Beaches in Cancun, Mexico

1. Playa Ballenas

Playa Ballenas is a relaxing beach in Cancun's Zona Hotelera, awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Mexico certificate for its dedication to environmentally sustainable management practices. The beach, which is tucked between several major resorts, showcases beautiful pristine white sands stretching in front of turquoise waters, making for perfect conditions for sunbathing.

Popular watersports at the beach include jetskiing, parasailing, and windsurfing, with football and volleyball courts available for visitor use on the beachfront. Visitors should note that the beach does not offer a food court, but public restrooms and showers are offered for visitor use, with lifeguards staffed on duty during the morning and afternoon hours.

Playa Ballenas, Rtno. del Rey 36, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico

2. Playa Caracol

Playa Caracol is one of Cancun's most lively public beaches, located within its Zona Hotelera at the end of Boulevard Kukulkan between Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Tortugas. The beach's central location makes it a prime spot for area vacationers, located conveniently near many of the region's top shopping and dining destinations.

Calm waters and gentle wave conditions make the beach a top snorkeling spot, with beautiful white sands and turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. Flat seabeds in the area make for excellent safe swimming conditions for young children, making Playa Caracol a family favorite.

Though public restrooms are not offered on site, a concession stand serves up lunch fare, with many vendors and businesses offering seating nearby.

3. Playa Chac-Mool

Playa Chac-Mool is one of Cancun's quieter public beaches, directly bordering Playa Gaviota Azul and Playa Marlin within the area's Zona Hotelera at the end of the Boulevard Kukulkan.

The beautiful Riviera Maya beach is a well-kept secret for visitors looking to get away from tourist crowds, offering pristine Blue Flag Mexico-designated clean sands and turquoise waters that make for prime swimming and sunbathing conditions. A surf school in the area offers surfing lessons on the beach, with standup paddleboarding rentals and lagoon tours available for visitors. Though no concession stands are offered directly on Playa Chac-Mool, a number of restaurants and shops are provided near the beach's access point adjacent to Señor Frogs. Map

4. Playa Coral

Playa Coral is a Blue Flag Mexico-designated beach located near Cancun's Zona Hotelera area, spanning 500 meters just past the popular Playa Delfines and Punta Nizuc beaches and the Mayan El Rey ruins. The beach, which is also known as Mirador II, is Cancun's top dog-friendly beach, allowing beachgoers to frolic along the ocean shoreline with their four-legged friends. Charming natural scenery includes palm trees and meadows, which are unique sights along most of the Cancun coast. Visitors should note that the beach's access road is not accessible via public transit or bicycles, though taxis and rental cars are viable transportation options. Public restroom facilities are offered, along with special bins for disposing of dog waste.

Pacífico Norte, Ciudad Juárez, CHIH, Mexico

5. Playa Delfines

Playa Delfines is one of Cancun's local favorite beaches within the Zona Hotelera, located approximately 10 miles from the region's downtown district and accessible via bus or taxi. Free parking is offered at the beach, which is open to the public all hours of the day and night for free. Wide sandy beachfront stretches offer impressive oceanfront views, with excellent swimming and surfing conditions offered within its pristine turquoise waters. Dolphins can often be seen from the beach's shoreline, with chartered tours available for visitors wanting an up-close experience. Children's playgrounds are offered, along with an outdoor gym, handicap-accessible showers, and a surf school offering lessons and rental boards. Though no proper concession stand is offered, a variety of Mexican-style street vendors frequently line the beach, serving up local specialties such as kibis and fish wrapped in banana leaves.

Boulevard Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico, Phone: +52-48-13-80-79-51

6. Playa El Nino

Playa El Nino is a family-friendly beach in Cancun's Zona Hotelera, stretching approximately 500 meters within the city's Playa Blanca district, which is a popular site for rental holiday homes. The beach, which is located adjacent to the Mayan ruins of El Meco, offers comfortable Blue Flag Mexico-certified clean sands and clear blue waters, with a wide variety of amenities available, including restrooms, showers, and handicap-accessible areas. Lifeguards are staffed on duty to oversee young swimmers, with ample space for picnics, sunbathing, and beachfront sports and play. A wide variety of vendors sell traditional Mexican snacks such as tacos and kiwi fried meatballs, with a number of local fish and seafood restaurants offered nearby.

López Portillo 2, 85, 77525 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico, Phone: +52-93-81-52-31-67

7. Playa Gaviota Azul

Playa Gaviota Azul is one of Cancun's busiest and liveliest public beaches, commonly referred to as the Playa Forum by local residents. The one-kilometer beach is located within the city's Zona Hotelera near the Club Coco Bongo, offering convenient access to a wide variety of nearby restaurants, shops, and nightlife spots. A diverse crowd flocks to the beach year-round, which offers opportunities for swimming, surfing, fishing, and a variety of water sports. A plethora of restaurants and bars line the beach's border, with many offering waterfront seating. For visitors looking for a more low-key experience, the beach's eastern end offers fine sands and shallow waters with less tourist action.

8. Playa Langosta

Playa Langosta is a favorite local beach in Cancun, retaining much of its traditional charm despite development around it within the city's Zona Hotelera. The beach, which is located approximately four miles from downtown Cancun along Boulevard Kukulkan, is open to the public all hours of the night and day with an entrance fee required. A watersport center is offered for visitors looking to enjoy the area's excellent surf conditions. Safe and shallow waters make the beach a prime spot for families, with lifeguards staffed on duty and roped-off areas for swimming safety. A public dock is also offered, along with a wide variety of street vendors, restaurants, and bars offered nearby.

Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +52-99-88-45-21-62

9. Playa Las Perlas

Playa Las Perlas is one of Cancun's most elegant beaches, located along the Boulevard Kulkulkan near the Imperial las Perlas Cancun resort. The beach is lined with world-class restaurants, with many offering waterfront dining experiences for tourists looking for elegant cuisine and stunning water views. Strong waves in some beachfront areas make for some of the region's best surfing and boogie boarding conditions, though many areas offer calm, safe water conditions for swimming, even for young and novice swimmers. Pick-up volleyball games are common along the beachfront, with a children's playground nearby and ample space offered for sunbathing and relaxation. The beach's dock also offers a visitor shuttle to nearby Isla Meujeres.

10. Playa Linda

Playa Linda is one of Cancun's most unique beaches, located at the junction of the Lagoon Nichupté and the Caribbean Sea. The lively beach is a favorite spot for tourists looking for more entertainment and amenities than average beachfronts, offering a full entertainment center at the Theatro Cancun, which showcases theatrical and musical productions periodically during the evening hours. Live music is presented on the weekends at the theater's restaurant, which serves up a variety of seafood entrees and cocktails on a beautiful terrace with oceanfront views. A rotating observation tower offers spectacular views of the surrounding Zona Hotelera and downtown Cancun, with helicopter tours available for a bird's eye view of the region and fishing tours offered at nearby locations. Family-friendly pirate-themed shows are offered aboard the Jolly Joker, while lively music-fueled parties are hosted aboard the Dancer Partyboat.