Mexico has long been a favorite of U.S. expatriates, and for good reason.  Many cite its proximity to the U.S. as one of the country’s biggest perks.  Others choose it for its affordable, quality health care options.  Speaking of affordable, the cost of living in Mexico is another huge benefit to those hoping to stretch their retirement dollars or even raise their families in a more budget-friendly destination.

But, numbers aside, there’s another really big reason that a lot of people are choosing our neighbor to the south when looking for a place to relocate…

The beaches in Mexico are among the best in the world!  

Whether you want a retreat that sits at the base of lush mountains or one that intermingles with the Mexican desert, a coastal area that’s dotted with the remains of an ancient civilization or one that’s adorned with the finest luxury resorts, a spot with opportunities for adventure and exploration or just a stretch of sand with no other inhabitants…

Mexico has it all.

Without a doubt one of the things that makes Mexico such an appealing destination, particularly for the long-term, is its variety.  The 450+ beaches in Mexico cater to every interest, meaning there’s never a reason to sacrifice what you want.  Instead, all you have to do is zero in on exactly which area or town offers the best options to suit your values.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most (and least, if solitude’s your aim) popular beaches in Mexico, with a little more information about what makes each of them special.

Beaches in Mexico – Pacific Coast

Loreto

Loreto sits on the coast of the Sea of Cortez adjacent to the great Sierra de la Giganta and is made up of 5 islands: Coronado, Del Carmen, Danzante, Monserrat, and Santa Catalina.  Its beautiful beaches are juxtaposed alongside towering cliffs, striking rock formations, and lush vegetation.

One of the oldest settlements on the Baja California Peninsula, Loreto is a perfect fit for the expat who’s looking for a destination that is rich in culture and history.  The first Mission was founded at this site and led to the establishment of the Church of Our Lady of Loreto, whose patron saint is celebrated with a joyful festival annually.

Loreto is a great place for sport fishing, with an abundance of mahi mahi, wahoo, and tuna.  It also offers opportunities for diving and surfing, as well as whale watching during the winter months.  The nooks and crannies along its coast are perfect places for kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring.

La Paz

Although an important port and political hub for the state of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a relatively small city that hasn’t changed much over the last century.  It’s a great option for someone who’s looking for a laid-back lifestyle dotted with a hint of modern convenience.

It’s well-stocked with resort hotels, golf courses, and modern restaurants.  Yet La Paz still boasts plenty of beaches that aren’t overcrowded and some that are almost isolated.  Its historic city center has a beautiful square with paths made of Spanish tile, a pink quartz gazebo, and a cathedral that dates back to the 19th century.

The palms and laurel trees of La Paz stand like an oasis amid the surrounding desert.  Its many tranquil bays are ideal for a leisurely swim.  It also includes several offshore islands, as well as a deserted sandbar, that are ripe for exploration.  The area is great for sport fishing, ecotourism, diving, and whale watching.

Los Cabos

At the Southernmost tip of Baja California Sur lies Los Cabos.  Technically two cities connected by a stretch of highway called the Corridor, it is the perfect spot for someone who’s looking for the best of both worlds.  Many expatriates prefer it for its North American feel.  It’s also one of the few destinations on the Sea of Cortez that claims both desert and mountain scenery.

San Jose del Cabo looks and feels like an authentic Mexican town, albeit an upscale one.  Its quaint eateries are small and intimate and sit along cobblestone streets, adjacent to boutique hotels and the mission church.  Twenty miles away sits Cabo San Lucas, with its high end bars, glistening shopping malls, and bustling marina.

The Corridor itself is its own destination, as it is home to most of the spas, resorts, and golf courses that have made Los Cabos such a popular tourist destination.  Most of the region’s best beaches, including Medano beach, are also located along the Corridor, which is an ideal spot for enjoying various water sports.

Mazatlan

If you’re the would-be expat couple who’s looking for a place you can enjoy long walks on the beach, try Mazatlan, where the beaches on both side of the city stretch for miles into the distance.  It has a tropical climate, yet it enjoys less humidity than some of its counterparts, thanks to the dryer desert areas to the north.

While the area does attract a lot of tourists, most of them come for the newer resorts, bars, and restaurants of the Zona Dorada (or Golden Zone).  Old Mazatlan remains relatively unaffected by the town’s popularity, with many of the hotels remaining as small, family-owned establishments.  Its cafes, markets, and shady plazas don’t look even the slightest bit touristy.

