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Playa Del Carmen’s 5th Avenue Gets Extensive Makeover, Here’s What Travelers Should Know 

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Playa del Carmen, a Mexican Caribbean resort town about an hour away from Cancun, gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.   

Many of those visitors go for the stunning white sand and crystal clear water beaches, but a trip to Playa del Carmen isn’t complete without a visit to the city’s famous 5th Avenue.   

Locals and Tourists on Playa del Carmen's 5th Avenue

In the future, it will be better than ever, as Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue is getting an extensive makeover, and we’ll tell you what travelers should know about this massive project.   

Playa Del Carmen’s 5th Avenue 

Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue, also known as Quinta Avenida, isn’t just a street in a tourist destination but a destination in and of itself, and it has something to offer everyone.   

You’ll find international fine dining restaurants alongside establishments serving up the finest authentic Mexican food and high-end shopping centers only steps away from boutiques and smaller shops selling handmade goods.   

But the nightlife scene is the true claim to fame for 5th Avenue and is home to popular nightclubs.

@polefitrealtor #5thavenueplayadelcarmen #playadelcarmen #tourist #paradise #travel #vacay #explore #adventure #rivieramaya #tourism #mexico #vivalamexico @mcghede @saltwatersunsetstravel ♬ El Son De La Negra – Mariachi Vargas Jr., Mariachi Mexico Y Otros

This Is The 2nd Part Of The 5th Avenue Makeover  

The rehabilitation of Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue began last year when local businesses and merchants first began to request improvements.   

In addition to extra trash bins placed around the city that can help discourage littering, some cosmetic improvements were made as well.   

This included things like installing 30 new planters along the street, as well as 60 benches for visitors to have a place to rest while enjoying all that 5th Avenue has to offer.   

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@dianavoross 📍Playa del Carmen, Mexico #travel #traveltiktok #traveling #youngtravel #mexico #playadelcarmen #playadelcarmenmexico #carribeansea #5thavenue #traveltok #travelmemories ♬ Latin America ♪ Mexico ♪ Fashionable guitar(1184628) – Chiemikan

Time For An Upgrade  

5th Avenue has long been the main street and nightlife hotspot in Playa del Carmen.   

And now more tourists than ever are visiting the Mexican Caribbean, so it’s the perfect time to give the popular street an upgrade.   

The merchants and business owners requested the makeover, and it will enhance the overall 5th Avenue experience for both tourists and locals. 

@rainbowhut ♬ Gangsta’s Paradise (feat. L.V.) – Coolio

What The Makeover Will Consist Of 

In addition to the minor improvements made last year, a number of new projects are now in the works.   

The walkways along 5th Avenue are being repaired and will be repainted, a project that, according to Secretary of Municipal Public Services Benny Millán, the first stages of which could be completed in as little as 10 days.   

A large-scale cleanup project is also taking place.   

@tatterttott Great energy at the 5th avenue, just south of Cancun, Mexico, Playa del Carmen #mexicotravel #playadelcarmen ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

The Future Of 5th Avenue  

The city is not doing all this work for nothing and plans to maintain the repaired and upgraded street.   

A biannual maintenance plan will be implemented in order to maintain the condition of 5th Avenue to better serve tourists.   

Officials are also working on relocating street vendors onto side streets along 5th Avenue to keep them from crowding the street and also due to requests from business owners. 

@buelent5151 #mexico #5thavenue #playadelcarmen #cartoons #viral #tiktok #keşfet ♬ Originalton – 💛Bülo51❤️

Getting To Playa Del Carmen 

It takes about an hour to get from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen, and there are multiple transportation options to get you there.   

A taxi will cost more than $100 for a one-way trip but is more comfortable than the ADO bus, which only costs around $10.   

Private transportation is your best option because it’s the safest, there is no price haggling because you book in advance, and somebody will be right there at the airport waiting for you, but it will likely cost you at least around $80 each way. 

@roamingrome7 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen is a 5-mile long pedestrian-only walkway dedicated to catering to all of your touristic needs, and it’s an absolute MUST during your next visit here.#roamingaround ♬ original sound – Magical~Mermaid

Why Choose Playa del Carmen 

Playa del Carmen has some of the most stunning beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.   

Its 5th Avenue nightlife can easily compete with that of Cancun.   

So what you get with Playa del Carmen is a less crowded vacation destination with plenty to offer for those looking for an alternative to Cancun. 

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Dave

Wednesday 22nd of March 2023

Coco Bongo is on 10th

Paul krawczyk

Wednesday 22nd of March 2023

It was nice but way over priced and the food wasn't that good and they weren't putting alcohol in our drinks we ordered

Jake P.

Monday 20th of March 2023

Part of the upgrade was replacing the “dog bone” pavers and putting in rectangular blocks which many have already cracked. Now if we can only work on replenishing the sand on the beaches which have washed away with the hurricanes…

Larry

Monday 20th of March 2023

@Jake P., that has always been on my mind...the beach erosion. Money should be allocated to build up the beachs

Frequent Traveler

Sunday 19th of March 2023

Not sure where you are getting your pricing from for private transportation from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, but I am paying $45 for a van (private shuttle service) to take me and my wife in four weeks. That is about half what you quoted in your article ($80). This will be my tenth trip from the U.S. to Cancun, and I have never paid anywhere near $80 for a one-way shuttle from the Cancun Airport to any of the surrounding cities.

Bill

Tuesday 30th of April 2024

@Frequent Traveler, I like your comment. How can I can book a private shuttle van?

Gail

Saturday 18th of March 2023

Great ideas except, how about a couple of public washrooms along 5th? Merchants will not allow anyone in just to use their washrooms and it’s very frustrating - especially for parents with little children.

Terry

Monday 20th of March 2023

@Gail, when my family comes to visit and goes to 5th Ave, I tell them to use the public restrooms at one of the 3 malls/shopping centers on 5th which do not charge.And they are very clean.