Thank you so much for watching and your comments. We do like having local guides for visitors and base on living here in Playa Del Carmen. We are working on some new vide right now like the Tren Maya.
Finally! Im so tired of watching videos where someone has been to a place once and does a video on how to spend your time. You have wonderful insider info due to you being a resident. I have been to Playa 20+ times and will be there again in a few days. Im always looking for new restaurants, bars, things to see and do and now i have a few new good ideas. I used to stay in hotels on the beach between 6th and 12th....but recently really like being further north up around 32-38. Better beaches and restaurants (as you said).
Thanks so much for your comments. We do like to give good info for people. We also like staying on upper 5th Avenue because it is closer to better beaches, restaurants and less of congested area like lower 5th Avenue. Since you come often to Playa, we do put out updates every once in a while, for new things. You might like the new cocktail bar. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/9-things-that-have-changed-or-are-new-in-playa-del-carmen-sept-2023/ If you need any hotel suggestions let us know.
Finally I found a great video! Most of the PDC videos are just walkthroughs without geological explanations or recommendations, or random info without maps. This one is very clear to understand for newbies. I'll visit your website to learn more about PDC! Thank you❤
Thank you for your comments. We will be making a new video with better sound soon. The info is still accurate in this video, but we do want to have good resources for people visiting the area.
Great video. We stayed at Bahia principe in May/June 2024 We walked 5th avenue twice and loved everything about it. The amount of times that someone remebered us from the hotel, they work in, was amazing and you could have a good laugh with them. The mexicans are great people, very friendly and always smiling. Thank you
You do know that the salespeople on 5th have all day to learn what different color bracelets mean and can say they work at the hotel you are staying at. No one works at a hotel and on 5th selling souvenirs. This is a common thing that people do to get tourists attention and shop in their store or the store they work in so they can get commissions. We certainly agree that Mexicans are very welcoming and friendly. After more than a decade here, Mexicans have been warm, welcoming, and become some of our best friends. We always hear Thailand is the land of smiles, but we feel Mexico should have that title and more.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments of encouragement, it is always nice to hear from people and motivates us to make more videos and articles to help people explore the area.
sir, u r awesome. this is great. we go in march for 2025. we stay at grand hyatt playa del carmen, for a week. looks like a great area. we r excited. 🙂
You will be right in the center of Playa so you can walk up and down 5th Avenue to discover the things in this video! We look forward to making more videos before you arrive, so you have more information.
We literally do not receiver anything from any of the businesses in this video. these are all places we shop, eat or drink and think are of interest to others. Sorry we are not like many vlogers trying to fake sell something to people. This is the honest type of video we would want to see when visiting a place for the first time.
Yes been there many many times i want to purchase a condo in tulum or playa del carmen i think this is the best place to vac because theres so much to do thanks for sharing
Thank you for your comments. That is what we were trying to get across to viewer, just something helpful with lots of tips that we would enjoy if we were going somewhere new.
Thank you for your comment. We hope you have a great trip in December. It will be busier since that is our busy time. It will also feel great because we have warm summer temperatures all year round.
Very informative video. It's always good to hear from someone who has actually been to a place/location. This & your website will help us a lot for our upcoming visit. Thanks for posting!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. We hope you have a great trip, and we look forward to bringing you more local information for your time in Mexico.
Thanks for all the helpful info! We are currently in playa for our 6th day out of 9 and it’s been raining and cloudy. So disappointing :( going into the city from our resort again tomorrow but it’s just not the same in the clouds. Hopefully we will be back again but it won’t be for years!
Thank you for watching and commenting about our video. We hope it makes your trip to Playa Del Carmen a little easier or better. We will be working hard on other videos to share about the area.
Yes, many people have taken a break from traveling since the pandemic. Fortunately things are opening up and much of the businesses that closed on 5th Avenue are open or new businesses opened.
Loved this so much! Been doing research on the area for an upcoming trip and this was so helpful. Are there any less touristy/modern areas you recommend visiting in the PDC area?
Thank you so much for your comments. Most of Playa is touristy. The west side of the 307 highway is more local, but unless there is one place you really want to see there, it is not worth it. There are a few places like Colonia Hollywood which is between 10th Ave and 30th Ave and Constituyentes and 34th. This are has some nice coffee shops and restaurants.