Among Mazatlan’s claims to fame are its Carnaval celebration, one of the best in Mexico, as well as its fishing and shrimp fleets, which are the largest on the west coast.  As a result the city also boasts a large variety of restaurants.

Puerto Vallarta

While many of the beaches in Mexico might be described as up-and-coming, Puerto Vallarta is one that has already arrived.  Its world-class amenities, combined with its near-perfect weather, have immediately won the hearts of many expats who’ve decided to relocate after their very first visit to this Mexican hotspot.  It’s popular among expats for the way it marries the beauty of a beach destination with the charm of a colonial city.

Puerto Vallarta is made up of the Romantic Zone, with its beautiful beaches and seaside bars, and the Hotel Zone, with its many restaurants and resorts.  It also encompasses nearby areas such as Sayulita, which has some of Mexico’s most sought-after real estate.  With first-world infrastructure and quality health care, Puerto Vallarta is perfect for someone who’s looking for a modern destination with a heavy North American influence.

Beyond the city’s beautiful beaches are its famed malecon, followed by a network of cobblestone streets etched into the jungles and foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains.  It sits at the same latitude as the Hawaiian islands and enjoys a tropical climate year-round.

Manzanillo

While it’s Mexico’s most vital seaport, Manzanillo is also a popular resort destination.  Its opportunities for adventure include ecotourism, adventure sports, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and some of the world’s best sport fishing.  Nicknamed the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” Manzanillo is home to several international fishing tournaments.

In addition to its 40 miles of often unoccupied beaches, the city also has waterfalls, lakes and rivers, and an active volcano.  While most of the beaches are composed of pebbles or golden sand, those to the south of the city are made up of black sand due to the presence of volcanic ash.

The city is made up of the hotel zone, which has many nice hotels and restaurants, and a newly renovated historic center.  There in El Centro, you will find a plaza that overlooks the bay, surrounded by local shops and restaurants.  The historic area also boasts a new malecon that was recently installed to make the city more attractive to tourists.

Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo

Yet another great 2-in-1 destination is the area that includes the towns of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.  Situated only 4 miles apart, the two couldn’t be more different.  Ixtapa is made up of all-inclusive luxury resorts and high-rise hotels.  All sorts of outdoor and aquatic adventures are offered, including a water park.

Zihuatanejo, on the other hand, has a laid-back atmosphere with its art galleries, boutique hotels, and small-scale restaurants.  Its protected bays are perfect for snorkeling and exploring.  Its beaches include rocky cliffs, in addition to the sand.  Just off the coast, Los Morros de Potosi offers fantastic opportunities for diving among its granite protrusions and underwater caves.

With their luxury spas, endless adventures, and historic charm, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are a great option for someone who wants it all.

Acapulco

Of all the beaches in Mexico, none are quite as lively as the metropolis of Acapulco.  The area has been attracting visitors since the 1950s, and today is home to around 1 million residents.  Although it’s a top resort destination, the city has more of an urban feel.

However, that’s not to downplay Acapulco’s natural beauty.  Its two bays, Santa Lucia and Puerto Marques, are breathtaking–surrounded by cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and lush vegetations.  They’re also bordered by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains to the east.

In terms of activities, Acapulco has something for everyone.  Party-goers love the round-the-clock excitement.  Families enjoy the parks, laid-back beaches, and water sports park.  Those seeking a more active lifestyle enjoy golfing, ecotours, and a variety of water sports.  The area also has a wide assortment of restaurants, markets, and shopping malls.

Huatulco

One of the most relaxed and well-preserved beaches in Mexico is Huatulco.  Spanning 20 miles of the coast, it includes 36 beaches that are distributed among nine bays, some of which can only be reached by boat.  A 3-hour tour on a covered boat is a great way to see the area in its entirety.

The Mexican government carefully planned the development of Huatulco, which includes the Bahias de Huatulco National Park, a protected reserve.  The area boasts luxury hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, and an urban city center.  However, its real attraction is its natural beauty.

Huatulco has been awarded the Green Globe certification for its commitment to environmental protection.  Its bays offer hidden beaches, a variety of flora and fauna, ancient archaeological sites, and opportunities to observe native cultures.   It is also rich with ancient stories of pirates and early European explorers.

