The 7 Best Beaches in Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya runs along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, and its beaches are the reason most people come: turquoise water, soft white sand and a reef a short swim from shore. There are dozens to choose from. These are the seven best beaches in the Riviera Maya, with what to do at each one and a tip to make the most of your visit.

1. Playa Paraíso (Tulum): one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya

Playa Paraíso is one of the most photographed beaches in the Riviera Maya, and it earns the attention. The sand is white and fine, the water is the turquoise of the postcards, and the archaeological site of Tulum sits on the cliff less than a kilometer to the north. Few beaches anywhere put Maya history in the frame like this one.

• What to do: Swim, stretch out on the sand, or walk up the shore for a view of the ruins on the cliff.
• Tip: Arrive early. By midday the beach fills up; at nine in the morning you can have it almost to yourself.

2. Playa Akumal: swim with sea turtles

Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya, and the name still fits. Sea turtles feed on the seagrass in the bay, and because the water is calm and shallow you can watch them from the surface with a mask and snorkel. Since 2016 the bay has been a federally decreed refuge area for marine species (the Área de Refugio Bahía de Akumal), managed by CONANP, so the visit follows rules.

• What to do: Snorkel over the seagrass and look for turtles, rays and tropical fish in Akumal Bay.
• Tip: Swimming with the turtles is regulated, not optional. You go in with a certified guide from one of the local cooperatives, in small groups, wearing a life jacket, and you keep at least three meters from the animals. Touching or feeding them is prohibited.

3. Playa Xpu-Há: quiet water away from the crowds

If you want a beach without the crowds, Xpu-Há is a good bet. It lies about half an hour’s drive south of Playa del Carmen, off Highway 307. The water is clear and usually calm, the sand is soft, and the atmosphere is more rustic than in town: a few beach clubs, palm trees and not much else.

• What to do: Relax under an umbrella, swim, or rent a paddleboard; the calm water makes it a good place to try one for the first time.
• Tip: The beach clubs charge a small entry fee, which you can usually spend on food and drinks at their restaurant.

4. Playa Maroma: luxury in the Mexican Caribbean

Playa Maroma, between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, is one of the most exclusive beaches in the Riviera Maya. A handful of high-end resorts line the sand, and the calm water is set up for snorkeling, jet skis and catamaran trips.

• What to do: Book a stay at one of the resorts on Playa Maroma, or go out to snorkel and see the marine life.
• Tip: Most of the beach is fronted by resorts, so the easiest way in is to stay at one of them or ask whether they offer a day pass.

5. Playa del Carmen: fun and nightlife

Playa del Carmen is the heart of the Riviera Maya, the place where the beach and city life share the same block. Bars, restaurants and shops line Fifth Avenue, and a white-sand beach sits a few steps away. It suits anyone who wants sun in the morning and a night out after dinner.

• What to do: Spend the day on the beach and the evening on Fifth Avenue, where the nightlife runs late.

6. Playa Punta Esmeralda: nature and a cenote by the sea

Punta Esmeralda is a local favorite at the north end of Playa del Carmen, quieter and less commercial than the beaches downtown. What sets it apart is a small cenote that flows straight into the sea, so you can swim in fresh water and salt water a few meters apart and watch the two mix in shades of green and turquoise. Families from town come for the calm, shallow water.

• What to do: Swim in the cenote or the sea, bring a picnic, or just spend the afternoon in the sun.
• Tip: Bring what you need. There are few services nearby, which is part of why the beach still feels natural.

7. Playa Paamul: for campers and divers

For something more low-key, head to Paamul, a small bay between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras. It has been a campground and trailer park for decades, and the reef sits a short swim from shore, so it draws campers and divers rather than day-trippers.

• What to do: Dive or snorkel on the reef, camp near the beach, or have a meal at the restaurant by the water.
• Tip: If you dive, the dive center on the bay runs trips to the nearby reefs.

From resort luxury to a bay where you pitch a tent, the Riviera Maya has a beach for every kind of traveler. Pick the one that fits your trip, pack your swimsuit and go.