5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Insider Tips

Things to Do in Playa del Carmen: 5th Avenue

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula region. The city’s 5th Avenue is a haven for tourists, offering plenty of things to do, both day and night.

Enjoy the Nightlife

Many travelers come to Mexico to party, and you’ll find no shortage of opportunities on 5th Avenue. There is a wide range of nightclubs and bars for you to choose from, so you are sure to find one to suit your liking. Many of the bars are open late into the night, so you can stay and party for as long as you want to. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, making this destination popular among Americans who have yet to reach their 21st birthdays.

Do Some Shopping

All along 5th Avenue, you’ll find a wide range of shops catering to tourists, giving you plenty of opportunities to find souvenirs to bring home for your friends and family. The southern portion of the street is older, so you’ll find more authenticity here. The northern section was built more recently, and the quality of goods for sale tends to be higher, as do the prices.

Dine on Local Cuisine

Because 5th Avenue is so popular among tourists, there are plenty of restaurants to be found in this busy district. You’ll find some selling authentic Mexican food, although some others offer more Americanized versions to appeal to the large tourist population, so be sure to sample a bit of both to see the differences. Many of the restaurants are also bars, so be prepared for the atmosphere to be noisy and energetic.

Relax at the Beach

This part of the world is known for its stunning beaches, which is why Playa del Carmen is such a popular tourist destination. The weather is almost always warm, so you can enjoy the beach at just about any time of the year. As with the shopping outlets, the beaches at the northern end of 5th Avenue tend to be a bit nicer than those at the southern end. The beaches can get quite crowded during peak vacation seasons, so be sure to arrive early to secure a prime spot on the sand.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue.