22 Great Mexican Coastal Destinations for 2022
Coast to Coast in Mexico
Mexico’s coastal cities have long drawn tourists who want to experience the warm blue waters and sandy beaches of the beautiful country. Although some cities have gained international fame for their resort offerings, there are some extraordinary coastal destinations that offer a more relaxed experience. In this guide, we’ll show you how diverse Mexico’s coastal cities are and the wide range of experiences offered in each one.
Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo may mean ‘place of women,’ but all are welcome to this Pacific coastal paradise where colorful houses and buildings cascade down the mountains around the bay. Stay at the Thompson Hotel for an upscale beachfront experience with a spa, multiple pools, two restaurants and stylish rooms. Enjoy four beaches, including La Madera, a popular beach among locals, accessible by boat and lined with open-air restaurants. In downtown Zihua, you can shop among stores, walk along the Fisherman’s Wharf and eat green pozole on “Pozole Thursday.”
Loreto
On Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula is a lovely town called Loreto that offers a mix of nature and city offerings. When you stay at boutique properties like Hotel Rosarito and La Mision Hotel you’ll be able to easily access restaurants with regional cuisine and walk among the city’s colonial buildings, including a 17th-century church. For some outdoor fun, hike to prehistoric cave paintings in the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range or snorkel, scuba dive, swim and explore the Islands of Loreto National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you visit between December and March, take a whale watching tour. You’ll be glad you did.
Campeche
Leave the touristy areas of the Yucatan Peninsula behind with an adventure in Campeche. Visitors will marvel over the baroque architecture and colorful buildings of the UNESCO-listed city center. Beaches are a short drive from Campeche, as are the Mayan ruins of Edzna and Uxmal. Be sure to visit the Campeche Archaeological Museum in Fort San Miguel to see Mayan artifacts from these sites. Hotels and restaurants are incredibly affordable, so don’t be surprised if your seafood dinner is half the cost you expect.
Punta Mita
Punta Mita is a luxurious Mexican destination if we’ve ever seen one. It’s home to five-star resorts, such as the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, that have front-row seats to almost six miles of white sandy beaches along a peninsula. Visitors to Punta Mita can have vacation experiences that include phenomenal golf courses, boat tours to the Marieta Islands, shopping in upscale boutiques and eating local cuisine in restaurants along Avenida Las Redes. In addition to luxe experiences, Punta Mita has some great surfing especially at the nearby beach, Playa La Lancha.
La Paz
La Paz is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Of course, there are beaches and sea adventures like whale shark excursions and whale watching tours, but La Paz offers more diverse ocean experiences like kite surfing in the nearby village of La Ventana and even 10-day kayaking experiences in the Sea of Cortez. Families will love swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes. Seek out hiking, glamping and horseback riding in the nearby ranchos, like Rancho Cactimar. Sand surfing on the sand dunes of El Mogote is very popular, as is off-roading experiences in the nearby countryside.
Sayulita
Sayulita sometimes gets lumped into nearby destinations like Punta Mita, but it’s gained enough love on the travel scene to stand on its own as a beloved Mexican coastal destination. This Riviera Nayarit town is a major surf destination that has a laid-back hippie vibe. Beyond the beach, visitors love exploring the town’s amazing art galleries, cafes, restaurants and colorful markets where the Huichol people sell their beautiful art. It gets even better: waterfalls, animals and ancient petroglyphs can be seen on Monkey Mountain and San Pancho hikes through the jungle.
Cozumel
It’s likely you’ve heard of Cozumel and for good reason: it’s a major beach destination and cruise stop. With a stay on the island of Cozumel, you can book some great scuba diving experiences at the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park which features submerged sculptures and beautiful reefs. Many love to visit Chankanaab Park, an eco park that offers dolphin experiences, sea lion shows and a crocodile farm. If you want some chill time on the beach or an exploration of some of the untouched parts of the island, head to the east side where there are plenty of uncrowded beaches and off-road jeep experiences.
Acapulco
Acapulco has a great mix of surf, sand and nightlife (the Coco Loco cocktail was born here!). All-inclusive hotels line the beaches, though many leave their resorts to spend the day on La Roqueta island which is accessible via a glass-bottom boat ride. La Quebrada, where the famous Acapulco divers dive from tall cliffs into the ocean, is a popular attraction, as is the city’s over-the-water zipline, Xtasea. Those who love to dance and have a good time can’t miss a night out in Acapulco. Some club favorites include Palladium and the Hannah Sun Club.
Huatulco
Huatulco is a relatively unknown Mexican coastal hot spot, and many want to keep it that way. Located in Oaxaca (so on the southwestern coast), Huatulco remains warm year-round which is great for those who want to spend the day enjoying one of the 36 beaches or learning how to surf in one of the nine bays. At La Bocana Beach you can watch surfers while you have a mud bath and a cerveza (beer). Huatulco offers diverse vacation experiences like coffee plantation visits, mezcal tastings, eco-tours through crocodile-filled mangroves, waterfall hikes and even white water rafting.
Todos Santos
Art lovers, turn your attention to Todos Santos. This coastal city in Baja California was designated as a Pueblo Magico by the Mexican government, and upon arrival, you’ll see why. While new boutique hotels have popped up, the city still retains much of its colonial architecture. Stroll through the city and stop in the art galleries and boutique shops along Calle Benito Juarez. Many spend their time at the beach, either surfing, sunbathing, watching turtles hatch or jumping on a boat for a whale watching tour. Todos Santos is also home to the famous Hotel California. It may not have been the inspiration for the Eagles song, but many flock to the hotel regardless.