Great video! I'm about done with that song you've used for background music. Just a little bit repetitive. But lots of fantastic information. More, please!
Hi, thanks for this video! After visiting 5th Avenue which is 5 miles, If I now want to catch a bus to Cancun, do I need to go to the same ADO terminal I started that is beside Playa statue?
Well, we ended this video near 38th Street and 5th Avenue. You need to go to one of the ADO bus stations in Playa Del Carmen to go back to Cancun. Both ADO bus stations have service to Cancun. They leave about ever 20/30 minutes. The closest to 38th is on 20th Avenue and 12th Street.
Pretty much all days are good to visit. Some restaurants are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays because it is the slower day but stores pretty much are open every day for the same hours. Most stores are open by 10am or 11 am and stay open until 9pm or 10 pm.
Here is an article. It depends on your budget and where you are staying. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-cancun-airport-to-playa-del-carmen/
Great video thank you very much ! Coming for first time in a few weeks How long would it take roughly to shop 5th ave ? 4-5 hours ? Wondering if we can shop most of it half the day and do an excursion for the other half day
Good evening my friend me and my wife will be coming there in June. I am a cigar smoker. Do they have any place where I can have a cigar even if it's outdoors? I appreciate if you can let me know. I was in playa in 2010 so I know a lot has changed but I don't remember a lot. It will be helpful if you can give me a tip where I can go to have a good cigar in a drink
As you might have heard, Mexico passed a very strict no smoking in businesses and even the beach. The law is not equally enforced, but you might just want to rent a condo with a balcony and enjoy your evening there. For a drink, The Dirty Martini is always a good place for drinks and good value.
Well, your hotel is about a 30-minute drive from Playa. Here are some options. If you want to go to Coco Bongo, they have transport from some hotels. They leave at about 2:30 am from Playa. So you do miss a about 40 minutes of show and you are controlled as to when you leave. You can also go out and just take a taxi back. At the taxi stands there are prices listed. It is not cheap, Probably about $40/60 USD one way at that time in the morning. You can also book a round trip transport which you set the times for pickup . If you have several people with you, this can save you some money. These are the same vans that do airport runs. You can also book point to point. The benefit over a taxi is you know your driver and he already knows where you are going and it is paid for, plus when you book rt you get about 20% off. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/cancun-airport-transfers/
i really liked your video!! except for the Spanish words lol i did not get the names ( don’t get me wrong) i will figure it out once am there and probably will watch again your video until i know exactly the names in Spanish so i cam write them down😅
This is an interesting and good comment for us to hear. In Playa there are some places and streets that are always spoke of by their Spanish name, others have both English and Spanish. For example, 5th Avenue is the English version and Quinta Avenida is how it is said locally in Spanish. Constituyentes Avenue is always pretty much called that in Spanish, but in English it is Constitution Avenue, but if you asked for it in English, it might take a second to figure out what you are looking for. Playa is a mix of cultures and languages. We commonly use "Mayan ruins" as an expression but technically it is "Maya ruins", then there are accents on words. Some words have three accents, English, Mayan, and Spanish. So, it is a place of many cultures and a mixing pot of sorts which makes it a unique place.
Great review, I just wish your restaurant picks for 5th avenue included more Mexico ones. I see places for Steak, Italian/Pasta, Seafood, etc but no great suggestions for really good tacos, enchiladas, Carne Asada, etc. Those are kind of more of what i'm looking for since I get steak, pasta and that other stuff almost anywhere else in the world. But maybe its because most places do those dishes well and only a few can do steak, pasta and other stuff well?
This is because really good authentic Mexican food is not usually found on 5th Avenue. Most of the tacos are tourist crap or dumbed down Mexican that is Tex Mex or what tourist think is Mexican. The truth is, restaurants on 5th don't need repeat customers, once they get you in, there are thousands each day that pass by and can fill seats. Plus the rent is very expensive on 5th Avenue, so it is a business that needs to make a profit. Turning out high quality Mexican food at good value is a bit of an ask for a restaurant and also many people to Playa are not as familiar with authentic Mexican food, so there is not a huge demand for it. Even authentic Yucatecan food is severely underrepresented in Playa and that is the cuisine of most of the peninsula. Then there is the fact that the Riviera Maya is a destination of millions of tourists, and people from all over the world have issues with spices and food while traveling, so many tourists do not look for super authentic cuisine (even though a lot of Mexican cuisine is not spicy). So those are most of the big factors why we don't recommend a lot of restaurants on 5th Avenue. We do mention several Mexican Restaurants like Axiote and the tostada restaurant because they are very good and with several suggestions, these should help fill a week-long stay. We do have guides for the best ceviche in Playa and authentic restaurants in Playa that are not that far off 5th Avenue. Anything you might need, try the search box on our website and we will probably have an article for it.
