Best Beaches in Mexico

This island off the Yucatan Peninsula may be tiny, but it’s slowly gaining traction. The entire island is essentially one unnamed beach, with hotels lining the sand, and has been called the next Tulum for a good reason: nothing is fast-paced here—even the dogs seem to laze around. Stay at the art-focused Casa Las Tortugas, a family-run boutique hotel with a yoga studio, bakery, and boutique, and rest assured that you won’t run into anyone you know.

Most of Oaxaca’s surfer beaches are always packed, but Playa Carrizalillo, in Puerto Escondido, stands out for its quietness. You’ll have to take 157 steps to get there, but it’s well worth it. The beach is great for swimming and bodyboarding, and there are also vendors offering snacks and surfing lessons. If you want to spend a weekend here, stay at the Hotel Escondido, with 16 beach bungalows, a spa, and a pool.

This beach is incredibly close to the famous Mayan ruins in Tulum, which are two hours from Cancun. Many consider Paraiso to be one of the most beautiful beaches not just in Mexico, but also in the entire world. Yes, you’ll find crowds here, but it’s blissfully beautiful and there’s always space to lounge on the impossibly pristine white sand. Best of all, the weather is pretty much fantastic year-round.

Better known as Lover’s Beach, this two-sided Cabo spot has perfect views of the arch, since it lies exactly where the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean meet. You can only get here by boat, but it’s an easy ride from the Cabo San Lucas marina. The wildlife here is unbeatable—you’ll see all types of tropical fish and manta ray swimming on the water, as well sea lions lying on the rocks. Best of all, the backdrop to every photo will be the spectacular El Arco rock formation. Keep your swimming to the Cortez side—the waters are a bit rougher on the Pacific—and there are no vendors around, so bring your own lunch.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this is the beach to head to. The bay has impossibly clear waters, as well as plenty of caves and underground rivers. The area is wonderful for snorkeling: you’ll get to see plenty of turtles and tropical fish. Bonus: the waters are nice and calm, and ideal for younger (or less confident) swimmers. For lunch, we like the Lol-Ha restaurant, which has wonderful house-made churros.

Despite its name, this isn’t really an island—it’s a peninsula that has tons of activities, from parasailing to jet-skis to carriage rides. Unlike the historic part of the city, this area is much more laid-back. You’ll need to take a short 10-minute ferry ride to get there, but it’s worth it for the seafood restaurants and delightful white sand. There are private snorkeling experiences available as well, for those who want a guided tour of the waters.

Naturalists will love this island, where sea turtles and whale sharks are just a few of the animals that appear here often. Another plus: there are gorgeous coral reefs within walking distance of the beaches. Playa Norte is not one of those completely isolated places—it’s great for mingling, as there is a small group of restaurants and bars where visitors tend to gather. For a real Instagram opportunity, pop over to this seashell-shaped house on Isla Mujeres (which is also available to rent as an Airbnb).

This trendy beach (and former fishing village) has become a Mexican hotspot, attracting surfers, families, and even musicians. Just a few steps from the beach are tons of great shops, cafés, and restaurants—this is one of the few places in the world where you can get a gorgeous (and pricy) one-of-a-kind pearl necklace, followed by a dirt-cheap fish taco.

You’ll recognize this beach immediately, as it has a backdrop of green mangroves—it’s the perfect place to kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or swim. The famous mushroom-shaped rock formation, El Hongo, is a true natural wonder. The beach is completely sheltered and great for safe swimming, but there aren't tons of amenities or vendors here.

This white-sand beach got its name when a Spanish boat crashed nearby, and all the colorful fabrics it was carrying washed up on the shore. These days, it’s fantastic for water sports: you can rent hobie cats, jets skils, or parasails, and there are tons of great restaurants around. For great seafood (grilled, breaded, or fried), try La Gaviota, at southern end of the beach—but avoid the waters down here, as it’s where crocodiles tend to gather.

Despite the fact that Playa Palmilla was hit hard by Hurricane Odile, the natural disaster actually brought more sand to beach, so it’s now much more expansive. It’s one of the most family-friendly beaches in the area, with calm waters for swimming with kids, a dive shop for renting gear, and plenty of palapas for shade.

This beach is one of best surfing spots in the world—the waves here are powerful, and can go up to 18 feet tall. And where surfers go, others will follow—it’s now a trendy place with many shops and restaurants. Yes, there are lifeguards, but amateurs should stick to sunbathing, as it can get pretty dangerous.

The beaches on this development (about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport) are only open to guests of the three hotels—the Rosewood, the Fairmont, and the Banyan Tree—but they are absolutely stunning and well worth the trip . The Rosewood is fantastic for honeymooners and has unparalleled service; the Fairmont has done a complete overhaul of its culinary offerings and is great for foodies, and the Asian-inspired Banyan Tree feels like a serene oasis. Luckily, no matter where you stay, you’ll have access to the gorgeous coastline and all of the restaurants on the complex. An Andaz hotel will open soon on the development, no doubt attracting a much younger crowd.