The Most Beautiful Beaches In Cancn Mexico

Cancún, Mexico, has many gorgeous white-sand beaches, each attracting a unique type of visitor. Playa Delfines is a local favorite, while watersports enthusiasts head to Playa Chac Mool. To help you find your coastal paradise, here’s our guide to the top beaches in the area.

Book Culture Trip’s nine-day Yucatán Peninsula tour for an immersive experience led by a local insider – you’ll be fast-tracked to the best beaches and cenotes, and get your own private catamaran to explore the shoreline of Isla Holbox.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
Book Culture Trip’s nine-day Yucatán Peninsula tour for an immersive experience led by a local insider – you’ll be fast-tracked to the best beaches and cenotes, and get your own private catamaran to explore the shoreline of Isla Holbox.

Playa Delfines

Puerto Morelos

When the crowds of Cancún become too much, take a 35-minute drive south to reach the quiet fishing village of Puerto Morelos. It has a much calmer pace. With groomed beaches, friendly locals and a cozy small-town vibe, you’ll never have to worry about being hassled at the beach by timeshare salesmen. One of the most notable parts of this area is the Mesoamerican coral reef that is popular with snorkelers and divers.

Playa Chac Mool

Playa Chac Mool is perfect for beach lovers who enjoy splashing about in (and on top of) the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Here, water sports and other activities are widely available. It would be a shame to venture to the eastern coast of Mexico without exploring this paradisiacal gem.

Playa Tortugas

The crystalline waters of Playa Tortugas need no introduction. A ferry operates between here and Isla Mujeres, meaning this tiny beach can become very crowded. However, with weaker currents than some of the other spots nearby, it’s an ideal place for a relaxing swim. Drinks, food and shops are reasonably priced, so you might stay longer than you expect.

Playa Forum

Playa Forum is vibrant, beautiful and full of life, a mix of everything you could want in a beach retreat. As it’s in the heart of the Hotel Zone, there’s no shortage of restaurants, bars and entertainment; indeed, it’s directly behind one of the hottest spots for nightlife in the region. This beach offers the best of Cancún’s signature white sands and crystal water.

For more options, discover our guide on where to stay in Cancún. Enjoy these golden beaches with your other half by booking one of the best honeymoon hotels in Cancún, or go eco-friendly in these ec0-hotels in Playa del Carmen. If you’re visiting Cancún with the kids, check into one of the top family-friendly hotels.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.