Top Beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Cancun might be the first place that springs to mind when you think about the Yucatan Peninsula, but there are lots of other beaches to explore.

Just down the coast from Cancun is Puerto Morelos, a sleepy village that makes a great alternative to staying in Cancun before or after a flight. It’s only half an hour from the airport, but it’s a world away from Cancun. The beach is clean and safe, and there are boat tours out to the reef.

The beach at Akumal is famous as a nesting site for sea turtles. Come here May–November to see them in action, or snorkel out in the clear waters at any time of year to try and find one in the water. Chances are high you’ll spot one of the gentle giants.

Further down the coast the beach at Tulum is well worth a visit. It’s great for kitesurfing thanks to good winds, and you can even go boogie boarding. It feels wilder than the generally placid waters of most of the peninsula, and there are Mayan ruins there to boot.

Up on the northern tip of the peninsula lies the picturesque island of Holbox. All along the top of the island lies an outstandingly beautiful beach lined with bars and restaurants. Take a stroll along to Punta Cocos to spot birds and turtles, or take a boat trip to see bioluminescent plankton at night. There are even flamingos here.