Quick Summary:

  • Mexico is known around the world as the site of some of the world's most famous visitor beachfronts, offering gorgeous shoreline stretches along both its Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea coastlines.
  • Throughout the 20th century, many of the country's coastal communities gained international acclaim as hot tourist destinations, including Puerto Vallarta, which was popularized in the 1960s as a favorite travel destination for Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor.
  • Nightlife hot spot Cancun and the twin Baja California cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo attract a hip spring break tourist clientele.
  • The Caribbean area of Tulum is known for its astounding preserved Mayan ruins and gorgeous natural cenote sinkholes.
  • Less-trafficked areas offer more authentic charm, such as the protected natural reserves of the Marieta Islands.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cabo Pulmo National Park (Baja California) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cabo Pulmo National Park (Baja California) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© leonardogonzalez/stock.adobe.com

2. Jump in for a Swim on Playa el Médano (Cabo San Lucas) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jump in for a Swim on Playa el Médano (Cabo San Lucas) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© dan talson/stock.adobe.com

3. Have a Romantic Picnic at Playa del Amor (Cabo San Lucas)

Have a Romantic Picnic at Playa del Amor (Cabo San Lucas) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© grinder82/stock.adobe.com

4. Chileno Beach (Cabo San Lucas)

Category: Beaches
Chileno Beach (Cabo San Lucas) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Oleandra9/stock.adobe.com

5. Playa La Ropa (Costa Grande)

Playa La Ropa (Costa Grande) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Balint Radu/stock.adobe.com

6. Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres)

Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© marako85/stock.adobe.com

7. Yelapa Beach (Jalisco)

Category: Beaches
Yelapa Beach (Jalisco) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Christopher Howey/stock.adobe.com

8. Balandra Beach (La Paz)

Category: Beaches
Balandra Beach (La Paz) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© leonardogonzalez/stock.adobe.com

9. Playa del Amor (Marietas Islands)

Romantic Islands
Playa del Amor (Marietas Islands) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© miguelnaranjomx/stock.adobe.com

10. Zipolite Beach (Oaxaca)

Category: Beaches
Zipolite Beach (Oaxaca) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Noel Cruz/stock.adobe.com

11. Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit)

Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© annie X/stock.adobe.com

12. Akumal (Tulum)

Akumal (Tulum) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Simon Dannhauer/stock.adobe.com

13. Isla Holbox (Yucatan Peninsula)

Isla Holbox (Yucatan Peninsula) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© marikpeter/stock.adobe.com

14. San Miguel Beach (Baja California)

Category: Beaches
San Miguel Beach (Baja California) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© sebra/stock.adobe.com

15. Playa Caracol (Cancun)

Playa Caracol (Cancun) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© IRStone/stock.adobe.com

16. Troncones (Guerrero)

Troncones (Guerrero) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Mark J. Grenier/stock.adobe.com

17. Playa la Entrega (Huatulco)

Playa la Entrega (Huatulco) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© vladimircaribb/stock.adobe.com

18. Playa el Tecolote (La Paz)

Playa el Tecolote (La Paz) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Victor/stock.adobe.com

19. Bahía San Agustín (Oaxaca)

Bahía San Agustín (Oaxaca) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Saskia Toepfer/stock.adobe.com

20. Playa Los Muertos (Puerto Vallarta)

Category: Museums & Culture
Playa Los Muertos (Puerto Vallarta) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Dreamframer/stock.adobe.com

21. Xpu Ha Beach (Riviera Maya)

Category: Beaches
Xpu Ha Beach (Riviera Maya) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© Filippo Carlot/stock.adobe.com

22. Punta Mita (Riviera Nayarit)

Punta Mita (Riviera Nayarit) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© RachelKolokoffHopper/stock.adobe.com

23. Playa las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)

Playa las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) | Relaxing Mexico Beaches You Can Visit on Vacation
© juanjomenta/stock.adobe.com

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