The Hot List: The Most Breathtaking Beaches in Mexico

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Update Icon Jun 15, 2023

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Hello there! Welcome to The Hot List by Hotala!

With 5800 miles of coastline, Mexico is a beach lover’s paradise. Here, you’ll find it all—golden sands, rugged coastlines, and clear blue waters. Whether your idea of a perfect day on the beach is lazing around on the shore or heading out on an exciting underwater adventure, the Mexican coastline has something for everyone! As we explore some of the country’s most breathtaking beaches, may we suggest keeping your suitcase nearby? We guarantee this is one adventure you certainly won’t want to miss!

This article has been written by The Hot List staff writer, highlighting the most breathtaking beaches in Mexico.

This article has been written by The Hot List staff writer, highlighting the most breathtaking beaches in Mexico.
This article has been written by The Hot List staff writer, highlighting the most breathtaking beaches in Mexico.

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Sayulita (Nayarit, Mexico)

Head on over to the highly Instagrammable Playa de Los Muertos for a fun day out!

Our first destination is the lovely beach town of Sayulita. Sayulita is one of the best surfing towns in all of Mexico, with plenty of opportunities for both beginner and pro surfers at every level. Its heart and soul can be found at its most central and accessible beach, Playa Sayulita (i.e., Sayulita Beach). Here you’ll find surfers and sunbathers alike dotted all over land and sea. Despite its crowds, however, Playa Sayulita is very clean and well-maintained, and there are plenty of options for food and drink on this beach.

If you’d like to ditch the crowds, though, consider moving up north towards Playa Norte (North Beach). In general, the farther north you move from the city center, the quieter the beaches tend to be. Playa Norte is a favorite with more advanced surfers looking to crash some peaceful waves. Its long golden beaches also provide the perfect seating area to gaze upon Sayulita’s gorgeous sunsets. It’s worth remembering to bring your own food and gear if you plan to camp out up north, however, since these beaches tend to be much less staff in general.

Here are some of Sayulita’s top attractions:

Playa de Los Muertos: The “Beach of the Dead” is so called because there is a colorful cemetery overlooking the small, secluded bay on a hill. Though there are no bars or restaurants on this beach, there is a small local stall that sells fish and seafood. Playa de Los Muertos has some of Sayulita’s calmest waters and is often busy but very pleasant.

Playa de Los Muertos (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Vallarta Adventures: Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Vallarta Adventures! Discover world-class adventure tours, and don’t miss out on the popular Rhythms of Night tour!

Vallarta Adventures (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Rancho Mi Chaparrita: This family business is dedicated to eco and adventure tourism in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit. Rancho Mi Chaparrita offers horseback riding, whale watching, paddle boarding, climbs on Monkey Mountain, and even zipline tours of the jungle canopy!

Rancho Mi Chaparrita (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

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Isla Mujeres (Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Soak in the sun on Playa Norte!

The tranquil tropical paradise of Isla Mujeres can be found in the depths of the Mexican Caribbean. Located about 13 km off the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a popular day trip destination among tourists looking to escape Cancun’s busy crowds. But make no mistake, “tranquil” in no way means boring! Isla Mujeres is known for its resort hotels, snorkeling, scuba diving, fascinating Mayan heritage, and exquisite beach relaxation. The island’s tiny size (about 4 miles long and 0.5 miles wide) means all its attractions are easily accessible to visitors by foot, bike, or golf cart.

Isla Mujeres has both rocky coastlines facing the open ocean and calm, protected beaches with powder-soft sand. The most beautiful and popular beaches are in the north, while the island’s southern tip is hilly and has a jagged shoreline. As with Sayulita, the tropical climate in Isla Mujeres makes it accessible all year round, with temperatures averaging 83 F.

Here are some of Isla Mujeres’ most well-loved attractions:

Playa Norte: The best beach on Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte (or North Beach), is ranked as one of the top 10 best beaches in the entire world! Whether you choose to while away your day at one of the many beach clubs or enjoy some great food at a palapa (thatched roof) restaurant, the choice is yours!

Playa Norte (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Playa Lancheros: Located near the southern tip of the island, Playa Lancheros has a chill, laidback vibe and is usually quieter than the downtown beaches. The restaurant on the beach serves up an amazing Tixin Xic fish (a regional specialty) for about 70 Mexican pesos to serve 2!

Playa Lancheros (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Punta Sur: Isla Mujeres’ name, “The Island of Women”, goes back to the 1500s when a Spanish explorer named it after the many statues of the Mayan goddess Ixchel he found on the island’s southern-most point, Punta Sur. Today, Punta Sur is a gorgeous eco-park complete with Mayan ruins, epic trails, and breathtaking views. It even has a sea turtle sanctuary!

Punta Sur (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

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Plunge into Isla Mujeres’ tranquil waters.
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Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico)

Go dancing like a local at Playa las Gatas!

Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, the fabulous Zihuatanejo has acted as the getaway spot for the likes of Andy Warhol, Liz Taylor, and Mick Jagger since the 1970s! Like Isla Mujeres, Zihuatanejo has served as a more relaxed counterpart to its neighboring party beach resorts—perfect for the weary traveler looking to immerse themselves in the local culture.

What makes this rustic town the hottest of Mexico’s beach destinations for us is the warmth of its local community. Along Zihua’s boardwalk, in its restaurants, and on its beaches, tourists and locals mingle freely and connect in a way that simply doesn’t exist on beaches with a more commercial resort culture. Since the 70s, Zihuatanejo has managed to maintain its unique character while keeping its doors hospitably open to all—a message that we at Hotala certainly commend.

Zihuatanejo’s Bay offers safety against storms, and its warm waters (averaging 65 F) make it especially suited to boating and other water sports. Scuba diving and snorkeling are some of Zihua’s most popular attractions: the water has good visibility and lacks any kind of extreme currents. Visitors will delight in observing the vibrant coral, deep caverns, sunken ships, and abundant biodiversity.

Here are our hottest spots for Zihuatanejo!

Playa la Ropa: Zihua’s main beach for swimming and water sports, Playa la Ropa is about a mile long and usually has very mild waves.

Playa la Ropa (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Playa las Gatas: Also known as the “Beach of Cats,” Playa las Gatas is great for snorkelers. Las Gatas’ white sands also have several restaurants that specialize in local seafood. On any day, you can see cyclists, photographers, and even people attending dance classes at Las Gatas!

Playa las Gatas (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Fisherman’s Walk: Zihuatanejo’s heart lies in its famed boardwalk, Paseo del Pescador (i.e., Fisherman’s Walk). It’s the town gathering place where local fishermen sell their catch every morning, and tourists and locals alike come to marvel at their hauls.

Fisherman’s Walk (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

Jump into Zihuatanejo’s waters.

Featured Photos

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And that was our Most Breathtaking Beaches in Mexico!

Whether you’re looking for a party beach resort or just want to get away from it all, we hope this week’s Hot List has a little something for you! If you read anything this week that caught your fancy, please consider forwarding this newsletter to friends and family. After all, dreams are always better when they are shared.

Until next week, enjoy and safe travels,

Team Hotala

Now more than ever do I realize that I will never be content with a sedentary life, that I will always be haunted by thoughts of a sun-drenched elsewhere.

- Isabelle Eberhardt -

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