The Fifth Avenue Of Playa Del Carmen

Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida in Spanish, is what sets Playa del Carmen apart from other Caribbean beach towns. Just steps away from the white sand beaches, the 2-kilometer pedestrian street offers top shopping, dining, and cultural experiences during the day and vibrant nightlife after the sun sets. "La Quinta” has become the symbol of Playa del Carmen and is definitely more than just a street. It's full of life 24 hours a day when the first people arrive for their jogging or yoga sessions and coincide with those leaving the discos and rooftop bars. It’s an absolute must during your vacation in Riviera Maya.

La Quinta Avenida is almost 5 kilometers long, although as mentioned above, the pedestrian section is only 1.9 kilometers long. It starts in the Playacar area of Playa, next to the Paseo del Carmen shopping mall and near Fundadores Park, and ends around Calle 42 Norte. You can walk it in less than half an hour but don't rush. It's an all-day experience if you want to visit all the shops and museums and enjoy the local cuisine.

Let me guide you.

Shopping at the Fifth Avenue: From Mexican Crafts to High-End Brands

It is a safe spot, well maintained and patrolled. If you need to withdraw money, use the ATMs inside the shopping centers or the banks but in general, no need for this—you can pay with your card inside all the establishments.

La Quinta Avenida has something for everyone when it comes to shopping. Whether you are looking for a magnet for your fridge at home, some unique Mexican handicrafts or designer items, you will find it all and more on Fifth Avenue. There are numerous small traditional shops and larger malls scattered throughout this 2-kilometer street, so there is plenty of choice.

Paseo del Carmen Shopping Mall

This shopping center is located at the beginning of 5th Avenue, near the ferry dock to Cozumel. It’s much more than just a shopping mall; it’s a place with a relaxing vibe, cozy outdoor and indoor restaurants and bars, and stores and shopping stands like Guess, Sunglass Hut, Oysho Victoria’s Secret, Bershka, Zara, Fullsand, and many more. For a full list of shops, check the Paseo del Carmen Shopping Mall website.

Calle Corazón

This is another shopping center more or less in the middle of Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue with shops, restaurants, food stands and bars. It is one of my favorites to sit down with a traditional Mexican Michelada and watch the colorful, international crowd of tourists and locals pass by.

Calle Corazón means The Heart Street and you will find Ghandi Bookstore, Sephora, Steve Madden, H&M, and many more. The restaurants and bars range from traditional Mexican food to frozen yogurt and sushi rolls. Visit the website to see the full list of Calle Corazón's offerings.

Quinta Alegria Mall

Quinta Alegria Mall is the biggest shopping center on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen with free wifi. It’s ideal for those who love high-end brands but not only. The Apple store is there, as well as Levi’s store, American Eagle, Oakley, Pandora, and many more. There’s also the Italia Racing Driving Simulation Center for F1 enthusiasts and Haagen Dazs for ice cream fans. You can also spend 15 dollars for a day pass at the World Gym located there. Check the website for a full list of stores and services.

Artisan Markets and Stores

If you are looking for a more local taste, Quinta Avenida is full of small shops that offer jewelry, textiles, and pottery made by local artists. Look for handmade silver jewelry and embroidered textiles to take home a piece of Mexico.

Dining at La Quinta: Taste the Mexican Flavors

Playa del Carmen, like any other Mexican city, is a place where you can indulge your taste buds. However, due to its cosmopolitan nature, you will find a very diverse food scene, ranging from authentic Mexican dishes to international cuisine.

Mexican Flavors

If you are vacationing in the Riviera Maya, you must try the real Mexican food like tacos, sopes, quesadillas, chilaquiles and enchiladas, guacamole, cochinita pibil, carnitas, barbacoa, mole and much more.

Patio 8 is a beautiful casual restaurant with great modern decor and regional food. Aldea Corazón presents itself as Mexican Soul Food and serves food all day from early morning to midnight.

Celia sells tacos and cold beer and proudly states, "In tacos we trust”. In addition to Mexican food, Quinta de Piedra offers sports events on TV and live music events. Las Hijas de la Tostada is a cult place to try Mexican seafood, and La Pechita is the best for traditional Mexican alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages served in an original way.

