Top 5 Beaches of Mexico's Riviera Maya

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

There are no bad beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula's Riviera Maya, stretching south of Cancun. All of them are paradises of white sand and crystal waters, so any destination a visitor picks will be a good choice. Even so, it is more than evident that each piece of coast is different to the rest, with small nuances which make them special and tip the balance in favor of one over another in the eyes of tourists. If we had to make a list of the five best beaches, they could very well be these:

Punta Maroma

Just a few minutes outside Playa del Carmen, this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world according to various surveys and some of the most important travel guides. This fairytale spot with crystal waters, white sand and coral reefs, which forms part of the Mesoamerican Reef System - the second largest in the world - is ideal for snorkeling and spending hours in the sun.

Playa Paraíso

Its name, meaning “Paradise Beach”, says it all. Selected as one of the five top beaches in the world for two consecutive years by the users of various internet travel forums, this corner, with low swell, turquoise blue water and fine white sand, is the setting for unforgettable vacations. Furthermore, it is located just a few minutes from Tulum, a walled Mayan city which is literally situated on the shore of the coast and rounded off with a bohemian atmosphere that comes highly recommended.

Akumal

Situated 96 kilometers from Cancun, Akumal is the land of turtles. This is one of the places chosen by these creatures to lay their eggs, and therefore, during the months when the turtles are born, vacations become something beyond pure relaxation. Beneath its crystal waters there is a coral reef which will delight lovers of diving and snorkeling.

Xpu-Há

The locals consider it one of the best beaches around. With vast white and almost perfect sandy areas and little swell, it has a coral zone just a few meters from the coast (the coral barrier is 500 meters offshore), in which diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the sea with colored fish, rays and other marine animals.

Playa Mamitas

In addition to being a magnificent beach with transparent waters and crystal-like sand, Playa Marmitas is the location with the best nightlife in the region. What is more, this spot is also chosen to host big concerts, the Jazz Festival and the BPM Festival. Music, white sand and calm sea, what more could you ask of a beach?

 

And don’t miss: Lovers of tiny restaurants, friendly treatment and exquisite attention to detail in terms of what's on the plate have a date, always with prior booking, in Oh Lala. This establishment, with just eight tables and where the chef explains all of the dishes, will delight lovers of good food.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 7 hotels in the Riviera Maya, scattered between Playa del Carmen and Playa Paraíso, two of the most beautiful settings in the area.”

from our blog PassportTo...