Last Updated
Cancun has a lot of beaches, many of which are located in the Hotel Zone and are typically pretty busy and packed with tourists.
There are some quieter, more laid-back beaches that you can visit in Cancun too.
So, if you want a quiet beach day in Cancun, check out these three lesser-known beaches to escape the crowds.
Playa Ballenas
Playa Ballenas, also known as Whales Beach, is located in Cancun’s famed Hotel Zone, but it’s in a less-trafficked area than the other beaches that are so popular among tourists.
It’s about midway along the long stretch of white sand and aqua-blue coastline that Cancun is famous for.
This wide beach is known for having strong waves, so caution is advised. It is located near the Hard Rock Hotel.
Playa San Miguelito
Also located in the Hotel Zone in a more secluded area, Playa San Miguelito has even more to offer than sun, sand, and turquoise water.
Just off of the beach, there is a Mayan archeological site with ruins and a Mayan museum with an impressive collection of artifacts.
The beach itself is beautiful and devoid of high-rise hotels, beach vendors, and droves of tourists.
Xcacel Beach
While not located right in Cancun, Xcacel Beach is just a short drive away, and it’s worth the trip.
It’s a little over a half hour south of Playa del Carmen, so you’ll need to take a collectivo bus or book another form of transportation to get there.
It’s the perfect beach for a relaxing beach day, though, because it’s very secluded and isn’t lined with sprawling hotels.
It also has a protected natural area nearby, as well as a cenote that you can swim in.
Cancun’s Stunning Coastline
Cancun’s coastline spans 14 stunning miles.
It’s essentially a sandbar shaped like the number 7 that sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupte Lagoon.
It’s where the bulk of Cancun’s hotels are located, hence the name, and it’s where some of the most popular beaches in the destination are located.
Most Popular Beaches In Cancun
Cancun has more than 20 beaches lining its stunning coast, and tourists more love some than others.
Each beach is a little bit different in what it offers.
Some have a lot of beach vendors, others have beach clubs, some have free palapas to use, and some are a bit on the quieter side.
Some of the most popular beaches in Cancun, and since the Hotel Zone is shaped like the number 7 we’ll list seven, are:
- Playa Caracol
- Playa Tortugas
- Playa Delfines
- Playa Marlin
- Playa Langosta
- Playa Gaviota Azul
- Playa Chac Mool
Beach Safety In Cancun
While the waters are typically calm at many Cancun beaches, any beach can be dangerous at times, so it’s important to practice beach safety.
This includes refraining from entering the water when intoxicated, not going out too far, and most importantly, paying attention to beach warning flags.
If there’s ever a red or black flag, you should not enter the water, and if you see a yellow flag posted, you should swim with caution.
Only when you see a green flag is a beach truly safe for swimming.
Best Time To Visit Cancun For The Beaches
Cancun has mild temperatures throughout the year, so basically, any day can potentially be a beach day.
That being said, the water is the warmest around September to October.
The arrival of sargassum is also slowing down by this time too, so early fall is the perfect time for a Cancun beach vacation.
Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
↓ Join the community ↓
The Cancun Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and tourism Q&A’s for the Mexican Caribbean
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.