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Top 11 Prettiest Beaches in Mexico
Mexico has a large coastline full of some of the most amazing beaches in the world. The sand is powdery white and super fine which creates a soft and beautiful landscape.
There is a large variety in the type of beaches in Mexico.
Some are surrounded by the jungle, others are lined with hotels, some are near Mayan ruins and others are great for swimming.
Whatever you’re looking for, you can be sure to find some of the prettiest beaches in Mexico.
There are tons of things that make Mexico worth visiting. If you’re looking for long, relaxing days spent on the beach as well as opportunities to explore and enjoy the landscape you have tons of options in Mexico.
The county has amazing cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula which are pools of fresh groundwater formed from sinking limestone and well-preserved historic Mayan ruins that tell a story of the past.
Mexico also has mountains, volcanoes, canyons, deserts, jungles, and more.
It is very authentic and cultural and it’s a place with tons of unique characteristics.
It’s warm and easy to visit from the US.
The food is amazing, the landscape is diverse and gorgeous, and of course, the beaches are top-notch.
Keep reading to find out about the prettiest beaches in Mexico for your next sandy vacation.
11 Prettiest Beaches in Mexico
Narrowing down a list of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico was a difficult thing to do because there are so many to choose from, but we think we did a good job at picking the best for you to chose from.
Now you just have to pick the best of the best!
1. Tulum Beach – for history buffs
Starting off strong, Tulum beach is located under the iconic and one of the most photographed spots in Mexico, the Tulum Ruins.
The Mayan ruins located here are from the 13th century and have been very well preserved. The ruins are located atop a cliff overlooking the never-ending ocean.
After buying your admission ticket and exploring the ruins, visitors have the ability to swim on the beach under the cliff.
It’s the most beautiful view to peer up and see the ruins on the cliff above you.
Since this beach can only be accessed by way of the Tulum Ruins, the only other people there will be fellow visitors (and not everyone knows to bring their bathing when visiting the Mayan ruins).
Tulum is a booming beach town that has grown in popularity in recent years.
There is a ton to do in Tulum and it would be a great place to visit. If you aren’t interested in visiting the Mayan ruins and paying to visit this particular beach there are many other great beaches in Tulum.
Akumal also has a ton of things to do and places to stay if you’re interested in spending your vacation in this city.
You’ll find bars, restaurants, and hotels to your liking.
It’s also a great place for families because the water here is calm for swimming.
Akumal is not as crowded as larger cities on the Yucatan Peninsula which also increases its appeal.
3. Holbox Beach – for seclusion and relaxation
Holbox is an island off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and can be reached by ferry from Chiquila.
It is a great spot to head if you are looking for a digital detox.
It’s known for its authenticity and the fact that there are no cars on the island, just golf carts makes it even more relaxing.
There isn’t a large population here and it doesn’t get a ton of visitors because it’s considered one of the best-kept secret locations.
The island is laid-back, relaxing, and secluded. The beaches are deserted, leaving you with room to relax and enjoy the sound of the crashing waves.
You won’t find hotels and bars lining the beaches or any other beach facilities, keeping them quiet and clean.
The water is also shallow making it a great place to swim. Everything on the island is authentic because commercialization and tourism have not over-influenced this quaint island.
It’s the perfect place to visit for a relaxing stay as well as for an authentic Mexican experience. However, there is still plenty to do here if you are looking for some excitement.
4. Cancun Beach – for fun and partying
The beaches in Cancun are ideal for people who are looking for a good time. There are hotels, bars, and restaurants lining the beaches along with music and tons of people.
Cancun Beach is 14 miles long and can be crowded but it’s definitely an exciting and entertaining place to be.
There are also scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities off the coast as well as other water sports such as paddle boarding and kayaking.
Cancun is one of the most touristy locations in Mexico because there are constantly things to do.
Cancun Beach is definitely the most fun beach in Mexico, hands down. It’s perfect for young adults, spring break, or a vacation with friends.
It is very commercialized and sometimes it feels like you never left the USA, so if you are looking for a more Mexican experience, Cancun might not be for you.
However, if you are wanting to party the night away this is your place. If this is the case be sure to bring some Liquid IVs with you as well as these other not to forget Cancun items.
5. Cozumel Beach – for snorkeling and isolation
Cozumel is an island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula across from Playa del Carmen. It’s mainly undeveloped leading to some of the most pristine beaches in all of Mexico.
The island hasn’t succumbed to over-commercialization and it has a ton of nature preservation and Mayan history.
The beaches are unreal and provide a relaxing sanctuary against the tribulations of day-to-day life.
Arguably the best part about Cozumel is it sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest in the world.
Because of this, it has some of the most abundant and unique sea life. It’s one of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving in Mexico and provides an amazing experience to peer into the life of the underworld.
