travel and stay in Cancun
Top Beaches in Cancun
You can’t go to Cancún and not spend at least a day lounging on the beach and dipping in and out of the turquoise ocean. The 13 miles of coast are lined with soft, white sand, teal-blue waters
Top Beaches in Cancun – 2022
You can’t go to Cancún and not spend at least a day lounging on the beach and dipping in and out of the turquoise ocean.
The 13 miles of Cancun’s coast are lined with soft, white sand, teal-blue waters, and a cool breeze. The Hotel Zone has many beaches where you can relax and sip your margarita, but some of them really stand out, thanks to their beauty and atmosphere.
While all beaches in Cancun are public (federal property), you may not be able to access the beach by walking through a hotel if you are not a guest. Visitors staying in hotels that are not on the beach, Airbnbs, or home rentals can access the beaches at any of the 10 public-access entries to the beach.
Travel and Stay In
1. Playa Delfines (Dolphins Beach)
This is one of the largest beaches in Cancun. It is also known for the iconic Cancun sign and for being void of hotels or resorts, making it a local favorite. On a good day, you can see at least four shades of blue in the water. This resort-free area has plenty of sand and waves, and it’s one of the few places in Cancún you’ll see a surfer.
The currents are quite strong, so swimming is not advised unless a green flag is posted.
Amenities: parking (free); lifeguard; toilets.
Best For: solitude; surfing.
Families: Yes, under strict supervision due to the currents
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km. 18 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
2. Playa Tortugas (Turtle Beach)
This one is great for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paragliding, riding Wave Runners, or enjoying seafood or a drink at the oceanfront restaurant. You will find an over-the-water bungee jumping tower where your head will touch the water.
The water is deep, and the beach can get very crowded. Isla Mujeres ferry passengers usually grab a drink or snack before catching the ferry, and locals spend their entire weekend on the sand.
Amenities: food and drink; water sports.
Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.
Families: Great for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 6.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
3. Chac Mool Beach
This is the perfect place to dive into the Caribbean waters and for water sports lovers. There are plenty of operators who rent water sports equipment.
There are a lot of rocks here, but the water has stunning turquoise color; moreover, the beach is close to shopping centers and the party zone, so there are plenty of restaurants nearby. The southern stretch has gentler waters and fewer rocks. The clear, shallow water makes it tempting to walk far out, but be careful; there’s a strong current and undertow.
Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); toilets.
Best For: partiers.
Families: Good for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 10 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
4. Playa Ballenas (Whale Beach)
This is a raw stretch of sand and crystal water. Jet Skiers often zoom through the water, and the strong wind makes the surf rough.
Amenities: parking (free); water sports.
Best for: walking; windsurfing.
Families: Good for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 14.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
5. Playa Caracol (Snail Beach)
This is the last “real beach” along the east-west stretch of the Zona Hotelera. The whole area has been eaten up by development, particularly the high-rise condominium complex next to the entrance. Playa Caracol is also hindered by rocks. There are several hotels along here and a few sports rental outfits. It’s also the launching point for trips to Contoy Island.
Amenities: food and drink; water sports.
Best For: swimming; windsurfing.
Families: Good for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 8.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
6. Playa Gaviota Azul (Blue Seagull Beach)
Also called City Beach or Forum Beach, is the first on the Caribbean’s open waters. The waves can break up to six feet during hurricane season, making it one of the few surfing spots in Cancún.
Here you can access the Mandala Beach Club and enjoy the resort experience without booking a hotel.
Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets; water sports.
Best for: partiers, surfing, and swimming.
Families: Yes, under strict supervision
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 9.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
7. Playa Langosta (Lobster Beach)
This is small and peaceful, and its gentle waves make it a popular swimming spot for families. But, on weekends, you’ll be lucky if you can find a space on the sand.
Amenities: food and drink; toilets.
Best for: swimming.
Families: Great for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
8. Playa las Perlas (Pearl Beach)
This beach is located at Km 2.5, between the Cancún mainland and the bridge. This is a relatively small beach on the protected waters of the Bahía de Mujeres and is popular among locals. Several restaurants are lining the sand, but most water-sports activities are only available to those staying at the nearby lodgings.
Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports.
Best For: swimming.
Families: Great for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán., Km 2.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
9. Playa Linda (Pretty Beach)
This is where the ocean meets the freshwater of Laguna Nichupté to create the Nichupté Channel. Restaurants and changing rooms are available near the launching dock. Unfortunately, there’s lots of boat activity along the channel, and the ferry to Isla Mujeres leaves from the adjacent Embarcadero marina. Hence, the area isn’t safe for swimming.
Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets.
Best For: solitude.
Families: Yes, under strict supervision
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 4 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
10. Playa Marlin (Marlin Beach)
This is a seductive stretch of sand in the heart of the Zona Hotelera. Despite its turquoise waters and silky sands, the waves are strong, and the currents could be dangerous. This beach tends to get crowded, but you can find quiet spots after a bit of a walk. Here, you can rent boogie boards, snorkel gear, and motorized sports equipment.
Amenities: water sports.
Best For: snorkeling; surfing; walking.
Families: Good for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km. 13 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
11. Playa Punta Nizuc
This one is the most isolated and deserted beach on the peninsula’s southern tip. Far from the crowds and party scene, Playa Punta Nizuc has few amenities. The lack of beach traffic helps keep the white sands clean and the waters sparkling, except when seagrass washes up. Make sure you bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and an umbrella for shade. This is a great place to collect shells or swim since waves crash only on stormy days.
Amenities: parking (free).
Best for: solitude; swimming; snorkeling; walking.
Families: Great for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 24 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico
12. Playa Pez Volador (Flying Fish Beach)
The beach is calm and relaxing. It is an aquatic playground for families with young children. The wide beach is popular with locals, as many tourists head to the more active Playa Langosta. Seagrass occasionally washes ashore here, but by early morning it is cleared away by the neighboring hotel’s staff.
Amenities: none.
Best For: swimming
Families: Great for families
Location: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 5.5 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500, Mexico