9 of the Best Beaches in Cancún
Cancún, the stunning region on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, is renowned for its beautiful beaches. From white sand and crystal blue waters, to the opportunity to explore reefs and tropical wildlife, there is something for everyone.
I’ve spent a lot of time travelling around Mexico and spent a while in Cancun exploring and searching for the best beaches in Cancun.
I was amazed by how many options were available – from the bustling beach party atmosphere of Playa Delfines to the more secluded Isla Blanca with its calm waters and incredible views.
In order to gain a sense of authority and trustworthiness talking to travellers who are not sure which Cancun beach to visit, I asked locals about their favorite spots, read online reviews, and even searched out hidden gems that often go unnoticed!
My search led me to some of Cancún’s finest beaches with pristine shores, amazing landscapes and plenty of activities. Whether you’re looking for an exciting day out or just want a peaceful spot for some rest and relaxation – it’s easy to find your perfect beach in Cancun.
Cancún is a beautiful and popular beach destination, with miles of white sand and turquoise waters. It boasts a wide variety of beaches, from secluded coves to bustling boardwalks.
Cancún is located in the North American country of Mexico, in the state Quintana Roo, situated on the eastern tip facing into the Caribbean.
The city is a popular tourist destination, offering a wide variety of attractions for both families and couples. Cancún is also well-known for its nightlife and excellent restaurants, along with its world-class hotels and all inclusive resorts.
The best beaches in Cancún offer a wide range of activities, from swimming to snorkelling. Some are very secluded and quiet while others offer restaurants, bars and shops on the beachfront.
All are accessible by public transportation or taxi. If you are looking for the best beaches in Cancún, then look no further than the below round up.
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Playa Tortugas
If you are looking for your own slice of paradise, look no further than Playa Tortugas. It is one of the best Cancun beaches and it is located on Kukulcan Boulevard.
This beach is a popular tourist destination for its pristine white sand and clear turquoise water.
It is also one of the best beaches in Cancun because it offers plenty of space to relax and enjoy nature. The beach also has plenty of amenities nearby including restaurants and bars such as Las Hijas De La Tostada Cancún, Sirenas Raw Bar and Sky 3.5.
There are also lifeguards on duty making this beach very safe. This is an ideal place to enjoy the day with friends or family.
The only downside to this beach is that there is not much shade so during midday it can get a bit hot. However, there are plenty of chair and umbrella rentals on offer should you require them.
The beach is accessible by the main road that runs through the area, Boulevard Kukulcan. Marina Albatros also resides here so you will see many boats and yachts in the sea.
Accommodation nearby Playa Tortugas:
Playa Langosta
Just south of Playa Tortugas, you will find the next beach along, this is Playa Langosta. This beach in Cancun Mexico is one of the most popular beaches in Cancún. The beach is open to the public, but there are areas reserved for guests at nearby hotels.
The beach also has great facilities such as a playground for kids and a public restroom. It is a great place to go swimming, walking and picnicking.
This is a busy area with many hotels, resorts and amenities nearby. Some top restaurants in the area that are great to grab an evening meal after your day at the beach at include The White Box, which serves Italian cuisine and Careyes which serves gourmet cuisine.
Playa Langosta is located nearby to the public gardens named Esculturas Fonatur. This is a lovely spot if you wish to enjoy a quiet space away from the business of the beach.
There are monuments here including Hemicycle to the Children Heroes and Asta Bandera Monumental. These are beautiful monuments that offer a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Accommodation nearby Playa Langosta:
Playa Chac-Mool
Playa Chac-Mool is located just south of the Hotel Zone, it is a great beach for swimming, snorkelling, and all around relaxing. This beautiful beach consists of white sand and turquoise waters that will surely capture your attention.
The beach is surrounded by palm trees that provide shade from the sun and that makes it a great place to enjoy a quiet afternoon. This beach also has a great view of the sun setting into the ocean, which is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Playa Chac-Mool may be a small beach but it is one of the best beaches in Cancun for families and couples alike. The calm waters are perfect for children to play in while adults can enjoy their time lounging on fluffy towels under shady palm trees or socializing with new friends by the shoreline.
The beach is also a great place to enjoy the sun and get some tanning time. There are plenty of vendors selling drinks, snacks and souvenirs if you want to spend your day at Playa Chac-Mool. The beach has restrooms that are clean and well maintained.
The Good Vibes Surf School is located on this beach, they provide surf lessons for all levels and ages. If you want to learn to surf, this is the perfect place to do so. The beach also has a lifeguard on duty in case you are unsure of how safe it is or need help getting in and out of the water.
Accommodation nearby Playa Chac-Mool:
Playa Gaviota Azul
The Hotel Zone has many exciting areas and Playa Gaviota Azul is one of them. It is therefore one of the most popular beaches in Cancún.
The beach offers several amenities including cabanas and umbrella rentals. It also has good food nearby in the area surrounding it where you can grab some lunch or dinner before heading back home. Some great restaurants include Restaurante Mediterráneo Cancún and Lorenzo’s.
Playa Gaviota Azul is a wide beach due to its geographical location and Los Cubos de Forum. It is therefore a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. It also has calm waters, making it ideal for families with children who want to go swimming without worries.
The beach offers some water sports such as snorkelling and scuba diving, so you can make the most out of your visit.
Accommodation nearby Playa Gaviota Azul:
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The island has been popular with tourists for decades and has a population of about 23,000 people. Isla Mujeres is only seven kilometres long and half a kilometre wide at its widest point.
There are many beautiful beaches on the island with soft sand and crystal clear waters such as Playa Centro, Playa Norte, Playa El Cocal and Playa Garrafon.
