212 Best Sights in Mexico

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.

Playa Tehuamixtle is a small stretch of beach, especially when compared with other beaches of the region. What makes it interesting is the oceanfront restaurant and its dock, from where fishing boats take visitors on day trips to completely isolated beaches not reachable by car. Everything here is affordable, as locals are just happy to get visitors. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Dozens of identical seafood shacks line the shore; birds cruise the miles of beach, searching for their own fish. The water is sparkling blue. There's camping for RVs and tents at Punta Hermanos, where the water is calm and good for snorkeling, and local men offer fishing excursions ($40–$50 for one to four people) and tours of the mangroves ($20). Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Like Playa Lancheros, this beach on the west side of the island faces Bahía de Mujeres, so the water is exceptionally calm. Once a respite from the crowds, it has become more developed, with a large restaurant (through which you actually enter the beach) that serves burgers, hot dogs, and fish. There are several souvenir stands selling handmade seashell jewelry. On certain days you can find women who will braid your hair or give you a henna tattoo. Many people visit to swim or take photos with tame nurse sharks (MX$50), but the tiny pen entrapping the large creatures is rather sad. Although there are public restrooms, you have to pay for toilet paper.Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

The surf here is inconsistent, but when it happens it is superb. The beach is adjacent to the fishing port of La Cruz, along the south side, and the area closest to the port is great for swimming even when the surf is big. Farther south it becomes nicer, but swimming gets trickier because of the rocks at the edge of the water. Amenities: water sports. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

Don't be fooled by the name—this spot is seldom frequented by tortugas. It’s the opportunity to swim, snorkel, kayak, paraglide, and ride WaveRunners that really brings folks to Turtle Beach. The water is deep, but the beach itself (the nicest section of which is on the far right, just past the rocks) can get very crowded. Passengers usually grab a drink or snack here before catching the ferry to Isla Mujeres, and locals from El Centro will spend their entire weekend on the sand. If you are looking for isolation, head elsewhere. There's an over-the-water bungee-jumping tower where your head will actually touch the water.Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

Sitting on a narrow sandy beach, Uvas caters to small cruise-ship groups and independent tourists. On-site amenities include a dive shop, kayaks, massages, and more. The basic entrance fee gets you one beverage and the use of beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, and a guided snorkel tour, but additional food and drink purchases can quickly run up your tab; all-inclusive packages are also available. Phone or online reservations are required since the club limits the number of guests.Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

Snorkelers and divers love this stretch of coastline, but beachgoers might be a little disappointed. The beach alongside Xcalak town is narrow—eaten away by past hurricanes—and often covered in seaweed and piles of garbage washed in on the tide. The hotels and B&Bs north of town do their best to keep their beaches clean and comfortable, making them the area's best spots for swimming or kayaking.

Sections of the beach connect to a network of protected mangroves frequented by manatees. Moreover, the offshore reef of nearby Banco Chinchorro is great for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

The beach slopes down to the water, and small waves break right on the shore. In high season and during holidays, there are water-sports outfitters. From here you can hike 20 minutes into the jungle to see the small Cascada Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail Waterfall), with a pool at its base for swimming. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

One of the world's top surfing beaches, Zicatela has cream-colored sands that are battered by the mighty Mexican Pipeline. In November, international surfing championships are held here (as well as popular bikini contests). The beach is just about always filled with buff, sun-bleached aficionados of both sexes intent on serious surfing. Palapa restaurants on the sand serve refreshments, but Calle del Morro, Zicatela's main street, is also lined with hotels, bars, nightclubs, and slightly more upscale restaurants. The mostly flat beach stretches from the rocks at Playa Marinero all the way to La Punta in the southeast so is good for walking.

Even when the waters appear calm, the undertows and rip currents can be deadly. If you have any doubts about your prowess, settle for watching the surfers.

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

partiers; walking; sunset; surfing.

Spend any time along this mile-long stretch of cottony sand, and you'll soon be convinced that this beautiful beach is Mexico's most relaxed and liberal. It's home to the Pacific Coast's best known (but still unofficial) nudist beach, and you should not be surprised if you catch the occasional aroma of pot mingled with the sea air. There are a growing number of upscale options for hotels and dining, but if you don't mind roughing it, Zipolite offers the best bargains on the Pacific coast. The cafés, pizza joints, and casual hippie-style restaurants along the beach are great for a bite to eat. Due to strong currents and whirlpools in even the shallowest waters, the red flag is always flying. Heed the warning signs even if you're a strong swimmer. The riptides near the rocks at the western edge of the beach are especially treacherous, and many visitors need to be rescued each year. Amenities: lifeguards; food and drink. Best for: partiers; walking; sunrise; sunset.

