The 11 Best Beaches in Mexico

If you’re traveling to Mexico, chances are you’ll want to check out some of the beaches. There are beautiful beaches across the country worth visiting, and we’ve picked a few of our favorites. These are some of the best beaches in Mexico to check out, and we’ve left ou the huge tourist beaches like Los Cabos, Cancún, and Puerto Vallarta. Some of these beaches are quieter than others, so dig in to find the one that fits your needs!

Looking for a place to stay in Mexico? Check out our list of the Best Hotels in Mexico!

 

Best Beaches in Mexico

These are our favorite beaches in Mexico, not listed in any particular order! All of these spots are worth checking out.

Tulum, Quintana Roo

Tulum is simply one of the best beaches in Mexico. Anyone who has been there can attest to this. Located south of Cancún in the state of Quintana Roo, Tulum has a small town, a beautiful beach, and well-preserved ruins from the Mayan people. Tulum is an awesome little town that is growing rapidly. You can find some pretty amazing local art, wonderful food, and take tours of the powerful ruins. With all of the fun things to do in Tulum, it makes it a must-see.

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen is just one of our favorite places in Mexico in general, and certainly has one of the best beaches in Mexico. Although it has become a bit touristy in the last decade, there are still miles of beautiful beaches. From the popping beach in the center of town to the quieter beaches just north and south of the main one, this is just a beautiful place to kick back and enjoy the sun. The clear Caribbean waters offer wonderful snorkeling and activities, and the warm weather makes it the ideal place to chill out. There are also plenty of awesome things to do in Playa del Carmen that are worth checking out. You can check out our list of the 11 Best Beaches in (and Near) Playa del Carmen for some of our favorite beaches in the area.

Mazatlán, Sinaloa

Mazatlán is a little town in the state of Sinaloa on the west side of Mexico. This is a sleepier town, and you won’t find as many huge tourist spots and resorts as you will in other parts of Mexico. The beach is relatively quiet, and simply beautiful. Although it doesn’t tend to be high on people’s lists of places to visit in Mexico, it definitely is a well-kept secret.

Yelapa, Jalisco

Yelapa is a relatively unknown beach town in the state of Jalisco. We don’t hear of many people traveling here, which is wonderful. It’s a quiet area and you won’t find huge groups of tourists and clubs. Just south of Puerto Vallarta, this beach is quiet and offers a getaway from the craziness in the bustling tourist center just north. If you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta or the surrounding area, head down to check out Yelapa’s picturesque beaches. One of the reasons this beach is so special is the lack of resorts, hotels, and high-rises because it is only accessible via boat.

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo

Isla Mujeres is a popular tourist destination of the coast of Cancún. Just a few miles from mainland, Isla Mujeres is a place you simply have to visit. In addition to having some of the best beaches in Mexico, it’s a cool community of artists and friendly locals. If you’re in the area, head out to the island via the ferry to escape the chaos you’ll often find on the mainland. Isla Mujeres offers beautiful snorkeling, white-sand beaches, and a more laid-back atmosphere than Cancún.

Zihuantanejo, Guerrero

Zihuantanejo is a beautiful little town just south of the popular tourist destination of Ixtapa. A small fishing village, the town is a fun place to hang out and eat some delicious food. The popular beach is Playa La Ropa, and it really is a beauty. We have spent many days on the beach here just relaxing, drinking fresh juice, and eat fresh chips and salsa. It’s a tourist spot, but not crazy like you may find in many other popular areas of Mexico. If you’re thinking about taking a vacation in Ixtapa, we actually recommend choose Zihuantanejo to the south as a better option!

Akumal, Quintana Roo

Akumal holds a special place in our hearts. We went there in the 90’s before it was booming, and it’s always been a wonderful place to visit. After the hurricanes, Akumal was rebuilt with quite a few large hotels. However, it still remains one of the best beaches in Mexico. Known for the snorkeling and sea turtles, the bay in Akumal is full of soft sand, crystal clear water, and the perfect spots to chill out. In addition, the town is growing and there’s lots to do in the area. For more things to do in the area, check out our post 7 Amazing Things to Do in Akumal.

Sayulita, Nayarit

Sayulita is a growing town in the state of Nayarit. It rests just north of Puerto Vallarta, on the other side of Punta de Mita. As a haven for the yogis, meditators, and more liberal-minded visitors, Sayulita is the place to go if you’re looking to truly chill. The beach here is absolutely gorgeous. Although you may find large groups of people on the main beach, you can walk up and down the coast to find some pretty quiet spots to relax. The little bay keeps the waters relatively calm, although there is great surfing in the are as well! There are also plenty of things to do in Sayulita, from yoga and meditation to zipling and ATV tours.

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo

Puerto Morelos is a beach town located about halfway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. With one of the oldest and largest seaports in the state, Puerto Morelos is a popping little city. The beach is truly relaxing, and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is just a few hundred feet from shore. In Puerto Morelos, you can chill on the beach in solitude, head out to the waters to see the wildlife, or enjoy a massage right on the beach. This is a quieter area, offering an escape from the often busy beaches in Playa del Carmen and Cancún.

Cozumel, Quintana Roo

Cozumel has multiple beaches that are worth checking out. A small island located offshore from Playa del Carmen, it’s truly a must-visit and the Cozumel ferry is pretty easy to catch. The main beach has Mr. Sancho’s, a popping destination with a water park, wave runners, and horseback riding. You can grab a drink, listen to live music, and have some fun. You can also swim at a pool overlooking the ocean or get a massage in the peaceful scenery. Cozumel offers one of the best family beaches in Mexico in our humble opinion. One thing I love about Cozumel is that you can travel over to the other beaches to find some peace and quiet. There’s a lot of land where you won’t find large groups of people to get in the way of your relaxing! There are tons of things to do in Cozumel, both on and off the beaches. In addition, Cozumel offers one of the best snorkeling spots in Mexico.

Costa Esmeralda, Veracruz

Finally, we have Costa Esmaralda in Veracruz. This is by far the quietest beach on the list. There’s a small hotel on the beach, old ruins, and not much else. This is the best beach to check out if you just want to be by yourself or with your loved one. In our opinion, this may be the most romantic beach vacation in the country. It’s quiet, beautiful, and well-kept secret. A definite must-visit at some point in your life!

For more ideas of places to visit, check out our list of the 13 Best Places to Visit in Mexico This Year.

Looking for a place to stay in Mexico? Check out our list of the Best Hotels in Mexico!