The coast of Mexico has some of the best beaches around, along with numerous resorts and sightseeing to be found.
If you’re looking for a sun-drenched vacation to play in the surf, these Mexican beaches have a lot to offer travellers.
Cancun
It’s the combination of beautiful beaches, resorts, shopping and nightlife that puts Cancun at the top of our list.
Cancun rests on a 15-mile-long sandbar in the shape of a number seven, and the main activity is laying on the beach or playing in the surf.
In addition to suntanning and swimming, other activities include water skiing, windsurfing, para-sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
With so many hotels and resorts in the area, many being all-inclusive, a lot of visitors never venture past the beach or the walls of where they stay as the cuisine is often excellent. But if you do begin to feel adventurous, try visiting Labná Restaurant in downtown Cancun for some great dining.
Playa del Carmen
Found along the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya, a visit to Playa del Carmen is always a great getaway. Should you tire of the beach life, snorkelling, scuba diving, riding jet skis or playing golf, you might want to look into some of the other surroundings it has to offer. Many will venture to La Quinta Avenida, (aka 5th ave) the main street in the area, but there’s more to do still.
The Mayan ruins of Tulum are nearby, or visit Chichen Itza.
If you’re hungry and looking for something unique, try going to Alux, a restaurant built inside an underground cave.
Xcaret is an eco theme park where you can interact with dolphins, sharks, stingrays and more. Xel-Ha is another option with similar experience in the area.
A visit to Rio Secreto (which means Secret River) is an underground river with turquoise water and caves that many consider the highlight of their trip to Playa del Carmen. Or if you’re looking for a more secluded beach, then Xpu Ha might be worth visiting. And if you’re looking to liven up your evening, you might visit Coco Bongo for the nightlife scene.
Puerto Vallarta
Many of the best beaches in Mexico are found in Puerto Vallarta. While one of the more popular destinations in Mexico, it also has lots more to offer than it’s amazing beach.
Try a stroll over to Mismaloya, a small fishing village in the area found at the southern part of Banderas Bay. You could also visit Zona Romantica, with lots of great restaurants. A visit to Bucerías is also suggested.
If you’re interested to try some other beaches in the area, visit Playa las Gemelas or Los Muerto for more swimming, surfing, parasailing and boating.
If you’re thinking to look into the nightlife scene, be sure to check Rhythms of The Night, a spectacular show that’s like a a mini cirque de soleil and more.
Tulum
The beauty of Tulum is undeniable, and Playa Paraiso is the beach to be at.
A well kept secret of Tulum is the Laguna de Kaan Luum, a magical lagoon that’s said to have healing properties and has a beautiful array of colors.
Other things to see include exploring the caves of Cenote Caracol, or visiting the Dos Ojos, Tamcach-ha or Choo-ha cenotes, and the Tulum ruins. Once an ancient Mayan port city, the ruins are well preserved.
When it comes to nightlife, stop at Santino to dance the night away.
Mazatlan
Along the shores of the Mexican Riviera is Mazatlan, a beautiful coastal resort town that’s also the shrimp capital of the world. Home to some of the most stunning beaches, it offers a 21km boardwalk along with a wide variety of water sports, sport fishing, golf, eco-tours, and a great place for night-life. When you first arrive, visitors should stroll the oceanfront Malecon, a long stretch that’s a beautiful walk. Other places worth a visit include Basilica and Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island). If you’re looking for festivities, places like Rio and New Orleans might get a lot of hype for celebrating Carnaval, but it’s Mazatlan that throws one of the best Carnaval parties.
There’s no shortage of great beaches in Mexico, with a few other beaches worth a mention being Sayulita, Maroma, Punta Mita, Todos Santos, and Isla Mujeres.
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