Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen: Things To Do and Avoid 2025

Hello travelers! Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant district of La Quinta Avenida, also known as the Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. This colorful place is the perfect blend of shopping, dining, and beachside bliss. Join us as we uncover the secrets and splendors of this beloved avenue.

La Quinta is the main pedestrian street and the heart of the Riviera Maya. Here are some of the main reasons why La 5ta is considered so special and attractive for tourists from all over the world. Let’s go!

How big is La Quinta Avenida in 2025?
Is La Quinta Avenida safe?
What’s the atmosphere like?
What kind of shops can you find on 5th Avenue?
When is the best time to visit La Quinta?
Are there any cultural attractions?
Is there Beach Access on 5th avenue?
Are there any good restaurants on 5th Avenue?
Where can I find Marquesitas?
How’s the Nightlife in Playa del Carmen?
Is Uber available in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya?
Are there any potential scams on Fifth Avenue?

La Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen. It's the perfect blend of shopping, dining, and beachside bliss
La Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen: the perfect blend of shopping, dining, and beachside bliss.

How big is La Quinta Avenida in 2025?

Fifth Avenue, in Playa del Carmen is approximately 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long. It stretches parallel to the coast, running north to south. The avenue begins at Paseo del Carmen Shopping Mall (south end), and continues to grow all the way to Calle 70 Norte next to the Colosio Avenue access to the beach, as of 2023. It takes about 45 minutes to walk from the start to the end, needless to say, without stopping! Which is almost impossible. People watching is one of our favorite sports in Playa del Carmen, you’ll find out why!

Is La Quinta Avenida safe?

Yes! La Quinta Avenida is considered safe for families and tourists from all around the world. La Quinta Avenida is closed to vehicular traffic for most of its length. It’s always wise to take precautions and exercise common sense, as you would in any touristy destination. You will find multiple shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels, making it a bustling hub of activity for locals and tourists alike. So, yes! The place is and feels very safe. Walking along La Quinta Avenida provides an opportunity to explore the streets, enjoy the local cuisine, shop for souvenirs, and experience the cultural offerings of Playa del Carmen.

What’s the atmosphere like?

La Quinta Avenida has a lively and energetic vibe, bustling with locals and tourists. It’s a pedestrian-friendly street where you can stroll leisurely, people-watch, and soak in the vibrant ambiance. Street performers, musicians, and artisans often entertain visitors, adding to the lively character of the area. If you are looking for a Mariachi band in Playa del Carmen this is the place to find it! Just make sure to go after the sun goes down as the Mariachi are wearing their typical costume and it gets really hot during the day!

What kind of shops can you find on 5th Avenue?

La Quinta Avenida is famous for its shopping opportunities. The street is packed with numerous shops where you can find a wide range of products such as clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and more. It’s a paradise for shoppers looking for traditional Mexican crafts. There are a few large shopping malls located on 5th Avenue, two of the main ones are Paseos del Carmen (Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Starbucks) and Quinta Alegria Shopping Mall (Levi’s, American Eagle, La Europea wine shop, Starbucks, iStore). There is a small book store called Libreria Gandhi, in Calle Corazon, an extension of La Quinta Avenida. You will find a big H&M store at calle 12 and that’s the beginning of the small Calle Corazon. Luxury brands like Rolex are for sale at Ultra Jewels

Calle Corazon is located on 5th Avenue between 12 and 14 street
Calle Corazon is located on 5th Avenue between 12 and 14 street

When is the best time to visit La Quinta?

La Quinta is not a morning thing, unless you’re looking to exercise or run across town before it gets hot! Shops open around 10 or 11 AM, but to be honest, that’s the hottest time of the day to go for a stroll. Some restaurants will serve breakfast or brunch, but the majority of places will be fully operational in the afternoon. The best time to visit La Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen is around 6 or 7 PM when the sun goes down and the lights come on! At dinner time everything is alive! Mariachis are singing and rock bands are playing live at the local bars. This is the time when visiting the Fifth Avenue is well worth it.

Are there any cultural attractions?