Yes. Since the Cancun Hotel Zone is about 98% tourist area, most prices are touristic prices. Playa Del Carmen's 5th Avenue is a place that locals go sometimes as well, so prices are tempered. Just like all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya, the stores there are more expensive since they have you trapped there. With that said, Playa is a tourist town as well, so don't expect enough savings to pay for your commute to Playa to buy souvenirs.
Hi mate well what a great video and so much great information.I am traveling to Playa del Carmen in Jan and I am looking forward to it very much.It looks like there’s some many streets to walk down and maybe get lost.Is it easy to walk around and just take your time? Looks like so many bars and restaurants.I am coming from England but would you say it is ok to bring dollar as I take it they take it everywhere.I will be looking at your site for more info.Thanks for the help.
Hello from Mexico! 5th Avenue is a pedestrian street but the other close by avenue are walkable as well. Dollars are the second best currency beside pesos. Other currency can be harder to change, especially outside of main towns. We have tons of guides on our website so you can surf around or use the search box to find things.
How adventurous are you? There are some good taco carts in the Mega supermarket parking lot. If you want a restaurant, El Fogon is right besides Mega on Constituyentes. It has a wide range and has consistency, and that is why it is well known.
Are you referring to public bathrooms along 5th Avenue? There are not as many as you might think. But we do have this article and map. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/gotta-go-el-bano-in-public/
Man that was annoying! Coming to watch a video about a place and instead he tells you about their website about million time to go and find the info there!
Me and my girlfriend are coming to Playa Del Carmen from the UK in a week. I’m worried about the amount of thunder and lightning predicted in the weather forecasts. How bad should I expect it to be and should I pack any wet weather clothes ?
The weather is very hard to predict in the Riviera Maya. Most locals only take note when a hurricane is near. When there is a forecast of rain and thunder, it can mean there is a chance in the area. If it does store it can be two or three hours of the day. But you still have more of the day and you can plan accordingly. If you are out and about a rain pancho can be an easy thing to pack.
Since this video is only about visiting 5th Avenue as a tourist, we talk about things tourists might like. We do have an article about looking for apartments and an article on the cost of living as well as many videos and articles about real estate. The search box on the website can help find these articles.
The Banregio often has the best posted rate. There is a bank in the Cozumel Ferry Pier. Also, a secret tip, you can use USD in the grocery stores and some other large stores at a better exchange rate. The only restriction is you cannot use a huge bill and get lots of change. There is a limit to $250 USD per purchase, but it is a way to buy stuff you need and get a good rate. The reason they accept USD is many people get tips and it encourages people to shop in the stores.
SNORT! Every private 'hospital' has about a dozen thugs roaming around with billy clubs beating tourists down then charging them $1000s for the private 'ambulance' that suddenly shows up and drags them to the scam 'hospital' where they'll be charged $3000 usd for the concussion the 'modern great hospital's' knuckle-dragging apes gave them.
In general there are police around and on 5th including those that serve as tourist police. Most of the time they are there for the protection of citizens. What happens sometimes is a tourist is walking home along at night or is drunk/drugged walking home and police might stop them. There are a some bad police that have asked for money or taken money out of wallets while being searched. The best way to avoid issues is going out with friends, don’t get drunk and walk home late at night.
For how many people and what standard of living are you interested in? for example there are apartments for 500 USD a month and others at 4000 USD a month. Are you looking at short term or for a year? Rental prices vary a lot depending on length and season.
My card got ripped in a brick and mortar over on Cozumel, right in the main plaza, glass front building even. I lived in PDC for a while and only trusted bank ATMs but that doesn’t always work
Things have changed sinces the first time i was there in 1987 it uses to be shacks and all dirt roads i camped two nights on the beach for 2 dollars a Night the beaches were filled with topless sunbathing lady's from Europe
That is a lot of changes since then. Now you can do that but in communities along the beach in Yucatan State. You can find old Playa in some beach towns, but most people when you suggest it as a destination, they say there is not enough there to see and conditions are not as comfortable. Some of the most secret destinations and beaches we do not write about, so people have to search for themselves and not to overrun the best secret places.