These are some of the best Cancun beaches around. Many also have high end and fun beach clubs where you can enjoy drinks and food while watching the sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
The island is known for its diving and snorkelling spots, which are located along the north and south shores.
A number of coral reefs can be found around Isla Mujeres, making it a popular destination for scuba enthusiasts. There are also many interesting sights to see on land such as beautiful churches and colourful houses.
Accommodation nearby Isla Mujeres:
- Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun
- Hotel Privilege Aluxes
- Lotus Boutique Hotel & Wellness Center
Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines in Cancun, Mexico is located south of the main city and Kukulcan Boulevard. It has a white sand beach and clear, calm waters. This is a great place to spend the day relaxing on the beach or enjoying the water. The beach is lined with palm trees and there are plenty of sun loungers available for you to use.
There are also restaurants nearby if you get hungry or thirsty. There are also many golf clubs in this area meaning if you are a fan of golf, there is plenty of opportunity to play.
The main attraction of this beach that sets it apart from the others is the Mayan ruins that are located behind it named El Rey Archaeological Zone.
These ruins feature 47 different buildings that date back to 250 AD. Within the ruins, you will find an impressive pyramid shaped temple that is very impressive and you can walk right up to it.
The ruins are located on a large plot of land that is surrounded by trees and shrubs, so you can enjoy the scenery as well. If you are looking for an outdoor activity in Cancun, Mexico then this would be the perfect place for you.
Accommodation nearby Playa Delfines:
Playa Ballenas
This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cancun and is located right on the city’s waterfront. It offers plenty of facilities, including lifeguards, restaurants and bars.
If you want to spend some time relaxing under the shade of palm trees then this is a good place to do so. There are plenty of activities to enjoy here, including swimming and jet-skiing.
It may be on the outskirts of town but there is still plenty happening in the area. On this beach, you will find Coco’s Beach Club Cancún, which is an excellent place to enjoy a cocktail while listening to some great music.
Some great restaurants are bars include Kempski Hotel, a popular Mexican restaurant, El Café Mexicano, serving delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine.
Accommodation nearby Playa Ballenas:
Caracol Beach
Caracol Beach is a great choice if you want to be right on the beach and close to all of the action. It is in the middle of the popular Hotel Zone and has many options and facilities on site. The area has many shops, spas and other wellness related activities here.
The shopping centre Plaza Caracol is a great place to visit for your retail therapy. You can also find a wide range of restaurants and bars such as La Bodega, an Argentinan eatery and Vico’s Grill Kosher Cancún and Fat Tuesday is nearby.
At the end of Caracol Beach, Punta Cancun lighthouse is located. This is a striped red and white lighthouse that you can climb up to and enjoy the beautiful views of Cancun and the Caribbean Sea.
The lighthouse is also a great place to watch the sunset. There are several ways to get there, but you can take a taxi from downtown Cancun or just walk from your hotel.
Accommodation nearby Caracol Beach:
Playa Puerto Juarez
This is the perfect place to go if you like to party but also want a nice beach break. Puerto Juarez is located in downtown Cancun and has many nightclubs and bars that stay open until early morning.
The beach is beautiful and there are plenty of restaurants and shopping centres nearby. There are two ferry ports situated here also which take you over to Isla Mujeres which is only a 10-minute boat ride away.
This area is more built up compared to the other more luxurious and secluded beach areas you can find in Cancun.
There is a lot of party atmosphere here and you will find many tourists and cheaper accommodation options. The beach area is quite large and has a lot of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained during the day.
There are also many shops in this area selling souvenirs and clothing, as well as other touristy items. The beaches here tend to be very crowded in the daytime but there are still quieter spots if you look hard enough.
Accommodation nearby Playa Puerto Juarez:
FAQs About best beaches around cancun
What is the best beach in Cancun?
Depending on what type of beach experience you’re looking for, there are a few different great options. Playa Delfines is known for its beauty and its excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Playa Tortugas has gentle waves, making it perfect for families with small children and watersport enthusiasts alike. The Mayan Cancun Resort also offers some of the best beachfront access in the area.
What activities can I do at the beaches in Cancun?
There are plenty of activities to keep every traveler entertained during their visit to Cancun’s beaches! Whether you want to go parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing or simply take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline – Cancun has something for everyone.
Are there lifeguards on duty at the beaches in Cancun?
Yes! All public beaches in Cancun have trained lifeguards who patrol regularly. It’s important to make sure you follow their instructions and swim only in areas where they’re on duty – swimming outside these designated areas can be dangerous.
Is there any wildlife that I should watch out for when visiting the beaches in Cancun?
While most of the wildlife near beaches around Cancun is harmless, visitors should still be aware of potential hazards like sea turtles nesting on certain shores or stingrays hiding underneath the sand. Be sure to check with local authorities before entering any body of water just in case!
Final Thoughts: best beaches in cancun mexico
The white sand, crystal clear water, and trendy beach clubs make Cancun one of the top beach destinations in the world. Cancun is a magical place to visit.
The weather is perfect all year-round and there is always something fun to do. Whether you are looking for an all-inclusive resort or a more affordable option, there is something for everyone in Cancun.
The city has a lot to offer including shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family. There is also a big party scene here and many people come to Cancun for spring break.
Cancun is also home to some of the best beaches in Mexico so if you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation then this would be the perfect place for you.
Cancun is a great place to spend the day at the beach, but you can also visit the Mayan ruins. If you are looking for something more adventurous, there are plenty of activities that will keep you busy for days on end. We hope this list has given you some inspiration for your next vacation in Mexico!
Read More:
- Areas to stay in Cancun
- Areas to stay in Tulum
- Best Day Trips from Tulum
- The Ultimate Guide to Tulum Mexico
- 9 of the Best Cenote Tours from Cancun
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