The Best 5 Beaches In Cancun And Riviera Maya

8 min read

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Explorers, Adventurers

Aerial view of a tropical beach in Cancun with crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, and lush palm trees.
Written by Cancun Adventures

Inspired by Nature°

Article Summary

Discover the best beaches in Cancun and Riviera Maya with crystal-clear waters, soft sands, and exciting activities. Visit Playa Delfines, Playa Norte, Paradise Beach, Punta Venado, and Xpu-Há for unforgettable experiences. Perfect for families, couples, and adventurers!

Among the best things you can do in Cancun, Mexico, is to organize a visit to some of the most representative beaches of the Riviera Maya. Discover the most well-known swimming sites and activities to explore with Cancun Adventures.

There is plenty to do in Cancun and Riviera Maya, as they are the perfect vacation destinations for beach lovers and travelers who want to fill their itinerary with adventurous activities. For this, we list some of the most famous beaches in the area so you can take note of them and not miss any of them on your next visit to the Mexican Caribbean.


Delfines Beach in Cancun

Playa Delfines in Cancun features white sands, turquoise waters, palapas for shade, and stunning views from its iconic lookout.

With the prestigious international Blue Flag certification, this is one of the most famous beaches in Cancun. This public beach is known for its excellent services, including restrooms and showers, palapas for your comfort upon arrival. It has designated areas for picnics and relaxation, making it a perfect place for fun and tranquility.

From this beach, you can get one of the most impressive views of the open sea from its famous lookout point and have the opportunity to take a photo with the famous Cancun letters; keep in mind that you should patiently wait in line to pose. It is one of the most charming places!

Its sand is fine and soft, and the water is clear and refreshing for swimming or practicing water sports. While it can be a bit windy, this beach is an excellent option for those looking to experience the beautiful beaches of Cancun without spending too much.

Getting there is very simple and quick: if you are in the Cancun hotel zone, take a bus heading to the airport and ask to get off at that beach. If you prefer to drive, follow Kukulcán Avenue, and you will arrive after passing through the La Isla shopping center.

North Beach in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres' North Beach features turquoise waters, white sands, palm trees, and a vibrant Caribbean vibe with calm seas.



Isla Mujeres is a beautiful and picturesque island off the coast of Cancun, and the best way to get there is by boating a catamaran that you can book with Cancun Adventures. Contemplate the best view of the spectacular Caribbean Sea during your journey from Cancun to the island, where you will see different shades of the sea that will leave you breathless.

It is the most famous beach in Isla Mujeres for its good-sized natural pool, surrounded by a lively atmosphere with music, restaurants, beach clubs, and hotels. The palm trees and fine white sand give it a characteristic Caribbean appearance. It is ranked among the best beaches in the world. It is considered the jewel of the Mexican Caribbean. It offers an ideal environment to enjoy with friends, partners, or family and a perfect setting to capture impressive photos for your Instagram feed.

The highlights of North Beach are its crystal-clear and shallow waters, practically without waves, thanks to its proximity to the Great Mesoamerican Reef Barrier. Also, being protected from open ocean currents, the sea is always calm, making it a safe and perfect destination for families with young children who want to snorkel or play in the sand.

Another advantage of Playa Norte is that, despite being a very touristy place, it has a wide extension and we recommend exploring it from end to end, as each corner has its own charm.

Paradise Beach in Tulum

Paradise Beach in Tulum features soft white sand, turquoise waters, and lush palm trees, offering a serene Caribbean escape.


Paradise Beach stands out as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and numerous magazines recognize it for its stunning natural beauty. This spectacular beach deserves to be included in your itinerary, and here, you will discover what activities you can do in Tulum while immersing yourself in the magic of this unique place.

Its location in the heart of the Riviera Maya makes this beach very special, and access to this natural gem is free, as are all the beaches in the area. It is recommended to arrive from the famous Tulum archaeological zone, which is only 900 meters away. At the entrance to the ruins, you will find a parking lot where you can leave your vehicle if you decide to drive.

You definitely cannot miss visiting this famous beach in Tulum!

Punta Venado Beach

Punta Venado Beach offers serene white sands, turquoise waters, and lush greenery, perfect for relaxing or enjoying water activities


This beach emerges as a paradise chosen by several travelers when exploring Playa del Carmen. It is an opportunity to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of serenity and calm, scarce on the busiest and liveliest beaches. In this coastal corner, you can enjoy activities such as paddle boarding and kayaking or relax in the waters of the sea and let yourself be carried away by the gentle rocking of the waves.

On this beach, you can also enjoy a full day with the conveniences of the Punta Venado Beach Club and enjoy the range of services that includes:

  • Lounge beds
  • Hammocks
  • Showers
  • Restrooms
  • Wide selection of cocktails and drinks
  • Gourmet selection of dishes

The club is also the ideal place to host events, parties, and special moments, such as weddings. Its paradisiacal setting and attractive decoration make these moments successful.

Also, in the evenings, you can enjoy a fabulous fine dining experience with The Traveler's Table tour, so don't miss the opportunity to visit this incredible place on your visit to the Riviera Maya.

Xpu-Há Beach

Xpu-Há Beach boasts crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and a tranquil vibe, perfect for families and nature lovers.


Located in the Riviera Maya, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, this beach is considered a family tourist destination. It provides a tranquil and private atmosphere with crystal-clear waters, a wide expanse of soft white sand, and palm trees that provide natural shade to visitors. Services include showers, restrooms, and restaurants.

On the beach, there is the opportunity to enjoy various water activities, including sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling. In addition, Xpu-Há is an ecological reserve where you will find a lagoon, cenote, mangrove, and coral reef, hosting hundreds of marine and wildlife species.

What the beaches have in common...

The best beaches in Cancun and Riviera Maya share extraordinary beauty as their main characteristics and a diversity of water activities, offering an attractive, relaxed, and Caribbean atmosphere where your stay will be unforgettable.

Although not everything is perfect, a sargassum season usually occurs between April and September, with May, June, and July being the months of greatest presence. The municipal government and hotels carry out daily monitoring and preventive actions, ensuring that tourists' experience is not affected.

Related tours for your vacation

Holbox Tour

An escape to a magical place with beautiful beaches, a warm atmosphere, wildlife, and crystal-clear waters is participating in the Holbox tour. This Caribbean paradise is a small island off the north coast of the Mexican Caribbean, right in the Yum Balam ecological reserve, making it perfect for enjoying nature and tranquility during your vacation.

Cenote and Snorkel

A fantastic water experience awaits you! This cenote and snorkel tour combines the magical experience of swimming in a cenote amidst the jungle with the thrill of snorkeling in Yalkú Lagoon. You'll surely be impressed by the underground water pools, their rock formations, and the stunning marine biodiversity.

Published on November 30, 2024

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