The Best Beaches of Mahahual
Mahahual sits on the Grand Costa Maya, in the far south of the Mexican Caribbean, and its beaches are among the quietest in the region: turquoise water, pale sand and a pace that slows down the moment you leave the highway. Some people come to read under a palm tree. Others come for the reef, which starts a few strokes from shore. This is our guide to the best beaches in and around Mahahual.
1. Mahahual Beach: the heart of town
The beach that runs along the malecón is the center of everything. The water is calm and shallow, good for swimming, snorkeling or doing nothing at all, and the sand is lined with restaurants, beach clubs and small shops. It gets lively when a cruise ship is in port, but it never loses its small-town feel.
It is also the easiest beach to enjoy: families, couples and solo travelers all fit in. Beach clubs rent sunbeds and umbrellas and bring drinks to your chair, so you can settle in for the whole day.
2. Punta Herradura: a snorkeler’s beach
A little south of town, on the coast road toward Xcalak, Punta Herradura is a favorite with snorkelers. The water here is part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world, and a short swim from shore puts you over coral heads full of colorful fish, with a good chance of seeing sea turtles.
It is also quieter than the malecón. If you want the reef without the crowds, this is an easy escape that still keeps you close to Mahahual.
3. Maya Chan Beach: a private escape
For a more private, pampered day, Maya Chan Beach is the place. This private beach club at km 6.5 on the Mahahual-Xcalak road works on all-inclusive day passes, by reservation only: you get a shaded palapa or pergola of your own, an open bar, a buffet of Mayan-inspired dishes, snorkel gear and glass-bottom kayaks for the day.
The service is what people remember: drinks and food come to your spot, and the calm, shallow water in front is ideal for snorkeling. One thing to know before you plan: the club closes every year for hurricane season, from June 1 to August 31.
4. Playa Uvero: off the beaten path
For something wilder, drive about 30 km north of Mahahual (roughly half an hour) to Playa Uvero. There is almost no development here: a long, natural beach, coconut palms, the sound of the waves and very few people.
The reef is close to shore and the water is usually calm, so it is a good spot for snorkeling and kayaking if you bring your own gear. There are no services on the beach, so pack water, food and shade. The peace and quiet more than make up for the trip.
5. Xcalak: the southern tip of the Grand Costa Maya
About 60 km south of Mahahual, where the Grand Costa Maya ends just short of the Belize border, the fishing village of Xcalak has some of the least-touched coast in the Mexican Caribbean. The reef in front of it is protected as the Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak, a CONANP national park decreed in 2000 that also covers mangroves and wetlands recognized as a Ramsar site.
There is a white-sand beach in front of the village, and the village itself is tiny, so this is a day for snorkeling, diving or fly fishing rather than beach clubs. Xcalak is also a departure point for trips to Banco Chinchorro. Go with the idea of seeing the coast as it was before tourism arrived.
6. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve beaches: untouched coast
Strictly speaking these are outside Mahahual, but they belong in any list of the region’s best beaches. The Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka’an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, begins north of the Grand Costa Maya; its southern gateway, Punta Herrero, is roughly 85 km from Mahahual by road. What you find there is long stretches of coast with almost nothing built on them.
These beaches are for travelers who want nature in its purest form: little development, few visitors and calm water to swim in. Bring everything you need for the day and leave nothing behind.
Mahahual’s beaches cover the whole range. You can spend a lazy day on the malecón, snorkel the reef at Punta Herradura or claim a stretch of sand to yourself at Playa Uvero. If you are after a quieter corner of the Mexican Caribbean, with clear water and beaches you can have almost to yourself, Mahahual is the place to slow down.
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