11 Best Beaches in Cancun
The beaches in and around Cancun will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip when you visit.
It is a magnificent combination of white sand beaches, vibrant beaches that are popular with tourists, and calm beaches where you can spend some private time with family and friends.
You might enjoy direct beach access if you’re staying at a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Cancun.
Anywhere you choose to stay, you may easily find a breathtaking beach that will amaze you.
All you have to do is mention the activity you’re looking for, and Cancun will offer the ideal beach environment.
Here are a few of Cancun’s top beaches for you to check out.
- Playa Chac Mool
If you are merely seeking some downtime and want to spread on the warm sand to read a book and be sun-kissed, Playa Chac Mool is the ideal beach resort.
This is a calm beach where you may take it easy and spend the day lounging in the Caribbean Sea.
Playa Chac Mool is one of Cancun’s best beaches.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach is my top pick because of how serene it is, and it is also far away from the crowds.
If you wish to add some energy to your day, you may also use the beachside rentals and do some enjoyable water sports.
The beach is rather peaceful, and the water is ideal for a safe swim. This is the best swimming beach in Cancun.
Expert Tip
Bring a book with you; you’ll kick yourself for not using this time to finish some leisure reading.
This is one of the beaches where you can read the most comfortably.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen and your sunglasses.
Recommended Hotel
One of the top hotels in the region is Aloft Cancun.
You can use the pool at the hotel, and you can also hire bicycles at the front desk to easily tour the neighborhood and the city.
A private beach is also accessible from a few of the suites.
- Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines is a dolphin beach.
You’ll enjoy days and days of dolphin sightings! This is the kind of surprise this beach has to offer.
Commonly known as El Mirador or The Lookout, this beach is located at kilometer 20 in the Hotel Zone.
This is the top public beach in Cancun’s hotel zone, or certainly one of the best.
Playa Delfines, in contrast to the other beaches along this stretch of coast, is pristine, leaving you with a sizable stretch of warm sand for strolling and taking in the scenery.
This beach in the hotel zone is well-known.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach is an excellent public beach despite the lack of hotels and restaurants because the restrooms are clean and quite functional.
If you decide to drive, there is free parking available at this beach as well.
If not, the bus service makes it extremely easy to get to the beach.
There is a little playground designated for your kids to play in, as well as a huge palapa for when the sun becomes too strong.
Expert Tip
If you choose to swim at this beach, take extra caution, as the water can become rather rough.
Be aware of the tides and stay out of the water if no lifeguards are present.
Recommended Hotel
A gorgeous 5-star resort, the Crown Paradise Club All-Inclusive Resort, is located just 500 meters from this beach.
If you’re traveling with kids and seeking family activities in Cancun, this lavish hotel is perfect.
The hotel’s swimming pool has water slides for kids to enjoy, and there are also several additional facilities for other sporting events.
- Tulum Beach
Tulum is home to various serene beaches near Cancun.
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is not too distant from Tulum, and there are many ways to get there.
Even though this is a popular holiday destination close to Cancun, there is a good chance that the beaches will be quiet and uncrowded.
You can unwind and take it easy at Tulum while also visiting several remarkably well-preserved Mayan ruins.
In contrast to the Cancun Hotel Zone, Tulum’s Hotel Zone does not have any high-rise hotels or resorts. Instead, you’ll find inviting cabanas and outdoor cafes and restaurants.
The white sand beach in Tulum has palm trees bordering the boardwalk.
One of Cancun’s most beautiful beaches is this one.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach is one that I recommend all because it is so stunning.
The ocean is the purest, where you may enjoy a breathtaking sunset.
Tulum Beach is the place to go if you want a calm day at the beach and wish to enjoy some drinks and snacks in the nearby cabanas.
Expert Tip
If you have the time, you might even want to spend some time exploring Tulum’s ancient Mayan ruins and enjoy the beach beside it.
It is a breathtaking sight to witness.
Recommended Hotel
The Beach Tulum is a 3-star hotel on this beach.
- Playa Norte Isla Mujeres
Off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, also referred to as the Island of Woman, is a real piece of paradise.
Playa Norte is home to a stunning and tranquil beach (North Beach).
