Shopping · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
Shopping in Playa del Carmen
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Río Secreto, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Quinta Avenida dominates shopping, from souvenir stalls and Mexican crafts at its southern end to boutiques and international brands further north. Look for Mexican silver, hammocks, Talavera ceramics and vanilla. Best souvenirs: Mexican silver, Hammocks and Talavera pottery.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 0
- Top souvenir
- Mexican silver
Where to shop
Quinta Avenida
Souvenirs, Mexican crafts, swimwear and international brands along the pedestrian street.
Paseo del Carmen
Open-air shopping and dining centre near the ferry pier.
Calle Corazón
A small pedestrian plaza off Quinta Avenida with shops, cafés and restaurants.
What to buy
Mexican silver
Jewellery from Taxco; look for the '.925' stamp.
Hammocks
Woven Yucatecan hammocks in cotton or nylon.
Talavera pottery
Hand-painted tiles, plates and bowls in the tin-glazed style of Puebla.
Mexican vanilla
Bottles of vanilla extract from Papantla, Veracruz; buy from reputable shops.
Tequila and mezcal
Bottles from established distilleries sold in liquor shops.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Centro and Quinta Avenida
Quinta Avenida
Fifth Avenue is Playa's pedestrian main street, running parallel to the beach from near the ferry pier north for several kilometres.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Street · Centro and Quinta Avenida
Paseo del Carmen
An open-air shopping and dining centre at the southern end of Quinta Avenida, near the ferry pier, with shaded walkways, boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Food
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Marquesitas, Michelada and Churros. Carts around Parque Fundadores and along Quinta Avenida in the evening. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Centro and Quinta Avenida | $$$ | The pedestrian heart of town, two blocks from the beach |
| Playacar | $$$$ | A gated resort district of all-inclusives, villas and a golf course |
| Colosio | $ | A residential neighbourhood of apartments and local food stalls |
| Northern resort strip | $$$$ | All-inclusive resorts on private-feeling beaches north of town |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in MXN. Tip 10–15% in restaurants unless service is included, 20 pesos or so per bag for porters, and tip tour guides, boat crews and dive masters. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips.
- Cover up when leaving the beach for shops and restaurants; walking in swimwear on Quinta Avenida is frowned upon.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in September; the busiest months are December–March.
- October: Festival de Vida y Muerte — Day of the Dead festival at Xcaret (usually late October to early November)
- November: Riviera Maya Jazz Festival — free concerts at Mamitas Beach (usually late November)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and solo travellers
Centro and Quinta Avenida
The pedestrian heart of town, two blocks from the beach
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Playa del Carmen?
Mexican silver, Hammocks, Talavera pottery and Mexican vanilla.
+Where is the best shopping in Playa del Carmen?
Quinta Avenida: Souvenirs, Mexican crafts, swimwear and international brands along the pedestrian street.