International Cuisine

If you crave the flavors of the world while strolling down Fifth Avenue , you can find authentic Italian, French, Cuban and Oriental restaurants. I highly recommend Ambasciata D'Italia for its pizzas and pasta, and you must visit the famous Bodeguita del Medio not only for its Cuban cuisine but also for its mojitos, dance nights, and original decor. Chez Celine is the locals’ favorite spot for French pastries. Grilled meats are best enjoyed at the Sonora Grill and Sushi Itto should satisfy your sushi cravings.

Nightlife at the Quinta Avenida: Experience Playa del Carmen After Dark

When the sun sets, the Fifth Avenue comes alive with vibrant nightlife. The clubs in Playa del Carmen are world-famous for unforgettable evenings and nights both for tourists and locals. There are some discos that have been on the entertainment landscape for years and some more recent additions. Some of them are located directly on 5th Avenue and some a few meters away, mainly on the 12th street.

Coco Bongo is probably the most famous club open since 2008 located on the corner of 10th and 12 street. Apart from dancing and drinks it offers quite a show every night with acrobats, dancers and tributes to famous figures of music and movies. Add to it art light and show spectacle and you’ll know why it’s so popular. It closes only on Mondays.

Palazzo is right next to Coco Bongo and it's a really big club that's only open from Thursday to Saturday. It has a very fancy decor with crystal chandeliers and it's famous for its atmosphere and drinks.

Mandala is located on the corner of 12th and 1st streets and is open seven days a week! It has a very glamorous atmosphere with decorations that make you think of the Far East. A very exotic place to spend a night dancing. The club is open to the street, so you can walk by and see if it suits your personal taste.

La Vaquita is another open-to-the-streets club and is considered one of the wildest. Maybe it's because of the cows hanging from the ceiling, or maybe it's because you can buy 1-liter beers. It's open Monday through Sunday and mixes all kinds of music.

Clandestino is located on the corner of 5th and 10th streets and its undeniable charm lies in its incredible rooftop. You can enjoy the rhythms of the night, feel the sea breeze, and enjoy the night lights of the city. It also has a restaurant so you can eat before or if you get hungry while dancing.

There are many other small and large places to have a few drinks and dance, and you can be sure that even if you come to Playa del Carmen for a two-week vacation, you can party at a different place every night at La Quinta Avenida.

Cultural Life at La Quinta: Art, History and Local Traditions

Playa del Carmen isn’t just about shopping and nightlife—it’s a city rich in culture and proud of its local traditions.

Parque Los Fundadores (The Founders Park) is a vibrant spot to experience Mexican regional traditions, get a good glimpse of regional Mexican culture and its rich heritage. As you walk, you’ll notice the Portal Maya sculpture, located near the beach, is an iconic piece representing humanity and the beginning of a new era. The sculpture was located there in 2012 and quickly became a symbol of Playa del Carmen, immortalized in postcards and tourists’ photos.

The Park is also home to Mayan pre-hispanic dancers and other indigenous performances . One of the most captivating ones is the show by the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Flyers). It’s an ancient ritual involving performers, dressed in traditional attire symbolizing birds, spinning around a tall pole, often over 30 meters high. The four flyers climb the pole, tie themselves to ropes, and launch off the pole spinning and descending. Each flyer circles the pole 13 times, totaling 52 circles, which represent the 52-year cycle in the Mesoamerican calendar.

Frida Kahlo Museum is located on Fifth Avenue, and it celebrates one of Mexico’s most famous artists. You can learn about Frida Kahlo’s life, her impact on Mexican culture, and her artistic legacy. The main focus is on interactive and sensory exhibits and it can be enjoyed even by kids.

L’Aquarium is another spot worth your visit. Situated in Calle Corazón, this aquarium offers an educational experience showcasing the Riviera Maya’s marine life. All the 10,00 animals you will see in the aquarium were rescued or bred in the aquarium and none were taken from their natural environment.

You will surely enjoy it but remember that it supports reef conservation efforts, so your visit will contribute to the sustenance of the local biosystem. The museum breeds corals and releases youngsters born in the aquarium into the sea.

Ready to Visit 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen?

Fifth Avenuein Playa del Carmen is not just a street; it’s a journey through the essence of Mexico’s Caribbean culture. Remember, don’t be just a tourist on La Quinta—you have to live it.

So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets to Riviera Maya and experience La Quinta Avenida to its fullest.