15 of the best beaches in Mexico
Whether you opt for a quick dip or want to linger for hours on the soft sands, Mexico’s stunning beaches are one of the best parts of any trip to the country.
With seemingly endless miles of coastline along both the Pacific and Caribbean, choosing the best beaches in Mexico is no easy task. From the excellent surfing at Puerto Escondido to the calm, blue waters in Puerto Vallarta, there's an ideal stretch of sand for every type of traveler.
The wild and wonderful Pacific coast has some world-class surfing spots, not to mention a wealth of small beach towns and intimate coves that are beloved by locals and will keep you coming back for more. Meanwhile, the Caribbean coast has some of Mexico's most famous party towns and ancient Maya sites beside incredible sugar-soft sands. And that's before we direct our gaze towards beautiful Baja California and its many treasures, such as lounging on sun-drenched sands as the occasional gray whale passes by.
Luckily, we've done the hard work for you and gathered together the best beaches to be found in magnificent Mexico.
1. Bahía Concepción
Best beach for sustainable stays
This stretch of hidden coves south of Mulegé in Baja California Sur is one of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of coast in Baja if not all of Mexico. Bahía Concepción is a popular stop for outdoorsy road trippers, who often stay for weeks. The milky, blue-green water, funky rock formations and marine wildlife also make it a top stop for kayakers. And the protection of the coves makes for great swimming. There are a number of budget-friendly, water-front camping areas throughout the coves if you’re planning to stay a while.
Looking for a truly remote stay but need lodging? Check out Todos Santos Eco Adventures (TOSEA). They have three glamping options so tucked away you may forget the rest of the world even exists; Camp Cecil de la Isla is in a protected cove on Espiritu Santo. Their few luxury glamping tents come with an amazing chef and all the swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boarding you can handle. Or take the chance to swim with sea lions – an unforgettable adventure – as you learn about the island’s ecology from a certified naturalist and guide.
TOSEA also works hard to create sustainable experiences for guests. Working with naturalists, conservationists and the residents of Baja California, they’ve helped reduce plastic pollution in Todos Santos while creating a travel experience where “leave no trace” is the norm.
2. Tulum
Best beach for Maya culture
While Mexico is flush with tourist beaches that all have their charms, Tulum has some of our favorites. Many visitors to this magical place bike or walk the 4km (3 miles) paved path from downtown to reach the beautiful stretches of sand – among them Playa Paraíso, one of the best beaches in Tulum. Sugary sands, cobalt water and balmy breezes are the order of the day here and where else can you get all that and a dramatically situated Maya site?
Stay in lush digs and dine in stylish restaurants with stunning views. There are also plenty of activities around to keep you busy if you can pry yourself out of your rented lounge chair for the afternoon.
Staying near the beach brings heftier prices, but there are budget-friendly hotels near the old town; we like the eco-oriented La Posada del Sol near the beach. Head to Taquería Honorio for the best classic cochinita pibil, a roasted pork dish in a succulent marinade.
3. Playa Salchi
Best beach for diving and sealife
Oaxaca’s beautiful Pacific coast is home to several varied, relaxed beach destinations and a near-empty shoreline strung with long golden sands and lagoons full of wildlife. Playa Salchi, halfway between the western edge of Parque Nacional Huatulco and Puerto Ángel, is one of the most precious destinations in Oaxaca.
The water can be somewhat rough on the main beach, but there are several swimmable beaches nearby. The nearby town of Huatulco was developed in the late 1980s with a more ecological bent than some of the bigger resorts in Mexico. More than 100 dive sites and 45 hectares (111 acres) of coral reefs in the surrounding waters make this the ideal low-key destination for all things below the surface. Dolphins, turtles and humpback whales all cruise through this coastline.
For the best tours, head to Huatulco Salvaje, a group of certified local tour guides. Many of them are from families that were displaced after the creation of Parque Nacional Huatulco in the 1990s and they know their stuff when it comes to nature tours.
4. Yelapa
Best beach for LGBTIQ travelers
Puerto Vallarta fell out of favor for a while as Cancún rose to prominence, but this enticing coastal destination is stretched around the sparkling blue Bahía de Banderas and backed by lush palm-covered mountains. It’s also known for its thriving nightlife and numerous LGBTIQ-friendly options and has become the gay beach capital of Mexico.
