843 Best Sights in Mexico

Eight km (5 miles) west of Zipolite, Mazunte is a stunning stretch of soft sand carved out of rocky headlands. Although the town's main drag, Paseo del Mazunte, is freshly paved, the beach zone hasn’t lost its bohemian roots. You’ll still see lots of dreadlocks, tattoos, and handwritten signs announcing alternative healing treatments. The paths to the beach are lined with eclectic restaurants, artisanal bakeries, and low-key beach accommodations. The higher up the hills you go, the more upscale the properties become. The surf is rougher here than at Playa San Agustinillo, and attracts bodyboarders. A short walk west along the sand gets you to Playa El Rinconcita, a smaller but more swimmable bay. Further west yet (by taxi or a 20-minute thigh-burning walk) across Punta Cometa is rustic Playa Mermejita. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunrise; surfing.

This long, coarse-white-sand beach is beautiful and has gentle waves. Restaurants, small hotels, homes, and tall palms line the beach, which slopes down to the water. Fishermen here will take anglers out in search of dorado, tuna, swordfish, and mackerel. The best swimming and boogie boarding are about half the length of town, in front of El Dorado restaurant. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.

Local families like to enjoy their weekends at Miramar, a long, brown arc of sand that means "Look at the Sea." They camp out for the day in front of beachfront palapa restaurants and rent shade umbrellas and lounge chairs. There are water-sports outfitters and horses for hire, though such concessions are scarce midweek in the off-season. Vendors sell jewelry and beachwear from stalls. Although the waves are a little stronger than at Playa la Boquita, this is still a good spot for swimming. The beach fronts the Laguna Miramar, a small park with a variety of local birds. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.

It was in this cove that The Night of the Iguana was filmed. Unfortunately, construction of the big Hotel La Jolla de Mismaloya at the north end of the once-pristine bay has stolen its Shangri-La appeal. Nonetheless, the place retains a certain cachet. It also has views of the famous cove from two seafood restaurants on the south side of a bridge over the mouth of the Río Mismaloya. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

A left-hand point break put this small beach on the map and made it a favorite of expert surfers who love dealing with the challenges it presents. However, Playa Monumentos isn't only for surfers, as snorkeling and kayaking are also practiced on its waters. The location of this beach is one of its main assets, as it's quite close to Cabo San Lucas, and even the famous El Arco can be seen from its shores. Actually, one could say that The Corridor area starts with this beach, as it's the first one to the East after the famous Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas. Turn right on the Misiones del Cabo entrance, as if you were going to the Sunset Monalisa and park wherever you find a spot between this restaurant and The Cape hotel. Amenities: food and drink; free parking; water sports. Best for: surfing; snorkeling; kayaking; sunset. 

This is the main beach in Barra de Navidad, and it has a laid-back attitude just like the town. At any time but high tide you can walk between San Patricio and Barra, a distance of about 5 km (3½ miles). This is a sloping brown-sand beach where surfers look for swells near the jetty, where the sea enters the lagoon of Navidad. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming.

Several kilometers of pristine beach face the hotels of Playa Nuevo Vallarta. In the fall, a fenced-off turtle nesting area provides relief for the endangered ocean dwellers. Jet Skis whiz by, kids frolic in the roped-off water nearest the beach, and waiters attend to vacationers lounging in recliners in front of their respective hotels. The wide, flat sandy stretch is perfect for long walks. In fact, you could walk all the way to Bucerías, some 8 km (5 miles) to the north. Most of the hotels here are all-inclusives, so guests generally move between their hotel pool and the beach in front. All-inclusive programs mean that only hotel guests may enter the bars and restaurants on the property. This beach recently received certification by the Mexican government as a "Clean Beach." Amenities: parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

In this small cove, named for its high waves and edged by rocky hills, you can forget that the rest of Mazatlán exists. A couple of hotels—La Siesta, Belmar, Casa Lucila, and Posada Freeman—and several cafés line the waterfront. At the north end, a saltwater swimming pool is filled and drained by the tides. Excluding the one plaza where vendors hawk tacky souvenirs to tourists, this stretch is a favorite spot of locals.