I just came back from Playa. 5th Ave is a cringe-worthy experience. There were at least 150 heavily armed police/military personnel along 5th Ave Some are masked to protect their identity. The locals treat you as if you have ATM written on your forehead. Everything is at least double what you pay elsewhere in Mexico. Expect vendors to charge extra some how or another. The prices were surprisingly expensive. However, there are some excellent deals, too. There is a place that sells thin crust pizza slices and lasagna portions for great prices. Overall, I'd give it an afternoon.
Thanks for your honest comments. It is true Playa is more expensive than many other parts of Mexico. There are about 10,000 people a day that walk on 5th Avenue, so rents reflect this and so do prices. It is like how New York City is more expensive than many places in the United States. With large amounts of tourists come other problems and it is always a challenge and different approaches taken by different administrations. But you can find variety in Playa, even good Italian food due to many of the immigrants from Italy.
There are not. There have been loosening of the laws and a final legalization in the works for years, but has not taken place. Police take every opportunity to charge people or see if they can get a payment. There are several stores like 420 highway that see products like papers and pipes. It is offered frequently by drug dealer on 5th Avenue.
We know, we said it a lot. It seems to fit and hard to find another word except maybe tacky. In Spanish there is not word that fits just right for cheesy.
Perfect! You will be starting at the same end where we shot this video, so you will know what to look for. We hope you have a fun time walking up 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen.
By far the best video of the area I have watched and great website thank you so much!
Thank you so much for watching and your comments. We do like having local guides for visitors and base on living here in Playa Del Carmen. We are working on some new vide right now like the Tren Maya.
Finally! Im so tired of watching videos where someone has been to a place once and does a video on how to spend your time. You have wonderful insider info due to you being a resident. I have been to Playa 20+ times and will be there again in a few days. Im always looking for new restaurants, bars, things to see and do and now i have a few new good ideas. I used to stay in hotels on the beach between 6th and 12th....but recently really like being further north up around 32-38. Better beaches and restaurants (as you said).
Thanks so much for your comments. We do like to give good info for people. We also like staying on upper 5th Avenue because it is closer to better beaches, restaurants and less of congested area like lower 5th Avenue. Since you come often to Playa, we do put out updates every once in a while, for new things. You might like the new cocktail bar. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/9-things-that-have-changed-or-are-new-in-playa-del-carmen-sept-2023/ If you need any hotel suggestions let us know.
@@EverythingPlayaDelCarmencom Awesome! Will check it out for sure. Thanks and keep up the quality work!
Finally I found a great video! Most of the PDC videos are just walkthroughs without geological explanations or recommendations, or random info without maps.
This one is very clear to understand for newbies. I'll visit your website to learn more about PDC! Thank you❤
Thank you for your comments. We will be making a new video with better sound soon. The info is still accurate in this video, but we do want to have good resources for people visiting the area.
Great video.
We stayed at Bahia principe in May/June 2024
We walked 5th avenue twice and loved everything about it.
The amount of times that someone remebered us from the hotel, they work in, was amazing and you could have a good laugh with them.
The mexicans are great people, very friendly and always smiling.
Thank you
You do know that the salespeople on 5th have all day to learn what different color bracelets mean and can say they work at the hotel you are staying at. No one works at a hotel and on 5th selling souvenirs. This is a common thing that people do to get tourists attention and shop in their store or the store they work in so they can get commissions. We certainly agree that Mexicans are very welcoming and friendly. After more than a decade here, Mexicans have been warm, welcoming, and become some of our best friends. We always hear Thailand is the land of smiles, but we feel Mexico should have that title and more.
Thanks for posting this informative video. I will be there in January and will use this information as a guide
Excellent Video, very non-biased and honest.
Fantastic video. Really informative and useful. Thanks!
Great video. Seems I;ll be there next week. This video helps to build my excitement. Thanks.
I’m an instant fan! I’ll be spending a lot of time on your channel and website as I plan my future trip!
Thanks for watching. We will have to make a lot more videos for you.
