Once upon a time, there was a small fishing village on the Riviera Maya where cutoff’s and bikinis were the fashion choice du jour, and a sarong was a perfectly acceptable selection for evening wear. Back in these days highway 307 was a simple two-way road that took too long for travelers to even consider exploring much more of Quintana Roo. Venturing south of Cancun was an explorer’s delight though simple amenities like groceries and gas were hard to get and given rationing is an activity few look forward to during vacation only the most daring went beyond the beaten path.
Today, Playa del Carmen is Riviera Maya’s most vibrant little beach town on the coast and only hour from Cancun airport thanks to the 4-lane high way that connects Cancun to the state capital of Chetumal. Now travelers from all over Mexico and the world can easily access the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mexico is a destination universal travelers love.
The fact is the world loves Mexican beaches, and Mexico loves the world, so Playa Del Carmen amped up their game to deliver one of the most exciting tropical getaways yet somehow managed to keep a familiar provincial air. Playa is a proper city that welcomes millions of visitors from all over the globe looking for the adventure they most want. Yes, PDC has the vacation adventure for everyone born as of 1492. There is open water diving, deep sea fishing, Caribbean dancing, fine dining, theme parks for children, cenotes for nature lovers, archeological sites for the explorer and now there’s shopping too!
Packing has never been easier.
Long gone are the days of having to overpack for a trip to Riviera Maya given you can find most anything you’ll need here. La Quinta Avenida offers 2 Km of beachside shopping by the Caribbean shore and it’s not just souvenirs anymore. There’s dining and dancing too! Now you can soak up those sun rays during the day and shop to your heart’s content on 5th Avenue where you’ll find the biggest brand names stores. Plus, these stores are open until 11 PM so you can take your time sipping your cocktails while you stroll down 5th.
Paseo Del Carmen is in the southernmost end of 5th Avenue where the ferry dock to Cozumel is right by the entrance to the private residential area of PlayaCar. Armani Exchange, Tag Hauer, Zara, Zara Home, Rip Curl some of the names you’ll recognize around here and there’s Starbucks and Hagaan Das too to grab pre or post ferry ride. Be sure to walk towards Parque Fundadores where you can see the Voladores del Papapantla (flying dancers) perform in front of the ocean.
Quinta Avenida and Calle del Corazon are the newest two shopping centers on 5th with the trendiest bars and restaurants in town too. Quinta Avenida has underground parking which is perfect for those who just want a quick retail therapy fix featuring Victoria’s Secrets, Nike and Billabong before heading back to the beach. Calle del Corazon home to Calvin Klein, Steve Madden and Michael Kors and also Catch restaurant which has an incredible rooftop restaurant and pool with the most incredible sunsets.
Want more great tips on shopping in Playa del Carmen? Check out Playa del Carmen vacation tips – Best time to shop 5th Ave