There’s no place like home! I love traveling, I love vacations, I love exploring new places, but nothing beats home. We got back on Saturday and I am just now starting the tedious job of unpacking and doing laundry. Ugh! I thought I’d do a little throwback Thursday to when we were in Playa del Carmen last week! Hehe!
I’ve been to Playa del Carmen before, but it has really blossomed since I was last there about 6 years ago. Tourism has grown, yet it’s not quite as Americanized as Cancún. There are beautiful hotels and amazing natural parks (Xplor, XCaret, Xel-ha). But my favorite part of Playa is La Avenida Quinta (The Fifth Avenue). I mentioned it briefly in my last post, but didn’t feel like I did it justice.
You could go there every day and you would still find something new; whether it’s stores, restaurants, or just people watching, La Quinta has something for everyone.
In fact, we went there 3 nights and we still hadn’t been able to finish walking the strip. There are two sides to La Quinta: Old Quinta and Nueva Quinta. They both have shops and restaurants but old Quinta has more traditional architecture, whereas Nueva Quinta has more modern buildings and newer shops. Nueva Quinta also has many American stores such as Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, etc.
One night we ate at this beautiful restaurant called Aldea del Corazon. The front entrance doesn’t look like anything spectacular, but once you go in the back, there are tables set up inside a cenote. (A cenote is a very large sink hole and there are many in Mexico.) There were trees and vines growing everywhere and we ate by the light of torches that lined the cenote. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any good pictures of the cenote, but this is the front. 🙁
In addition to the many shops and restaurants, La Quinta has a lively art and entertainment scene. There are street performers that draw crowds of people and artists selling their work. There is a small stage near the ocean where groups perform Mayan tribal dances and a tent where you can play lotería (Mexican bingo). And if that’s not enough for you, check out the great night life with beautiful candlelit nightclubs that open up to the beach.
Whatever you find, you are sure to enjoy yourself at this lively and vibrant street. It is simply biuriful (aka beautiful)!
XO,
L
WOW this are really great pictures!
Great information as well for anyone who is interested in Playa del Carmen!!
Love it
-Sumeila