SYRENA STUDIO LIVING
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Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexique
Quinta Avenida
The 12 things to do and see on 5th Avenue
01
La Quinta Avenida (5e avenue)
La Quinta, as the locals call it, is worth a visit just for the old pleasure of walking. Walk, stop for a few minutes, look at a store, detail a craft, a piece of jewelry, an item of clothing, and start walking again, mentally noting that place you may need to enter later to make a purchase. Breathe in the crisp afternoon air with the scent of the Caribbean, as you feel new blood circulating in your body, invigorated by the walk and the pleasure of being in Playa del Carmen.
02
Paseo del Carmen
Very close to Fifth Avenue, at one of its ends, is a square called Paseo del Carmen, which is connected to Fifth Avenue by a picturesque alley. It's a good cool and cozy place to have a drink or a coffee before starting the tour of the main avenue. If you are in a hurry to start shopping, there are brand name stores and other establishments on Paseo del Carmen.
03
Parque Fundadores
This park located at one of the corners of Fifth Avenue is a tribute to the founders of the city who, according to legend, had to emigrate to another place because their palapas (rustic cabins) were demolished by the winds of the hurricanes. Currently, the square is the scene of civic acts and musical and folk performances. This is where Playa del Carmen's most iconic Christmas tree is placed.
04
Mariachis
One of the nicest surprises you can find on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen is a mariachi band, the bands that play Mexican national music. They can be heard from a considerable distance, due to the intense sound of their trumpets and other instruments. If you happen to meet a mariachi, after admiring their traditional attire, ask them to perform one of the famous pieces of Mexican folklore, such as México lindo y querido. The friendly musicians will please you.
05
Guerreros Águila
In pre-Hispanic Mexican culture, eagle warriors were a special breed of Mexican militia. They integrated, with the Jaguar Warriors, the elite troops of the Aztec Empire. These traditions have been maintained in a folkloric facet and it is common to see groups of Mexicans dressed in the striking attire of ancient warriors. Do not be surprised if during your walk along Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen you come across one of these typical and beautiful cultural expressions.
06
El País del Cacao
Cocoa is tied to Mexico's past more than that of any other country in the world. Pre-Hispanic Mexican Indians used their seeds as currency. He was also held and is held by an aphrodisiac. Aztec emperor Moctezuma drank up to 40 cups of cocoa a day to satisfy his harem. In Playa del Carmen and on Fifth Avenue, you can taste aromatic cocoa and exquisite Mexican chocolates. One of the Quinta's best-known establishments is Ah Cacao, a chain of stores that claims to hold the oldest secrets around this delicacy.
07
Tequila
References to the Mexican national drink are present in all cities and towns of the country. More than a drink, tequila is a cultural fact and has museums that tell its story. On Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen is Hacienda Tequila, a shopping center with a traditional facade reminiscent of the old "big houses" of Mexican haciendas. You can buy many things there and participate in a tequila tasting. After visiting the tequila museum of the place, you will become an expert of the millennial liquor.
08
Manos Artísticas
Native American craftsmanship is very rich and striking, and Mexico has pre-Columbian peoples and cultures that have passed down their art from generation to generation. On Fifth Avenue, it is possible to find beautiful handicrafts made of plant fibers, stones, ceramics, wood, bone, leather, threads, silver and any material that human hands can transform into an artistic piece. Among the most visited establishments of the Quinta are Sol Jaguar, Ambarte and Guelaguetza Gallery
09
Hamaqueros
One of the products in which the Mexicans show more skill in its elaboration is the hammock, the canvas or woven fabric that is tied with ropes between two trees or two other fixed points and is used to rest and sleep. For its manufacture, natural and artificial fabrics and fibers are used, and those woven by Mexican hammocks stand out for their resistance and color, which gives the sales shops a special multicolored appeal. In the Quinta is Hamacamarte, a store that is a haven for hammocks and other restful items, such as beds and rocking chairs.
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10
¡A Comer!
One of the things that surprises visitors to Playa del Carmen is the sheer number of establishments that serve Italian and Argentinian cuisine. This is due to the large colonies of these nationalities residing in the city. On Fifth Avenue, in addition to Mexican, Italian and Argentinian restaurants, there are Spanish and European, Latin American and Asian cuisines. You can also find the most famous international channels.
11
De México para Playa del Carmen
As a massive welcome center for international tourism, Playa del Carmen offers products from all over Mexico, and Fifth Avenue is a small showcase for the whole country. The town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in the state of Chiapas, has a long tradition in the elaboration of embroidery and hand weaving. On Fifth Avenue, the Textiles Mayas Rosalía store is a sort of Chiapas branch in Playa del Carmen. Despite the exquisite level of preparation, the prices are moderate.
12
Alma Nocturna
Your walk can't end without spending some time on Avenida 12, which at its intersection with Fifth Avenue forms Playa del Carmen's nightlife, the perfect backdrop for the city's entertainment. There are bars and entertainment venues with every level of noise on the sound scale and something for everyone, from drinks to music.