I always enjoy your videos. Thanks for all of your insights. Been there a bunch of times and have my favorite places. Keep doing what you do.
Thank you so much for watching and your comments of encouragement, it is always nice to hear from people and motivates us to make more videos and articles to help people explore the area.
sir, u r awesome. this is great. we go in march for 2025. we stay at grand hyatt playa del carmen, for a week. looks like a great area. we r excited. 🙂
You will be right in the center of Playa so you can walk up and down 5th Avenue to discover the things in this video! We look forward to making more videos before you arrive, so you have more information.
@@EverythingPlayaDelCarmencom awesome thnx so much!
I love your videos…it’s very informative! Thanks for sharing! 😊
thank you for all the sponsored stores and restaurants
We literally do not receiver anything from any of the businesses in this video. these are all places we shop, eat or drink and think are of interest to others. Sorry we are not like many vlogers trying to fake sell something to people. This is the honest type of video we would want to see when visiting a place for the first time.
Yes been there many many times i want to purchase a condo in tulum or playa del carmen i think this is the best place to vac because theres so much to do thanks for sharing
Very informative and honest. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments. That is what we were trying to get across to viewer, just something helpful with lots of tips that we would enjoy if we were going somewhere new.
Very helpful, going in December.
Thank you for your comment. We hope you have a great trip in December. It will be busier since that is our busy time. It will also feel great because we have warm summer temperatures all year round.
I love playa
Very informative video. It's always good to hear from someone who has actually been to a place/location. This & your website will help us a lot for our upcoming visit. Thanks for posting!
Where can I find your website? Great presentation. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your work on the video. I appreciate it. I am coming to Playa in April 2023. Your video will help me plan my days here. 💞
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. We hope you have a great trip, and we look forward to bringing you more local information for your time in Mexico.
That was a really good video, thank you! I'll be down for the month of August and will be checking your website. Thanks again :)
best video. Im planning to go
thank you!!!
Excellent Video!
Thank you for watching and commenting.
Thanks for all the helpful info! We are currently in playa for our 6th day out of 9 and it’s been raining and cloudy. So disappointing :( going into the city from our resort again tomorrow but it’s just not the same in the clouds. Hopefully we will be back again but it won’t be for years!
We went to Senora’s grill last night. Was an excellent recommendation!!
Awesome! We hope you have a good rest of your trip in Playa Del Carmen.
We are looking forward to the art walk on Thursday night. We are loving it here so far. Really appreciate your website and videos!
great video as always guys love the site also
Thank you so much for watching. It is always encouraging to continue to make helpful videos for visitors.
Very informative video. I'm back in Playa del Carmen again.
Great video and information ! Thank you
Thank you for watching and commenting about our video. We hope it makes your trip to Playa Del Carmen a little easier or better. We will be working hard on other videos to share about the area.
That’s was a lot of great info. Thanks man.
Thanks for watching. We could of added a lot more, but this should get people started with some basic info about 5th Avenue and Playa Del Carmen.
thank you for sharing this, hopefully will go back in the winter it's been 3 years #missingplaya
Yes, many people have taken a break from traveling since the pandemic. Fortunately things are opening up and much of the businesses that closed on 5th Avenue are open or new businesses opened.
Thanks so much 🙏 very helpful video
Great video. Thanks.
Thank you for watching the video. We try to pass on what we know of the area so people can maximize their time here.
Loved this so much! Been doing research on the area for an upcoming trip and this was so helpful. Are there any less touristy/modern areas you recommend visiting in the PDC area?
Thank you so much for your comments. Most of Playa is touristy. The west side of the 307 highway is more local, but unless there is one place you really want to see there, it is not worth it. There are a few places like Colonia Hollywood which is between 10th Ave and 30th Ave and Constituyentes and 34th. This are has some nice coffee shops and restaurants.
Great video! I'm about done with that song you've used for background music. Just a little bit repetitive. But lots of fantastic information. More, please!
Thank you for watching. We will try to mix up the music for future videos. It can be hard to get royalty free music.
do you need usd? they take cc?
Hi, thanks for this video! After visiting 5th Avenue which is 5 miles,
If I now want to catch a bus to Cancun, do I need to go to the same ADO terminal I started that is beside Playa statue?
Hi. Can i catch the ADO where you ended to head back to Cancun Centro? Is it just a matter of going a block over?
