These 2 Riviera Maya Beaches Named Best In The Americas By Conde Naste

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The Riviera Maya has had a pretty rough couple of months in the headlines. Between rising costs, growing tourist fatigue, and a relentless summer influx of smelly sargassum seaweed washing up on shore, the Mexican Caribbean has taken a bit of a beating lately. However, there is finally some incredible news for the region, and it is arriving at the exact right time.

Condé Nast Traveller just dropped its prestigious 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best Beaches in the Americas. Both Tulum Beach and Playa del Carmen officially landed spots in the top twelve, proving that despite a few summer hurdles, travelers still consider this coastline to be absolute paradise.

As we transition into the winter months and the pesky summer sargassum completely disappears from the shoreline, we honestly could not agree more with the rankings. The water is turning back into that famous crystal clear turquoise, the humidity is dropping, and the white sand is looking pristine again. We will reveal the full list of the top twelve beaches at the very bottom of this article, but first, let us look at why these two Mexican Caribbean icons are taking home top honors this year.

Tulum Beach Claims The Number Two Spot

Despite all the recent talk about Tulum getting too expensive or losing its sleepy bohemian charm, there is one thing nobody can deny: the actual physical beach in Tulum is still one of the most breathtaking places on the entire planet. In fact, voters ranked Tulum Beach as the number two beach in all of the Americas, coming in second only to Hanauma Bay in Hawaii.

What makes Tulum Beach so special is the sheer scale and dramatic scenery of its coastline. Unlike narrow hotel beaches where loungers are stacked right up against the water, Tulum features massive, wide stretches of powder-soft white sand backed by thick, swaying palm trees and ancient Mayan ruins perched right on the cliffs. The sand here is made of crushed coral and limestone, which means even on the hottest afternoon, it stays cool beneath your feet.

While the summer months brought heavy waves of seaweed that frustrated visitors, the winter high season completely transforms the Tulum shoreline. From November through spring, the ocean currents shift, the water clears up, and the beach returns to its postcard perfection. Whether you are grabbing a day pass at a lively beach club in the hotel zone or walking out onto the wide open public stretches near Playa Paraiso, Tulum in the winter is practically unbeatable.

Playa del Carmen Lands At Number Eleven

Taking the eleventh spot on the list is the vibrant heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. For travelers who want a gorgeous Caribbean beach without sacrificing walkability and local energy, Playa del Carmen has always been the ultimate sweet spot.

Unlike Cancun or Tulum, where you often need to take expensive taxis to get from your resort to local restaurants, Playa del Carmen puts the beach right in the middle of the action. You can spend your morning swimming in warm, calm turquoise water and then walk just two blocks inland to Fifth Avenue to grab incredible street tacos, cold beers, or shop at hundreds of open-air boutiques.

Playa del Carmen also took a heavy hit from sargassum over the summer, and parts of the central shoreline have dealt with coastal erosion over the years. However, if you walk just slightly north toward the Playacar neighborhood or head up toward Punta Esmeralda, the beaches open up into wide, stunning stretches of soft sand with gentle waves. With cooler winter breezes arriving and the seaweed season wrapping up, Playa del Carmen is gearing up to show off why it remains an absolute favorite for international travelers.

Why Winter Is The Ultimate Time To Visit

If you wrote off the Riviera Maya after seeing videos of brown seaweed on social media back in July, it is time to take another look. Sargassum thrives in hot ocean temperatures and specific summer currents. Once late fall and winter arrive, the water cools down just enough and the trade winds shift, leaving the beaches completely clean.

Combine the return of pristine, seaweed-free beaches with the fact that regional airlines and hotels are currently offering competitive deals prior to the holiday rush, and you have the ultimate window for a getaway. Tulum and Playa del Carmen are officially back on top, and there is no better time to see them for yourself than this winter.

The Top 12 Beaches In The Americas

1. Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, US
2. Tulum Beach, Quintana Roo, Mexico
3. Clearwater Beach, Florida, US
4. Gulf Shores State Beach, Alabama, US
5. Playa Balandra, Baja California, Mexico
6. Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii, US
7. Fire Island, New York State, US
8. Praia de Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
9. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, US
10. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, US
11. Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
12. Baía do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil