8 things that changed in Playa Del Carmen in August 2021

We like to keep our readers updated with new things and things that are changing in Playa del Carmen. Here is our latest update from August 2021.

1. 38th Street goes down a path

For those who have kept pace with stretch 38 of the street from the beach to 5th Avenue, you already know the popularity of this stretch. It is the new Corazon street in Platja del Carme. There are very good restaurants on this street and some nice flats for rent. The street has been a bit crowded with two directions of traffic, so to improve the flow, the street is a direction to the beach. So be careful driving and look for new directional arrows.

2. The ADO bus station reopens on 20th Avenue.

For a time, the bus station on 20th Avenue was closed and all buses left the ADO bus station on Juarez Avenue. This was due to the reduction in the number of pilots. Now, both bus stations are open and things are pretty normal. This is important to keep in mind for travelers, as both stations have bus service to Cancun Airport.

3. Moving street vendors

In recent years, there have been more and more street vendors along 5th Avenue. Recently, there have been some changes. The block on 5th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets has been removed from street vendors. It was a half-empty block, as there are no shops on the west side of the street. Development is progressing, so this could be a preliminary step.

Further south, on 5th Avenue, vendors have moved to the center of the street. This makes it a little busier to walk, but perhaps for store owners, a little more visibility of their expensive faces.

4. Two prominent shops closed

The first is that the Zara Home store in the Passeig del Carme shopping center has closed. The other Zara clothing store is still open. Maybe this store was in a bad place from the start. As the Passeig del Carme shopping center is more for tourists, it is possible that a home store has not positioned itself to get maximum sales. For locals, this store was a non-existent item for some elegant furniture. Now, it looks like Liverpool will get more business because of this closure. The only good news is that the Zara Home in Cancun is still open and you can place an order online, but it’s still not the same as buying at Playa.

The second prominent store is the Victoria Secret store in the Quinta Alegria shopping center. This was one of the first stores you saw upon entering the mall. Time will tell, for sure this store will move.

5. The beach between Mamitas and CTM Avenue is very reflective

Like many of you who have visited Playa at different seasons of the year, the beach is always on the move. With different currents and storms, the beach can be eroded or built up. This also happens when new docks are built or expanded. Recently, the beach between Mamitas and CTM Avenue is wider. This has not happened in a while and people enjoy more beach.

6. An iconic clothing store is moved

For years, this iconic clothing store has been right next to 5th Avenue on 4th Street. He was very noticeable for the blue facade, the blue mannequins and all the white clothes. We even pointed it out in our article on the Playa style because it was so iconic. This establishment has just moved to another location on 2nd Street, between 5th and 10th Avenues.

7. 8th Street looks a little more organized

One might think that the closer to the beach, the more valuable the real estate. This is usually true, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way when you look at a few streets leading from 5th Avenue to the beach. In general, from Avenida Constituyentes to Avenida Juárez you will find some of the oldest parts of Playa del Carmen. This may include some small hotels and old restaurants. Some streets look worse in terms of clothes and have not changed much for years.

A side street on 5th Avenue is 8th Street. It is located between the Thompson Beach House Hotel and the Carmen Hotel. The street has evolved over time, from the Mosquito Blue to the larger hotels of today. The street looked a bit deserted, but now it has a small makeover that makes it feel more presentable. The new planters and retaining walls make it easy to clean and make it look cleaner.

8. A little more positivity for the future

There seems to be a spirit of improvement in Playa del Carmen among residents and business people. It has been a hard year and a half dealing with the pandemic and the ups and downs of the tourism business. Recently, however, we have seen more stores open, restaurants expand, and a general sense of optimism among residents and business owners. That’s not to say we’re still out of the woods, but there seems to be life during the pandemic’s liquidation.

We hope that things continue on a positive path as we move towards the end of summer and the popular months of travel to Playa del Carmen. We will keep you informed of things happening in Playa del Carmen and the area.