Well, we ended this video near 38th Street and 5th Avenue. You need to go to one of the ADO bus stations in Playa Del Carmen to go back to Cancun. Both ADO bus stations have service to Cancun. They leave about ever 20/30 minutes. The closest to 38th is on 20th Avenue and 12th Street.
Is it better to visit Sunday, Monday or Tuesday? What time are stores and boutiques open until on weekend and weekday?
Pretty much all days are good to visit. Some restaurants are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays because it is the slower day but stores pretty much are open every day for the same hours. Most stores are open by 10am or 11 am and stay open until 9pm or 10 pm.
Hey if I’m coming from the airport Cancun! What’s the best way to get down there?
Here is an article. It depends on your budget and where you are staying. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/how-to-get-from-cancun-airport-to-playa-del-carmen/
@@EverythingPlayaDelCarmencom 85$ usd seems really expensive for taking a shared shutter bus tho
@@hawksprizepicks6570 That is a price for a private van. Ado and a shared shuttle are the cheaper options.
Great video thank you very much ! Coming for first time in a few weeks
How long would it take roughly to shop 5th ave ? 4-5 hours ? Wondering if we can shop most of it half the day and do an excursion for the other half day
Yes, a half day is good. Most stores are open by 10am and stay open to 9pm. This way you can plan your day or half day.
Good evening my friend me and my wife will be coming there in June. I am a cigar smoker. Do they have any place where I can have a cigar even if it's outdoors? I appreciate if you can let me know. I was in playa in 2010 so I know a lot has changed but I don't remember a lot. It will be helpful if you can give me a tip where I can go to have a good cigar in a drink
As you might have heard, Mexico passed a very strict no smoking in businesses and even the beach. The law is not equally enforced, but you might just want to rent a condo with a balcony and enjoy your evening there. For a drink, The Dirty Martini is always a good place for drinks and good value.
Best way to travel here from grand Hyatt in pdc?
Do you mean to 5th Avenue? You can walk one block and be on 5th Avenue from the Hyatt.
Thank you so much, super informative video.
Are you aware of any Halal Restaurants on 5th Avenue (or in Playa Del Carmen)?
If you look on google maps, there are a few options. In general, though there are not a lot of options.
Is this where you can book day trips please?
Are you talking about 5th Avenue in Playa to book day trips or where are you referring?
Any hotel that you recommend near fifth avenue?
I will be staying at the iberostar grand. What is the best way to get to 5th in Playa de carmen and back of all night party?
Well, your hotel is about a 30-minute drive from Playa. Here are some options. If you want to go to Coco Bongo, they have transport from some hotels. They leave at about 2:30 am from Playa. So you do miss a about 40 minutes of show and you are controlled as to when you leave. You can also go out and just take a taxi back. At the taxi stands there are prices listed. It is not cheap, Probably about $40/60 USD one way at that time in the morning. You can also book a round trip transport which you set the times for pickup . If you have several people with you, this can save you some money. These are the same vans that do airport runs. You can also book point to point. The benefit over a taxi is you know your driver and he already knows where you are going and it is paid for, plus when you book rt you get about 20% off. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/cancun-airport-transfers/
i really
liked your video!! except for the Spanish words lol i did not get the names ( don’t get me wrong) i will figure it out once am there and probably will watch again your video until i know exactly the names in Spanish so i cam write them down😅
This is an interesting and good comment for us to hear. In Playa there are some places and streets that are always spoke of by their Spanish name, others have both English and Spanish. For example, 5th Avenue is the English version and Quinta Avenida is how it is said locally in Spanish. Constituyentes Avenue is always pretty much called that in Spanish, but in English it is Constitution Avenue, but if you asked for it in English, it might take a second to figure out what you are looking for. Playa is a mix of cultures and languages. We commonly use "Mayan ruins" as an expression but technically it is "Maya ruins", then there are accents on words. Some words have three accents, English, Mayan, and Spanish. So, it is a place of many cultures and a mixing pot of sorts which makes it a unique place.
Great review, I just wish your restaurant picks for 5th avenue included more Mexico ones. I see places for Steak, Italian/Pasta, Seafood, etc but no great suggestions for really good tacos, enchiladas, Carne Asada, etc. Those are kind of more of what i'm looking for since I get steak, pasta and that other stuff almost anywhere else in the world. But maybe its because most places do those dishes well and only a few can do steak, pasta and other stuff well?
