaller and without all the bells and whistles of the villas and casitas, the cabañas have more of a rustic/backpacker vibe yet you can still experience the rest of the property’s incredible amenities.

Personally, I don’t think I’d spend the money to come to PPP and opt for a cabaña because they don’t have the luxurious vibe or pool access that the resort is known for, but if that doesn’t bother you, then these are definitely the most economical option. 

When I was at Papaya Playa Project, I stayed in a jungle casita with one of the rooftop pools, which is such a fun perk. I loved the traditional Mayan architecture mixed with the contemporary decor, and the private pool was just as amazing as Instagram makes it look.

However, I will say that on our particular rooftop there wasn’t really any seating room around the pool, you literally have to be in it to enjoy the roof (not sure if this is the case for all casitas).

The biggest con for me regarding the room was the lack of any view from the bottom floor—we were sort of wedged in between other buildings and had a tiny sliver we could see out to the ocean.

Because of that, the lighting was super dim in the room; the only view was from the rooftop pool. The mood lighting could be great for a romantic couples retreat, but is less ideal when you’re trying to put on makeup and do your hair before heading out for the night.

This can easily be avoided by paying closer attention to what kind of room you’re booking—the hotel was super booked out when we were there, so options were limited.

Food and Drink at Papaya Playa Project

Tulum has some incredible bars and restaurants that you’ll want to check out while you’re in town, but for days when you’d rather just hang at the hotel, there are several solid options for drinking and dining on-site. 

Roca Restaurant is located in the Playa Solar Beach club and serves fresh, raw vegan dishes and raw seafood bowls created from organic and (mostly) local ingredients.

Also at Playa Solar Beach Club, Spirits Bar is where you can grab a drink, like mezcal (no trip to Tulum is complete without sampling some mezcal), cocktails, beer, or wine (they have a great selection of natural and organic wines). 

The typical spot for eating and drinking at the resort though is the main restaurant on site. It has an amazing double-decker bar that overlooks the beach and the restaurant serves food that’s influenced by Mayan and Mexican traditions.

They serve breakfast (some of which is included with your stay), lunch, and dinner, as well as offering a select menu for the beach club. 

While the food was good here, it wasn’t a stand-out part of the stay for me. I wouldn’t say you should forego some of the other top spots in the area to only eat here, however I’d need to try more of the dishes at PPP’s eateries and we had quite a limited time.

If you’re looking for other options nearby, Habitas which is within walking distance is an amazing option for dinner and I also love Posada Margherita for their authentic Italian cuisine by the sea.

Check out my full Tulum Restaurant Guide here.

Spa + Wellness Options

To counteract Tulum’s inevitable overindulgences, Papaya Playa Project offers some great spa and wellness services.

There are yoga classes (check out the sunset seaside yoga), workshops, a juice bar with fresh juice and smoothies, traditional Temazcal Mayan steam baths, and a spa with all types of different massages and other indulgent treatments.

Be sure to check the hotel’s Events & Activities calendar before you book to see if there’s something you’re interested in attending. 

Read MOre: 14 Best tulum cenotes to visit

A Few Helpful Hints for Your Stay

• The hotel is known for full moon parties that take place the night of the full moon and weekend parties that can be loud late into the night. This isn’t the best place for travelers with kids or those looking for a quiet stay. Book on a weekday instead if you’re seeking peace and calm.
• This hotel is on the far north end of the hotel zone on the beach, so it’s a bit of a walk down the beach and road to get to many of the restaurants, etc —take advantage of the free bike rentals to get down the beach more easily
• If you’re struggling to make dinner reservations at some of the more popular restaurants in Tulum, make sure to check to see if the PPP concierge can help
• The hotel is located about 75 miles from Cancún Airport and the drive takes a little under 2 hours
• There is free parking on site for hotel guests

I hope this Papaya Playa Project review gives you a better idea of what staying at this popular Tulum hotel is really like. If there’s anything specific I didn’t cover in this post feel free to leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer! 

Planning a trip right now don’t miss my go-to websites for booking everything from flights and tours, to accommodation and more:.

• Booking.com for the best hotel deals
• World Nomads for flexible travel insurance
• VRBO for awesome rentals
• Skyscanner for finding the best flight deals
• Hostelworld for budget accommodation
• Rentalcars.com for easy car rentals

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which of the casitas would you recommend? Both ocean and jungle look amazing and we definitely want the pool. Are the jungle casitas more private?

Hi Tara! I only stayed in the jungle view rooms with the rooftop pool so I’m not 100% sure on the privacy of the ocean view cabanas, but I think it totally depends on preference. The nice thing about the room we stayed at was that you still get the pool and you technically have an ocean view from the rooftop pool as well. However, since it’s enclosed in jungle the interior of the rooms can feel a bit dark. If you don’t care about the rooftop pool vs terrace pool I think doing the ocean view with terrace pool might be even nicer and more bright inside! Hope this helps 🙂

I know you mentioned renting a car but could we also hire transportation ? Does the hotel have any recommendations do you know?

Hi Megan, I have a separate post on getting from Cancun to Tulum that also talks about hiring drivers. Here is the post: https://www.livelikeitstheweekend.com/cancun-to-tulum/

Hopefully this is helpful!

As a guest in the hotel, do you also need to pay the entrance gee of the nightclub?

I don’t remember having to, but I would call the hotel to double check as it may depend on the event.

Is this an all inclusive hotel or no? I cant find anything on it but wanted to check.

No it’s not all inclusive. If you’re looking for something all inclusive, I would check out Playa del Carmel and a bit north of Tulum

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How to Tell if a Papaya Is Ripe and Ready to Eat

Plus, how to speed up the ripening process with a paper bag and a paring knife.

Laura Fisher is a sustainability and health professional with a passion for good food, the outdoors, and fitness.

When Is a Papaya Ripe?

