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Avenida 5 between Calles 4 and 38 has the Riviera Maya's best shopping. Small galleries sell original folk art from around Mexico, clothing boutiques offer everything from chic bikinis to tacky tees, and there are stores dedicated to Mexican specialties as varied as silver, chocolate, and tequila. Mexico's upscale Liverpool department store puts in an appearance at Calle 14, and you'll find international brand names like Diesel and Havaianas scattered up and down the avenue.
Upscale, open-air Paseo del Carmen has numerous boutiques—including Zara, Ultrafemme, and Old Navy. Seattle-coffee lovers can get their fix at the Starbucks that dominates the center of the mall. A cobblestone path makes this one of the area's most popular and pleasant shopping destinations.
This three-story plaza on Playa's main drag houses Sanborn's department store, Harley Davidson, Forever 21, Oakley, Hurley, American Eagle Outfitters, and much more. There's even a Häagen-Dazs where you can cool off with an ice cream before more shopping.
This modish chocolate shop sells Mexico's finest, in bars, tablets, soaps, massage oils, and brownies. Locals swear by the coffee. There are other four branches around Playa del Carmen and Cancún.
From snacks to groceries to organic soaps, lotions, and shampoos, this little shop has a little something for every health-conscious traveler. There's also an organic restaurant attached.
The oversized, handmade candles that you see lighting the night so elegantly in Playa's restaurants and hotels are sold at Candle Boutique.
More than 600 different types of tequila, plus an assortment of kitschy Mexican crafts and souvenirs, are sold at Hacienda Tequila. Free tastings are available, and the staff would love to share their deep knowledge of tequila making with you.
This spot has an extensive selection of books on Maya culture, along with used English-language books. Profits from all English-language tomes are donated to Mexican schools to buy textbooks.
This family-friendly mall features restaurants, shops, and cinemas.
This Mexican-colonial-style outdoor mall in Playacar sells handcrafts, clothes, jewelry, and specialty items like tequila and cigars. There is also a Starbucks.