This is because really good authentic Mexican food is not usually found on 5th Avenue. Most of the tacos are tourist crap or dumbed down Mexican that is Tex Mex or what tourist think is Mexican. The truth is, restaurants on 5th don't need repeat customers, once they get you in, there are thousands each day that pass by and can fill seats. Plus the rent is very expensive on 5th Avenue, so it is a business that needs to make a profit. Turning out high quality Mexican food at good value is a bit of an ask for a restaurant and also many people to Playa are not as familiar with authentic Mexican food, so there is not a huge demand for it. Even authentic Yucatecan food is severely underrepresented in Playa and that is the cuisine of most of the peninsula. Then there is the fact that the Riviera Maya is a destination of millions of tourists, and people from all over the world have issues with spices and food while traveling, so many tourists do not look for super authentic cuisine (even though a lot of Mexican cuisine is not spicy). So those are most of the big factors why we don't recommend a lot of restaurants on 5th Avenue. We do mention several Mexican Restaurants like Axiote and the tostada restaurant because they are very good and with several suggestions, these should help fill a week-long stay. We do have guides for the best ceviche in Playa and authentic restaurants in Playa that are not that far off 5th Avenue. Anything you might need, try the search box on our website and we will probably have an article for it.
Is Playa de Carmen cheaper when buying souvenirs than the hotel zone in Cancun?
Yes. Since the Cancun Hotel Zone is about 98% tourist area, most prices are touristic prices. Playa Del Carmen's 5th Avenue is a place that locals go sometimes as well, so prices are tempered. Just like all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya, the stores there are more expensive since they have you trapped there. With that said, Playa is a tourist town as well, so don't expect enough savings to pay for your commute to Playa to buy souvenirs.
Hi mate well what a great video and so much great information.I am traveling to Playa del Carmen in Jan and I am looking forward to it very much.It looks like there’s some many streets to walk down and maybe get lost.Is it easy to walk around and just take your time? Looks like so many bars and restaurants.I am coming from England but would you say it is ok to bring dollar as I take it they take it everywhere.I will be looking at your site for more info.Thanks for the help.
Hello from Mexico! 5th Avenue is a pedestrian street but the other close by avenue are walkable as well. Dollars are the second best currency beside pesos. Other currency can be harder to change, especially outside of main towns. We have tons of guides on our website so you can surf around or use the search box to find things.
Where can I go for street tacos? I just booked the Hilton Playa Del Carmen.
How adventurous are you? There are some good taco carts in the Mega supermarket parking lot. If you want a restaurant, El Fogon is right besides Mega on Constituyentes. It has a wide range and has consistency, and that is why it is well known.
do they have bathrooms?
Are you referring to public bathrooms along 5th Avenue? There are not as many as you might think. But we do have this article and map. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/gotta-go-el-bano-in-public/
hey great video could you please send me your website link. Visiting soon thanks
Hello. Here is a link to the article this video is connected to. everythingplayadelcarmen.com/5th-avenue-playa-del-carmen/
If only there was a website I could check this stuff out on …..
Man that was annoying! Coming to watch a video about a place and instead he tells you about their website about million time to go and find the info there!
Exactly what I was going to say. Lol
Me and my girlfriend are coming to Playa Del Carmen from the UK in a week. I’m worried about the amount of thunder and lightning predicted in the weather forecasts. How bad should I expect it to be and should I pack any wet weather clothes ?
The weather is very hard to predict in the Riviera Maya. Most locals only take note when a hurricane is near. When there is a forecast of rain and thunder, it can mean there is a chance in the area. If it does store it can be two or three hours of the day. But you still have more of the day and you can plan accordingly. If you are out and about a rain pancho can be an easy thing to pack.
Do you talk about anything other than liquor/bars?:( Would love to know about cost of living, where to find apts, etc.
Since this video is only about visiting 5th Avenue as a tourist, we talk about things tourists might like. We do have an article about looking for apartments and an article on the cost of living as well as many videos and articles about real estate. The search box on the website can help find these articles.
Where can we have the best exchange dollars to peso?