The name means "high waves beach," but the only waves suitable for bodysurfing, boogie boarding, or, occasionally, surfing are near the Cuale River, at the north end of this small beach. Although "Olas Altas" more often refers to the neighborhood of bars and businesses near the ocean south of the Río Cuale, it is also the name of a few blocks of sand between Daiquiri Dick's restaurant and the Río Cuale. The beach attracts fewer sunbathers than Los Muertos but is otherwise an extension of that beach, and it gets lively during holidays with sunbathers and impromptu snack stands and shaded tables on the sand. There are good views of the recently renovated Los Muertos Pier and spectacular lighting at night. Facing Olas Altas Beach near Lázaro Cárdenas plaza are open-air stands selling beach accessories, small grocery stores, and beach-facing bar-restaurants. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Some locals call this beach Playa de Oro, but its alternative name means "high waves," and they do pack a punch here. That's what draws the surfers and Boogie boarders to this comparatively empty stretch between the hotel zone in Playa Santiago and the popular Playa Miramar. They don't mind the lack of services available at more popular stretches of sand elsewhere in the area. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; surfing; walking.

South of the resorts, down a dirt road and way off the beaten path, lies this long, serene, walkable beach with hammocks hanging under coconut palms. The on-site dive shop can outfit scuba enthusiasts for trips to the famous Palancar and Columbia reefs, just offshore; boats will take snorkelers out every two hours from 9 to 5. There's also a nice open-air restaurant-bar here if you'd rather just relax. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Check out the impressive multimillion-dollar villas on the road to Playa Palmilla, the best swimming beach near San José. Turn off the highway as if you're going to the One&Only Palmilla and then cross over the highway on an overpass. Continue about half a mile. The entrance is from the side road through the ritzy Palmilla development; take a left before you reach the guardhouse of the One&Only hotel. There are signs, but they're not exactly large. The beach is protected by a rocky point and the water is almost always calm; Punta Palmilla, farther out, is popular with surfers during huge swells (20 feet or more). A few thatched-roof palapas on the sand provide shade; there are trash cans but no restrooms. Guards patrol the exclusive section known as Pelican Beach fronting the hotel, discouraging nonguests from entering—although the public legally has access to cross the beach in front of the resort property. Guests of One&Only have access to beachfront cabañas, surf instruction, beach equipment, toilets, and a restaurant. Amenities: toilets; showers; lifeguards; free parking. Best for: walking; swimming; snorkeling.

The most popular swimming beach in Puerto Angel proper, the brown-sand Playa Panteón has calm, waveless water which makes it popular among day-trippers and Mexican families on weekends and holidays. Watch for fishing and tour boats when you're in the water. Persistent vendors can also be an issue. A walkway past the oceanfront panteón (cemetery) links it with Playa Principal, Puerto Angel's busy main beach and working harbor. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming.

The calm surf and relaxing shallows of Playa Pez Volador—the name translates as Flying Fish Beach—make it an aquatic playground for families with young children. Marked by a huge Mexican flag at Km 5.5, the wide beach is popular with locals, as many tourists tend to head to the more active Playa Langosta. Seagrass occasionally washes ashore here, but by early morning it is cleared away by the staff of the neighboring Casa Maya Hotel. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

Playa Pichilingue is a good back-up beach for when El Tecolote and Balandra are too crowded. The water is pretty, and a local BYOB beach club, A Plein Soleil, will rent you cushioned chaise loungers for $150 MXN ($8) for the day. Points could be docked for the nearby ferry terminal, number of fishing boats, and sound of traffic, but those are rather surface-level complaints. The clear, shallow ocean water is great to sit—or even lay down—in and watch tiny fish swim by. There are a couple of restaurants to patron for lunch and drinks. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming.

Beyond Matanchén Bay the road heads inland and reemerges about 8 km (5 miles) later at Playa Platanitos, a lovely little beach in a sheltered cove that also produces a fun wave for surfers right along the cove's end. Fishermen park their skiffs here and simple shacks cook up the catch of the day. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

The less-than-pristine water (water taxis and fishing boats hang out here) may keep you on the sand, but there's plenty going on. Check out the haggling over fish prices, settle into an umbrella-shaded chair with a cool drink and fresh seafood, or shop at makeshift stalls for trinkets and treasures, but save the bulk of your beach-going time for other shores. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: walking; sunset.

