Best beaches in Mexico:
Discover six paradise sea destinations to visit in 2023
Jalisco: Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is such a renowned destination mostly because of its dream-like beaches. Located at 330 km from Jalisco’s capital Guadalajara, this quaint port city has grown in popularity in the last decades, becoming a famous site among eco-tourists and a sea destination hosting some of the best beaches in Mexico. You can head to the trendy beaches around the Old Town extending to posh Marina Vallarta for a luxury vibe. We suggest you check out the blue flag-awarded beaches of Flamingos, Las Glorias, Playa de Oro, Boca de Tomates, and Camarones and the nearby area, where you can find golf courses, restaurants, and shopping venues. Playa Los Muertos will strike you for its romantic setting; this renowned beach is a favorite of Puerto Vallarta’s locals and is the perfect location to admire the evoking view of the sunset while strolling along its pier. If you are looking to get in contact with nature, head to the southernmost part of Puerto Vallarta and find some of the most peaceful and rugged beaches in Mexico. We recommend you check out Colomitos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto, and Yelapa. Colomitos is a unique site to escape from the fuss of crowds and tourists. Engulfed into two slopes of lush vegetation and palm trees this enchanting beach is a hidden gem whose emerald waters and gentle waves beckon you to relax.
Baja California Sur: Los Cabos
Encompassing the two municipalities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Los Cabos hosts some of the best beaches in Mexico. If you love watersports and nature or look for a holiday soaked in luxury, Los Cabos has all that you need to make the most of your time in Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is home to some of the most iconic beaches in the country: facing the Sea of Cortez, the iconic Playa del Amor (Love Beach), Playa de los Amantes (“Lovers' Beach”), and Playa del Divorcio (“Divorce Beach”) are among the most romantic places in Mexico for a getaway. All three will enchant you with their crystal transparent waters, fine golden sand, and water sports and activities. In the proximity, you will find another famous landmark in Cabo San Lucas, El Arco (The Arch), a majestic granite formation dating back to 30 million years ago. In San José del Cabo you can enjoy some marvelous sandy beaches such as Playa Acapulquito, also known as Playa del Viejo. This beach is a favorite among professional and amateur surfers but is ideal also for relaxing or practicing less extreme water sports such as stand-up paddling. Playa Costa Azul is a perfect option if looking for a quiet beach to lounge in the sun or to enjoy water activities like diving, swimming, snorkeling, jet-skiing, or sailing.
Baja California: Rosarito
One of the “youngest” beach destinations in the country, the municipality of Rosarito, Baja California, has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, becoming an unmissable location for surfers and beach life enthusiasts. Rosarito is only a 30 minutes drive from Tijuana and just one hour from San Diego, California, which, combined with the warm, dry weather, makes it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. In Rosarito, you will find some of the best beaches in Mexico suitable for surfing; among the others, we suggest you check out Playa La Misión. Although the strong stream and waves make it difficult to swim, you can enjoy strolling on the beach, horseback riding, and camping. Thanks to the mild waves, the coast around Puerto Nuevo is ideal for amateur surfers who are still learning how to ride the board, whereas in Playa Cantamar you can also explore the surrounding dunes. Not too far from Puerto Nuevo, you will come across a unique location: although it is not a dream-like sandy paradise-like many other beaches in Mexico, Playa de Popotla is a must-see during your stay in Rosarito, especially if you are a movie enthusiast. Thanks to the presence of the Baja Studios, many movies and TV series such as Titanic, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, and Fear of the Walking Dead have been filmed here. The beach features several restaurants where you can try some delicious local seafood specialties. Rosarito is also a great choice if you are looking for a destination to practice scuba-diving in Mexico. One unmissable option suitable both for pro and amateur divers is the Parque Submarino Rosarito (Rosarito Underwater Park), created after the sinking of the Uribe 121 ship and home to over 80 species of marine fauna and flora.