The best beach near Puerto Vallarta is Yelapa. It’s the furthest of the southern beaches from town tucked into a secluded and beloved bay. It’s home to a small community that frequently fishes off the pier. Though it can get busy with day-trippers, Yelapa empties out in the afternoon and has several comfortable places to stay if you prefer quiet evenings.
5. Playa Las Islitas
Best beach for sleepy days on the sand
Riviera Nayarit is all the rage with families these days and it’s really no wonder. Punta Mita and Sayulita are both charming little surf towns with clear, aquamarine water, white sand, great food and tons of wildlife excursions into the stunning, jungled mountains. But head to the peaceful, drowsy backwater of San Blas for a dose of perfect laid-back charm.
The beaches here – Playa Los Cocos, Playa Miramar and our favorite, Playa Las Islitas – are popular for surfing and have palapas under which you can lounge and drink fresh coconut water. Playa Las Islitas is wonderfully swimmable with very gentle surf, just perfect for beginners.
If you’re searching for waves though, head to Troncones, where the world-class surfing has been attracting ex-pats for a few years now. There’s also good mountain biking in the hills and day trips to check out petroglyphs in a nearby cave and a local hot spring to soak sore surfer muscles.
6. El Cielo
Best beach for snorkeling
Cozumel remains Mexico’s number-one stop for diving and snorkeling. The surrounding reefs are world-renowned and for good reason. The jaw-droppingly impressive variety of marine life is visible year-round and includes spotted eagle rays, moray eels, groupers, barracudas, turtles, sharks, brain coral and some huge sponges.
The beach at El Cielo, living up to its heavenly name, has shallow turquoise waters that are ideal for snorkeling and swimming among starfish, stingrays and other small, bright fish. It’s only reachable by boat, and tour operators are readily available for the half-mile journey from Cozumel. Book a trip with Aldora Divers, one of the best dive shops in the area. They’ll take you to the windward side of the island when the weather is bad on the western side and have full-day excursions to caves with sleeping sharks. September and October offer the best weather conditions for diving.
7. Laguna Bacalar
Best beach for quiet paradise
More than 60km (37 miles) long with a bottom of sparkling white sand, the crystal-clear Laguna Bacalar offers opportunities for camping, swimming, kayaking and simply lazing around amid a color palette of blues, greens and shimmering whites – as if you’ve left real life behind and stepped into a picture-perfect fantasy.
The small and sleepy town has enough going on to give you things to do and places to eat, but let’s be honest, it’s the quiet opportunity to soak in all the beauty that is the draw here.
To live out your cabana-over-turquoise-water dreams head to Rancho Encantado. A day at this striking hotel consists of waking up, having breakfast on the lagoon, kayaking or swimming in calm, translucent waters and then unwinding in the jacuzzi.
8. Playa Los Algodones
Best beach for perfect white sand
Near the under-the-radar beach retreat of San Carlos, in the state of Sonora, Playa Los Algodones is arguably the most beautiful beach in northern Mexico. The sand is fine and white, the water blue and calm and the view is of dramatic mountains.
Low-key San Carlos is presided over by the majestic twin peaks of Cerro Tetakawi, which glow an impressive red-earthed hue as the sun descends. Kayaking is the main activity other than beach lounging, but there are hikes up the mountains and horseback riding in the desert.
Northern Mexico isn’t often traveled by visitors holding passports from outside of Mexico, but it can get packed with weekend warriors from nearby Hermosillo. Even so, Sonora sees far fewer travelers, especially foreigners, than its myriad attractions and drop-dead beauty would suggest.
9. Playa Zipolite
Best beach for ditching your swimwear
The beach at Zipolite is huge, stretching for a good 1.5km (0.9 miles) and dispatching massive waves. It’s famous for nudity, so you’ll see people randomly swimming, sunbathing or happily walking across the wet sand minus their clothes at any time of day. It is more common in a couple of coves at the western end of the beach and in the small bay called Playa del Amor.
