The beaches of Mexico can be divided into three major areas, the Caribbean coast to the south east, the Gulf of Mexico to the east and the Pacific coast to the west. The Riviera Maya is a Caribbean paradise with white sand and turquoise warm waters, coral reefs, tropical fish but also many tourists. The Pacific coast offers miles of beaches along the ocean often empty and battered by the waves and currents more suited for surfing and snorkeling with some notable exceptions. The Gulf of Mexico is still largely unknown to tourism.
1. Santa Maria Beach, Baja California
Baja California is a long peninsula washed by the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Mexico. Here you can find a wide variety of beaches. The ones in the eastern and southern bays are more secure and more suitable for swimming peacefully.
Among them is the beach of Santa Maria located on the southern tip of the peninsula not far from Cabo San Lucas. Perfect for families and children, for swimming and snorkeling, the beach is not equipped in a marine sanctuary and has a well preserved environment by speculation and mass tourism.
2. Xcacel Beach, Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya, the stretch of coast between Cancun and Tulum offers an impressive array of Caribbean beaches with palm trees and lush vegetation, turquoise waters, rich in coral and tropical fish and white sand. Here there is only the embarrassment of choice among many beaches that rank among the finest in the world with only one flaw that could jeopardize the ecosystem. The unstoppable development of tourism and the risks connected to the overcrowding speculation. Among the best preserved natural environments, Playa de Xcacel is located 120 km south of Cancun and is the main beach in Mexico for nesting turtles.
3. Zipolite, Oaxaca
The western part is a bit overcrowded with some tourist structure too but overall Zipolite is a perfect place to relax. Located on the Mexican Pacific coast near Puerto Angel, it is a long beach that offers simple, affordable accommodation in hammocks and the ocean. A place to forget about the rest of the world, to contemplate sunsets and read some good books with a Hippie atmosphere and spread nudism. Be warned though the currents are very dangerous and every year they reap many victims among surfers and swimmers including experts. Best not to venture into the waves and simply watch the ocean show.
4. Punta Lobos, Baja California
On the west coast of Baja California lies the great beaches of Punta Lobos with very few tourists, some local surfers and fishermen pushing the boat into the waves of the Pacific. You can swim but with caution due to the currents. Not much to do except walk around, enjoy the sun and the landscape waiting for the arrival of the fishermen in the late afternoon. Punta Lobos is located at the south western tip of Baja California just a few miles away from Todos Santos Mexican village that unlike many resorts of Baja maintains its authenticity.
5. Playa Escondida, Veracruz
The east coast is washed by the Gulf of Mexico and usually when it comes to Mexican beaches it is not even taken into consideration. Playa Escondida is located 100 km south of Veracruz to the far north of the coast of Los Tuxtlas. Here you will encounter the beach and forest, sea and sky. You arrive on foot, on horseback or by boat. It’s a wild place that is constantly changing because of the tides worthy of admiration in its primeval beauty.
There are also many other things to see in Mexico like these: Gulf of Mexico | The show of Whale sharks and Stingrays, What to see in Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico Beaches photos: waywuwei, mariolk, Ben and Debs Blench, Loris Candylaftis, LifeInBoots, elsa11.