The breathtakingly blue lake and the glistening white sand will leave you breathless.
There are also several clubs along the shore.
You may rent chairs and umbrellas and spend the entire day lazing on the beach.
The sea is peaceful and quiet at North Beach. You can swim without worrying about your kids’ safety.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach’s tranquil seas face Cancun’s coastline rather than the open ocean.
You may easily go swimming or rent lounge chairs from one of the many clubs and sip margaritas all day.
Expert Tip
You might wish to see the island first before going to the beach. You can do this conveniently by renting a golf cart and touring the stunning island.
I would advise you to arrive a little early so you may be able to do this successfully.
Recommended Hotel
There is a stunning 5-star hotel called The Mia Reef Isla Mujeres on the island.
This is a tranquil all-inclusive resort by the beach.
It offers an outdoor pool where you can easily access the beach.
This resort is ideal for family travel, especially if you’re seeking exciting day adventures in Cancun. It’s also kid-friendly.
- Playacar Beach
Playa, often known as Playa del Carmen, is a booming beach town adjacent to Cancun.
Playacar Beach is a great area in Cancun to stay in, and it’s fun to visit with friends.
There are a variety of boutique hotels and beach clubs where you can stay and spend the day.
At the wonderful beach, you’ll get a chance to meet people from different walks of life.
Adding your colors to the crowd is a lot of fun. It is undeniably a beach that attracts a colorful population.
The clubs and resorts are both welcoming, so if you get a pass to one of them, you may easily spend the day relaxing.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This is a fun beach that draws a young, energetic crowd, but it may also be a peaceful beach. It is never congested; you will not get agitated and want to leave.
This might be the perfect beach for a wedding.
Expert Tip
Go to the gated Playacar at the southern end of the beach as soon as possible.
If you purchase a day pass, you will be able to visit a spotless private beach that you can enjoy.
In case that doesn’t work out, you can still buy a day pass for one of the numerous resorts and spend the day relaxing there.
Recommended Hotel
Sandos Playacar is a beach resort with a ton of activities that is ideal for families with young children.
This all-inclusive resort offers quick access to the beach, the convenience of an outdoor swimming pool, and a freshwater park that the kids will enjoy.
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Mexico’s best-preserved ecosystems.
The reserve also includes 23 ancient sites that history aficionados will enjoy (or even if you are not).
These Mayan ruins from the early periods date back more than 2000 years.
The biosphere reserve offers a wide variety of sights.
Imagine a beach that is empty on one side and a lush, animal-filled jungle on the other.
This rare combination is not available anywhere else in Cancun.
The beach is among the more serene ones near Cancun because of its location inside a reserve in the middle of the Riviera Maya.
Why We Recommend This Beach
I recommend this beach because of how remarkable and distinctive it is.
It is frequently easy to forget that the beach, especially if it is in the middle of the city, is also a natural habitat for various species and needs to be treated as such.
However, as soon as you approach the reserve, you will realize how fragile nature is and start to take extra precautions to minimize your impact on it.
You’ll enjoy it even if it’s a somber occasion.
Expert Tip
You can schedule a fishing trip or a tour of the reserve by calling in advance.
Don’t forget to pack a basket or bag with everything you might need for the beach.
There aren’t any shops around.
Recommended Hotel
Sol Caribe is a small posh resort near Punta Allen, which is where you access the reserve from the beach.
This coastal resort offers cabanas and private resorts.
This hotel is the most gorgeous in the area, and I highly recommend it.
- Playa Maroma
Playa Maroma, often known as Maroma Beach, is another stunning beach on the Riviera Maya and one of the popular beaches in and around Cancun.
It is famous worldwide because of the sea’s turquoise hue and its perfect size.
You can spend a lazy day on the sand or join in some water sports at Playa Maroma.
Snorkeling is excellent from Maroma Point or Punta Maroma.
There are numerous hotels and nightclubs on the beach where you can stay or visit for the day.
The highlight of your trip to Mexico will surely be this beach, which is a joyful assemblage of many gorgeous things.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Aside from me, others have recommended this beach as well.
Playa Maroma is on the majority of lists of some of the most stunning beaches in the world.
