by Lisa Iannucci
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Thu September 15, 2016
New York City is not the only destination in the world with an amazing Fifth Avenue, filled with enough shops and restaurants to please any traveler.
Mexico's Playa del Carmen has its own 5th Avenue shoppers' paradise, where travelers can find almost anything they need while on vacation as well as a myriad of souvenirs to bring back home.
And you can start your experience by staying at Palace Resorts with its great proximity to 5th Avenue.
The 5th Avenue strip consists of more than 20 blocks of locally owned independent shops as well as chain stores and restaurants. On the south end, called Paseo del Carmen, you will find big box clothing stores, such as Zara and American Apparel. On the newer end of the strip, you can shop at such popular stores as Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Converse and Body Shop.
On the other end of the strip is The Quinta Alegria Mall, which offers live entertainment and three more floors of shopping.
Throughout 5th Avenue, you'll find scarves, arts and crafts and other items personally made by local artisans. For example, Corazon de Mexico sells heart-shaped crafts that can become great souvenirs from your trip to Playa del Carmen. The Tequila Bazaar has Mexican-inspired ornaments, so you can pick one up to add to your Christmas tree. Mexico is known for its tequila, so if you want to bring home some to enjoy with your friends while you look at vacation photos, stop at Hacienda Tequila, which has souvenirs and a huge selection of Tequila.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Palace Resorts' Amazing Entertainment[/READMORE]
If you'd prefer to buy decorations for your living or dining room, Rosalia features Mexican textiles from Chiapas Mexico, including table runners, clothes, pillows and purses that are all distinctly Mexican. Other stores carry locally-made ceramics, blankets, leather-goods, jewelry and more.
The most interesting items you'll find? Handbags tattooed by local prisoners, which can be found at Prison Art, an amazing idea founded by entrepreneur Jorge Cueto three years ago. The cost of these beautifully designed bags starts at $150 and the money from the sale goes directly to prison rehabilitation.
Speaking of money, only the independent stores on 5th Avenue will negotiate pricing of their items (but not all of them), so give it a shot and see what deals you can find.
When you're hungry from shopping and walking more than a mile, Playa del Carmen has a wide variety of great culinary dishes to sample. On 5th Avenue, you can stop and try everything including paella, curry and a falafel, but even when you're on vacation, every once in a while, you might just be 'Jonesing' for some good old fast food. Don't worry, 5th Avenue has you covered there, too. There are many American favorites, such as Starbucks, Burger King and Subway, just to name a few, along the strip.
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