The town of Zipolite is a chilled-out strip of palapas, beach shacks and intentionally rustic boutique hotels. It's the largest of the three beach towns that decorate the coast west of Puerto Ángel and it’s well known for surfing, an unashamed "do nothing" vibe and a touch of bohemian magic.
The essence and glory of Zipolite is that organized activity is minimal. This is a place for hanging out and doing as little as you like. But you will need to eat so head to the outstanding La Providencia, a contemporary Mexican treat with a perfect open-air lounge.
10. Puerto Escondido
Best beach for surfing
Ahhh, Puerto Escondido. Is this where surfers go when they die? Many places claim to be the world’s best surfing beach, but Puerto Escondido’s Playa Zicatela – 3.5km (2.1 miles) of golden sand and crashing waves – makes many wave-rider’s top 10 for good reason. The heart of the action is the Mexico Pipeline at the northern end. But, if you’re looking to learn among the best, head to Playa Carrizalillo.
This small, beautiful sheltered cove west of the center is a superstar of Mexico’s beaches and a gorgeous place to hang out, swim and live vicariously as a surfer dude. In fact, it is the place to go for beginner surfers. Book a lesson and you’ll probably end up here making a splash or three. There is a mellow line of palapa beach bars when you finish.
Around town, you’ll find that the Rinconada Quarter is emerging as a culinary hot spot and the beach bars in Zicatela host spirited dance parties for late-night mischief.
11. Playa del Caballo
Best beach for privacy
Playa del Caballo is adjacent to Playa las Ánimas, a popular tourist beach getaway for the locals of Puerto Vallarta that is accessible by water taxi.
The teeming shores of Playa las Ánimas are lined with rows of beach chairs and crowded bars. But a short walk to the north, on a path that winds behind a few small bungalows, brings you to Playa del Caballo. A true paradise with electric blue water and towering palm trees, this beach is like your own private discovery, where the bevy of crabs that scuttle up to shore make up most of your fellow travelers.
12. Playa Delfines
Best beach for families with kids
Ask any local about the best beach in Cancún, and you’re sure to hear about Playa Delfines. Running south of the Zona Hotelera across the street from the city's most important ancient archaeological site, El Rey, Playa Delfines is one of the few beaches in Cancún not dominated by an imposing resort.
You won’t be alone here as it’s hugely popular, but there’s plenty of powdery sand for everyone to spread out. This sweeping beach is one of the rare surfing spots in Cancún, so bring your board or simply play in the waves. Plenty of parking, public restrooms, lifeguards, rows of thatch-roofed palapas that are free to use, and even a playground make this an ideal spot for families. Enjoy the churros and mango-on-a-stick sold by the vendors.
13. Playa Mujeres
Best beach for clear waters
Visitors to the Cancún area have discovered the previously little-known Playa Mujeres to the north of the Zona Hotelera. Home to several adults-only resorts and the Playa Mujeres Golf Club, this beach appeals to a mature, well-heeled crowd looking to unwind. Still, it remains relatively quiet and unvisited. You won’t find thumping beach clubs or imposing mega-resorts here – just elegant boutique hotels and miles of pristine sand.
14. Playa Norte
Best beach for a desert island vibe
Ten miles off the coast of Cancún, Playa Norte is located on Isla Mujeres, famous for having the largest concentration of whale sharks on the planet.
Playa Norte is significantly quieter than its noisy neighbor, and both locals and tourists use golf carts, bikes and scooters to move around the beach and the island. Once you reach Playa Norte, you won’t want to leave.
15. Melaque
Best beach for a laidback, local feel
Melaque in Jalisco is a classic Mexican beach town where front doors are kept open for the breeze, and mom-and-pop stores overflow with tropical fruits, glass bottle sodas and portable coolers filled with freshly made tortillas.
Just steps from the cobblestone streets is an 8km-long (5 miles) bay dotted with whitewashed buildings and palm trees. The surf attracts boogie boarders and the sand is gloriously empty most of the year. It’s a popular spot for nesting sea turtles, and snorkeling and fishing are popular nearby. For beachfront eats, there’s a clutch of thatched-roof restaurants on the north side of the bay where freshly caught fish is served by the kilo, whole and fried.
