Best Beaches to Visit in Quintana Roo, Mexico 2025

At the beginning of the year, my wife and I decided to move to Playa del Carmen, a beautiful small city in the East of Mexico that embraces the Caribbean Sea. We’ve been living in this tropical paradise, and we’ve gotten to know the best beaches in Quintana Roo, extending from Cancun to Tulum. So, if you’ve been thinking about visiting any popular destination in the Riviera Maya, continue reading to discover the stunning beaches the Riviera Maya has to offer.

1. Cancun

If you don’t live under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Cancun’s beautiful turquoise waters in the Caribbean Sea; it offers great beaches and a variety of activities such as water sports, diving, snorkeling, and much more.

1.2 Playa Delfines

Playa Delfines is located in Cancun in the hotel zone of Cancun; this beautiful beach offers stunning turquoise waters and soft white sand. Unlike any other beach in the hotel zone, this beach is free of resorts, giving it a peaceful and open vibe. The early morning hours are ideal for a more tranquil visit, as the beach tends to become busier later in the day as the iconic Cancun sign is located on the upper part of the beach. 

Pros: It is not overcrowded and has the best turquoise water, little sargassum, and free palapas for shade.
Cons: Parking is limited, so it is best to come early or by public transport/taxi
Location: Dolphins Beach

1.2 Playa Gaviota

To access this hidden gem, you’ll have to enter through Playa Forum and walk left once you hit the ocean to get to this beach. This beach offers shallow waters and, of course, turquoise waters. One of the great perks of this beach is that a breakwater was built next to this spot, making it a perfect option to take kids as there are not many waves (if there aren’t strong winds). This pristine beach is ideal for a day trip, as you can rent some chairs and a beach umbrella for 500-600 pesos. Some extra activities that you can do here are jet skiing and paragliding, although these activities are located closer to the Playa Forum beach.

Pros: Shallow waters, good for families, not many waves
Cons: Need to walk to get to it (5 min), 
Location: Playa Gaviota Azul

2. Isla Mujeres

Just a ferry ride from Cancun, this laid-back island charms with golf cart explorations and snorkeling the Museo Subacuático de Arte (underwater sculpture museum). Don’t miss fresh ceviche at beachside eateries after a day of sailing or swimming with whale sharks (seasonal).

2.1 Playa Norte

Playa Norte is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean coast, its crystal-clear waters and natural beauty will leave you speechless. This is the perfect place for beach lovers to enjoy a lovely beach with calm and shallow waters. Because of its shallow and calm waters, this is an excellent place for those with families, as children can play in the water without parents having to worry about strong waves. When writing this article, Sun loungers with an umbrella are available for rent for about 400-500 pesos. 

Pros: Bathrooms, restaurants, sun loungers for rent, shallow water, little to no sargassum, great for families.

Cons: Have to pay for sun loungers; location is on Isla Mujeres, so you will need to go on a ferry to the island or go on a catamaran trip to access this beach, can get overcrowded as it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Isla Mujeres.

Location: Playa Norte

3. Playa del Carmen

This lively coastal hub blends cosmopolitan energy with natural escapes. Stroll Quinta Avenida for boutique shopping, then dive into cenotes like Cenote Azul for freshwater swimming.

3.1 Playa 72 Colosio

This beautiful beach is one of my favorites, as it allows pet owners to bring their furry friends along. Beach lovers flock to this beach beach as it’s one of the less crowded in Playa del Carmen. This beach has clean white sand. However, its blue and green colors are not as heavily present as beaches in Cancun, so if you’re looking for a picture-perfect beach, you’ll likely want to visit one in Cancun. When visiting this beach, if you want a quieter place, I recommend walking to the north of the beach as there are fewer people in that area.

Pros: Dog-friendly, wide ample beach, volleyball courts
Cons: It’s not ideal if you don’t like animals, as there can be a lot of dogs running around, and some beachgoers complain that some dogs are not well-behaved, and there are no bathrooms on-site.

How to get there: The best way to get there is to drive or take a taxi all the way to Av. Luis Donaldo Colosio, and head towards the end of the street, heading to the beach area. Getting a prime parking spot can be difficult if you bring your own vehicle and visit during peak hours. Alternatively, you can rent a bike or a scooter and park just outside the entrance of the beach; it’ll make things much easier. If you do rent a bike, you can bike all along the 5th avenue to reach this beach.

