In a nutshell
- Cancún is a very popular destination for vacations in Mexico and a real beach paradise.
- The most beautiful beaches are all located in the Zona Hotelera of Cancún, but mostly belong to hotels. However, there are also a few beautiful public beaches.
- You can also make great beach excursions from Cancún to the surrounding area: for example to Isla Mujeres, Akumal, Tulum or Cozumel.
- These were our tips for beaches in Cancún in a nutshell. Let’s get started with our top 5 beaches in Cancún.
The Best Beaches in Cancún on a Map
If you want to enjoy the beach in Cancún, you’ll need to head to the Zona Hotelera. This is where most of the city’s famous beaches are. The catch: almost all of them are lined with hotels.
Also read the best boutique hotels in Cancún
Also read the best luxury hotels in Cancún
If you’re staying in one of those hotels, you’ll have the best beach in Cancún Hotel Zone right outside your room. If not, Playa Delfines is the top choice among public beaches in Cancún — there are no hotels built on it.
Beyond the Hotel Zone, you’ll also find some of the most beautiful beaches in the surrounding area of Cancún, including some hidden beaches .
Here are our tips for the best beaches in Cancún:
- Playa Delfines
- Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres)
- Playa Akumal
- Playa Paraíso (Tulum)
- Playa El Cielo (Cozumel)
We’ve marked them all here so you can easily find Cancún beaches on a map.
Playa Delfines
In our opinion, Playa Delfines is the best public beach in Cancún. It sits in the Hotel Zone – one of the best areas to stay in Cancún. The Playa Delfines is one of the only stretches of sand without a resort.
Instead of rows of beach chairs and bars, you’ll just find a few simple parasols. The beach is very wide, so even on busy days there’s always space to yourself.
The sand is soft, the water is that perfect turquoise, and it really feels like the Caribbean. The only downside: the waves are often strong. Because there are only a few lifeguards, swimming is limited to certain areas — which can get crowded. Still, it’s one of the best beaches for swimming in Cancún when conditions are calm.
How to get to Playa Delfines
Bus lines R1 and R2 run from downtown through the Hotel Zone to Playa Delfines. Just wait anywhere along Blvd. Kukulcan and flag a bus with your arm. They pass every 5 minutes or so, and the ride costs only 12 MXN.
You can also take a taxi or Uber — Uber is usually a bit cheaper.
Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres
Island beaches are often even more spectacular than those on the mainland, and Isla Mujeres is no exception.
This Caribbean island is just off the coast of Cancún, and its beaches are considered among the best beaches in Mexico. Playa Norte, right at the northern tip of Isla Mujeres, is the standout.
It has everything you’d expect from a dream beach: white powder sand, clear turquoise water, and swaying palm trees.
The only drawback: Playa Norte is no longer a secret. We recommend arriving early in the morning when it’s still peaceful.
How to get to Playa Norte
From Cancún, take the ferry across to Isla Mujeres. The trip takes about 30 minutes.
There are several departure points. Most ferries leave from Puerto Juarez near downtown every half hour, but there are also ferry terminals in the Hotel Zone, such as Playa Tortugas.
The main providers are Ultramar and Jetway. Our favorite, however, is the Xcaret ferry — the ticket also includes entry to the Torre Escénica viewpoint, one of the best sights in Cancún.
Book your ferry ticket to Isla Mujeres with the Xcaret ferry
From the Isla Mujeres ferry terminal, it’s only about a 10-minute walk to Playa Norte.
If you’d rather not plan everything yourself, you can also book a guided tour to Isla Mujeres.
Book a catamaran tour to Isla Mujeres & Playa Norte
Playa Akumal
The beautiful Playa Akumal lies between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
This beach is famous because you can swim with turtles here. There are designated areas in the water for this, and you’ll need a guide to join the turtle swim. The easiest way is to book a guided tour from Cancún to Akumal where everything is included.
Book a day trip to Akumal with turtle snorkeling and cenote
Entrance to Akumal beach costs about 120 MXN and includes showers, toilets, and lockers. The turtle snorkeling area is right near the entrance, but the beach stretches on for ages if you prefer a quieter spot.
The further you walk, the calmer it gets. The water is crystal clear and gentle, making it perfect for kids and one of the best beaches for swimming in Cancún.
How to get to Playa Akumal from Cancún
It takes about two hours by public transport. First, take a colectivo from downtown Cancún (Av. Tulum Supermanzana 2) to Playa del Carmen. From there, cross the street and catch another colectivo toward Tulum. Get off at Akumal by the bridge, then it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach. Both rides together cost around 70 MXN.
If you want it easy, you can also book the guided tour from Cancún to Akumal.
Playa Paraíso in Tulum
Like Cancún, Tulum is one of the top destinations on the Yucatán. Among its beaches, Playa Paraíso stands out as one of the best beaches in Mexico.
The great thing is that Playa Paraíso is within walking distance of the famous Tulum ruins. So you can explore the Mayan site in the morning and relax on the sand right after.
The sand is fine and soft, palm trees offer plenty of shade, and despite its beauty this beach in Tulum never feels too crowded.
Access is free, though you’ll need to pay 415 MXN to enter the protected nature reserve that also includes the ruins.
How to get to Playa Paraíso in Tulum
The best option is to combine it with a trip to Tulum itself, where you can also visit cenotes and other highlights.
Book a guided tour from Cancún to Tulum with Playa Paraíso
Alternatively, ADO buses run directly from Cancún to the ruins in Tulum. Tickets can be booked on the ADO website. If that doesn’t work, you can also check ViajoMucho or Checkmybus.
It’s also worth spending a night or two in Tulum. We’ve shared more hotel tips in our separate guides to Tulum.
Playa El Cielo on Cozumel
If you’re into snorkeling, Cozumel is the place to be. It’s the largest Caribbean island in Mexico, just off Playa del Carmen.
The highlight is Playa El Cielo, with its turquoise water and stunning underwater life. You can only reach it on a boat trip that usually starts in San Miguel de Cozumel, the island’s main town.
Book a Catamaran tour to Playa El Cielo on Cozumel
How to get to Cozumel
From Playa del Carmen, ferries to Cozumel depart from Muelle Playa del Carmen and take about 45 minutes. Tickets are available via Ultramar, Winjet, or GetYourGuide. All ferries arrive in San Miguel de Cozumel.
Book your round-trip ferry tickets to Cozumel via GetYourGuide
From Cancún, you can take a taxi, ADO bus, or colectivo to Playa del Carmen. We recommend the ADO buses because they run directly from downtown Cancún to the ADO turístico terminal in Playa del Carmen.
Since the trip takes 2–3 hours, it’s worth considering an overnight stay in Playa del Carmen. We’ve collected hotel tips and more info in our other articles on Cancún beaches.