Simon Hopkinson’s Perfect Roast Chicken – buttery heaven
Dee Murray
It’s no surprise that Mexico is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Here, holidaymakers can find fascinating history, vibrant culture, glorious weather, dramatic natural beauty, and world-famous cuisine.
But it’s Mexico’s near-10,000km worth of stunning coastline that many find irresistible. Stretching from Tijuana in the north to the shores of Chiapas in the south, Mexico is home to some truly unbeatable beaches. Some are infamous party spots and many are jam-packed with tourists, but there are plenty of hidden gems that’ll truly capture your heart and imagination.
With fine white sands, bathtub-still blue seas, beach bars, and coral reefs, Mexico’s little-known beaches can easily rival the Caribbean’s finest. So, if you want a Mexican seaside getaway without the madding crowd, why not visit one (or a few) of these nine under-the-radar gems?
1. Stroll along pretty Playa Careyitos
Costalegre, which translates to ‘the Happy Coast’, stretches along the Pacific border of the lovely state of Jalisco – and certainly lives up to its name, with countless stunning beaches, coves, and rugged outcrops. However, for a really special and exclusive beach break, you might want to head to Playa Careyitos.
Tucked away among the elegant luxury rentals of Careyes, Playa Careyitos is an exquisite serving of Mexican paradise. You can park just off the highway and walk to the beach in a few short minutes. Why not take a picnic or sample some sublimely fresh seafood at the nearby beach club?
You can swim safely in this sheltered cove, take a stroll along the shore, and even see the famous meteorite, which is displayed in the Templo Cósmico right at the beach’s centre. They say the meteorite is lucky, but, with your toes sinking into the silky Careyitos sands, you might already consider yourself pretty fortunate.
2. See the turtles of Playa Teopa
Playa Teopa is an ideal spot for nature lovers. This important and highly protected nature reserve is wonderfully undeveloped. Here, green, leatherback, and olive ridley turtles all come to lay their eggs and hatch their young.
There are many beaches where you can see turtles in Mexico. However, due to its ruggedness, Playa Teopa offers a distinctively wild experience. And, if you visit during August and September, you can even help sanctuary workers release the hatchlings – a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
At any time of year, the beach is still an untouched idyll. You can walk, swim, soak up the sun, or even ride a horse along the sand. For refreshments (and to watch the spectacular sunset), you can visit Casa de Nada, the vast strand’s solitary restaurant where the cocktails are great and the fish is fresh.
Plus, Playa Teopa is just a 10-minute drive from Careyitos, so you can combine the two in one trip. You can even walk between them, though the route is restricted at certain times of year to protect breeding turtles.
3. Lounge at the Lagunas de Chacahua
The southern state of Oaxaca has so much to see, but if you want to stretch out after touring ancient settlements and charming colonial cities, there are plenty of stunning beaches to choose from.
For a truly peaceful paradise, you might want to check out Lagunas de Chacahua, where thick jungle tumbles onto pearl-white sands. Here, with the vast Pacific in front of you and the Sierra Madre Sur mountains behind, you can truly unwind.
‘Hidden’ might be a little bit of an exaggeration when we talk about Chacahua, given this national park stretches for 20 breathtaking kilometres along the coast. Yet, it feels hidden, and you’ll have no problem finding an isolated spot to relax and enjoy its gleaming sands, magnificent turquoise waters, and incredible marine life.
4. Go off the beaten track to Cabo Pulmo
Unlike Lagunas de Chacahua, our next choice is truly hidden. Quite far from the beaten track, Cabo Pulmo is a protected marine reserve on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, but it’s undoubtedly worth the effort it takes to get there.
Cabo Pulmo is nature’s aquarium. Warm, crystal-clear waters are home to a pristine coral reef teeming with weird and wonderful marine life. The reserve is considered one of the best snorkelling and scuba diving sites in the whole Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez). Here, snorkellers and scuba divers can encounter gigantic groupers, graceful turtles, and even friendly whale sharks.
However, if diving and snorkelling aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to love here. Since half the town’s tourists are underwater or out on boats for much of the day, the beaches are blissfully quiet, meaning you can rest under the dappled shade of a palm, completely undisturbed.
5. Visit Akumal on the Riviera Maya
For iridescent beaches and azure waters that rival Barbados and the Bahamas, head to Akumal Beach on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Located on the Riviera Maya, this peaceful pocket offers all the tropical delights of resorts of Tulum or Cancun, only without the crowds.
