There is little doubt that one of the biggest attractions of the Riviera Maya are the beautiful, white sand beaches. On our beaches, the water is always warm, and there is nothing like a stroll down these beautiful, coral sand beaches to calm the stress of everyday life. Here are some of my favorites.
XPU-HA
Remember those old Corona commercials where a couple is sitting on this beautiful beach? That beach is Xpu Ha located 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, it is home to several beach clubs but is perfect for exploring the north and the south end of the beach. If you don’t like crowds, stay away on Sundays as the locals flock to Xpu Ha every Sunday.
TULUM
There is a special serenity about Tulum beach. There is something for everyone. You can rub shoulders with the rich and famous at trendy beach clubs, stay in one of the many boutique hotels or just chill by yourself. At the southern end of the beach is the former home of noted drug lord Pablo Escobar, now operating as a hotel.
PLAYACAR
When I first visited the Riviera Maya in 2007, we stayed at a resort on Playacar beach. At the time, the beach had been devastated by a hurricane 18 months earlier. There wasn’t much beach remaining and there were huge sandbags helping with the restoration. Today, Playacar beach is spectacular and among the best in the region.
PLAYA NORTE
Located on beautiful Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte was ranked among the top ten beaches in the world in 2019. One of things that makes this location so popular is the color of the water. We can all visualize the colors of the Caribbean Sea. There is no place more beautiful to see these colors than Playa Norte. Don’t forget your snorkel gear.
When you talk about the beaches of the Riviera Maya, there are no bad choices. Even the rocky beaches have their allure and there are so many sandy beaches. So pack your cooler, grab your towel because it’s time to head to the beach.
By Gordon MacAlpine
