For many, the image of a Mexican beach vacation is of jam-packed strips of sand lined with faceless mega-resorts.
But savvy travelers can swap sprawling hotel hubs for beach towns that offer more authentic and soulful experiences. Something altogether prettier.
Stretches of coast such as Puerto Escondido and La Paz shouldn’t be seen as detours, rather as destinations in their own right.
To help you choose which Mexican beach town to explore, we’ve chosen eight which each have something unique to offer. There’s the castaway, car-free island on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula where you can snorkel with whale sharks; the town with nine bays and 36 beaches; plus one that has even been officially declared by the Mexican government as one of the Pueblos Mágicos, meaning it possesses “magical” qualities.
This is Mexico at its most enchanting.
1. Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido is a former sleepy coffee-shipping village that has transformed into a premier surf destination, but resisted going down the mega-resort route: high-rise chains are strictly banned here.
The result is somewhere ideal for adventurous types, but also great for relaxing.
It’s also where you’ll find one of Mexico’s prettiest beaches — Playa Carrizalillo, a perfectly formed slice of creamy sand sloping into emerald-tinted waters you can reach by descending 167 stone steps.
Post-sunset, be sure to take a boat tour to the Manialtepec Lagoon where glowing plankton turns the water electric-blue.
Back in town, treat yourself to fine Pacific seafood at the regionally renowned Almoraduz restaurant, then hit the sandy streets of the La Punta neighborhood for drinks in thatched-roofed bars, or head to Cactus Beach Club to sip a beer to the soundtrack of rolling waves.
Where to stay
Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido (rooms from $200) is a colonial-style beachfront retreat with three outdoor pools and lush tropical gardens.
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2. Sayulita, Nayarit
Colorful and carefree Sayulita, on the Pacific coast, is quiet enough to feel refreshingly different to mega-resorts like Cancun or Cabo, but has enough infrastructure for a stress-free vacation experience. It’s quintessential laid-back Mexico, where life unfolds gently and the atmosphere is welcoming.
Aside from soaking up the rays — Sayulita gets 320 to 345 days of sunshine a year — the number one activity is surfing on the gently rolling waves of Sayulita Beach. There are dozens of surf schools to choose from.
Another “must” is hiking the short jungle trail to shop-free Playa Carricitos for a wild-feeling sunset.
For exceptional eats, there’s La Rustica, which specializes in wood-fired pizzas and seafood, while Escondido Bar is a seductive, chic venue for a post-dinner cocktail.
Where to stay
Hotel Ysuri Sayulita (rooms from $220) has mesmerizing minimalist-boho interiors, an ocean-front pool and direct access to Sayulita Beach.
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3. San Pancho (San Francisco), Nayarit
Welcome to Sayulita’s even more laid-back neighbor, officially called San Francisco, but known almost universally among locals and travelers (and many hotels) as San Pancho.
This soulful destination is where you can soak up the sun without the crowds by day, then watch it disappear in near-silence at night.
In fact, watching the sun dissolve into the horizon from the golden sweep of Playa San Pancho beach is one of the marquee activities here.
Another feel-good experience is exploring the EntreAmigos Community Centre, a cross between a library, art space and fair-trade shop that’s often referred to as “the heart of the town”.
Make time, too, for a guided estuary walk to the nearby La Patrona Polo & Equestrian Club wetlands, which sit on the edge of a tropical forest. Look out for American crocodiles, iguanas and the occasional armadillo.
For food, Barracuda San Pancho offers the best dinner in town (think ceviche and grilled fish), while La Cervecería San Pancho is where you’ll find locals and long-stay travelers sipping small-batch Mexican beers and mezcal cocktails.
Where to stay
Marii Hotel Boutique (rooms from $190) has lush gardens, a small pool and is just 10 minutes away by foot from the beach.
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4. Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
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Isla Mujeres is the calm Caribbean counterpoint to constantly thrumming Cancun.
The island is just a 15-minute ferry ride away from the city, but you’ll disembark into a far-less hectic haven of world-class beaches and all-round good vibes.
One of the biggest draws is the waters that surround the five-mile-long strip of land. Don a snorkel mask to view a rich reef ecosystem that’s home to fish including sergeant majors, blue tangs and angelfish, as well as a spellbindingly surreal underwater sculpture museum.