Along La Quinta Avenida, you’ll find various cultural attractions such as art galleries, handicraft shops, and cultural shows, especially at the Parque Fundadores located at the south end of La Quinta. When the sun starts going down you can find local drummers and dancers representing Prehispanic rituals. In the evenings you may also see the Voladores de Papantla, dancing and flying around like a downward spiral. This place showcase the rich heritage and artistic expressions of the region, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Prehispanic Dancer on Parque Fundadores

Is there Beach Access on 5th avenue?

La Quinta Avenida runs parallel to the beautiful Playa del Carmen beach. It provides convenient free access to the sandy shores, where visitors can relax, swim, sunbathe, or participate in water activities like Scuba Diving or Parasailing. You can easily combine a day of beach relaxation, at one of the many beach clubs in town, with exploring the vibrant street later at night.

 La Quinta Avenida runs parallel to the beautiful Playa del Carmen beach. It provides convenient access to the sandy shores
La Quinta Avenida runs parallel to the beautiful Playa del Carmen beach. It provides convenient access to the sandy shores.

Are there any good restaurants on 5th Avenue?

The Fifth is home to a diverse array of restaurants, cafes, bars, and street food stalls. Whether you’re craving traditional Mexican cuisine, international dishes, or fresh seafood, you’ll find a wide range of options to satisfy your taste buds. From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, La Quinta Avenida offers something for every palate. You can find many steak houses and sushi restaurants all around La Quinta. If you are wondering where to eat in Playa del Carmen just click here.

Where can I find Marquesitas?

Some of the best street food in the world is found around Mexico’s streets. The smells and the flavors floating in the air will take you to the right corner. Near La Quinta Avenida there aren’t many street taco stands or informal food venues. Something you will find at almost every corner is the local Marquesitas! A large crispy type of crepe filled out with Queso de Bola (Edam Dutch cheese) and Nutella is the classic mix for a Marquesita. You can make your own combination with different ingredients like fresh fruits or marmalade. Elotes or esquites are also easy to find on the street corners. You have to try them both!

How’s the Nightlife in Playa del Carmen?

As the sun sets, La Quinta Avenida comes alive with a vibrant nightlife scene. There are numerous bars, clubs, and music venues where you can enjoy live music, DJs, and dancing. Whether you prefer a relaxing drink, a lively club atmosphere, or a cozy bar, there are options for everybody. Most of the night action happens in Calle 12, between Cocobongo and the beach. During the day there are also many roof top pools with good food and nice music, perfect to relax after a night out.

Some tips to ensure a safe experience:

If you plan to enjoy the nightlife along La Quinta Avenida, drink responsibly and be mindful of your alcohol consumption (no matter where you travel). It’s always safer to go out with a group of friends and to keep an eye on your drinks as with any other travel destination. Stick to the busy areas and avoid walking alone especially late at night. Keep your wallet and phone secure and out of sight. Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry that might attract unwanted attention. If you need to travel around Playa del Carmen, use authorized taxis or reputable transportation services. Avoid taking rides from unlicensed vehicles. You can always share your live location with a friend or take a picture of the taxi number and send it to someone you trust.

Is Uber available in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya?

As of June 2023, the short answer is: No. Uber is not operational at the moment in Playa or Tulum.

Are there any potential scams on Fifth Avenue?

Like in any tourist destination, be cautious of scams or overly persistent street vendors. If some random seller tells you “Hello! Remember me? I am your waiter from the hotel”. That person is trying to use some tricky selling tactics, as the name of your hotel is branded on the bracelet you are wearing. Next time you’ll turn your bands inside out, then they’ll have more fun guessing.

Remember always use your judgment and stay away from trouble.

Playa del Carmen sign located next to the ferry terminal
Playa del Carmen sign is located next to the ferry terminal

Let’s wrap this up!

These aspects combine to make La Quinta Avenida a vibrant and popular destination for visitors to Playa del Carmen, offering a unique blend of shopping, entertainment and beach access all in one place. If you are interested in the top attractions around Playa del Carmen this just follow this link.

 
1 Response
  1. Y. Sullivan

    Great article! Thank you for sharing. Besides Fifth Avenue, the most beautiful and authentic corner of Playa del Carmen is Calle 38, almost no shops, no hassle, just amazing bars and lots of restaurants full of locals!

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