How to ripen a papaya in two or three days, how to ripen a papaya even faster, how to slow down the ripening process, how to cut a ripe papaya, ways to use fresh papaya, frequently asked questions.

Ripe papayas are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, and contain enzymes that help with digestion. Papayas sometimes take a backseat to other popular summer fruits, but the sweet, creamy orange flesh is not only delicious, but incredibly good for you.

Buying papayas that are already almost ripe is the ideal scenario, as you can take them home and have them ready to serve after an overnight stay on the counter. But like going to the grocery store for guacamole ingredients and being faced with a tower of rock-hard avocados, sometimes life gets in the way of best-made plans.

Here's everything you need to know to enjoy ripe papaya at home.

If you're not familiar with papayas, it can be intimidating to know what to look for at the store, and what to do once you get home. If you're wondering how to tell when your papaya is ripe and ready to devour, the thing to pay attention to is color. The skin of the papaya will slowly start to turn from green to yellow as it begins to ripen. When it's almost fully yellow and a little soft to the touch, your papaya is ready to eat. If you wait too long, the fruit will begin to get overripe and mushy, and the flesh will be bland-tasting and mealy.

You can, of course, just let your papaya ripen naturally on the counter at room temperature. But if you're in a rush to use the fruit for a specific recipe, or just can't wait to dive in to the creamy, orange flesh, you have options. The best method is similar to ripening other fruit and requires only one piece of equipment: a paper bag. Simply placing your papaya into a paper bag and folding or rolling closed will ripen the fruit within two to three days, depending on how green it was to begin with.

If you want to take it up a notch, add an ethylene-producing fruit like an apple or ripe banana to the bag to speed up the ripening process by a day.

In a super hurry? Here's where the papaya-specific instructions come in handy. If you have green papayas on hand that you need to use ASAP, get out your paring knife in addition to the paper bag. Carefully score the skin of the papaya with the knife vertically along the fruit. Score lightly and make sure to not pierce the flesh of the fruit, just the skin, or you run the risk of your papaya rotting before it's even ripe enough to eat. The scoring helps the papaya release ethylene and ripen more quickly, and leads to an exceptionally sweet fruit. If you use this method, you don't need to put another piece of fruit in the bag as the papaya is utilizing its own ethylene.

So now you've got a ripe papaya on your hands, but what if you're not ready to put it to use quite yet? You can place a ripe papaya in the fridge until you're ready to eat it to keep it from spoiling. The papayas will keep in the fridge for up to a week, but it's best to use them within two days for optimal flavor.

You don't need much in the way of implements to prepare your papaya for eating . First, using a sharp knife and cutting board, cut the ends off. Next, put the papaya down on your board and slice it lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds from both halves, ensuring you don't take the fruit's flesh with you. 

You can discard the seeds—they have a bitter flavor that can be unpleasant. However, the seeds do have some nutritional benefits, like fiber and antioxidants. An alternative to tossing the seeds is to keep them, dry them out, crush them, and sprinkle the powder in dishes or smoothies. 

Finally, peel the skin off of each half of the papaya with a vegetable peeler. Cut the papaya into strips, wedges, or bite-sized pieces and serve.

People usually think of papaya going in fruit salads and not much else, but papayas are a surprisingly versatile fruit. You can use them in a summery salsa, as the base for refreshing ice pops, or even in some no-churn ice cream . Or you can roast them with the skins on and a little bit of brown sugar.

Cubed papaya goes well in shish kebabs with proteins like tuna or chicken. If you're into canning, papaya jam is delicious, and jams can often be made in a slow cooker. For a fun cocktail night, blend up some papaya and throw it into a margarita—your guests will love it!

Papaya has a sweet taste and creamy texture that many people describe as tasting like a cross between a cantaloupe and a mango.

Papaya seeds are edible and have a crunchy texture with a slightly peppery taste. But don't eat an entire papaya's worth of seeds in one sitting. While they can help with constipation, they can have the opposite effect if you overeat.

Papaya skin will slowly turn from green to yellow as it ripens. A truly ripe papaya will smell sweet and soft to the touch. Buy a ripe papaya if you plan on eating it the same day. Buy a green papaya and let it ripen at home if you plan on eating later in the week.

Muss C, Mosgoeller W, Endler T. Papaya preparation (Caricol®) in digestive disorders . Neuro Endocrinol Lett . 2013;34(1):38-46.

Schweiggert RM, Kopec RE, Villalobos-Gutierrez MG, et al. Carotenoids are more bioavailable from papaya than from tomato and carrot in humans: a randomised cross-over study . Br J Nutr . 2014;111(3):490-498. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002596

Panzarini E, Dwikat M, Mariano S, Vergallo C, Dini L. Administration dependent antioxidant effect of carica papaya seeds water extract. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:281508.

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How to Pick a Perfect Papaya—Plus Inspired Ways to Enjoy This Delicious Fruit

Whether you want a green fruit for savory recipes or a ripe one for sweet dishes, we'll help you pick a good papaya when you're at the grocery store.

Marie is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

What Is Papaya?

• Where to Buy
• How to Pick a Papaya
• Using a Ripe Papaya

Green Papayas

A luscious subtropical fruit, papaya can be used in many different ways: It can be breakfast , dinner, a drink, or dessert . Despite its versatility and popularity across the globe, papaya can be an intimidating fruit to choose. Football-sized (but heavier) and hidden in a sheath of tissue paper, papayas are tricky: How are you supposed to pick a good one without upsetting an entire supermarket display?

To help you pick a good papaya, we're sharing everything you need to know about the fruit, including tips for selecting and choosing the right type—ripe or green—for your recipe.

Carica papaya is the botanical name of the papaya tree. Its slender, bare trunk is topped by an umbrella of deeply lobed leaves. Female trees carry the fruit just below that canopy. Male trees bear flowers only (which are edible). Papaya are native from southern Mexico through northern South America, and are one of the oldest fruits in cultivation. They have naturalized in many subtropical and tropical regions. Apart from the fruit, many cultures value the young leaves and buds as a vegetable, and the seeds as both seasoning, tenderizer, and medicine.

