With 14 miles of white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, it’s no wonder why Cancun offers some of Mexico’s best beaches. Amid beautiful weather and turquoise Caribbean water, opportunities for sunbathing and water sports are numerous. The beaches are just as lively during the early evening as in the daytime, when performers and fire jugglers come out to entertain.

As with most beaches in Mexico, Cancun Beaches are considered public and can be walked along freely. Where beachside hotels exist, travelers can still enjoy the beach but are unlikely to have access to the hotels' facilities unless a guest. Travelers should be aware of changing water conditions for eastern Cancun beaches and should familiarize themselves with Cancun’s water safety flag system. White = Excellent, Green = Safe, Yellow = Use Caution and Black or Red = Unsafe. Information and current water conditions should be sought on arrival. Beaches are routinely patrolled and are generally safe. Lifeguards are regularly on duty.

Popular for swimmers and water sport enthusiasts are Cancun’s northern beaches. Waters tend to be calm here as the beaches are protected by Isla Mujeres.

Playa Las Perlas is good for swimming and water sports, restaurants and bars. Playa Linda is the best place to find dive tour operators and book your trip in a submarine!

Both Playa Langosta and Playa Tortugas is a hub of activity where you can find many Cancun Hotels. The majority of bars and restaurants are situated here. Scuba diving and snorkel tours also depart from these clean buzzing beaches with shuttles departing to Isla Mujeres.

Playa Caracol offers flat and shallower waters. This is a great beach for children. However, it is also one of the most crowded. Still centered in the hotel district it is a hive of activity providing many shops and entertainment complexes.

East of the Nichupte Lagoon and open to the Caribbean waters are Cancun’s eastern beaches. These beaches are not as sheltered as the Northern beaches and can be subject to stronger winds and water currents. They are more reminiscent of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Kept clean of ocean debris and with bigger waves to play in, the eastern beaches are the most popular. Facing the lagoon jet skies and kayaks can be rented.

Playa Chac Mool and Playa Ballenas are Cancun’s most popular beaches. Good for swimming and water sports and as good as anywhere for getting your tan. There are also bars and restaurants for your sunset cocktail.

Playa Delfines is a beach best for relaxing and swimming. Situated towards the southern end Playa Nizuc offers many of the best hotels on Cancun Beach. With most of the exclusive resorts and hotels, here the beach offers ocean swimming and relaxing times close to the convenience of your luxury hotel.

For a secluded private spot offering, a quiet and more personnel experience try the beach at the Camino Real Hotel located at the southern tip of the peninsula. The beach is accessible only by walking through the property of the Camino Real Hotel although the beach remains public. The presence of the hotel serves to dissuade local vendors, walkers and beach sports. The small beach is cleaned daily.

Activities like snorkeling and diving are not suggested from most of Cancun’s beaches. In the absence of any coral reef close to shore, most dive trips will take you further out to more reliable and exciting spots. However, a multitude of leisure activities can be found on any Cancun beach. With horse riding, volleyball and kayaking the list goes on and on much like the magnificent Cancun coastline of the Mexican Riviera. For those wishing to get a fuller tan and go topless, there are no designated nudist beaches, however Playa del Carmen serves as a Cancun topless beach for the majority. That is not to say that it is the only Cancun topless beach as in truth the searing heat and stunning beaches lend themselves to any opportunity to strip off.