Veracruz: Chachalacas Beach and Alvarado
Boasting a convenient location on the Gulf of Mexico it is no surprise that the cozy port city of Veracruz hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico where you can relax, swim, or practice watersports. Just take a walk along the iconic seafront boulevard Boca del Río and discover some of Veracruz's jewels. Mocambo Beach is renowned for its soft waves and extension that make it possible to practice watersports and other aquatic activities, boat trips, and horseback riding. Alvarado and Antón Lizardo Beach are the perfect spots for all those looking for deep contact with nature and are among the best beaches in Mexico to practice scuba diving and apnea. At just 24 miles from Veracruz, you will come across the beautiful Chachalacas Beach. Located in the quaint fishing village of Barra de Chachalacas, the beach offers various entertainment opportunities. Thanks to the moderate waves and stream, in Chachalacas you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and recreational fishing, or explore the surrounding Sabanal Dunes. This dramatic sand formation was originated over 10,000 years ago and is a favorite attraction among adventure tourism enthusiasts. Get thrilled while surfing the dunes or exploring them on a motorcycle or an ATV, or admire the scenic landscape from the heights on a Flying paraglide. But if you prefer a more relaxed holiday, do not worry: Chachalacas offers plenty of chances to have fun enjoying horseback riding, strolling, bird watching, and boat tours.
Sinaloa: Mazatlán and the Three Islands
With its golden sand beaches, crystal-blue waters, and incredibly diverse marine fauna, Mazatlán has not been nicknamed the Pearl of the Pacific for nothing. Renowned for its famous entertainment district Zona Dorada (Golden Area) and the vibrant nightlife, Mazatlán features some of the best beaches in Mexico to relax and sunbathe or enjoy watersports and plenty of other aquatic activities. If you are looking for excitement and want to test your surfing skills, we suggest you check out Playa Norte, Playa Gaviotas, and Playa Las Brujas, also considered among the best locations for scuba diving in Mexico. Playa Sábalo, located on the northern part of the Golden Zone, will entice you to plunge into its warm, turquoise waters and unwind in the sun while laying on the fine, golden sand. If you are up for some thrills though, you can practice paragliding, water-ski, snorkeling, and boat trips. Playa Olas Altas is a true paradise for surfers; located in Mazatlán’s Golden Area, this iconic beach is ideal for snorkeling, swimming, cycling, or walking while admiring the spectacular ocean view. Playa Cerritos, Playa Barras de Piatxla, and Playa Camarón are also great locations for surfing and scuba diving. When staying in Mazatlán you will surely notice three islands right in front of the Golden Zone; Isla de Lobos, Isla Pájaros, and Isla de Venados are part of a natural reserve and have been declared Ecological Reserves and Refuge Area for migratory birds and marine species. You can visit the preserve on a catamaran tour and disembark on Isla de Venados, the only one open to the public, to enjoy hiking, diving, snorkeling, or simply relax on the island’s quiet beach.
Sonora: Bahía de Kino, Punta Arena and Puerto Peñasco
The Sonoran Desert and the crystalline waters of the Sea of Cortez are the scenic frames that surround Sonora’s most attractive coastal locations. If you are planning a relaxing vacation, Bahía de Kino is probably one of the best beaches in Mexico where you can have fun with your family. Located at around one hour's drive from Hermosillo, this tranquil white sand beach is ideal to lounge in the sun and bathe in the warm, placid waters of the Cortez Sea and the nearby islands Islas Tiburón, Estela y Alcatraz. At only one hour from Kino Bay, you will encounter Punta Arena, a paradise beach that you will fall in love with if you are looking for a pristine natural location by the sea. Punta Arena can be reached by car from Hermosillo and is the perfect place for all travelers longing for peace. On this enchanting beach, you can camp, hike through the desert and enjoy bathing in the Gulf of California. When exploring the Sonoran shoreline, you cannot skip a visit to Puerto Peñasco, a charming port city boasting an over 110 km coastline of beaches facing the Sea of Cortez. Among the others, we recommend you pay a visit to: Bonita Beach and Sandy Beach, ideal for families and water sports lovers; Las Conchas beach, a tranquil site whose shallow waters and tranquil atmosphere makes it popular for yoga and meditation; Tucson Beach, where you can witness the impressive rise and fall of tides like on no other beach in Mexico. Even though you will never be in danger, be aware that the sea level can rise suddenly and cover the beach entirely.
Meaning ''Magic Towns'' in English, Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos are towns and villages granted the ''magical'' status by the Mexican government because of their peculiar mystical allure, architectural beauty, historical value, or natural wonders. These destinations, which played a crucial role in shaping Mexico's development, bear deep symbolic meaning and legends and will connect you with the country's roots and traditions. Mexico currently counts 132 Pueblos Mágicos, including popular destinations such as Tequila or Palenque and incredible hidden gems waiting to be discovered.