Location: Playa 72 Colosio

3.2 Playa Maroma

Punta Maroma is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Yucatan peninsula, and it has been voted for several years as one of the best beaches in the area. The best way to have a unique experience at this stunning beach is to pay for the day pass (100 USD) at the Maroma Beach Club. This will give access to amenities like buffets, restaurants, drinks, etc. Just note that they won’t provide any towels, so it’s recommended that you bring your own. We recommend visiting this beach as it is one of the most pristine beaches you’ll find. The beach is perfect for families as it provides shallow waters, kayaking, and snorkeling activities since the beach has access to the Mesoamerican Reef.

Pros: Great for families, shallow waters, bathrooms, Beach Club, Kayaking activities, snorkeling, parking
Cons: Entrance is expensive

How to get there: Maroma Beach Club offers transportation; you’ll have to visit their website if you are interested in this service; if you’re someone who prefers to do things on their own, the best way to get there is taking a Colectivo from Playa or Cancun, or driving there. The entrance is off of the federal highway.

Location: Playa Maroma, Riviera Maya

4. Xpu-Ha

4.1 Xpu-Ha Beach

This is my favorite beach of all in the Yucatan Peninsula; it offers a more tranquil setting. If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys private beaches, relaxation, and food brought to you while reading your novel, this is the perfect choice. To access this beach, you’ll have to get access to the Xpu-Ha Duna Beach Club. Just to be clear, this is not a private beach whatsoever. However, it does make you feel like it is, as it’s nestled just south of Playa del Carmen, away from the tourist city, in a nice and quiet place. 

I highly recommend that you drive to Duna Beach Club, as not only will you have access to one of the best beaches of Quintana Roo, but you’ll also have food and drinks available if you decide to use their amenities. There are two ways to access this beach. The first is by paying an entrance fee of $200 pesos per person, which will grant you access to the beach, parking, beach towels, welcome drink, Wi-Fi, showers and bathrooms, and access to the bar, restaurant, and lounge area, this option is great if you’re on a budget. Alternatively, if you do wish to take advantage of Duna’s Beach Club amenities, such as lounge chairs, tepees, and Balaba, prices will start from $900 pesos per person. Remember that the money spent on this will be reimbursed to you through drinks and food you order. 

Pros: Bathrooms/showers, food, drinks, lounge chairs, kayaking, paddle boards (additional cost for kayak and PB)

Cons: Entrance fee + Club fee are steep

How to get there: Access is through the federal highway; you’ll have to find the signs that indicate the Duna Beach Club. If you’re traveling to 

Location: Xpu-Ha Beach

5. Tulum

A bohemian paradise where jungle meets sea, Tulum is famed for its cliffside Mayan ruins overlooking turquoise waters. Visitors snorkel in the crystalline Gran Cenote, bike past eco-chic beach clubs, and unwind at open-air mezcal bars. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve offers sunset kayaking through mangrove forests.

5.1 Playa Paraiso

This tropical paradise is within the Parque del Jaguar, a national park led by the government destined to protect the natural space and conservation of Jaguars and the natural ecosystem of the jungle. This means you’ll have to pay an entrance fee to be allowed into this protected area. The fee for foreigners is $415 pesos per person, and payments can be made in cash or by credit/debit. Once you’re granted access to the park, you’ll have to drive a few minutes to the beach. Once at the entrance of the beach, you’ll be able to park your car there; it’s worth mentioning there is a fee to park here of around $400 pesos; once parked, you’re only a short walk to the beach.

At the entrance of the beach, you’ll be offered boat rides to visit the ancient Mayan ruins, go snorkeling, and other activities. If you’re looking for various activities of this kind, I would recommend looking up these tours on Google, as the beach vendors typically take advantage of foreigners and overcharge for these activities. 

Pros: Large beach space, parking

Cons: No bathrooms, entrance fees, parking fee

How to get there: The easiest route to get to this beach is to go through the south side entrance of the park; you’ll avoid the commotion from the tourists trying to get into the Mayan ruins of Tulum. 

Location: Playa Paraiso