If you’re in Cancun, you must take advantage of the opportunity to spend a day at this beach.
Expert Tip
If you decide to snorkel, go with caution, as there are people who use jet skis and boats cruising around.
Recommended Hotel
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun is a stunning 5-star all-inclusive resort.
This hotel is a great choice when traveling with a significant other or a group of friends, this hotel is a great choice.
The hotel’s website simply refers to it as “adults only,” and it is not child-friendly.
If you’re traveling with family and have children, the Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is a great option.
- Akumal Beach
Akumal is a small seaside village located south of Cancun.
You might be able to anticipate where I’m headed as Akumal roughly translates to “place of the turtles” in Mayan.
Off Akumal Beach, snorkelers can see sea turtles.
Female turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night during the turtle nesting season (April to October).
The young turtles return to the ocean between June and November when the eggs hatch.
There is no better place to go diving since Akumal is also a well-known scuba diving location.
Why We Recommend This Beach
The cove surrounding the beach makes the water tranquil and enticing.
Furthermore, swimming with sea turtles is possible with the water’s swimming quality.
Expert Tip
Don’t believe advertisements that say you need to book a separate tour to swim with sea turtles.
All you need to do is bring your snorkeling gear so you can watch the sea turtles!
Recommended Hotel
The Hotel Akumal Caribe is an affordable and welcoming 3-star hotel on Akumal Beach.
Quick access to the beach, an outdoor pool, and an airport shuttle are all provided. I fully recommend this accommodation.
- Xpu-ha Beach
The popular Xpu-ha Beach in Puerto Aventura is a favorite among both locals and tourists.
As soon as you get there, a family will stop you at the beach’s entrance and demand payment.
You will get your money back if you purchase at La Playa Xpu-Ha Restaurant and Beach Club.
This cove-protected beach features white sand and a calmer sea, making it the perfect choice for families with young children.
For a leisurely day at the beach, the aforementioned restaurant also rents out chairs and umbrellas.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach is a calm haven away from Cancun’s slightly busier beaches.
The beach’s white sand and crystal-clear water make an excellent place to work on your tan and gain some much-needed vitamin D.
You can listen to live music at the restaurant if you go on a Sunday.
Expert Tip
Keep your meal receipts so you can get your admission fee reimbursed when you leave.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Esencia is situated directly on a stunning white sand beach and is surrounded by gardens on three sides.
This five-star hotel has magnificent indoor and outdoor pools, as well as beach access.
- X’cacel Beach
The closest place on earth to paradise is X’cacel Beach.
You can participate in the beach’s sea turtle conservation initiative by paying a small entrance fee (absolutely worth it!).
With that contribution, you can access the beach as well as the area’s breathtaking freshwater cenote.
Why We Recommend This Beach
Not only do I suggest the beach highly, but so do many who have been there.
It’s a fantastic place for snorkeling, and getting to the freshwater cenote is a double bonus!
Expert Tip
There aren’t any stores, cafes, or restaurants around, so bring a picnic.
Bring your snorkeling equipment.
Recommended Hotel
Since there aren’t many hotels around, it can take you at least a mile and a half to reach a five-star hotel.
If you don’t mind staying at an inexpensive hotel that is yet close to the beach, the Ecovergel Riviera Maya Hotel Boutique is a good option.
- Puerto Morelos Beach
Puerto Morelos Beach is a serene fishing village not too far from Cancun.
This beach is normally peaceful and features a vast area of undeveloped white sand.
Snorkeling can be done here, or you can choose to spend the day at a beachside club.
If you stroll down to the dock, you may see the lighthouse that was damaged during Hurricane Beulah in 1967.
Why We Recommend This Beach
This beach is incredibly tranquil and is just near Cancun.
You can simply take a day trip and enjoy some time away from Cancun’s busy streets.
Expert Tip
Since the reef is protected, you must snorkel there with a licensed guide if you want to do so.
In my opinion, you should prepare for that.
Recommended Hotel
The Arena Beach Club is a beachfront hotel that provides a comfortable stay and convenient beach access.
This family-friendly resort has a restaurant, a bar, and an outdoor pool.
