Visiting 5th Avenue, Playa Del Carmen

Jasmine-Jaed
Jun 19, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jul 24, 2024

We explored 5th Avenue in the center of Playa Del Carmen, which is known for it's pedestrian only walkway with restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as having stores popular stores like Zara and Bershka. It is famous for it's beautiful beach front and miles long market strip, where locals trade and sale to thousands of tourist each day. Here is the top advice for navigating your way through 5th Avenue.

#Tip1

Be cautious of potential scams when visiting Playa Del Carmen 5th Avenue, as some sellers may try to deceive you by claiming familiarity with you from your hotel or excursion. Their goal is to lure you into their shop and make a sale, even if it means resorting to lies. For instance, they might say, "Remember me? I'm Juan, the waiter from your hotel who served you breakfast," despite never having met you before. These individuals may have simply glanced at your hotel wristband to determine where you are staying and then attempt to confuse you. Politely decline their offers, continue walking, and avoid feeling obligated to visit their shop or engage in negotiations.

#Tip2

Know when to negotiate a deal - many items in the hotel and shops on the hotel premises are priced 60%-80% higher than their regular prices, which can be found at the supermarket. For instance, a bottle of orange Fanta cost me approximately $40 MXN, which is equivalent to £1.84 GBP at the time of writing. On 5th Avenue, it was $32 MXN, equal to $1.47 GBP, and at Walmart, it was $14 MXN, which translates to £0.69 GBP. Being familiar with the exchange rate while traveling and using foreign currency can prevent you from being overcharged while abroad. Enjoy your outings, but stay cautious. Locate a nearby supermarket frequented by locals and save some money! I discovered Walmart and did most of my shopping there!

#Tip3

Shop smart - you will quickly realize most shops sell the exact same things, but at different prices. If you see something that you like, chances are you will see it again three shops down. The trick is to gauge what the price is, and then when you find that item again, you will be more confident when negotiating a fair price. However, please consider some of the items are handmade, and at the end of the day, this is their livelihood. So, if you are happy and comfortable with a price, you can make the sale. The further along the market strip you go, the cheaper you will find prices. There are also loads of tasty restaurants to choose from.

#Tip4

Traveling in a group can make your first visit to 5th Ave less daunting, but this doesn't mean solo travelers should avoid it altogether. Being accompanied by at least one other person can help alleviate any pressure. On my initial trip there, I was with my family - a total of eight people. At one point, I got separated from the group without access to Wi-Fi or cell service to contact them. Trying to locate them, I felt overwhelmed by the aggressive behavior of some men and store owners who were harassing me. It felt like stepping into a dangerous situation, where I was an easy target. The offensive comments directed at me only added to the discomfort.

One man persistently called me, despite my obvious attempts to ignore him. Then, five other men gathered around him and exclaimed, "Hey lady, why are you acting that way? Don't imitate the behavior of white people." Although it was impolite, such encounters were not uncommon. Many American tourists visit Mexico and are accustomed to bargaining, just as Brits are familiar with haggling in Europe. Shortly after that incident, another shop owner started catcalling me, saying, "Hola beautiful, come check out my store. Do you want a Mexican boyfriend? Because I also like BROWN SUGAR, baby." I found the behavior unimpressive and felt extremely vulnerable and intimidated as a young, black woman traveling alone. Therefore, if you choose to travel solo, be prepared to handle such uncomfortable situations if they arise. Enjoy your trip, stay safe, and always remain vigilant.