Puerto Angel

The city of Puerto Angel offers some of the best variety of all the beaches in Mexico.  Whether you’re looking for a great spot for surfing or a place where you can get back to nature–literally–Puerto Angel likely has what you’re looking for.

The area is composed of several beaches that offer a variety of activities.  The Ventanilla Lagoon is a great spot for bird-watching.  Those wanting to take a dip in the crystal clear waters can do so at Panteon Beach or the Paraiso spring.  Several other neighboring beaches, like La Tijera, offer opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling.

One of Puerto Angel’s most popular beaches, Zipolite, attracts surfers but is somewhat dangerous for swimmers.  Also among its attractions is the opportunity to feel the ocean breeze on your body, as it is one of Mexico’s most famous nudist beaches.

Puerto Escondido

Like nearby Puerto Angel, Puerto Escondido is another one of the beaches in Mexico that has a great assortment of things to do.  It sits on an attractive bay that’s adorned with some impressive large rock formations.  Its beaches themselves are varied to suit anyone’s tastes, from the casual atmosphere of Bacocho Beach to Playa Principal–which is a great beach for families–to Zicatela, which has world-class surfing and a sophisticated, happening vibe.

Indeed, Puerto Escondido is regarded by some as being one of the world’s best spots for surfing.  It’s also a place where those who wish can party ’til the break of dawn.  In addition to its surfing and nightlife, the area also offers opportunities for exploring its mangrove forests, which are home to pelicans, spoonbills, hawks, and a variety of other birds.

Also worth mentioning in Puerto Escondido is its authentic culture.  Several indigenous groups live nearby, including the Mazunte who offer visitors ecotours by rowboat or on horseback.

Beaches in Mexico – Gulf Coast

Veracruz

The port of Veracruz is a nightlife hotspot, with a bustling downtown area near the harbor that thumps with music and dancing.  Strongly influenced by Cuban culture, the area is most alive during the annual Carnival in February.

During its biggest party season, hotel rooms can be difficult to come by.  However, during the rest of the year, Veracruz is not one of the most popular beaches in Mexico.  While it does have a few sand beaches, particularly north of the city, both the beaches and the water tend to be a bit on the dirty side.

While not for the beach lover, Veracruz offers much in the way of historic architecture.  It is home to two historic fortresses, some museums, and an assortment of other historic buildings on the malecon.

Nautla

Amidst the Mexican tropics sits one city that is decidedly unlike the rest.  Nautla, along with some of its neighboring towns, is among the few Mexican cities of French origin.  Now home to bars, peaceful beaches, and estuaries, traces of French culture can still be seen.

The architecture is French-inspired, and many restaurants serve old family recipes with French flavors.  The theme is echoed in nearby towns like Santa Ana and San Rafael, where a mural painted on the wall inside City Hall details the town’s heritage.

The area boasts beautiful scenery, including banana plantations, lush tropical vegetation, and citrus groves.  It’s a great place for the would-be expat who wants something that is truly extraordinary and different from any other destination.

Progreso

A popular destination for cruise ships, Progreso boasts some of the most beautiful, clean, calm waters of any of the beaches in Mexico.  Along the coast runs the city’s malecon, which is busy with food and craft vendors.

Also dotting the shore are many thatched-roof restaurants, serving up some of the Yucatan’s regional cuisine.  However, one of the most notable fixtures in Progreso’s landscape is its pier, which extends a whopping four miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Progreso is a great place for sunning and swimming.  It’s also very close to some important landmarks.  The Mayan ruins at Uxmal and Chichen Itza are a short bus ride away.  Also offered are excursions to neighboring villages to see flamingos and explore various archaeological sites.

Campeche

The city of Campeche is perfect for the expat who wants a beach community that isn’t an overcrowded resort town.  Although it certainly has a more authentic and undiscovered feel, Campeche still has its share of attractions.

The port itself was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Baroque Spanish architecture, naval history, and its timeless beauty.  This title prompted the city to undergo a major restoration that included over 1,600 buildings and the malecon.

In addition to its historic buildings, Campeche is also home to several large Mayan ceremonial centers, as well as jungle reserves.  The area is sparsely populated, and the local “campechanos” are a friendly and helpful people.

