9 Things That Have Recently Changed in Playa Del Carmen March 2025
Every month or so we sit down to tell you about some of the changes in Playa Del Carmen and what is new. Things do change a lot, so it can be good to keep up to date on all the changes. Here are some things that we noticed recently.
Starbucks to Open at Cursed Location
A while back we mentioned in one of our updates that the Starbucks on 5th Avenue and 10th Street had closed. It was a smaller Starbucks. Now the same Starbucks will open on the other side of 10th Street and 5th Avenue. This new corner has more space and will probably work much better for Starbucks. The new corner was once Sur Steakhouse, and then another restaurant that lasted just a short while. It has seemed to one of those locations that is cursed because every place that has opened, closes. This time, the curse might just be broken.
More Mexican Candy Stores
There is a new kind of store popping up in Playa now. It is the Mexican sweets stores that sell candies that have traditional Mexican flavors. It is cool to look around. If you are familiar with Mexico and prices, you will think these stores are a bit expensive. If not, you will think might be a good place to get some candies as souvenirs and gifts. There are now several of these along 5th Avenue and in Paseo Del Carmen mall at the beginning of 5th Avenue. These stores do bring back some childhood memories for Mexicans. They can be some of the only places to find certain brands that even grocery stores do not have.
Barcelo Hotels Gets Dolphin Show Stopped
South of Playa Del Carmen sits the Barcelo Hotel complex. In the area there are over 3000 rooms at various Barcelo Hotels. In the center of the complex there is a dolphin show. Recent social media post showed a dolphin jumping and landing on concrete. Profepa is the government agency that cares for environmental laws and regulations. Here is their press release about the closure of the show. They have restricted the show from continuing for now.
Every few years there are big protests at dolphin shows and swimming with Dolphin parks. Pressure continues to close them in Mexico and this latest accident probably will be a catalyst for more pressure to close them.
Wax Museum Melts Down
Back in August of 2023 we mentioned the Luis Tussaud Wax Museum was opening on 5th Avenue and 16th Street. After a short run and even shorter lines to get into it, it has closed. Most people are not so surprised to see it go so soon. It seemed that every time you passed it, you never saw very few people going in. Maybe their contract was over, but at any rate, something will surely occupy this valuable space soon.
If you remember in the past this used to be an entrance to the hotel in the back and a sports bar along 5th.
A Big Tattoo Parlor Opens
Tattoo shops are fairly common in Playa Del Carmen. Many people ask us for recommendations and the best place to get one. Recently one of the largest tattoo shops opened on 5th Avenue and Calle 14. (See photo at the top of the article.) It is called the Cleopatra Ink Tattoo & Piercing Playa del Carmen Studio. They are open from 10:00am to 1:00am daily.
Bowling Playa Opens on 5th Avenue
Located on 5th Avenue between 4th and 6th Street you can find Playa Bowling. This has been open for a short while, but we are adding it here for the first time. From the looks of it, it has not been that popular. Here are links to their Instagram page. Bowling Playa is open daily from 3pm to 1 am.
There was a bowling alley in the past at the Centro Maya Mall. It was a large bowling center that provided many locals a place to go and have something different to do. It also closed most likely because the cost of the rent outran the amount of business they had.
Sonora Grill Undergoes Some Renovations
The Sonora Grill on 5th Avenue and 30th Street was a popular restaurant to get some grilled meat and decent cocktails. It is currently temporarily closed. We reached out to them to ask what the details were but have not heard back. Does anyone have some information on what will happen here?
Renovations on the Corner of 5th and 30th Street
Many will remember a jewelry store on this corner years ago. It was robbed and then closed. After a long while being vacant, it is under construction.
Water Park Closes
The Ventura Park in Cancun was known for waterslides and rides has closed. This is the second large attraction in Cancun to close or close for an indefinite time period. Is it the drop in tourism? Was it just time to close? At any rate, it was surprising too many to hear this park had closed. It was located in the Hotel Zone in Cancun and most tourists passed it on the way to their hotel, so it is pretty iconic.
Did you miss our last update on things that have changed in Playa Del Carmen? Here is a link to the last update we published in November.
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