You might not realize it because of its heft, but papaya is—botanically speaking—a berry, filled with edible, peppery black seeds. The juicy yellow, orange, or rosy flesh of a good papaya is sweet with a musky intensity. The fruits may be fist-sized or larger, depending on the cultivar.

Where Papayas Are Grown

The United States is the world's biggest importer of papaya and grows only about 0.1 percent of total world papaya production (in Florida, California, and Texas). India is the world's largest papaya producer, followed by Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Mexico. For export, papaya is picked underripe. (Like other subtropical fruit—think avocado, banana, passionfruit—papaya continues to ripen after harvest.) This makes the fruit easier to transport since ripe papayas are very delicate.

Some fruit will also be subjected to Delayed Ripening (DR) technology, either by genetic modification or the physical control of ethylene (the so-called fruit-ripening hormone) production which can affect flavor.

Problems With Papayas

Papaya skin is thin and the fruit is highly susceptible to viral and fungal diseases; most papayas are treated in some way to combat these pests. These treatments range from the use of fungicides to hot water baths before shipping. One of the most notorious papaya diseases is papaya ringspot virus (PRS). It is transmitted by fruit flies and threatens papaya production worldwide. To combat PRS, genetically modified papayas were pioneered in Hawaii , and since 1998 most papayas cultivated there are PRS-resistant crops. (Two examples of these cultivars are 'Rainbow' and 'SunUp'.)

If you are concerned about genetically engineered fresh produce, look for labels that specify "no GMO," or that a crop is certified organic. (It's important to be aware that organic doesn't mean unsprayed; many organic-approved pesticides are highly toxic.)

Why Papaya Smells Bad to Some People

Two friends sharing the same papaya may have very different reactions to its smell and flavor. To one, it is delectable, but to the other, it is offensively bad-smelling. This is not because the fruit is bad. Several factors may contribute to papaya's sweaty sock reputation. Its most famous enzyme, papain, breaks down proteins (which is what makes papaya an effective meat tenderizer); any protease enzymes can produce bad-smelling molecules, and presumably some people are more sensitive to the volatiles produced.

The off-smell may also be due to glucosidases, whose sulphurous-associations also give the mustard family its distinctive reek for some people. Finally, papaya contains a spectrum of B-vitamins (making it exceptionally nutritious), which are sometimes linked with a strong smell (think love-it or hate-it Marmite ).

Where to Buy a Papaya

Most grocery stores stock papayas year round. If you live in a city with Asian, Caribbean, or Central or South American communities, fresh produce markets in those neighborhoods can be the best place to find good papaya, thanks to high turnover and discerning customers. Papayas can also be ordered online, shipped directly from growers to your door.

How to Pick a Papaya That's Sweet and Ripe

It is notoriously hard to predict the flavor of a papaya unless you have literally picked that papaya ripe off a tree—which most of us can't do.

Read the Label

The best way to discern a good papaya from a bland one in a store is to pay attention to the labels. Where it was grown, what its name is, and where you bought it will allow you to keep track of the good and the tasteless.

Choose Smaller Fruits

A general rule of thumb? Smaller papaya tend to have predictably better flavor; look for elongated 'Strawberry' and similar cultivars (they have red flesh).

Go Local (If Possible)

Papayas grown near to market, or transported there quickly, also tend to taste better. If you are eating a papaya that as been on board ship or kept in storage for weeks, the results are harder to predict.

Look for Changing Colors

If you want to eat a sweet and ripe papaya, choose a fruit whose skin is already beginning to change color from green to yellow or orange. Better yet, buy a papaya that has reached peak color and is not bruised.

Smell and Feel It

The best way to tell if a papaya is ripe is by its scent. A ripe papaya smells richly good and slightly musky. When ripe, a papaya is soft, at which point you slice, scoop out the seeds, and inhale a spoonful.

How to Use a Ripe Papaya

Here are some ideas for enjoying ripe papaya:

• The addition of a squeeze of lime juice creates a refreshing and nutritious breakfast.
• To honor the papaya's southern Mexican roots, a sprinkle of chile powder makes a delicious snack.
• Small papayas, halved and roasted , are a simple and elegant dessert.
• If the papaya's flavor turns out to be bland, whizz it up in a blender with lime and honey for a makeover in the form of a smoothie.
• Add yogurt for a restorative papaya lassi.
• A spicy chutney will make the most of a large papaya.

How to Store a Papaya

Keep a ripening papaya at room temperature—and only transfer it to the fridge when it is perfectly ripe.

If you are looking for an unripe green papaya to use as a savory salad or vegetable ingredient, the fruit should be hard and deep green when you buy it. Its flesh and seeds are white.

How to Use a Green Papaya

Raw, green papaya has a crisp texture that holds onto any dressing beautifully. A Thai-style green papaya salad makes classic use of this crunchy ingredient: Pair it with limes, chiles, fish sauce, and a few other key ingredients for delicious results.

How to Store a Green Papaya

At home, green papaya should be kept in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

Papayas. UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety & Security.

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Home / Produce Guides / All About Papaya: How to Pick, Prepare & Ways to Eat It

All About Papaya: How to Pick, Prepare & Ways to Eat It

If you love the sweet, melon-like flavor of papaya, then you’ll love this guide. It includes tons of useful information for home cooks on how to pick a papaya, prepare it, and the best ways to eat it.

The creamy, sweet flesh of fresh papaya is a flavor that’s popular all across the world, my house included. It’s a tropical, exotic, and beautiful fruit that I love to experiment with in recipes like smoothies, when we’re not just eating chunks of it fresh.

But part of cooking with it is definitely understanding exactly how to pick a good papaya when I’m shopping. What to look for, how to ripen it, and how to store it, is essential knowledge that allows us to enjoy it for as long as possible.

