Playa del Carmen Mayor Denies Rumors of Fifth Avenue Access Fee

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The mayor of Playa del Carmen has publicly denied rumors circulating on social media that the city plans to charge an access fee for Fifth Avenue, one of its main tourist corridors.

In a video posted on her official social media accounts, Mayor Estefanía Mercado called the information false and stated emphatically that Fifth Avenue will remain a public, free, and open space for everyone. “It is completely false that access will be charged. Fifth Avenue is and will continue to be a public space,” she said.

Mercado explained that the city does plan to create a board of trustees, composed of business owners and civil society representatives, to care for, maintain, and strengthen this tourist area, which is considered a point of pride for Playa del Carmen.

She detailed that, unlike previous schemes, revenue from advertising spaces in the area will no longer benefit a select few. Instead, it will be managed transparently and allocated for the conservation of the area and collective well-being.

The mayor noted that this is not the first time false news has circulated about decisions made by her administration. She cited examples including rumors that a city name change would cost millions of pesos or that trees on 10th Avenue would be cut down, which she stressed also turned out to be untrue.

“We do not govern for personal interests here. We govern with truth, with the people, and for Playa del Carmen,” she said, adding that her administration will continue to confront misinformation by addressing issues directly and clarifying facts, rather than through social media rumors.

Mercado reiterated that the transformation of the municipality is built on transparency, citizen participation, and direct communication with the public, and she urged residents to get information from official sources.