10 Top Beaches in Mexico for Every Type of Traveler

About 1.5 hours south of Cancun, Akumal is a small village that has recently become a popular destination for families looking for a relaxed, beach-focused vacation. It’s much more laid-back than the big resorts in the region, but still has plenty of amenities. Start your day at Playa Akumal, where you may get lucky and see sea turtles while snorkeling. Then, head to Xel-Ha, an amusement park and aquarium with ziplines, lazy rivers, and a focus on marine conservation.

Editor's note: Travel to Sinaloa is not recommended due to serious safety risks in this area. Please follow your government's guidance and travel advisories.

There’s a reason Sinaloa is known as the Mexican capital of seafood: classics like shrimp cocktail, tacos gobernador, and tuna tostadas all hail from this state. Sample those dishes (and more) in the hip beach resort city of Mazatlán, which also has a history as a Beat Generation hot spot. In the Zona Dorada neighborhood, where many of the big hotels are found, lounge on Playa Sábalo or Playa Cerritos while munching on mariscos (seafood). Then head over to the recently-opened Gran Acuario Mazatlan, one of the biggest aquariums in the Americas, which highlights the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez.

There are countless great surf spots in Mexico, but none of them have the reputation or history of Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido. During the summer surf season, waves can reach up to 32 feet (10 meters) in height, meaning beginners will want to head elsewhere. Intermediate surfers may be comfortable at the far end, called La Punta, or at nearby Playa Carrizalillo, but leave the big break to the professionals who routinely descend on the town for competitions. And after watching the experts at work, indulge in Oaxaca’s greatest tipple with a mezcal distillery tour.

The rapidly developing Punta Mita region of Nayarit offers a mix of luxury resorts that range from the massive St. Regis Punta Mita to the Navavi by Four Seasons, which accommodates only 30 guests at a time. These resorts grant access to some of the most exclusive, beautiful beaches in the country—some of which are also open to the public, such as Playa La Lancha. Only an hour from Puerto Vallarta Airport, the area is easy to access while maintaining an under-the-radar feel. And don’t miss a visit to the Marietas Islands National Park, accessible by boat on a snorkel tour.

Cozumel may be mostly known as a cruise ship stop, but get past the crowds of vendors hawking souvenirs and you’ll find an island perfect for underwater adventure. The reefs are famous for drift diving, meaning that there's a constant current at many famous sites. Experienced divers will spend their time at huge coral walls like Santa Rosa or Punta Tunich. If you’re less experienced or prefer to snorkel, however, there are plenty of options directly from beaches around the island as well: The best way to find hidden spots is with a local guide.

A day trip from La Paz in Baja California Sur, the uninhabited Espiritu Santo Island is a natural wonder. Jutting out from the Sea of Cortez, the multicolored desert isle was formed by volcanic and tectonic activity thousands of years ago. There are several ways to experience the hidden white-sand beaches here, including a private yacht that will ferry you to its different bays. Exploring by kayak, however, gets you closest to the sea’s impressive biodiversity, including sea lions, which you may also be able to see on a snorkel tour.

An ocean beach outing isn’t for everyone. If you prefer freshwater to saltwater—and hope to avoid sand between your toes—the magnificent Bacalar Lagoon is the place to be. It’s known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and as soon as you arrive at the banks of the freshwater lake, you’ll see why. Just be careful not to step through the mangrove forests that line the shore though, as they’re home to one of the oldest living species in the entire world: a bacteria that’s called the lake home for 3.5 billion years.

Some people want to go to the beach and let it all hang out—and Playa Zipolite, nestled about halfway between Puerto Escondido and the Bays of Huatulco, is the place to do that. As Mexico’s most historic and enduring nude beach, Zipolite has also been a hot spot for LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world for decades. Book a rustic beachfront cabin, make friends, and enjoy the sun and surf. Just be careful of the riptide—one of the most dangerous in all of Mexico.

Located in a stretch of beaches south of Puerto Vallarta called the Costalegre, Playa Mayto is a 2-hour drive south from that city in an extremely remote area. It offers a scenic spot to paddle through mangroves and eat seafood caught that very morning. But the real reason to venture here is the Mayto Sea Turtle Camp (Campamento Tortuguero Mayto), an 18-year-old charity that focuses on rehabilitation and conservation of the local turtle population. And, yes, they accept volunteers with prior notice.

Over the past decade, Tulum has transformed from a sleepy, rustic beachside town to a hot spot of music and art that attracts travelers from around the world. You’ll find a plethora of hip hotels for all budgets, vegan and vegetarian food, and of course an international clubbing scene that goes deep into the night. Some parties take place on the beach, while others are found tucked into the surrounding jungle. For those interested in a more laid-back experience, consider a half-day sail and snorkel in a luxurious catamaran with an open bar.