Once home, I let the flavors inspire me by trying new recipes and learning about the way it’s used in different countries and cultures. It helps us discover the best ways to eat it, and I hope this guide will do the same for you.

What Is Papaya?

No one knows exactly where papaya comes from, it was already being cultivated and traded throughout South America when the Spanish explorers documented seeing it in the 1500’s.

Today it’s a popular fruit in tropical regions and produced by many countries like Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, Hawaii, Indonesia, India, and Nigeria.

Most of what’s consumed in the US is grown in Hawaii and has a yellow orange rind. But there are actually tons of varieties that can look very different. From different countries you can find papayas with bright yellow to deep orange skin, ranging in sweetness and size from small to large ones that weigh several pounds.

The Flavor and Benefits

Fresh, ripe, papaya has a very sweet flavor similar to melons like cantaloupe or honeydew. The flesh is creamy and the seeds are crunchy, with a bit of a peppery bite. Green, or unripe, papaya can also be eaten but has a bitter flavor and can irritate your stomach if eaten raw, so it must be cooked first.

Like most fresh fruit, papaya is packed with tons of nutritional benefits like Vitamins A, C, and B, folate, potassium, and magnesium.

It’s important to mention that pregnant women should avoid eating green papaya. The flesh contains compounds which have been well-documented as the cause of sudden contractions.

How to Pick a Papaya

Choosing sweet and ripe papaya is pretty simple.

• When they begin to ripen, the rind changes from green to either pale yellow or orange.
• The texture is also important. They should be soft enough to give under a gentle squeeze, like a ripe peach or avocado.
• Finally, give it a sniff. It should have a sweet, fruity smell that makes you want to take a bite!

If you see any dark spots or feel anything squishy, they’re past their prime.

If all you can find are hard or green papayas, don’t worry. They ripen on the countertop really well. To speed it up you can tuck them into a paper bag and you’ll have a sweet, ripe papaya within a few days.

Once ripe, store them in the fridge to help them last as long as possible. They can keep for up to two or three weeks if kept dry and cool. If you’re storing already cut fruit, keep them in a bag or airtight container and use within a week.

How to Prepare a Papaya

Preparing fresh papaya is easy. Stand the papaya on one end and run a sharp knife down the sides to peel the skin away from the flesh. Discard the peel and you’ll be left with orange, sweet flesh and edible seeds.

It may be easier for you to first slice it open however. Cut it in half lengthwise and if desired remove the seeds. Then you can cut it into wedges, remove the peel, and finish chopping it as you like.

If you don’t want to waste the seeds, then don’t! They can be rinsed off, dried, and ground as a replacement for black pepper.

The Many Ways to Eat Papaya

When you’re ready to eat it, there’s certainly nothing wrong with enjoying pieces of sweet, creamy fruit just as they are, but there are lots of other ways to enjoy it too. One of the simplest is to try sprinkling lime juice and sugar or chili powder over the top.

The fresh, raw fruit can also be highlighted as a part of a dish too. In Brazil, it’s a mainstay in fruit salads and popular in juices when blended with sugar, water, and ice. It can be chopped into marinades or salsas, or pureed into sweet sauces for desserts.

One of my favorite ways to eat papaya is to blend it with other fruits into a refreshing smoothie. Try my papaya pineapple , papaya mango , or papaya banana smoothies for fun and different ways to highlight the flavor.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can definitely try cooking it too. It can be baked into desserts, stewed, sauteed, or stir-fried.

Really as long as you enjoy the process of trying out papaya in different ways, it’ll be a fun and delicious experiment. Follow my tips on how to pick a ripe papaya and enjoy discovering your favorite recipes. I hope this guide helps you choose the best ones every time and you find amazing ways to eat lots of this creamy, melt-in-your-mouth fruit.

For more tropical fruit guides, check out other articles of mine.

• Egg Fruit 101 Guide
• How to Eat a Lychee
• What is a Loquat?

Further Reading...

What’s in Season: August Produce Guide

21 Snow Pea Recipes That Are Packed With Flavor

21 Sunchoke Recipes To Enjoy This Underrated Vegetable

Emma Murphy

My doctor recommended me to eat papaya but I don’t like the taste so I did research on how to eat it by adding taste and just found your article. It’s really helpful, I just got an idea about adding lemon on papaya and will try it. Thanks Jovita!

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How to Eat Quince: Buying, Preparing, and Cooking

How to prepare and cook bitter melon (5 methods).

All About Papaya: Nutrition, Health Benefits, How to Use It

You may not normally put a papaya in your grocery cart. But this fruit is a top pick if you want to step outside your comfort zone and look beyond your usual buys.

Papaya isn’t just a flavorful treat for the taste buds. It’s also full of nutrients and boasts several health benefits. Here’s what you need to know about papaya, including its history and nutritional facts, as well as tips for choosing and storing it.

What Is Papaya Exactly, and Where Does This Tropical Fruit Come From?

Papaya is a soft tropical fruit with a yellowish-orange color. This species of fruit — which belongs to the Caricaceae family — is round and plump and comes in larger and smaller sizes.

Its taste depends on whether you’re eating ripe or unripe papaya. When ripe, papaya is sweet and has a flavor comparable to a melon. Unripe papaya, on the other hand, may have little to no flavor. ( 1 )

7 Potential Health Benefits of Papaya

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It’s believed that papaya is native to tropical America, with early origins in Mexico and South America. The fruit was brought into the Caribbean by indigenous people, and eventually made its way to Europe and the Pacific Islands before being introduced to Hawaii in the 1800s. ( 2 )

Today, Hawaii is the only U.S. state that commercially produces papaya. (2)

Most papayas are from either Hawaii or Mexico. Mexican papayas can weigh up to 10 pounds (lb) and grow more than 15 inches long. Hawaiian papayas are smaller, averaging about 1 lb. (1)

What’s in a Papaya? Nutrition Facts of the Yellow-Orange Fruit

Similar to other fruit, papaya is healthy when eaten as part of a balanced diet and is relatively low in calories, notes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s  MyPlate  guidelines . One small papaya — about 157 grams (g) — has only 68 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). ( 3 )

Other nutritional facts for papaya:

• 2.7 g dietary fiber , or 10 percent daily value (DV)
• 31 milligrams (mg) calcium, or 2 percent DV
• 33 mg magnesium, 8 percent DV
• 286 mg potassium, 6.08 percent DV
• 0.13 mg zinc, 1.2 percent DV
• 95.6 mg vitamin C, 106.2 percent DV
• 58 micrograms (mcg) folate, 14.5 percent DV
• 1,492 international units (IU) vitamin A, 30 percent DV
• 0.47 mg vitamin E, 2.4 percent DV
• 4.1 mcg vitamin K, 3.1, percent DV

What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Papaya?

