What are the most beautiful beaches in the Yucatán?
The Yucatán is an ideal destination for scuba diving and water sports.
The Yucatán is an ideal destination for scuba diving and water sports. With its Riviera Maya and UNESCO-listed sites, the Yucatán coast allows you to discover the southeastern coastline of Mexico, while also uncovering the country's origins… From Solima Bay to Playa Ruinas: here are the most beautiful beaches in the Yucatán!
Playa El Cuyo: a peaceful haven in northern Yucatán
A little-known gem, El Cuyo sits on the border between Yucatán and Quintana Roo. This fishing village boasts a wild beach, lined with colorful cabanas and tranquil waters, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism.
Practical Information
Activities: kitesurfing (a popular spot for wind), cycling tours, birdwatching in the Río Lagartos nature reserve
Good to know: the road to get there crosses isolated areas; it's best to drive from Valladolid or Tizimín.
Playa San Felipe: local charm and authentic atmosphere
San Felipe is a small fishing port on the northern coast of Yucatán, along the Gulf of Mexico. Its peaceful beach, with its colorful wooden houses on stilts, perfectly embodies the local sweetness of life.
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Activities: strolls along the docks, birdwatching and flamingo spotting, excursion to the Ría Lagartos biosphere
Good to know: the Gulf waters are darker than those of the Caribbean, but the tranquility of the place more than makes up for it.
Playa Santa Clara: a local, unpretentious beach
Located between the villages of Telchac and Dzilam de Bravo, Santa Clara is a peaceful beach in northern Yucatán, beloved by residents of Mérida. Far from hotels and tourist resorts, it exudes authenticity.
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Activities: fishing, beach picnics, swimming in calm waters
Good to know: the area is minimally developed, perfect for those seeking to escape mass tourism – remember to bring everything you need!
Playa Norte Celestún: the beach of pink flamingos
Playa Norte Celestún is located about one hundred kilometers from the city of Mérida – the capital of the State of Yucatán. It's an atypical and unmissable beach… Why? It's home to many pink flamingos, who have made it their nesting ground! To observe them, you'll need to board a boat. This coconut palm-lined beach is also ideal for sunbathing…
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Activities: swimming, migratory bird watching (November to March)
Laguna Bacalar: the lagoon with submerged hammocks
Located on the Belize border, Laguna Bacalar stretches nearly 42 kilometers long and is renowned for its warm turquoise waters. This lagoon with "seven shades of blue" isn't a beach in the traditional sense, but rather an atypical bathing spot, complete with hammocks and submerged swings!
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Activities: water installations, swimming, sailing
Good to know: some areas of the lagoon are fee-based, however several docks are freely accessible and allow you to enjoy the site.
Cozumel Island: THE place for scuba diving
Mexico's third-largest island, Cozumel is celebrated for its lush nature and pristine underwater world. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1996, the island is a renowned diving hotspot – highly prized for its coral reefs, which rank among the world's largest! Cozumel Island boasts 15 scuba diving sites. Among the island's most beautiful beaches, don't miss Playa Palancar.
Practical Information
Activities: scuba diving, snorkeling
Isla Mujeres: the island with the MUSA underwater museum
Off the coast of Cancún, you'll find the sublime Isla Mujeres with its nearly pristine beaches. Renowned for the richness of its biodiversity and coral reef, the island is a snorkeler's paradise, thanks to its crystal-clear waters…
THE diving site you simply cannot miss is MUSA: an atypical underwater museum, where nearly 500 sculptures (created by six Mexican artists) are submerged, spread across three underwater galleries. During your stay on the island, also visit Playa Norte (regularly cited as one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches).
Practical Information
Activities: scuba diving, snorkeling, glass-bottomed boat excursion (MUSA), swimming
Xpu Ha Beach: ideal for family water sports
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Yucatán coast, Playa Xpu Ha is nevertheless undervisited! Ideal for family time (well-equipped with toilets, showers, etc.), Xpu Ha is also known for its charming local restaurants and numerous water sports activities.
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Activities: swimming, kayaking, catamarans, paddleboarding, jet skis, kitesurfing
Maroma Beach: THE beach for lovers
Highly favored by newlyweds, Playa Maroma is a dreamy destination, located 35 kilometers from Cancún. Perfect for lounging, it's also ideal for horseback riding or snorkeling… An opportunity to spot beautiful tropical fish and sea turtles.
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Activities: snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding
Good to know: this stunning beach is only accessible to guests staying in one of the hotels along the shoreline.
Playa Ruinas: the cove within the ancient Mayan city of Tulum
Located in the Riviera Maya region, the "beach of ruins" sits on the Tulum archaeological site. This incredible ancient Mayan city (founded in 564, later abandoned in the 16th century) preserves a castle, a fortress wall, houses, a temple, frescoes… and a stunning cove (once an important trade hub).
Practical Information
Good to know: access to the ruins, and thus the beach, is fee-based (75 pesos per adult). How to get there? You'll need to take a taxi or colectivo (shared minibus) from downtown Tulum.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your preferences. For scuba diving, Cozumel Island and its UNESCO-listed coral reef are essential. For a romantic atmosphere, Playa Maroma near Cancún is ideal. If you're looking for a wild, authentic beach, El Cuyo or Playa Santa Clara are wonderful alternatives away from mass tourism.
The ideal period is between November and April, during the dry season. May to October corresponds to the rainy season and hurricane risk. Heads up: from May to September, Riviera Maya beaches may be affected by sargassum (brown algae).
Yes, several beaches are perfect for families. Playa Xpu Ha is notably known for its facilities (toilets, showers) and numerous water sports activities accessible to all: kayaking, paddleboarding, catamarans. Laguna Bacalar, with its calm, warm waters, is also much loved by families.
Most beaches are free and publicly accessible. Some sites have entrance fees: Tulum Ruins beach is paid (75 pesos per adult) as it's on the archaeological site. Certain areas of Laguna Bacalar are also fee-based, but free access points exist. Playa Maroma is reserved for guests of nearby hotels.
Car rental is the most convenient way to explore isolated northern Yucatán beaches like El Cuyo or Celestún. For Riviera Maya destinations (Tulum, Xpu Ha, Maroma), colectivos (shared minibuses) connect major cities affordably. Cozumel and Isla Mujeres are accessible by ferry from Cancún.
MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art) is a one-of-a-kind underwater museum located off the coast of Isla Mujeres near Cancún. It houses nearly 500 sculptures created by six Mexican artists, spread across three submerged galleries. They can be discovered through scuba diving, snorkeling, or aboard a glass-bottomed boat.