Isla Mujeres
Have a Mexican island experience with a visit to Isla Mujeres. This island is a major destination for those staying in Cancun, but travelers should know they can stay on the island too. Most folks visit Playa Norte to relax on its sandy beaches; however, Garrafon Park on the southern point of the island has some great views, water activities and natural reefs to explore. Have fun scuba diving at the MUSA Underwater Sculpture Museum or visiting the Turtle Farm. Souvenirs are best bought at the Artist Fair on Thursday evenings in the downtown area.
Manzanillo
Don’t be surprised if you see whales swimming in the bay from the hillside of Manzanillo. This Pacific coastal city is the perfect destination for beach days full of swimming, kayaking and surfing. The bay is covered in beaches – just take your pick! Sports fishing is a very popular activity in Manzanillo, as are ATV tours in the surrounding area. Although it’s a bit of a drive, don’t miss a chance to visit the nearby Parque Nacional Volcan Nevado de Colima, home to the seventh-largest peak in Mexico, Nevado de Colima. Take some camping gear and explore the rugged mountain for a few days.
Tulum
Tulum blew up in the last five years, becoming a hot spot for millennials, influencers and those looking for a young, fun nightlife scene. People have long gone to Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula for its great beaches and Mayan ruins at the Tulum National Park. Eco and boutique hotels have popped up in masses over the last few years, drawing travelers to explore nearby cenotes, art galleries in town and the surrounding jungle by way of ziplines and ATV tours.
Mazunte
Unless you love surfing, you may not have heard of Mazunte. However, there’s more to this small Pacific town than just great surfing. The city has an eco-friendly mindset, and you’ll recognize this on the pristine beaches, at the wellness-focused hotels and during a visit to the Mexican Turtle Center. See wildlife on a tour of Laguna Ventanilla or do something more adventurous with a white water rafting tour on the Copalita River. If wellness, spirituality, adventure and relaxation are what you want in a Mexican beach experience, Mazunte is the way to go.
Ensenada
Just a 90-minute drive south of San Diego is the city of Ensenada. As you can imagine, it draws American travelers who prefer to drive to this Mexican destination, though some come here on cruises. Ensenada doesn’t have any beaches in the city, but if you want to spend the day at the beach, they aren’t too far of a drive. As the entrance to the Wine Route in Mexico, Ensenada is a phenomenal getaway for wine lovers because wine tastings at wineries are in abundance. Many tourists rave over the sight of La Bufadora, one of the few blowholes around the world.
Mahahual
Mahahual used to be a sleepy village, but today, it’s increasing in popularity thanks to cruise ship dockings. Visitors to the city will experience great beaches and close access to Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, the largest coral atoll in Mexico (can you say great scuba diving?!). The Mayan site of Chacchoben is only a 50-minute drive. Sports fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are popular activities. Many families love to visit the Maya, Lost Mayan Kingdom Water Park, though keep in mind it has been temporarily shut down due to COVID-19.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a vision. It’s beautifully framed by the Sierra Madre mountains on one side and the blue waters of the Pacific coast on the other. Take a stroll along the Malecon boardwalk before making your way to Olas Altas, a neighborhood with cobbled-stone streets, trendy restaurants and a great nightlife scene. Between the Malecon and Olas Atlas is Isla Rio Cuale, a market located on an island in the Cuale River. Discover the biodiversity of the region at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens or by snorkeling or scuba diving at the beaches in and around the city.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is one of the top destinations in Mexico, and it’s not hard to see why. Luxury hotels like Montage Los Cabos and Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort call to luxury travelers, while whale tours, waterparks and fishing charters attract families. There are some beaches around Los Cabos, like Lovers Beach, though not all hotels have beach access. Still, you’ll find a great downtown area with amazing art galleries, a thriving nightlife scene and delicious restaurants. Make sure you get a photo with the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas!
Cancun
White sandy beaches, miles of resorts and great golf courses are just the tip of the iceberg on a vacation in Cancun. Most visitors to Cancun stay at resorts where the beach is steps from their rooms. Scuba, snorkeling and other water activities are plentiful, though a trip to Cancun wouldn’t be complete without visiting nearby cenotes and booking jungle experiences and tours to Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza. Downtown Cancun draws tourists who want to shop in local markets and explore the nightlife scene.
Mazatlan
Known as the La Perla del Pacífico (or the Pearl of the Pacific Ocean), Mazatlan is located in the state of Sinaloa. Surfing, swimming and diving are some of the top activities on the golden beaches of Mazatlan. Sports fishers will find the sea full of amazing catches like sailfish and marlin. Watch cliff divers at Glorieta Sánchez Taboada and take a tour to Isla Venados which has some great hiking. If you want to see Mazatlan from above, scale the highest point in the city, Cerro del Creston.
Puerto Escondido
Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Puerto Escondido is a laid-back destination that attracts backpackers, tourists and surfers from around the world. Visitors love La Punta Beach for its restaurants and cheap hostels, and Zicatela Beach for its surfing and nightlife scene. If you prefer a calm area to swim, you’ll want to go to Rinconada. The most popular tours in Puerto Escondido are those relating to dolphins and visits to Laguna de Manialtepec, where you can see glow-in-the-dark bioluminescence plankton.
Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox is a beloved island in Quintana Roo that’s car-free, so this means you can only explore the island by bike or foot. Hotels are smaller on this island, and that’s because travelers would rather get out and explore the nature Isla Holbox has to offer. You’ll see flamingos and pelicans in the Yalahau Lagoon and have a chance to snorkel with whale sharks during certain times of the year. If you’ve ever wanted to try kite surfing, Isla Holbox is the place to do it. Open-air eateries, boutiques and murals are common in the downtown area.