Healthy food choices can have a positive impact on your physical state. If you’re looking to add variety to your diet, here’s why you should eat more papaya.

May Help Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that kills brain cells. It causes memory problems and a gradual loss of intellectual abilities.

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. But it’s believed that oxidative stress plays a role in the condition. This is an imbalance in the body between antioxidants and free radicals, which are molecules that cause cell damage.

A study found that extracts of fermented papaya powder may help counteract the effects of oxidative stress in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and slow the progression of the illness, though the possible effects of whole papaya have not been studied for this benefit. ( 4 )

Helps Protect Against Certain Types of Cancer

Free radicals and oxidative stress are closely related to different types of cancer. Because papayas are rich in antioxidants, the fruit can help protect cells from damage and lower the risk of cancer. ( 5 )

A lower cancer risk is also due to papaya’s lycopene, which has anti-cancer properties. Lycopene is a carotenoid and natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits their color. ( 6 )

Additionally, papaya contains the antioxidant beta-carotene. One study found that beta-carotene offers protection from prostate cancer. ( 7 )

Boosts Your Immune System

As an excellent source of vitamin C, eating papaya can boost your immune system and protect your body from a variety of illnesses and infections. ( 8 )

Potentially Protects the Heart

Papaya contains vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants, and fiber, which helps keep your arteries healthy and promotes blood flow. This can also lower cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. (8)

Aids in Lowering Blood Sugar

If you have type 2 diabetes and are looking for ways to help lower your A1C (a two- to three-month average of your blood sugar levels), papaya may help you achieve your goal. Some studies have found that papaya has a hypoglycemic effect on the body, decreasing blood glucose levels. ( 9 )

Plays a Role in Fighting Inflammation

Papaya may also function as a natural painkiller because of the enzyme papain. This enzyme increases the body’s production of cytokines, which are a group of proteins that help regulate inflammation. The fruit may reduce pain caused by arthritis and similar conditions. ( 10 )

May Help Protect the Eyes

Papaya contains a good amount of the nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which can protect the eyes and help prevent eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. (10) Lutein and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants used in the eyes. ( 11 )

Improves Digestion

The high water content of papaya can also help improve digestion by reducing bloating and easing constipation. (10) The fiber in this fruit also encourages regular bowel activity, which may help lower the risk of colon cancer.

Is Papaya a Good Food to Add to Your Diet for Weight Loss?

Thinking about dropping a few pounds? If so, it doesn’t hurt to add papaya to your daily menu.

Papaya is excellent for weight loss because of its low calorie count. Because the fruit is also a good source of fiber, papaya isn’t only physically satisfying — it’ll also help you stay full longer. As a result, you may end up consuming fewer calories throughout the day.

Fiber in papaya also promotes healthy digestion. With improved digestion, you’ll feel and look less bloated, which can help flatten your stomach. (8)

How to Select and Store Papaya for the Best Quality and Taste

Because papaya comes from Hawaii or Mexico, chances are good you’ll be able to find this fruit in a grocery store year-round.

But just because papaya is available 12 months out of the year doesn’t mean that every selection is a perfect one. For the best-tasting papaya, only purchase the fruit when ripe, or hold off eating the fruit until it ripens. ( 12 )

Unripe papaya has a color that’s a mixture of yellow and green. Ripe papaya, on the other hand, is bright yellow and firm (but it can feel soft with gentle pressure). If you’re buying a ripe papaya, avoid fruit that’s overly soft unless you plan to use it in a smoothie or as a puree. (12)

A good papaya also has few or no blemishes. An unripe papaya from the grocery store should ripen in a couple of days. After it’s ripe, store the fruit in the refrigerator to help slow down the ripening process.

If you have leftover papaya, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 10 months. Remove the seeds first and then cut the fruit into small pieces for storage. (12)

Some Ideas for Preparing and Eating Papaya

One of the easiest ways to enjoy papaya is raw. Wait until the fruit ripens, and then remove the seeds (set them aside if using) and use a spoon or paring knife to scoop out the fruit.

Papaya can be eaten by itself, or added to salads, desserts, and smoothies. Several great recipes also call for papaya if you’re looking to get a little creative with this week’s menu. Papaya-Avocado Salad  is one option to try.

What Can You Do With Papaya Seeds?

Some people throw away papaya seeds after cutting the fruit. Keep in mind that the seeds are edible, too, so it’s perfectly okay to eat them.

The seeds have a crunchy texture and a slightly peppery flavor, making them the perfect seasoning for many dishes. Simply scoop out the seeds and save them for later.

Upon removing the seeds, use a strainer and rinse them in water. Rub the seeds with your hands to remove any residue, and then place them on a towel or a baking sheet on your kitchen counter to air-dry. You can crush or grind the seeds before adding them to food. (12)

How to Use Papaya on Your Skin and in Your Hair

Papaya isn’t only good for nutrition, weight loss, or cooking. Here’s a look at some other surprising uses for this fruit.

DIY a Hair Mask With Papaya

The flesh of papaya contains antioxidants, as well as vitamins C and E, which are good for your hair. Crush the flesh of a papaya and combine it with plain yogurt. Apply the mixture to wet hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair and shampoo as normal.