Although it's not the cleanest beach in town, Playa Principal is popular with Mexican families, who flock to this strip of medium-coarse beige sand due to its calm waters and proximity to the shops, hotels, and restaurants of Avenida Pérez Gasga. The wide, curved bay meets up with Playa Marinero at the mouth of Río Rigadillo, and while the sand is soft near the shore, it's somewhat hard packed near the palm trees that line the beachfront businesses. It is also a working harbor with a large fleet of traditional fishing boats, so watching the weathered fishermen haul in their catch in the morning is an opportunity to see Mexico at its most authentic. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunrise; walking.

This lovely cove is home to both the eponymous beach as well as equally lovely Playa Manzanillo. Taxis will drop you off near the white sand, where the shallow depth of the water gives it a luminous, green-blue tint. Things get quite crowded on holidays and weekends, plus the boats moored close to shore can sometimes shrink the available swimming area and sully the waters. There's a walkway to Playa Manzanillo at the western end of the beach.

While swimming, beware of water taxis and skiffs.

toilets; water sports; food and drink; parking (no fee).

swimming.

Tucked below the airport highway, this protected strand is popular with Mexican tourists, so it tends to get crowded on weekends. Beach shacks here sell fresh fish, and vendors sell silver and other wares. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.

Seldom-crowded Playa Punta Negra is a favorite among locals for its waves. Just 5 km south of Conchas Chinas, the entrance to the beach is right on the highway and there is not a lot of parking space, which limits the amount of visitors to just a few cars at a time. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.

You’ll find Cancún’s most isolated and deserted beach on the southern tip of the peninsula. Far from the crowds and party scene, Playa Punta Nizuc has few amenities other than those available to guests at the nearby Wet 'n Wild Waterpark (Km 25), Nizuc Resort (Km 21), or Club Med (Km 21.5). The lack of beach traffic helps keep the white sands clean and the waters sparkling, except when seagrass washes up. Bordered by jungle to the south, Playa Punta Nizuc can be accessed directly from Boulevard Kukulcán, so there's plenty of street parking—but make sure you bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and an umbrella for shade. This is a great place to collect shells or swim, since waves crash only on stormy days.Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming; walking.

The handful of islands just off lovely Bahía de Chamela protects the beaches from strong surf. The best place on the bay for swimming is wide, flat Playa Punta Pérula. Fishermen here take visitors out to snorkel around the islands (about $40 for up to 10 people) or to fish ($20 per hour for one to four people); restaurants on the sand sell fresh fillets and ceviche. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Club Med occupies the south end of tranquil Playa Quieta; the rest of the lovely cove is empty except for a cluster of tables and chairs that picnicking families rent for the day for a small fee, and the equally unobtrusive Restaurant Neptuno, which sells reasonably priced seafood all week. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude.

This sprawling beach fronts the two Mundo Imperial hotels, the Pierre and the Princess, and has become the strand of sand in Acapulco for you to see and be seen. People often come here to surf and ride horses. The water is shallow, but the waves can be rough and the rip current can be strong, so be careful while swimming. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

This small cozy beach is a favorite among frequent visitors of Costa Careyes. Its waters have a gorgeous emerald green color and almost no waves, making it perfect for families with kids. Playa Rosa has three little islands and a couple of caves can be visited by boat, offering something different from other beaches in the area. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

Running along the northern hotel strip where the Meliá and El Cozumeleño hotels are located, you'll find long stretches of sand and shallow water that encourage leisurely swims. Beach hotels have all the facilities you would need, but most are all-inclusive and don't allow nonguests on the premises. If you're not staying at one, bring your own shade and slip onto the beach between properties. Kiteboarders gather in this area when the winds are good, offering hours of entertaining acrobatics; equipment can be rented nearby from De Lille Sports. Amenities: food and drink (for guests only); parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Huge waves crash onto the sand on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas. This wide, beautiful beach stretches from Land's End north to the cliffs of El Pedregal, where mansions perch on steep cliffs. Swimming is impossible here because of the dangerous surf and undertow; stick to sunbathing and strolling. From December to March, you can spot gray and humpback whales spouting just offshore; dolphins leap above the waves year-round. The beach is at the end of Avenida Solmar off Boulevard Marina—an easy walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Five resorts—Solmar, Grand Solmar, Terrasol, Playa Grande, and Sandos Finisterra—are all on this beach, making it easy to stop for a meal if you get hungry. Crowds are minimal, as guests tend to stick to the hotel pools. Amenities: none. Best for: walking; solitude.