The Best Riviera Maya Escape You’ve Never Heard Of: Your Guide To Xpu Há

At The Cancún Sun, we make a sport out of chasing hidden-beach rumors—and Xpu Há (pronounced shpoo-HA) might be one of our favorites.

Between the high-energy scene of Cancún and the influencer buzz of Tulum lies this unassuming cove of bone-white sand, calm turquoise water, and hammock-worthy tranquility.

It’s the Goldilocks zone of the Riviera Maya: not too crowded, not too remote, but just under-the-radar enough that you can still stake out a patch of sand without jostling selfie sticks. Ready to see why Xpu Há belongs on your next itinerary?

Dive in below:

📍 Where on Earth Is Xpu Há?

First, let’s pinpoint this paradise. Xpu Há sits almost exactly halfway between Playa del Carmen (about 25 minutes north) and Tulum (roughly 20 minutes south).

You won’t find neon signs or massive billboards—just a discreet jungle entrance along Highway 307 at kilometer markers 265–266.

Pay a small access fee (around 60 pesos or US $3), follow a sandy path flanked by palms, and you’ll pop out onto a postcard-perfect shoreline.

🚗 How to Get There

Getting to Xpu Há is easier than it looks on Google Maps. Once you know the tricks, you’ll be toes-in-the-sand faster than you can say margarita.

• Rental car – From Cancún, it’s an easy 90-minute drive straight down Hwy 307. Secure parking by the beach for the whole day—worth it for the convenience of a trunk full of towels and snorkel gear.
• Colectivo van – For the budget-savvy (and adventurous), hop a southbound colectivo on Playa del Carmen’s Calle 2. Tell the driver “Xpu Há,” and you’ll be dropped on the highway verge. A five-minute jungle stroll brings the ocean into view.
• ADO bus – Long-haul ADO coaches running from Cancún to Tulum will stop at Xpu Há if you request it and slip the driver a small tip.
• Taxi – Great for small groups. From Playa or from Tulum—always lock in the fare before you set off.

Pro tip: services thin out after sunset, so arrange your return ride in advance if you’re lingering for evening cocktails.

🛏️ Where to Stay

Accommodation choices in Xpu Há are refreshingly low-key—think more boutique hideaway than mega-resort strip. Use our resort finder to get your perfect match!

Here’s a sampler platter.

• Hotel Esencia – Formerly a private estate, now a 45-room sanctuary of crisp white villas, groomed jungle gardens, and a spa that blends Mayan botanicals with high-end bliss. Ideal for honeymooners and anyone chasing “ultimate quiet.”
• Catalonia Royal Tulum – Adults-only, all-inclusive comfort without the chaos: swim-up bars, five à-la-carte restaurants, and nightly live music in a setting that still feels intimate.
• Serenity Eco Luxury Tented Camp – Glamping fans, rejoice. Canvas “tents” with air-con, hardwood floors, and private decks sit under palm canopies. Days start with birdsong and end with star-filled skies.

🌴 The Vibe: Chill First, Everything Else Later

Xpu Há rolls at hammock speed. You won’t hear thumping bass lines or see cruise-ship crowds.

Instead, you’ll spot fishermen pulling nets at sunrise, yogis saluting the sun on paddleboards, and beach dogs snoozing under palapas.

Wi-Fi exists but drops hints that your phone isn’t nearly as interesting as the horizon. Come for the calm; stay because you forgot what stress feels like.

🏄 Things to Do (Beyond Perfecting Your Nap)

Sure, napping is an art form here, but Xpu Há offers subtle adventures that fit its mellow spirit.

• Snorkel or stand-up paddle – Rent gear right on the sand. Morning visibility often hits 30 meters, revealing swaying sea fans and curious sergeant majors.
• Cenote hop – A five-minute taxi inland brings you to Cenote Azul and Cenote El Eden. Expect cavern-clear water, cliff jumps, and vines dangling like movie props.
• Beach-club grazing – Our favorite, La Playa Xpu Há, has shrimp ceviche, icy margaritas, and shaded daybeds you’ll never want to leave.
• Turtle spotting – Green turtles cruise close to shore from May to October. Keep respectful distance, skip the flashes, and count yourself lucky.

🤝 Why You’ll Love Xpu Há Over Busy Cancún

Xpu Há isn’t out to compete with Cancún’s nightlife or mega-shopping, but that’s precisely the draw. You get:

• Breathing room – Even in high season, your towel won’t bump elbows with anyone else’s.
• Nature’s playlist – Pelicans diving and waves rolling > DJ bass drops.
• Wallet-friendly treats – Palapa lunches start around US $8; day-bed packages cost half of Tulum’s.
• Easy detours – You can lounge all morning, explore cenotes by noon, pop into Playa for shopping, and still make that dinner reservation in Cancún.

Final Splash

Type “Xpu Há” into Google Maps, follow the little blue dot through whispering palms, and behold a slice of Riviera Maya that still feels like a secret handshake.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a paperback you’ve been meaning to read, pesos for a beach-club tab, and permission to do absolutely nothing.

We at The Cancún Sun will be back for round two soon—dive in before the rest of the world catches on.