Use Papaya to Help Exfoliate Your Skin

The flesh of papaya can also exfoliate skin. Slice a piece of papaya and rub the flesh over your face to help remove dead skin cells. Wait five minutes, and then rinse your skin. Exfoliation helps moisturize and soften skin, and it can also help reduce signs of aging and skin spots.

Apply Papaya to Skin to Help Relieve a Sunburn

Because papaya is a natural anti-inflammatory, it can also repair skin after a sunburn. Wait until a papaya ripens and then crush the fruit with a fork. Apply crushed papaya to your skin. Leave it on for about five minutes before washing off.

What Are the Possible Health Risks of Eating Papaya?

Even though papaya is healthy and low in calories, a few side effects may occur in some people.

Be mindful of the fact that unripe papaya contains a high amount of latex. This amount decreases as the fruit ripens.

It’s important that you avoid unripe papaya completely if you’re pregnant , because latex may cause uterine contractions and early labor. ( 15 )

If you’ve been diagnosed with a latex allergy, there’s a good chance that you’re also allergic to papaya. Signs of a latex allergy include hives, itching, a stuffy nose, wheezing, and chest tightness.

In the case of a severe latex allergy, eating papaya can lead to anaphylaxis or severe breathing difficulty . ( 16 )

While papaya is a source of fiber and is good for digestive health, eating too many may have a laxative effect, causing diarrhea and an upset stomach. ( 17 ) If you have loose stool or stomach problems after eating papaya, consult your healthcare provider, and consider cutting back on your intake to see if your symptoms improve.

Also, there’s some evidence that papaya seeds may function as a spermicidal and reduce sperm motility. Therefore, men should avoid eating the seeds of papaya if they are trying to start or expand their families. The seeds could interfere with conception. (18)

A Final Word on Adding Papaya to Your Diet

Papaya is a low-calorie sweet-tasting fruit that’s full of vitamins and minerals. And the best part is you can enjoy every part of the fruit, from its flesh to its seeds.

So whether you want to lose weight, exfoliate your skin, or season a main dish, papaya is a versatile fruit that can do more than satisfy your taste buds.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

• Papaya. California Rare Fruit Growers . 1997.
• Papaya. Mark’s Fruit Crops .
• Basic Report: 09226, Papayas, Raw [PDF]. U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service . April 1, 2014.
• Barbagallo M, Marotta F, Dominguez L, et al. Oxidative Stress in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease: Effect of Extracts of Fermented Papaya Powder. Mediators of Inflammation . 2015.
• Reuter S, Gupta SC, Chaturvedi MM, et al. Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer: How Are They Linked? Free Radical Biology and Medicine . December 1, 2010.
• Gajowik A, Dobrzynska MM. Lycopene: Antioxidant With Radioprotective and Anticancer Properties. A Review. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny . 2014.
• Wu K, Erdman JW, Schwartz SJ, et al. Plasma and Dietary Carotenoids and the Risk of Prostate Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention . February 2004.
• Simonsohn B. Healing Power of Papaya . Pilgrims Publishing. 2000.
• Vinayagam R, Xu B. Antidiabetic Properties of Dietary Flavonoids: A Cellular Mechanism Review. Nutrition & Metabolism . December 23, 2015.
• 10 Benefits of Papaya Enzyme (Papain) and Side Effects. SelfDecode . September 9, 2021.
• Eating for Healthy Eyes. Vision Eye Institute . February 9, 2022.
• What Is Papaya?  The Spruce Eats . July 16, 2020.
• Deleted, August 16, 2022.
• Pregnancy: Avoiding Papaya. Kaiser Permanente Healthwise Knowledgebase . May 30, 2016.
• Latex Allergy. Mayo Clinic . October 16, 2020.
• Prabhu AK, Devadas SM, Lobo R, et al. Antidiarrheal Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Carica Papaya Fruit Extract. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research . 2017.
• Lohiya NK, Kothari LK, Manivannan B, et al. Human Sperm Immobilization Effect of Carica Papaya Seed Extracts: An In Vitro Study. Asian Journal of Andrology . June 2000.

What Is Papaya and How Do You Use It?

If you’ve been interested in trying some tropical fruits, you may have pondered the question: “What is papaya?” The delicious fruit originates from the tropical climates of Central and South America. Today, it also grows in other warm climates, such as in the Caribbean and the U.S. state of Florida. Conveniently, it is available in many supermarkets, making it easy to try some for yourself.  

This sweet, smooth and creamy treat is perfect for eating on hot summer evenings and can also be enjoyed in refreshing smoothies, salads and desserts. Best of all, papaya is very healthy, offering an array of nutritional benefits. If you’re curious to learn more about the vibrant and tasty fruit, keep reading for a comprehensive guide on what papaya is and how to use it. 

  Jump to Section  

• What Are Papayas?
• What Does a Papaya Look Like?

What Does Papaya Taste Like?

How to eat papaya.

• Is Papaya Good for You?
• Where To Buy Papaya

What Are Papayas? 

Papayas are tropical fruits that come in beautiful shades, ranging from a yellowish-orange to a vibrant and enticing mix of orange and red. While often green or yellow on the outside, once cut open, you will find vibrant flesh and lots of black seeds. 

This fruit is native to Mexico and other South and Central American countries and belongs to the Caricaceae family. These days, papayas also grow in other warm climates, including in India, parts of Africa and the U.S. state of Florida. 

Is Papaya a Fruit? 

Papaya is definitely a fruit. In fact, it’s considered a true fruit since it develops from the mature ovary of a flowering plant, similar to tomatoes, bananas and melons. When cut open, it also includes a center full of small dark seeds, another common qualifier for whether an ingredient is a fruit or not. 

What Is Green Papaya?