Akumal is famous for its friendly turtles, who often accompany visitors on their morning swims (Akumal actually means ‘place of turtles’), but that’s just one reason you’ll be enchanted here. Blissful beach bars, gorgeous restaurants, and charming shops and galleries will help you while away your lazy days – provided you can pull yourself off those soft, white sands.
6. See the beautiful Bahia Concepcion
Tucked behind a small peninsula on the western side of the Gulf of California, just below Mugele, is the Bay of Concepcion. It’s difficult to choose any particular hidden beach here because the whole rocky bay is punctuated with pristine coves and tiny, secluded beaches. Plus, part of the fun is exploring and finding the perfect, private place to spend a blissful day.
Gentle kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are lovely ways to navigate the bay’s bathtub waters. However, you’ll probably want to bring a picnic, as you can very easily find yourself in the middle of nowhere while searching for the most gorgeous shores. The same is true for sun cream, as shade is few and far between here, but it’s an incredibly beautiful coastline, so have your camera at the ready.
7. Enjoy Jalisco, and the Playa del Caballo
Small and secluded with rich, golden sands, Playa del Caballo (or Horse Beach) is a beautiful hidden gem. Nestled amongst a string of stunning little strands just south of Puerto Vallarta, you won’t find driving directions here on Google Maps. In fact, this isolated Eden is only accessible by boat or on foot.
However, adventurous travellers who make the journey will immediately feel as if they’ve found their own tropical island – only one with a restaurant and beach bar. You can even have cocktails and snacks brought right to your sun lounger.
The sand may be a little more golden than Caribbean-white, but the mood here is as tropical as it comes. We’re not sure why it’s called ‘Horse Beach’; there are certainly no horses there now. And even if there were, with the beach being just a couple of hundred metres long, you wouldn’t have far to ride them.
While the hike from nearby Boca de Tomatlan is scenic, it can be strenuous, especially in the heat. So, if you’re visiting in the height of summer, it may be best to catch the water taxi.
8. Book your place at Playa Balandra, La Paz
The Gulf of California is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and we couldn’t make a list of Mexico’s finest under-the-radar beaches without including this oasis.
Playa Balandra is such an exclusive spot that there are rules you must follow to get here. This is because it’s a fiercely protected nature reserve. You need to pay a National Park fee and book your spot to be one of the 450 permitted daily visitors – but, luckily, it’s only eight US Dollars.
With a limited number of spots on offer per day, one of the easiest ways to make sure you get in is to book a tour through one of the operators here. There are some superb ones to choose from – you can even have a dip with sea lions and whale sharks if you’re feeling adventurous. But Playa Balandra is consciously undeveloped, so don’t expect beach bars and entertainment. Bring what you need, and watch out for stingrays!
9. Lay back with the locals on Bahia San Agustin
San Agustin is another beach that requires a little effort to get to (the road there could do with some upgrading), but it offers a truly magical experience once you arrive.
It’s a lovely, wide strand that’s blissfully free of garish resorts and glitz. Instead, the beach is lined with delightful restaurants where you can enjoy cold cervezas, grilled fish, and antojitos (a little like Mexican tapas, the name literally means ‘little cravings’).
Many of the restaurants rent out snorkelling gear if you want to search out the bay’s marine life, or why not take a boat tour around the rocky headlands? Apart from that, San Agustin is a beach for taking a breather – whether that’s bathing in the crystalline waves or sun-worshipping on the golden sands. Plus, if it’s busy, it’ll be with locals, so you’ll get a really authentic Mexican experience.
Final thoughts…
From wild Pacific shores to sheltered Gulf inlets, and sands that range from glowing gold to gleaming white, you’ll never be stuck for a stunning beach in Mexico.
And although the nearby Caribbean is often praised for its idyllic coastline, incredible marine life, and super laid-back vibes, we can’t help but think that some of Mexico’s hidden beaches give places like Barbados a run for their money. Some might even be a little bit more exciting!
So, if you’re looking for shores to rival the Caribbean, or you want to explore Mexico’s captivating culture with a little tropical paradise thrown in, we hope this list has inspired your next getaway.
Do you want to visit any of these beaches? Or would you like to after reading this article? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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