The Best Beaches in Mexico (and Where to Stay Nearby)

Despite the accelerated development along Tulum’s once-virginal coastline, you can still find spots that feel barely touched by tourism. Las Palmas Beach is one of them, an impossibly picturesque stretch of white powder sand backed by dunes and jungle. It’s located a little farther south from the more populated, though still gorgeous, Playa Paraíso, and is also just a half-hour stroll along the sand to Tulum’s iconic clifftop Mayan ruins. While this stretch of coastline has generally been blighted by both seaweed and an Instagram-fueled boom in recent years, it certainly remains a must-visit part of the Mexican Caribbean.

Mezzanine Colibri Boutique Hotel

For decades Isla Mujeres has been the quieter, more sedate alternative to its brasher party-bro neighbor Cancun -- and it continues to maintain that vibe today. As well as its more laid-back vibe, many are drawn to the island’s main beach – an L-shaped stretch of sand backed by palm trees and low-key hotels.  When the sun shines, the sea here is as turquoise as it gets. Calm waters means it’s popular with families with smaller kids, and also makes it ideal for the multitude of water sports on offer here.

The Mia Reef Isla Mujeres

Another outstanding spot in the Mexican Caribbean, Xpu Ha beach is easily accessible from Puerto Aventuras, but with views along the coast unsullied by anything above two stories high. It's particularly popular with locals, and even during peak season you don’t need to venture far to find a stretch of sand to call your own. There are some beachfront facilities if you fancy a cold beer or fish taco. Expect the Maya Riviera’s signature white sands and aquamarine waters, but without the crowds -- for now, at least.

Hotel Barcelo Maya Beach

Not so long ago, Holbox island was barely a blip on the radar for most travelers -- remarkable considering its proximity to Cancun. Those days are well behind it, however, as this slender isle in the northeastern corner of Quintana Roo now features prominently on many a backpacker’s itinerary. It’s part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, and it’s small sleepy town is fronted with a wonderfully unspoiled beach where silky sand slopes gently into calm Caribbean water. Wildlife has been allowed to thrive here, both under and above the water, including a healthy population of flamingos.

Spirit Holbox

Set half away along the tip of Baja California peninsula, this mile-long stretch of sandy beach is surrounded by luxury oceanfront homes, exclusive golf courses, and calm blue sea. The scene is laid-back and peaceful, with a beach bar and scattering of parasols, though as part of the Cabo San Lucas it’s also within easy reach of the area’s numerous restaurants and buzzing nightlife. You’ll also find sea kayaks and pangas (fishing boats) available for hire if you fancy exploring along the endless sands that stretch around the scenic coast.

One&Only Palmilla

Famous for its mushroom-shaped rock formation, the beautifully untouched Balandra Beach is part of a sheltered bay that neighbors La Paz, in Baja California. There’s something almost ethereal about its powder-sand dunes, gin-clear water and calm, lagoon-like waters. Surrounding rust-tinged hills scattered with cacti give it a ruggedly remote feel. There’s nothing in the way of facilities to distract you from its pristine beauty -- so don’t forget to bring your own supplies. To help maintain the blissful peace, the bay and adjacent mangrove forest are best explored on SUP board.

Tucked away along the Sea of Cortez near Baja's capital is CostaBaja Resort & Spa

Playa del Amor is a genuine stunner, flanked by the Land's End rock formations on a finger of land where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific in Cabo. While it has the rugged look of remoteness, it’s easily accessible by water boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina nearby. It’s also one of Baja California’s most famous beaches, with its fine yellow sand and clear water attracting a mix of tourists and locals to sunbathe, swim, and snorkel. The other side of the peninsular, the jokingly-named Playa del Divorcio, is a great spot for sunsets -- but the sea is rough and should be avoided.

Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for a genuinely off-the-beaten-track Mexico beach, then the remote fishing village of Yelapa could be just what you’re after. It’s located on the southern side of Banderas Bay in Jalisco which it shares with Puerto Vallarta, though it couldn’t be further from the mega-resort in terms of character. You can only get there by boat, giving the place a deserted-island getaway vibe, and its beach is a blissfully unspoiled crescent of sand lined with frond-roofed restaurants. Tucked into a cove, the sea is largely calm, clear and great for snorkeling, plus nearby waterfalls offer gorgeous spots to cool off while soaking up the loveliness of it all.

Hotel Lagunita

While the sweeping bay of Puerto Escondido, and the reliably powerful waves of Zicatela Beach, have been surfing hotspots for decades, the nearby Playa Bacocho provides an altogether mellower stretch of coast. Although the water can be a little rough here too, this picture postcard beach stretches as far as the eye can see, backed with lush greenery and a generous scattering of palm trees. You can also find a couple of chilled-out beach clubs, or clamber over some rocks and there’s a secluded bay, Playa Coral, where some take advantage of the privacy to get an all-over tan, if you know what we mean.

Located at the southern end of spectacular Bacocho Beach, the Posada Real

Set in a small bay within the huge Bay of Zihuatanejo, on Mexico’s south pacific coast, Playa Las Gatas provides a fabulously secluded spot to soak up the sun and sea. There’s no road access, so most visitors take a water taxi from Zihuatanejo pier or a coastal footpath (and some rock clambering) from neighboring Playa La Ropa. The journey is rewarded with water that seems more Caribbean than Pacific, in both calmness and luminosity, as well as a good offering of beachfront shacks selling grilled seafood and chilled beers. An ancient breakwater that's grown over with coral also provides hands-down the best snorkeling in the area.

Perched on a hillside overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, the tiny Amuleto

It would be remiss to not include one of Cancun’s beaches in this collection, and Playa Delfines stands out as one of its finest. Its silky white sand and shimmering aquamarine waters are certainly exemplary of this famed stretch of Caribbean coast, but with the rare advantage of being completely devoid of hotels, restaurants, or bars cluttering up the scene. It’s one of the few places in the area offering free parking close by. There’s also a scattering of umbrellas available to rent and beach vendors if you’re in need of refreshment. Coconuts anyone?

Visitors love the Seadust

If you like a bit of exclusivity with your beach break, then the coast around Punta Mita offers just that. Located just north of Puerto Vallarta, this 1,500-acre private peninsular is home to some of the region’s most luxurious hotels, gated communities and multimillion-dollar villas. So it’s hardly any surprise that the coast here is befittingly stunning, with mile upon mile of dreamily idyllic beach fringed with tropical flora that draws the 0.1% and A-listers to its balmy climes.

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