A green papaya is simply a young, unripened papaya, hence its alternate name of “young papaya.” While the ripe version of this fruit features vibrant skin colors that range from yellow to orange and red with orange flesh, the unripe version features darker green skin and pale light green flesh. It’s also much harder in terms of texture on both the outside and the inside, and somewhat bland in taste. Still, this is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asia, among other countries. It’s often used to add crunch, fiber and a slight sweetness to savory dishes like Thai papaya salad . 

What Does a Papaya Look Like? 

As a soft tropical fruit, papaya comes in vibrant colors and a range of sizes. No matter the shade, which determines its ripeness, a papaya is smooth, plump and curved. It usually comes in an elongated oval shape that starts wide at the bottom and narrows out at the top. Once cut open, you will find vibrant orange flesh (if the fruit is ripe) and round black seeds. As mentioned, young or green papaya will have light green instead of orange flesh when cut open. 

What Color is Papaya?

Papaya comes in a speckled gradient of yellowish orange or reddish orange. Once you cut it open, the flesh is a bright reddish-orange color that encases a center of little black spherical seeds. When unripened, its outside is dark green while its flesh is pale green with cream-colored seeds. 

This fruit features strong sweet notes and a creamy texture when it’s fully ripe. Many say that the bite of a ripe papaya is reminiscent of a cross between the sharp sweetness of mango and the smoothness of cantaloupe or other melons. 

If it hasn’t ripened yet, it will taste much more bland with little to no discernable flavor at all besides an extremely mild sweetness. The soft taste of unripe green papaya is often paired with ingredients like red chile, allowing the spicy chile pepper to shine alongside the cooling green papaya fruit.

Papaya is a great fruit prepared on its own or in creative recipes. To really get a taste of the papaya, try some on its own as a healthy snack. You can also add a little lime to the papaya to bring out the flavor. Combining it with other fruits in a fruit salad is a great idea as well.  

Along with being a delicious snack on its own, you can blend it up in smoothies or add it to desserts, for example, by making papaya sorbet or ice cream. You can also use papaya in savory salads. However, green papaya is often favored over ripened papaya for these types of recipes. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use it as an ingredient or garnish for impressive iced drinks and cocktails.

To better learn how to incorporate papaya into your recipes, consider taking a few cooking classes near you that can teach you both sweet and savory papaya recipes. If you want to learn new recipes in your own kitchen, opting for online cooking classes is an excellent idea.

How To Tell if a Papaya Is Ripe

Want to know how to tell if a papaya is ripe and ready for use in your recipe? There are a few signs to look out for. In its unripened state, this fruit is usually dark green or slightly yellow and quite hard to the touch even with pressure. When it’s ripe, the colors will look much brighter and warmer with yellow, orange and red tones and will be slightly soft to the touch. The softer it is, the more ripe it is.

How To Ripen a Papaya 

If you’re looking to speed up the ripening process for your papaya, we’ve got a few tips and tricks to get it done fast. One trick is to place your unripened papaya into a paper bag and then fold or roll the opening closed. This will help it ripen quickly within two to three days. If you’re really in a hurry, you can ripen it even faster by adding an apple or a ripe banana to the bag before closing it. These fruits produce ethylene, which is a gaseous plant hormone that helps to induce the faster ripening of fruit in general. 

Want to speed up the process even faster than that? This last trick is similar to the second one but instead of using another fruit’s ethylene, it relies on releasing the papaya’s own ethylene by scoring the peel. 

To try it, take a small knife and thinly score the outer peel vertically. Make sure to pierce only the outer peel and not the flesh. If you do accidentally pierce the flesh, the entire fruit could rot. When using this scoring method, you will also end up with a papaya that is much sweeter than usual — this could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you like the fruit and what type of recipe you are using it in.  

How To Cut a Papaya 

When it comes to learning how to cut papaya, there are a few methods available depending on how you like to enjoy your fruit. One fun and effortless method is to make fruit balls. To do this, cut your fruit in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds with a spoon and then use a melon baller or ice cream scoop to make your fruit balls. These are great on their own or as a topping for salads, cakes or other chilled desserts. 

Another method is to wedge or cube your fruit. To do this, cut your papaya in half lengthwise and spoon the seeds out just like in the first method. Then, take one half and stand it vertically before peeling off the outer skin with either a knife or a vegetable peeler. If you opt for a knife, be careful not to cut too much of the fruit itself away. When that’s done, you can slice it into wedges, cubes or any other shape you prefer. Repeat for the other half and you’ve got a fully prepared papaya. 

Lastly, you may want to peel the papaya using a vegetable peeler. This method is generally used with unripe papaya when it is being added to savory salads. Simply peel off the skin using the above method and then continue peeling the flesh into string-like pieces for use in your recipe. 

Can You Eat Papaya Seeds? 

What might be surprising to some is that papaya seeds are completely edible. They can be a great garnish for many dishes, especially if you’re looking for something with a kick. When prepared, they offer a flavor profile of uniquely bitter and peppery notes. 

How To Eat Papaya Seeds 

Papaya seeds are often used as a slightly spicy seasoning for all kinds of dishes. The naturally spicy flavor and crisp texture of the seeds make them a great substitute for pepper or peppercorn. To prepare and use them in your own home cooking, you just need to follow a few simple steps. 

Firstly, separate them from the rest of the fruit by scooping them out with a spoon. Next, pour them into a strainer and wash them with water. Since they’re small and somewhat delicate, you can rub them gently with your hands to remove some of the sticky coating around them. Make sure to remove all the residue to avoid the seeds spoiling quickly.

Once they’re clean, shake off any excess water. Lay out a towel or baking sheet and spread the seeds out to air dry. You can also bake them at 150 degrees Fahrenheit for around two to four hours, depending on the amount of seeds you are baking. When the seeds are dry, you can crush and grind them to create a ready-to-use seasoning. 

Is Papaya Good for You? 

