Quinta Avenida

Playa del Carmen’s winning charm emerges all along this wide pedestrian avenue, which runs parallel to the beach. Eateries here include everything from cheap fast food like Pizza Renzo to upscale restaurants and cafes; the best people-watching is from outdoor seating at the sports bar Tequila Barrel or Chez Céline bakery. The shopping scene offers international luxury brands side by side souvenir shops, but the most interesting Mexican handicrafts await at boutiques like Sin Pecado and Sol Jaguar. Since this part of town has little shade, it’s best to avoid the midday sun; instead, try an early-morning visit with some streetside coffee in hand, then revisit at sunset to kick off an evening of dining, shopping, and bar-hopping.

A favorite with locals and tourists alike, this is the place for delicious down-home Mexican food. The 33 main dishes are drawn from the culinary traditions of 33 Mexican cities, assuring a true taste of this interesting country. Favorites include corcholatas callejeras, sweet and soft, bite-sized blue corn tortillas with beans, avocado, sour cream, and guajillo pepper and the mole poblano from Puebla. Chips and salsa, ceviche and frosty margaritas are other winners. Be sure to go upstairs to watch the cooks make fresh corn tortillas in a traditional open kitchen.

Rosewood Mayakoba is perhaps the perfect resort to relax and emerge refreshed after days enjoying the quiet of the lagoon, the empty beach, or simply relaxing on the outdoor deck of your suite. Nightlife here tends to be low key; exactly how most guests would have it. If you want, however, to spend a night out drinking, dining and dancing, Quinta Avenida in downtown Playa del Carmen is easy to get to—just ten minutes from the resort. It’s an international, cosmopolitan mix of al fresco restaurants and bars, with some late-night shopping thrown in as well. There’s something for everyone on this strip that runs parallel to the sea, whether you are in the mood for a cocktail or a crepe. At the end of Quinta Avenida, there’s a small park where families stroll and enjoy the warm evenings.

Spend a few hours browsing Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), a lengthy pedestrian-only path where a slew of bistros, restaurants, and cafes vie for your attention with boutiques overflowing with designer duds, upscale jewelry, Maya carvings, shiny silver, and colorful Mexican handicrafts. The southern end of town boasts Paseo del Carmen, an open-air mall with yet more designer stores and tony restaurants. Plaza Pelicanos is another place for some of the trendier shops. Adjacent streets showcase Playa’s older charm in smaller, more typical locales lining the cobblestone streets.