Best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. In an idyllic setting, you can enjoy the beach life, dive into the Caribbean Sea and explore amazing “cenotes”. This is how you enjoy the time on the Riviera, enjoying the sun, the sea and the most paradisiacal beaches in Mexico. Here are the best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya.
Xcacel
When planning to visit one of the best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya, it is obvious you have to drive a little extra. Xcacel Beach is located about 40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. And this beautiful turtle sanctuary is also home to a cenote. There are no restaurants on this beach so consider bringing your own food and drinks. Also bring what you need to get rid of your trash. It is important not to leave anything behind. The beach is open from 9am to 5pm every day. Sundays are the busiest days since more local families have this day off and come to picnic in the area. The cenote closes a little before 5pm. What makes Xcacel Beach so special is the fact that it is both a sea turtle sanctuary and that there is a beautiful cenote just a few steps from the beach.
More info here: Xcacel: Quintana Roo’s Hidden Jewel
Xpu Ha
There are a few more services at Xpu-Ha, but a larger beach at Xcacel. The water is generally a little calmer at Xpu-Ha beach and the snorkeling is better than at Xcacel. Xpu-Ha is a beautiful beach that remains relaxed and uncrowded. Several kilometers of white sand and turquoise water make up the beach just south of Puerto Aventuras and offers a great alternative to the busier beaches of the Riviera Maya. There are a few beachfront hotels as well as a few casual restaurants all interspersed with palm trees and tropical vegetation. Aside from all that, his is one of the best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya.
More info here: Xpu-ha: Why you should ditch the popular spots
Playa Chemuyil
It is located in a bay surrounded by dense vegetation near Akumal, with crystal clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The main reason to visit Chemuyil besides its white sand and calm waters, is the cenotes nearby. Besides being one of the best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya, we have beautiful cenotes.
The four-cenotes tour lasts about 5 hours, and is done exclusively by bicycle, from cenote to cenote. It’s even better to enjoy the landscape, the sun and to take a sustainable way of transportation. Moreover, the bathing in the fresh waters of the cenotes is even more appreciated. Some slopes are a little rough but it is worth it.
More info here: The Alternate Reality of Xunaan Ha Cenote
Sian Ka’an
Known for its turquoise waters, fauna and flora, the Sian Ka’an reserve in Mexico is a very famous biosphere. A unique natural attraction to visit in Mexico that is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve occupies an area of 1.3 million acres. The coasts of the Sian Kan Biosphere have beautiful white sand beaches, huge mangroves and small bays. It is for the color of the water that the Maya called this place “the place where the sky begins.”
More info here: Sian Ka’an: It is time to reconnect with nature
Tankah Bay
An enchanting place to bask in the warm Mexican sun, Tankah Bay delights both beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. On the south side, Tankah’s coastline is lined with white sand and calm, shallow water. However, the place is especially known for its Casa Cenote, an open-air “cenote” with clear waters in the middle of the mangrove. This place is also known for its low salinity water. Indeed, the waters of the nearby cenote mix with the salty water of the sea. As a result, the salinity is much lower and is ideal for children for whom the salt of the sea is an ordeal.
More info here: Pueblo Tankah – Connecting With The Riviera Maya
Punta Esmeralda
Just a stone’s throw from the heart of the nightlife, the beach of Punta Esmeralda is a small blue coffin surrounded by a thick green frame. It is not only the lush vegetation that gives it its name, but also another “detail”: the fresh water of the cenote that appears on the beach and pours directly into the sea. This peculiarity makes the small but charming cove a fantastic place to cool off in the shallow and warm waters shaded by palm trees. Their shadows are mesmerizing and make the cove a real jewel. The beach, also simply called “La Esmeralda”, is accessible free of charge and can be used in all freedom: Swimming, throwing frisbees or having a picnic overlooking the sea. The beach of Punta Esmeralda is also wonderful for a walk and to admire the sunset with your beloved.
More info here: Punta Esmeralda Beach: A Blue Slice of Paradise
Isla de la Pasion
When considering the best virgin beaches in Riviera Maya, you must plan a visit to Cozumel. Cozumel Island also has its own paradise beach. Surrounded by coral reefs, the island combines the Caribbean soul with a unique naturalistic heritage. The animals that populate it include hummingbirds, raccoons, coots and other rare and endangered species. The island is dotted with lagoons, cenotes and Mayan ruins scattered throughout the forest, such as the site of El Caracol, located near Encantada Beach. It is difficult to choose the most beautiful beach of Cozumel, but undisputed is definitely Isla de la Pasion, north of San Miguel: the prototype of tropical paradise, where you can observe turtles and numerous species of wild birds. The beaches of the island offer a variety of ideal places for snorkeling and diving: The beautiful coral reef is one of the largest in the world.
