Paris has the Champs Elysees and Madrid, the Gran Vía; in Buenos Aires, you can walk along Avenida 9 de Julio. In Dubai, don’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Road, and Sunset Boulevard is one of the most important streets in LA. But, of course, each city has its most famous street, its main artery, its urban symbol. Some are bigger and more luxurious, others more discreet and charming. But all of them are places where art, fine dining, shopping, and, in general terms, everyday life offer an incredible set of possibilities. And in Playa del Carmen, that street is called the Fifth Avenue or La Quinta, as it is called by locals.
Discover the soul of Riviera Maya in this picturesque pedestrian promenade full of bars and restaurants, cafes, fashion boutiques, art galleries, jewelry stores, handicraft shops… A perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere that characterizes this incomparable destination in the Mexican Caribbean.
- Miles of possibilities
- Shopping in La Quinta
- Food & fun in La Quinta
- Parque Fundadores & Portal Maya
Miles of possibilities
Fifth Avenue is about 3 miles long and runs parallel to the coastline. Still, its pedestrian section only covers about 1.2 miles, from Calle 42 Norte to the area of Parque Fundadores and Paseo del Carmen shopping center (1st South Street), some 20 or so blocks. A golden mile, a place full of possibilities, an absolute must for those who visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Since Playa del Carmen became a tourist destination, this street has been like its backbone. But perhaps the most attractive thing about La Quinta is that depending on the time of the day you walk through it, there are always different things going on. In the morning, it is a quiet place, perfect for having a delicious breakfast or a nice cup of coffee. At noon, the atmosphere begins to rise, and restaurants and shops become the center of attraction. In the same way, the afternoon is the best time to take a walk, have some ice cream, go shopping, enjoy a street show, visit places such as the Frida Kahlo Museum (link)… And when the sun goes down, of course, it’s time to party! It’s time to enjoy the incomparable nightlife of Playa del Carmen.
Shopping in La Quinta
La Quinta is, above all, a commercial corridor. Throughout this beautiful pedestrian promenade, you can find shops of any kind, from a pharmacy to a fashion boutique, from a souvenir stall to a beach shop. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for the most famous designers or if you prefer to buy typical handicrafts. On Fifth Avenue, you have options for all tastes and budgets.
Take a look at shopping centers such as Paseo del Carmen, Plaza Corazón, and Quinta Alegría. They offer you the best international brands, but also the more local shops and boutiques. There you can buy more authentic and original things, as well as tequila, coffee, cocoa, handicrafts, and other typically Mexican products (enlace a Mexico Souvenirs). In any case, when visiting Playa del Carmen, take a good walk along its Fifth Avenue and take back home a nice set of memories.
A tip: be very careful with the timeshare/vacation club sales stalls that you can find all over La Quinta. They can not only make you lose your precious time with never-ending presentations, but sometimes the can be a straight-out scam.
5th avenue Playa del Carmen restaurants
The other great attraction of this artery that runs through Playa del Carmen is, of course, its delicious and diverse culinary offer. Many of the best bars and restaurants in the Riviera Maya are located in this pedestrian area. Mexican snacks, fish and seafood, hamburgers, sushi, coffee shops, Italian cuisine… From fast food to luxury restaurants, at La Quinta, you have all kinds of flavors and aromas.
If you are looking for the real taste of Mexico: tacos, sopes, quesadillas, chilaquiles and enchiladas, guacamole, cochinita pibil, carnitas, barbacoa, mole… Be sure to stop by places like Patio 8, Aldea Corazón, La No. 20 Cantina, Quinta de Piedra, Muy Salsa, Porfirio’s, and Celia’s, among many others. Of course, don’t miss the chocolate and luscious desserts at Ah Cacao. They are a true delight!
The flavors of the world are also very present in La Quinta, including the authentic Italian cuisine in places like Ambasciata D’Italia or Casa Mediterránea; French cuisine at Chez Céline; the fun atmosphere and Cuban cuisine at La Bodeguita del Medio; the great grilled meats from 500 Gramos Grill, Sonora Grill or El Diez; and the oriental flavor of Sushi Itto and Sushi Roll. This outstanding collection of flavors from all over the world make a clear example of the distinctive cosmopolitan atmosphere of Playa del Carmen and its famous Fifth Avenue.
Also, don’t forget that you’re in the Mexican Caribbean, so, of course, fish and seafood are the house’s specialty. Places like Las Hijas de la Tostada, La Fishería, and La Pechita offer you delicious ceviches, cocktails and aguachiles, octopus, tuna or shrimp toasts, fish, shrimp, crab tacos… And the best fresh fish! Grilled, baked, fried… you name it. Straight from the sea to the plate!
In any case, the foodie side of La Quinta offers you an authentic feast of truly delicious aromas and flavors. So you just have to see what you’re craving for and… Bon appetit!
And, of course, after a good bite, a great night out! Because, if we talk about nightlife, Playa del Carmen is a major league spot. On Fifth Avenue and in some of the surrounding streets as well, you can find some of the best nightclubs and bars in the Mexican Caribbean. Visit places like the mythical Coco Bongo, the exciting Palazzo, the glamorous Mandala, or the crazy La Vaquita, among many others, and discover why the night in Playa del Carmen is famous all over the world.
Parque Fundadores & Portal Maya
At the southern end of Fifth Avenue, before reaching the Paseo del Carmen open-air shopping center, you can find Parque Fundadores, a beautiful place whose history is linked to the origin of Playa del Carmen as a small fishing village. It’s the perfect place to have a good time with the family. The children’s playground, the snacks sold on the street, and the different cultural shows within the park, such as the famous Voladores de Papantla, make Parque Fundadores a wonderful and lively place.
In addition, in the north corner of the park is the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), a small and picturesque church widely used for weddings and other religious ceremonies, with a large panoramic window with a beautiful view of the sea behind. And just at the opposite end, between the park and the beach, is the large bronze sculpture known as Portal Maya, a magnificent allegory of the rich historical, cultural, and natural heritage of the Mexican Caribbean made by sculptor José Arturo Tavares. A true symbol of the city.