“Is papaya healthy?” is another thing you may be wondering about this tropical fruit. Overall, the answer is yes. Like many fruits, papaya is low in calories and has a ton of nutritional benefits when eaten in moderation. Of course, there are a few drawbacks to note as well.

In terms of health benefits, this fruit is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium and fiber. These nutrients help to protect against heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer and more. Vitamin C can boost your immune system and protect you from infections as well.

Additionally, the high mix of fiber and water content makes this fruit a great ingredient for reducing bloating and constipation. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to start eating healthy , adding papaya to your diet would be a great start!

Papayas are also a good source of papain, a protein-breaking enzyme that generally improves digestion. However, this is an ingredient that should be avoided during pregnancy, meaning it's generally best to stop eating papaya while pregnant. It's also important to note that papain is much higher in unripe papaya, so always avoid dishes that use it during pregnancy and consult with a health care professional if you have any questions.

As with most fruits, papaya also has quite a bit of natural sugar. Fortunately, you would have to eat very large quantities of the fruit for this to pose any serious issue. 

Where To Buy Papaya 

If you’re ready to incorporate papayas into your recipes or just eat them on their own, you should be able to find them in your local grocery store. They can be found in the produce aisle along with other tropical fruits. Because of their somewhat hefty size, they’re usually sold in singles or pairs. If you need lots of papayas, you may be able to get a large quantity for a reasonable price at farmers markets or wholesalers. 

International grocery stores that focus on Southeast Asian or Latin American cuisines will also often carry this delicious fruit. Note that the fruit is in season from May through September, so this is the best time to find and try papaya. 

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Overall, papaya is one of your best bets for adding a refreshing tropical spin to your usual fruit rotation or recipes. This versatile fruit is fantastic on its own and also makes a delicious topper for salads and drinks. You can even add a twist to your dishes by using the edible, peppery seeds. Now that you know the answer to the question: “What is papaya?” pick one up and give it a try as a healthy snack or in a sweet or savory recipe. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal. 

Discover the best in culinary experiences and products on Cozymeal: From in-person cooking classes to virtual cooking & mixology classes to private chef meals and top-rated cookware — from world-class chefs, mixologists & more.

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• Destinations
• United States

The Most Remarkable Attractions That Make A Trip To Hawaii In The Winter So Unique

Most summertime visitors to the Hawai'ian Islands go for the typical touristy activities like snorkeling, sightseeing and surf lessons. But winters in the Aloha State offer up some singular opportunities to get a bit more creative with your vacation planning. To get the lowdown on what you should know when planning a winter getaway, Islands spoke exclusively to Ilihia Gionson, public affairs officer at the Hawai'i Tourism Authority .

"The Hawai'ian Islands are a great place for mindful travelers to visit in the winter," Gionson said. "In addition to the Islands' warm weather and cool trade winds, the diversity in topography and micro-climates throughout the state means visitors can have a multitude of experiences in tropical rainforests, cool regions, hot deserts and sunny resort areas — all within the span of just a few miles." On a typical winter's day on the Big Island, for instance, you could be snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach in the morning and throwing snowballs atop Mauna Kea (above) in the afternoon.

Gionson also suggests that winter is a great time to get to know the local culture. "We encourage visitors to support our communities by purchasing Hawai'i products, going to the farmers' markets and arts and craft fairs, dining at local restaurants," he said. "It's a great time, for instance, to sample the islands' farm-to-table dining movement, featuring local harvests — avocado and papaya peak in winter."

Cool season activities in Hawaii during the winter

Ever thought of Hawai'i as a college sports fan's paradise? The state hosts major wintertime events, like the Maui Invitational Tournament for basketball fans and the Hawai'i Bowl for football lovers. In the pro category, "The PGA tour kicks off in January, with The Sentry at The Plantation Course at Kapalua," Ilihia Gionson said. And if you'd rather participate than spectate, you can enter the Honolulu Marathon in December.

But the best winter athletes aren't human at all. "Koholā (humpback whale) migration season typically begins in November, with the best times for whale watching from January to March," Gionson explained. "The majestic koholā are best viewed on a guided boat tour, but can also be spotted from the shore." Humpbacks spend summers in arctic waters, then migrate south for mating and calving season in the tropics, with 60% choosing Hawai'i for their romantic antics. You can often spot them breaching and pirouetting in the air from Oahu's uncrowded Yokahama Bay , and the channel between Maui and Lanai.

Another thing to do in winter? Island hop. "We recommend travelers visit more than one island during their stay for varying experiences, as it's an easy 30-45 minute flight to travel inter-island," Gionson said. You can take in the Cherry Blossom Festival on the Big Island, or a big wave surf competition on Oahu's 7-mile Miracle North Shore ,  then jet over to Lanai for some excellent off-season snorkeling, or Kauai to hike the iconic Kalalau Trail while it's still relatively cool.

What to know before you go to Hawaii in the winter

The same conditions that make winter ideal for watching pro surfers hang ten on 30-foot waves are also the reason you should pack a dose of caution along with your sunscreen. "For beachgoers, the winter season brings dangerous waves, undercurrents and surf conditions — even for experienced, professional surfers and swimmers," Gionson said. "Talk with the lifeguards on duty about the ocean conditions, and always heed warning signs. When in doubt, don't go out, never turn your back to the ocean, and be careful even when walking along the shoreline."

If an active vacay is more your style than a beach day anyway, consider becoming a voluntourist. Gionson's organization is tapping into this white-hot market through its Mālama Hawai'i program — the name translates to "give back" in Hawai'ian. "Visitors can have a more meaningful, enriching experience by working alongside community partners and nonprofits in volunteer efforts, such as planting native trees, restoring Hawai'ian fishponds, and feeding rescued animals at a farm sanctuary," Gionson explained. One great way to volunteer in winter? You can help out those humpbacks during the Hawai'ian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's annual Sanctuary Open Count. People of all ages from all around the world gather in January, February, and March to pitch in as citizen scientists on this annual whale census drive.