Question 1

What is the "Timeshare Breakfast Invitation on Quinta Avenida" scam in Playa del Carmen?

Accepted Answer

Promoters working the length of Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) in Playa del Carmen invite tourists to a free breakfast or discounted dinner in exchange for attending a 90-minute vacation club presentation. The presentation runs three to five hours, involves high-pressure tag-team sales tactics, and many attendees are pressured into signing contracts for memberships costing $10,000–$30,000 USD before they are allowed to leave. Decline all street promoters offering free meals or show tickets in exchange for attending a presentation. If you attend, bring a written reminder that you have the right to cancel any signed contract within five business days under Mexican consumer law (PROFECO). Never sign under time pressure.

Question 2

What is the "Timeshare Pitch on Quinta Avenida" scam in Playa del Carmen?

Accepted Answer

Along 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida), the main tourist pedestrian strip in Playa del Carmen, well-dressed representatives approach tourists offering free activities, discounted cenote trips, or restaurant vouchers in exchange for attending a "30-minute" resort presentation. The presentation is invariably a multi-hour high-pressure timeshare sales pitch. Representatives are skilled at identifying tourists with travel flexibility and use gifts and free meals as bait. Some work from tables disguised as official tourism information booths. Decline any unsolicited offer of free activities or vouchers that requires attending a presentation or resort visit. Legitimate tourism information is available at the official Quintana Roo tourist office. If an offer sounds too good to be free, it is not free — the cost is several hours of your vacation under sales pressure.

Tour & Activity Scams in Playa del Carmen

Timeshare Breakfast Invitation on Quinta Avenida

Timeshare Pitch on Quinta Avenida

Experienced a scam here?