Mexico’s Best Beach Resorts

With sun-soaked days blending into starry nights, world-class cuisine, ruins and rainforests (and tequila, of course)—Mexico is one of our favorite ultimate relaxation destinations with no shortage of resort options. From beloved beach towns to far-flung properties worth traveling to, we’re here to help you choose the best Mexican beach resort for your next south-of-the-border vacation. Whether it’s a multi-gen family getaway, romantic escape or some much needed “me time”—there is a perfect property for every occasion.

The Riviera Maya, a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beaches and turquoise Caribbean water offering exhilarating eco-adventures and Mayan ruins, extends from just south of Cancún to the eco-chic beach town of Tulum.

• What Makes It Unique: Calm seas, beautiful beaches and abundant cultural activities.
• Where to Stay: Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection, The St. Regis Kanai Resort, The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai, Rosewood Mayakoba, Hotel Esencia
• Top Activities: Scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports, plus visiting Mayan ruins, cenotes and aquatic theme parks.
• Keep in Mind: With few towns to explore, visitors either stay put at their hotel or engage in excursions.
• Getting There: Fly into Cancún International Airport, 45 minutes from town.

Mexico’s stunning Baja Peninsula, once prized for its fishing by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, now draws Hollywood A-listers with its extraordinary resorts and relaxed atmosphere, which encourages lounging and pampering.

• What Makes It Unique: Top-notch service and fabulous dining.
• Where to Stay: One&Only Palmilla, Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, Zadun Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• Top Activities: Deep-sea fishing, whale watching (December to March), ATV excursions, golf, tennis.
• Keep in Mind: Most beaches in Cabo are not swimmable, so guests have to relax poolside.
• Getting There: Fly into Los Cabos International Airport, a 30-minute drive from most properties.

Known for its surf breaks and golf links, Punta Mita is an upscale resort complex that appeals to beach lovers with family-friendly hotels, an Aman-influenced hideaway and sprawling villas.

• What Makes It Unique: Incredible surfing and rental villas that provide guests with privacy, as well as all the amenities of a big hotel.
• Where to Stay: Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Imanta Resorts Punta De Mita, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Collection
• Top Activities: Surfing, visiting Sayulita, exploring and zip-lining in the jungle, golf, tennis.
• Keep in Mind: With the exception of excursions to the nearby beach chic town of Sayulita, visitors to Punta Mita will spend the majority of their time at their hotel.
• Getting There: Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport, a 45-minute drive away.

Situated between Mexico’s luxe Mayan Riviera and the expansive Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Tulum has long been a favorite of eco-conscious travelers in search of life’s simple pleasures: a great climate, a perfect beach, simply prepared seafood and a strong margarita.

• What Makes It Unique: Beautiful, swimmable beaches and a dynamic food scene.
• Where to Stay: La Zebra, Be Destination Tulum, Sanara Hotels & Residences
• Top Activities: Visiting Mayan ruins and cenotes (underground lagoons/rivers), snorkeling, kite-surfing, swimming with whale sharks, yoga, a buzzy beach club scene.
• Keep in Mind: Ongoing land disputes in Tulum have resulted in the recent evictions of several hotels and businesses.
• Getting There: Fly into Tulum Airport, a 40-minute drive from most of the properties, or Cancún International Airport, a 90-minute drive from most of the properties.

On a hilly swath of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, the sleek One&Only Mandarina is part rainforest nature preserve, part sand-and-sea getaway and part playground for the active traveler seeking options.

• What Makes It Unique: Because of the resort’s sprawling layout within the jungle and the fact that every suite and treehouse comes with its own plunge pool), it feels blissfully crowd-free (read: no fighting over pool loungers) even when operating at full capacity (which it usually is).
• Top Activities: Swimming at the two beach clubs or five pools, horseback riding at the world-class equestrian center, full-service spa, hiking, zip-lining, surfing, SUP-boarding and complementary fitness and wellness classes.
• Keep in Mind: Guests get around the property by golf cart, requested by texting their dedicated butlers over WhatsApp. We recommend booking the pick-up times in advance to avoid too much wait around peak-times (i.e. breakfast). Walking everywhere is technically possible, but the resort is large and has steep hills.
• Getting There: Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the hotel’s transfer is about one-hour drive to the resort.

The late billionaire Sir James Goldsmith fashioned his own private reserve—complete with zebras imported from Africa—on a 25,000-acre parcel of pristine Pacific Coast (just south of Costa Careyes). Originally intended for his family’s exclusive use, the lavish Cuixmala is now a resort, with distinctive rooms and rental villas.

• What Makes It Unique: The sophisticated clientele (the owners often entertain their famous friends here), wildlife reserve and extravagant but chic décor.
• Top Activities: Horseback riding, lagoon tours, surfing, mountain biking, bird watching, participating in the turtle protection program, tennis, volleyball, yoga, picnics and visiting Cuixmala’s sister property, Hacienda de San Antonio, a stunning countryside hotel and working farm.
• Keep in Mind: The ocean is incredibly rough, and you cannot swim at the main beach. Cuixmala has three swimmable beaches off the main property, the nearest of which is half an hour away.
• Getting There: Fly into Manzanillo International Airport, a 90-minute drive.

Located along Mexico’s Costalegre (a stretch of wild Pacific coastline between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, translated as “Happy Coast”), Las Rosadas is a serene hideaway with pristine beaches, tropical forests and sweeping Sierra Madre mountain views. Great for groups, the accommodations include a variety of two-to-six bedroom villas, each with an infinity pool and traditional Mexican artisan details.

• What Makes It Unique: Las Rosadas has three swimmable beaches—a rarity along this stretch of Mexico’s Pacific.
• Top Activities: Snorkeling, surfing and boat excursions to nearby islands, along with yoga, tequila tastings, beachside massages and art lessons with local artisans, all of which are easily arranged through the property’s staff
• Keep in Mind: There are only a handful of local and on-site dining options—we love drinks at the playful Bar Mono right on the beach—and that’s the point of this private paradise: you won’t want to venture far.
• Getting There: Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport, located about two and a half hours north of the resort, or Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport, one and a half hours south. There is also a private airstrip five minutes from the resort.

Located two hours south of Tulum in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, Casa Chablé is an intimate hideaway, ideal for those seeking elevated wellness offerings and interaction with nature in a barefoot-luxury setting.

• What Makes It Unique: The intimate property has just 10 rooms and bungalows, and is far-removed from the buzzy Tulum atmosphere. Its size makes it great for group takeovers, with a prime location for nature-lovers.
• Top Activities: Beach safari excursions (including ample opportunities to see dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays), bird-watching, mezcal tasting, kayaking, meditation and yoga, stargazing and cooking classes.
• Keep in Mind: While there is a small gym, the intimate size of the property isn’t suited for those requiring a full amenity list and greater levels of privacy.
• Getting There: After a two and a half hour drive from the Cancún International Airport to Tulum, choose a private journey of either a 35-minute boat ride or a 90-minute drive. (Another option is flying into Tulum International Airport for a shorter drive time.)