The Banregio often has the best posted rate. There is a bank in the Cozumel Ferry Pier. Also, a secret tip, you can use USD in the grocery stores and some other large stores at a better exchange rate. The only restriction is you cannot use a huge bill and get lots of change. There is a limit to $250 USD per purchase, but it is a way to buy stuff you need and get a good rate. The reason they accept USD is many people get tips and it encourages people to shop in the stores.
PDC is very modern with great hospitals too...
SNORT! Every private 'hospital' has about a dozen thugs roaming around with billy clubs beating tourists down then charging them $1000s for the private 'ambulance' that suddenly shows up and drags them to the scam 'hospital' where they'll be charged $3000 usd for the concussion the 'modern great hospital's' knuckle-dragging apes gave them.
Great video. We will be going in 2 weeks. Is it true that we have to watch out for the police robbing us at night around 5th ave?
In general there are police around and on 5th including those that serve as tourist police. Most of the time they are there for the protection of citizens. What happens sometimes is a tourist is walking home along at night or is drunk/drugged walking home and police might stop them. There are a some bad police that have asked for money or taken money out of wallets while being searched. The best way to avoid issues is going out with friends, don’t get drunk and walk home late at night.
What's the monthly cost of living in Playa del Carmen roughly please?
For how many people and what standard of living are you interested in? for example there are apartments for 500 USD a month and others at 4000 USD a month. Are you looking at short term or for a year? Rental prices vary a lot depending on length and season.
Just the fact that you are there you will have the best time of your life guarantee
My card got ripped in a brick and mortar over on Cozumel, right in the main plaza, glass front building even. I lived in PDC for a while and only trusted bank ATMs but that doesn’t always work
Cancun or tulum
Is this for taking a vacation? The two are very different places. Let us know so we can answer your question.
❤
Just don't be a pushover. The world takes advantage of the weak. Get strong boy.💪🏾
Things have changed sinces the first time i was there in 1987 it uses to be shacks and all dirt roads i camped two nights on the beach for 2 dollars a Night the beaches were filled with topless sunbathing lady's from Europe
That is a lot of changes since then. Now you can do that but in communities along the beach in Yucatan State. You can find old Playa in some beach towns, but most people when you suggest it as a destination, they say there is not enough there to see and conditions are not as comfortable. Some of the most secret destinations and beaches we do not write about, so people have to search for themselves and not to overrun the best secret places.
They should add in just the tip lol.
If they did this, what percentage do you recommend?
@@EverythingPlayaDelCarmencom I think you missed the jk lol .
I just came back from Playa. 5th Ave is a cringe-worthy experience. There were at least 150 heavily armed police/military personnel along 5th Ave Some are masked to protect their identity. The locals treat you as if you have ATM written on your forehead. Everything is at least double what you pay elsewhere in Mexico. Expect vendors to charge extra some how or another. The prices were surprisingly expensive. However, there are some excellent deals, too. There is a place that sells thin crust pizza slices and lasagna portions for great prices. Overall, I'd give it an afternoon.
Thanks for your honest comments. It is true Playa is more expensive than many other parts of Mexico. There are about 10,000 people a day that walk on 5th Avenue, so rents reflect this and so do prices. It is like how New York City is more expensive than many places in the United States.
With large amounts of tourists come other problems and it is always a challenge and different approaches taken by different administrations. But you can find variety in Playa, even good Italian food due to many of the immigrants from Italy.
Any weed dispensaries in PDC? Is it even legal there?
There are not. There have been loosening of the laws and a final legalization in the works for years, but has not taken place. Police take every opportunity to charge people or see if they can get a payment. There are several stores like 420 highway that see products like papers and pipes. It is offered frequently by drug dealer on 5th Avenue.
Cheesy?
We know, we said it a lot. It seems to fit and hard to find another word except maybe tacky. In Spanish there is not word that fits just right for cheesy.
I’m coming from Cozumel ferry ⛴ ! Nice info .
Perfect! You will be starting at the same end where we shot this video, so you will know what to look for. We hope you have a fun time walking up 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen.
Be CAREFUL with "tip/tax" scams. There is no tipping or taxes on a purchase price like in the USA. The marked price... IS THE TOTAL PRICE by MX Law.
This is a good tip. We include this in our article about going out to restaurants in Playa.
Great video! Very helpful.
Thank you for watching this video. We hope to do a new one soon with better sound. But most of the info in the video is still UpToDate.