5 Best Beaches in Mexico in 2024
Mexico is a true dream come true for travelers who want to relax, have fun, and simply enjoy the beauties of a culture that is rich, generous, and full of life.
Mexico has some of the best beaches in the world – so if you are searching for a beach vacation that will steal your heart and make you feel genuinely happy, then one of the Mexican beaches is precisely what you are looking for.
What are the very best beaches in Mexico, though? We have some tips for you – so read on and find out more.
#1. Playa Las Gatas
White sand heaven awaits you about 3 miles south of Zihuatanejo. The name of this beach is rooted in the whiskered nurse sharks that used to swim around here.
Don’t worry, though – these days, this place is nothing but relaxation and beauty. You can reach the beach by boat or by walking a steep pathway – and once here, you can enjoy the miraculous beauty of a beach that offers you everything you might want. From a spectacular lighthouse view to snorkeling and rocky coves, there is something for everyone on Playa Las Gatas.
You will also find plenty of delicious restaurants here, most of which focus on seafood – so if you’re a foodie, you will definitely love this beach too.
#2. Puerto Vallarta
A very popular town in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is more than just a beach – it is a full-blown resort located on the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico. You get it all here: cobblestone streets to get lost on, sightseeing, culture, and everything that comes with the benefits of a city break (including an old town with shops, bars, and a good variety of amazing restaurants).
If you’re a little more adventurous than someone who simply wants to relax on the beach, you will find that Puerto Vallarta provides you with a myriad of water activities – including diving, sailing, snorkeling (we recommend the protected coves for this), and whale-watching.
If you are passionate about fishing, you will find plenty of options in this range of water activities too. Even more, you can enroll in some deep-sea fishing as well – and we’re more than certain this will be the experience of a lifetime for you.
Puerto Vallarta might just be the perfect vacation you are looking for, as it will provide you with pretty much everything anyone would ever want from a vacation in Mexico. Pure relaxation and fun await you here, that’s for certain!
#3. Zipolite
This Mexican destination is all about the hippie free love. From the 1960s towards the end of the 1980s, this place was one of the favorite hippie destinations in Mexico. These days, the destination has lost its hippie appeal and it is far more modern and Zipolitethan it used to be – but it can still be an amazing beach destination in Mexico if you love yoga and surfing.
Regardless of what your budget may be, this southern coast destination in Mexico is perfect for you. There are plenty of budget options in terms of accommodation here, but if you want to have an unforgettable vacation or honeymoon, you will find that there are plenty of luxury hotels and restaurants here too. Most of these are located on the West end of the village, so head there if you are looking for some serious pampering.
Zipolite may not be as hippie as it used to be – but even so, it can be considered a peaceful, crowd-less destination where you can simply enjoy the good things in life: sunlight, perfect temperatures, sandy beaches, and, of course, the endless song of the Ocean itself.
#4. Riviera Maya
We couldn’t have made this list without including one of the single most popular beach destinations in Mexico: Riviera Maya. Not a beach per se, but a long line of beaches known for their luxurious approach to vacations, Riviera Maya is where you want to be if you want the very best of the very best.
There are no heavy crowds here, but you will still find everything your heart might ever wish for. Beaches that stretch for miles with their golden sands, luxurious resorts, beauty abundant, and top–notch services are part of the Riviera Maya “package”. It just doesn’t get any better than this, really!
Some of the notable beaches you might want to check out on the Riviera Maya include the Ziggy Beach (part of which is only accessible if you’re staying at the Ziggy Beach Club), Tulum (an amazing beach destination embraced by 13th century ruins that will watch over your entire vacation), Akumal Beach (where you can see turtles coming in to lay their eggs), and Xpu Ha Beach (a favorite among the locals, so if you want to travel like a local, this is where you should head out to).
The entire Riviera Maya is a dream come true in every single respect. There’s nothing you could ever want that you won’t be able to find here – precisely because this is one of the most famous beach destinations not just in Mexico, but around the world.
#5. Playa del Amor
The very romantic name of this beach (translated as “The Beach of Love”) is not random – at all, actually. This secluded, small beach is a top favorite for couples precisely because it provides them with a spectacularly romantic view and plenty of intimacy as well.
Playa del Amor can be accessed if you take a water boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina. It is without a doubt one of the most popular beaches in the entirety of Mexico and its romantic notes are beautifully complemented by the Land’s End rock formation.
On the Pacific end of the beach, the tides can get quite rough – so, in general, it is recommended that you only enter the water from the Bahia de Cabo San Lucas part of the beach. If you are looking for a bit of water adventure, like snorkeling, for example, you might want to check out the Cortez side, as this is where locals head out to for this type of activity.
It does take a bit to get to Playa del Amor – but once there, you will realize that all its fame is for a very good reason: this place truly is one of the single most fantastic beaches you will ever see!
Of course, these are just some of the beaches in Mexico – truth be told, this entire country is sprinkled with beauty and amazing food everywhere you go (beach or not). No matter where you turn, you will find sunlight and grace, you will find a culture that is vibrant and lively, you will find foods that you will want to come back to, you will find relaxation and adventure in an equal amount.
Mexico is, without a doubt, one of the very best beach destinations in the world. Regardless of whether you want a vacation or if you are planning a honeymoon, you can definitely consider any of the Mexican beaches – because each and every one of them is amazing, stunning, and unforgettable in its own way. Worth every bit of effort, we promise!