If you want a pristine Caribbean-style strand, you’d better look elsewhere. The primary draw of Progreso's main beach is the distinctive little beach town and its proximity to Mérida, which often leaves the sand packed with tourists and locals alike during summer weekends and holidays. Water shoes are recommended since sharp, slippery rocks lurk below the surface, making this a poor spot for diving or snorkeling. The beach is void of shade, so your best bet is to find refuge in one of the eateries on the malecón that lines the shore. Several restaurant owners rent beach chairs by the hour, but beware: Progreso's peddlers are relentless and leave only once they receive a small tip. Despite its drawbacks, the water here offers a refreshing escape from the bustling city. Amenities: food and drink; toilets (restaurant patrons only). Best for: partiers; walking.

Newcomers to Puerto Morelos might be disappointed by the blankets of seaweed and boats that dock ashore—after all, this place is more about snorkeling on the reef than sunning on the sand. Your best bet is to head for the stretch of beach two blocks north of the square in front of Ojo de Agua Hotel. Park on the town square or adjacent streets. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; walking.

Sheltered by an offshore reef, this secluded half-moon cove is Mexico's furthest eastern spot. Part of a longer beach that some locals call “Playa Bonita,” it has fine sand, clear water, turtle nests, and moderate waves. There used to be a popular restaurant and beach club here, but it's now abandoned. The road to get here has been neglected in the last few years, so not many people frequent this beautiful beach these days. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The closest beach to downtown Todos Santos, Punta Lobos is where fishermen launch their boats in the early morning. It's fascinating to watch them go out, as well as return in the afternoon, boats barreling onto the sand at high speed. You may see the occasional swimmer, but it generally isn't advised due to strong currents. Strolling along the sand and enjoying the scenery, however, is highly recommended. Punta Lobos, named after the sea lions native to the area, is also the starting point of some of the town's most beloved hikes. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunrise; walking.

One of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches has deep white sand that feels like powdered sugar and crystalline water that’s free of rocks. The small waves crashing onshore make it great for bodysurfing; 10 minutes off the coast of the Blue Diamond Resort, you'll find terrific diving, too. Hotels supply lounge chairs and offer activities like volleyball, yoga, and even remote-control boat racing for guests. Unfortunately, this beach can only be accessed by way of the security gate on Carretera 307 that leads to three area resorts. Unless you plan to visit by boat or stay at one of them, you’re probably out of luck. Amenities: food and drink; toilets (for resort guests only). Best for: walking.

Surfers, kiteboarders, and boogie boarders have made Punta Morena beach and the restaurant of the same name one of their official hangouts—and for good reason: it has great waves and a restaurant serving surfer-friendly burgers, fries, and Mexican fare. If you are away from the main palapa, ask the waiter for a beverage-service flag, and settle your bill in pesos to avoid conversion costs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

This typical east-side beach is great for beachcombing but unsuitable for swimming due to the currents. It's nicknamed Playa Mezcalitos after the much-loved Mezcalito Café, which serves seafood and beer and has beachfront hammocks for an afternoon siesta. Señor Iguana's is the other restaurant option here. The "Naked Beach" sign here doesn't actually indicate the sector of sand where discreet nudity is tolerated. For that, walk north along the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: nudists (to the north); partiers; walking.

There's only one beach in San Pancho, aptly called Playa San Pancho. Roughly about a mile long, it has fine sand and clean blue water, but also a strong undertow and shorebreak that can be dangerous when the swell builds up. Swimming is fantastic when the sea is calm, but do be careful if the ocean is rough. You can rent surfboards and surf the break on the south side of the beach, which tends to get busy with locals when the waves are pumping. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

This is the main beach in town. Nowadays it's usually very busy; there are tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance, and the main surf break is right there, too, meaning it's full of surfers and surf schools. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; surfing; swimming.

Nestled in a protected cove, this wide stretch of beach is popular with divers and snorkelers due to the outer reef that keeps waters calm. The fine sand is perfect for a barefoot stroll, but the shallow waters have sharp rocks just below the surface. Across the road from Casa Cenote Restaurant is Manatee Cenote, an underwater cave that spills from the mangroves into the sea. This freshwater pool, coupled with the outer reef, make Tankah a snorkeler's paradise. The main draw is that the area is relatively isolated since most sun worshipers tend to bask on the shores of Playa del Carmen. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; walking.

Extending 11 km (7 miles), Tulum's main beach is a tropical paradise comprised of glassy water and powdery sand, set off from the jungle by hip restaurants and low-slung bungalow hotels where the yoga set take their virtuous rest. It's divided by a rocky promontory into two main sections, similar to each other, although the farther south you go on the Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila beach road, the more secluded and lovelier it gets. The beach is bordered on the south by the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, whose coast is even more deserted. To the north, you'll find the Tulum ruins. Beach access can be tricky; even though the beach is public, the hotels and restaurants along the shore often limit access to guests only, and public access points are few and far between. If you're not staying on the beachfront, make sure to ask your hotel where the closest access point is. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.