There are more beaches in Mexico than you can possibly experience in one lifetime, but we suggest visiting one of these five playas.
© Liz Henry | Flickr
Bahia Balandra
If you want a quiet escape from civilization, Bahia Balandra is located in the remote Baja California Sur, a semi-desert landscape filled with wildlife and flora and semi-virgin beaches. There’s almost no tourism here, so you can enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters all by yourself.
© David Bote Estrada | Flickr
Stone Island
Mazatlan has a lot of beaches, but Stone Island is a great daytrip for people who want to get out of the city. A small panga will take 10 minutes to get you to the island, where you can enjoy some great seafood and beach activities like jet skiing, ATVs and parasailing. There are also plenty of less intense excursions like snorkeling and horseback riding.
© Heyheythere | Dreamstime
Playa del Amor
Most people go to Mexico for the resort life, but tourists can take a break from the commercialism and hitch a boat to la Playa del Amor, a crescent-shaped beach home to the famous El Arco. Strong waves come in from the Pacific Ocean, so swimming should be done on the Sea of Cortez side.
© Blair Stirrett | Flickr
Zipolite
A holdover from the 60s, Zipolite was famous as a counterculture destination for hippies with one of the few nude beaches in Mexico, though keep in mind today most people keep their clothes on. This is a great surf spot for people on a budget, but a number of upscale establishments are starting to pop up, drawing an international crowd.
© Simon Hack | Dreamstime
Sayulita Beach
Sayulita is another “discovery” from the 60s, when American surfers traversing Mexican Highway 200 stumbled upon the small fishing village. Today, it is a thriving beach destination that retains its small-town feel, filled with cafes, guesthouses and musicians, in addition to indigenous Huichol Indians selling their bead painting in the town square.
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