Beaches in Mexico – Caribbean Coast

Cancun

Perhaps the most well known of all the beaches in Mexico, the 14 miles of white sand that line the shores of Cancun are unquestionably among the most beautiful in the world.  It’s no wonder that the Mexican government targeted the area, once a tiny fishing village of only a dozen families, and developed it into one of the finest leisure destinations in the world.

Its amenities and infrastructure rival those of any city in the world, with top name hotel brands, golf courses, and much more to entertain the 3.3 million who visit each year.  However, even with its modern conveniences, Cancun still has much to offer those seeking a more laid-back or culturally rich experience.  Part of the ancient Mayan civilization, Cancun is considered the gateway to the Mayan World.

Activities offered to those visiting Cancun include diving, snorkeling, and sport fishing.  Travelers can also tour the jungles and see all manner of flora and fauna, such as flamboyances and iguanas.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is an ideal destination for those who want to make a living off of diving or fishing.  A tiny island that sits less than 4 miles off the coast of coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres bears very little resemblance to its glitzy resort neighbor.

Its shores have some of the best conditions of any of the beaches in Mexico.  Its reefs and caves, combined with its crystal clear water, make it a perfect spot for snorkeling or scuba diving, or their hybrid friend “snuba.”  While some can be crowded, due to excursions from nearby Cancun, there are plenty of lesser-known options for avoiding the crowds.

The quaint downtown area has shops, restaurants, and a few bars.  A trip around the island, on its only road, will take you to a number of beautiful beaches and mangrove lagoons.  The entire eastern shore of the island is mostly uninhabited, and its coast is rocky and rugged.  The southern tip of the island houses a lighthouse and a small Mayan temple.

Playa del Carmen

Located on the Yucatan peninsula, Playa del Carmen is second only to Cancun as the most important of all the beaches in Mexico.  Although it’s one of the fastest growing cities in the country, the local authorities of Playa (as it’s often called) have taken care to preserve the authentic Mexican feel of the city.  The nightlife is sparser than in some areas, and large businesses are kept miles away from the city.

The atmosphere of Playa del Carmen is laid-back and bohemian, yet sophisticated, making it popular among expats for its artistic, multi-ethnic appeal.  It’s an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in an established community amidst beautiful turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

Activities offered include tennis, golf, sport fishing, kayaking, diving, and snorkeling.  The nearby archaeological sites of Coba, Tulum, and Chichen Itza also provide opportunities to learn about the ancient Mayans who once lived in the region.

Cozumel

Cozumel is an island situated just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, near Playa del Carmen.  Popular among cruise ships and scuba divers, it offers opportunities for exploring nature or just merely relaxing.

Ecological parks like Faro Celerain and Chankanaab are the most popular places for all levels of snorkeling and diving.  The 30-mile by 10-mile island is only 6% developed, so it’s loaded with jungles, gardens, and tons of deserted beaches.  Even in a location so close to the Riviera Maya mainland, it’s entirely possible to find isolation.

The island’s only city, San Miguel, has a wide array of restaurants, shops, and boutiques along a quaint malecon.  Other options for the nature lover include dolphin encounters and sea turtle sanctuaries.

Beaches in Mexico – Undiscovered Retreats

If even the most authentic of the above list of beaches still sounds too touristy for you, here are a few of the lesser-known beaches in Mexico.

• Isla Holbox – This island off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is only 100 miles from Cancun.  However, it feels much more isolated.  It’s a great place to unwind or swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish.

• Rincon de Guayabitos – Just north of Puerto Vallarta, this area is just beginning to be discovered.  It’s a laid-back beach town that’s never crowded, making it great for families with young children.

• Mulege – Located on the Sea of Cortes, just north of the Bahia Concepcion (Baja California’s largest bay), this sleepy town has beautiful beaches but few of the amenities that attract tourists.  Its calm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.

• Xcalak – This village, near the border of Belize, lies within the Xcalak National Reef Park in the Great Maya Reef.  Check it out if you want to experience diving, snorkeling, or fishing without dealing with a lot of tourists.

• San Agustinillo – This small fishing village on Mexico’s Pacific coast is situated between the more popular destinations of Zipolite and Mazunte.  It has the same golden sand and turquoise water, but slightly calmer waves.

 

If one of these destinations sounds right for you, learn more about the benefits of relocating to Mexico.