Cozumel is also a great place to enjoy alone time and isolation or to remove yourself from city life and overconsumption to enjoy the simple beauties. Cozumel is a gorgeous island worth visiting.
Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido has some of the most famous and epic waves.
The conditions are perfect and the waves are surfable year-round. People from all over come to test out these renowned waves for themselves.
If you love watching surfers catch the perfect wave or you love to surf yourself you’ll enjoy this beach immensely.
Surfing is a fun activity to both watch and partakes in. There are tons of other beaches in Puerto Escondido that will provide a bit more relaxation and isolation.
Playa Zicatela or any beach in Puerto Escondido are best for surfing.
7. Playa del Amor – for a romantic getaway
Playa del Amor is a beach in Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California Peninsula.
The beach is known as ‘Lovers Beach’ and ‘Hidden Beach’ and it is one of the prettiest beaches in Mexico. It has gorgeous rock formations featuring the famous Land’s End rocks.
The beach can be accessed by boat so it’s less crowded than other beaches. It does take some effort to get to but the views make up for it.
This area of Mexico is very unique because the Pacific Ocean is on one side of the peninsula and the Sea of Cortez is on the other.
You’ll even find the desert, sand dunes, and cacti.
The crashing waves into the rock formations at this beach are a beautiful sight for sore eyes.
The experience of taking a water taxi out to Playa del Amor, enjoying the view, and the sound of crashing waves is the perfect romantic getaway.
8. Balandra Beach – for scenic views
Balandra Beach is located on the California Baja Peninsula in La Paz. The reason Balandra Beach is so scenic is that it looks like a lagoon but it’s actually just a bay.
There are high cliffs that surround the beach almost entirely making it feel like a natural swimming pool in the ocean.
The waters are very shallow which allows you to swim from one side to the other safely making it a great place for children.
The cliffs that surround this little bay in the ocean are gorgeous and it creates a much different view than that of your normal coastal beach where the ocean extends as far as the eye can see.
You can also easily off-shore snorkel if that interests you.
The beach has managed to stay off well know tourist lists and remains a scenic and relaxing beach to visit.
9. Mazatlan Beach – for its small-town vibes, history, and uniqueness
Mazatlan is in the Mexican state of Sinaloa which isn’t largely known for its tourism, meaning you’ll mostly find locals while visiting.
The shoreside town is still very colonial and has a well-preserved history. It’s super charming with its cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings.
There is a coastal boardwalk and the entire town is right on the beach. Pacifico beer, a famous drink in Mexico, was born right in Mazatlan.
There are many opportunities to grab a drink right at a bar off the sandy beach and enjoy authentic Mexican food at the various accessible restaurants.
The beach is surrounded by mountains giving it a unique and scenic view.
It’s a beach to be reckoned with and offers so much to do and see.
10. Huatulco Beach – for its bays
In the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco is a popular cruise port destination and is one of the prettiest beaches in Mexico.
There are nine bays within the area that you can explore which makes it great for swimming.
It’s a unique spot because it offers more than just a single beach to enjoy.
The nine bays are comprised of more than 30 beaches and each one is a bit different.
Some have restaurants, bars, and resorts just off the shore while others are secluded and can only be accessed by boat or hike.
If you’re looking for a mix of off-the-beaten-path beaches and fun, busy beaches you can have the best of both worlds in Huatulco.
This is a great place to visit in Mexico because you can visit tons of different beaches, find your favorite, and spend your time there.
Enjoy the hunt in Huatulco!
11. Isla Mujeres – for a peaceful romantic getaway
Isla Mujeres is one of the prettiest beaches in Mexico and can’t be left off this list.
It is a beautiful remote island off the coast of Cancun. The perfect beach destination if you are looking for a semi-remote spot, but still want to enjoy some nightlife.
The beaches are beautiful white sand and the water a turquoise blue.
There is also amazing snorkeling, and scuba diving and if you come in the right season you will even have a chance to swim with whale sharks (May – September)
It should not be missed on your trip to Mexico.
Conclusions on the Prettiest Beaches in Mexico
These are just a few of the prettiest beaches in Mexico, but there are many more to explore. Depending on what type of beach experience you’re looking for there are a ton of options to make your Mexican vacation a true dream come true.
Surfers can find thrill, relaxers can find tranquility, and partiers can find a good time. Whatever it is you’re looking for you’ll find it in Mexico.
Go out there and have your perfect beach experience on one of the best beaches in Mexico.
Do you know of a different prettiest beach in Mexico that is not mentioned on this list? Say so in the comments below.
Megan is the founder of Peter Pan Traveler. She left her full-time career in search of never-never land. Megan has lived in Costa Rica, Mexico, and France and has sailed around the Caribbean. She is here to help everyone find their never-never land and the best beaches possible.
