Quinta Avenida
Kilometres on foot.
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A Caribbean seaside town on the «Riviera Maya» between Cancún and Tulum, which grew from a small fishing village into one of the fastest-growing cities in Latin America. It is a comfortable base for exploring the whole region: smaller and calmer than Cancún and closer to the ruins and cenotes. Its beach is soft white sand and turquoise water, the best-known stretch being Mamitas beach in the north, with its umbrellas and beach clubs. Ferries leave the town pier for Cozumel island opposite in about 40 minutes. Parallel to the beach runs Quinta Avenida, Fifth Avenue, a pedestrian street stretching for kilometres with shops, restaurants, cafés and craft stores, the heart of town by day and night. Parts of it turn into a loud nightlife zone after dark, so the southern stretch is calmer for families. From April to August brown sargassum seaweed can wash up on some days. Bring sunscreen, and take care with money exchange and prices on the tourist strip.
Kilometres on foot.
White sand, turquoise water.
40 minutes to the island.
Playa Mamitas and Quinta Avenida, central Playa del Carmen; about an hour south of Cancún
It is smaller and closer to Tulum, the cenotes and Cozumel, and suits those who like walking to restaurants. Cancún has bigger hotels and longer beaches.