Other magnets for travelers include the stunning Playa Norte beach, with its velvety sand, and the island’s colourful streets, shops and restaurants, which can be explored by golf cart, rented from one of the many hire shops.
Where to stay
Ixchel Beach Hotel (rooms from $150) has a prime position in front of the island’s signature Playa Norte beach and boasts two outdoor pools, plus rooms with air-conditioning and free wifi.
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5. Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo
The barefoot paradise of Isla Holbox stands in sharpest contrast to Mexico’s resort complexes.
This 26-mile-long, one-mile-wide castaway car-free island on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is where you can go to unplug from civilization, without being too far away from it.
Fill your days here with watching the sun rise, flopping in a hammock, going for a swim, strolling the sandy streets, then watching the sun set from the wide west-facing beaches. Later, head to open-air bar Hot Corner for cocktails and live music.
Create a window, too, for a whale shark boat tour if you visit between mid-May and mid-September. The gentle giants gather in the plankton-rich waters offshore during this period, and tourists are allowed to jump in and snorkel alongside them. It’s a (carefully regulated) experience that will long live on in your memory.
Where to stay
Boutique-style Casa Las Tortugas (rooms from $280) has direct access to a postcard-perfect stretch of sand, and the all-important hammocks.
Read more: The six most affordable Caribbean holiday destinations
6. Huatulco, Oaxaca
Put under-the-radar-gem Huatulco firmly on your radar, because this is one of Mexico’s cleanest, safest and calmest coastal destinations.
The signature experience here is exploring its nine protected Pacific Ocean bays (“Las Bahías de Huatulco”) and 36 beaches by boat. You’ll be able to leap into Instagrammable waters inhabited by dolphins and sea turtles and admire the area’s cove-cut cliffs.
Also not to be missed is a guided nature walk into the Huatulco National Park, a world of mangroves and tropical forests that’s home to crocodiles, iguanas and armadillos, as well as a spectacular array of birdlife.
Cure hunger pangs with a trip to Terra-Cotta restaurant, which is known for its coffee-rubbed meats and coconut shrimp.
For a nightcap, head to La Crema Bar, which is decorated with colorful murals and serves tequila cocktails to customers perched on stiletto-shaped stools.
Where to stay
Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa (rooms from $325) is family-friendly with a kids-only pool and spacious suites.
Read more: 12 best all-inclusive hotels in Mexico, from adults-only hideaways to family-friendly favourites
7. La Paz, Baja California Sur
At La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez, the beaches set the rhythm of life.
The standout is Balandra, which has blinding white sand and clear water that’s knee-to-waist-high up to 500 feet out from the shore at low tide. The ecosystem is fragile here, so visitor numbers are capped and you’ll need to book a slot.
For a memorable meal, book a table at local-favorite Nim, where tuna tiradito and grilled octopus are among the house specialities.
Then get your nightcap fix at La Miserable (don’t be put off by the name), which serves artisanal cocktails in a rustic lantern-festooned courtyard.
Where to stay
Hotel Catedral La Paz (rooms from $145) is located in the historic center and boasts a rooftop pool and smart, minimalist rooms.
Read more: The best Mexico holiday destinations – and when to travel to each one
8. Loreto, Baja California Sur
Loreto will hold you under a spell. And that’s official — the government of Mexico has designated it one of the Pueblos Mágicos, meaning it possesses “magical” qualities.
Where does the enchantment lie? Certainly at the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, which you can explore via a boat tour.
This Unesco-listed marine sanctuary is made up of five uninhabited islands in nutrient-rich waters where dolphins, sea lions and even blue whales and humpbacks can be spotted.
Back on dry land, the 17th-century Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto, the first mission in all of Baja California, bewitches with its stone façade and fascinating museum next door.
The enchiladas and homemade soups at restaurant Mi Loreto will be another memorable part of your trip.
Where to stay
Hotel La Misión Loreto (rooms from $170), fashioned in a beguiling European-Mexican hacienda style, sits right on the seafront promenade, with Sea of Cortez views on offer from the showstopping outdoor pool.
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