Your help helps us to inform the story
From reproductive rights to local weather change to Huge Tech, The Unbiased is on the bottom when the story is creating. Whether or not it is investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our newest documentary, ‘The A Phrase’, which shines a lightweight on the American girls combating for reproductive rights, we all know how necessary it’s to parse out the info from the messaging.
At such a important second in US historical past, we want reporters on the bottom. Your donation permits us to maintain sending journalists to talk to either side of the story.
The Unbiased is trusted by People throughout all the political spectrum. And in contrast to many different high quality information retailers, we select to not lock People out of our reporting and evaluation with paywalls. We imagine high quality journalism needs to be accessible to everybody, paid for by those that can afford it.
Your help makes all of the distinction.
Learn extra
For a lot of, the picture of a Mexican seaside trip is of jam-packed strips of sand lined with faceless mega-resorts.
However savvy vacationers can swap sprawling lodge hubs for seaside cities that provide extra genuine and soulful experiences. One thing altogether prettier.
Stretches of coast akin to Puerto Escondido and La Paz shouldn’t be seen as detours, moderately as locations in their very own proper.
That will help you select which Mexican seaside city to discover, we’ve chosen eight which every have one thing distinctive to supply. There’s the castaway, car-free island on the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula the place you may snorkel with whale sharks; the city with 9 bays and 36 seashores; plus one which has even been formally declared by the Mexican authorities as one of many Pueblos Mágicos, which means it possesses “magical” qualities.
That is Mexico at its most enchanting.
1. Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
open picture in gallery
Puerto Escondido is a former sleepy coffee-shipping village that has remodeled right into a premier surf vacation spot, however resisted happening the mega-resort route: high-rise chains are strictly banned right here.
The result’s someplace best for adventurous sorts, but additionally nice for enjoyable.
It’s additionally the place you’ll discover one among Mexico’s prettiest seashores — Playa Carrizalillo, a superbly fashioned slice of creamy sand sloping into emerald-tinted waters you may attain by descending 167 stone steps.
Submit-sunset, make sure to take a ship tour to the Manialtepec Lagoon the place glowing plankton turns the water electric-blue.
Again on the town, deal with your self to advantageous Pacific seafood on the regionally famend Almoraduz restaurant, then hit the sandy streets of the La Punta neighborhood for drinks in thatched-roofed bars, or head to Cactus Seashore Membership to sip a beer to the soundtrack of rolling waves.
The place to remain
Lodge Santa Fe Puerto Escondido (rooms from $200) is a colonial-style beachfront retreat with three out of doors swimming pools and luxurious tropical gardens.
Ebook now
Learn extra: Eight of one of the best Caribbean islands in your winter solar increase
2. Sayulita, Nayarit
open picture in gallery
Colourful and carefree Sayulita, on the Pacific coast, is quiet sufficient to really feel refreshingly completely different to mega-resorts like Cancun or Cabo, however has sufficient infrastructure for a stress-free trip expertise. It’s quintessential laid-back Mexico, the place life unfolds gently and the environment is welcoming.
Other than absorbing the rays — Sayulita will get 320 to 345 days of sunshine a 12 months — the primary exercise is browsing on the gently rolling waves of Sayulita Seashore. There are dozens of surf colleges to select from.
One other “should” is climbing the brief jungle path to shop-free Playa Carricitos for a wild-feeling sundown.
For distinctive eats, there’s La Rustica, which focuses on wood-fired pizzas and seafood, whereas Escondido Bar is a seductive, stylish venue for a post-dinner cocktail.
The place to remain
Lodge Ysuri Sayulita (rooms from $220) has mesmerizing minimalist-boho interiors, an ocean-front pool and direct entry to Sayulita Seashore.
Ebook now
Learn extra: 10 of one of the best issues to do in Antigua, from jungle adventures to lovely seashores
3. San Pancho (San Francisco), Nayarit
open picture in gallery
Welcome to Sayulita’s much more laid-back neighbor, formally known as San Francisco, however identified nearly universally amongst locals and vacationers (and lots of motels) as San Pancho.
This soulful vacation spot is the place you may take in the solar with out the crowds by day, then watch it disappear in near-silence at night time.
The truth is, watching the solar dissolve into the horizon from the golden sweep of Playa San Pancho seaside is without doubt one of the marquee actions right here.
One other feel-good expertise is exploring the EntreAmigos Neighborhood Centre, a cross between a library, artwork house and fair-trade store that’s also known as “the guts of the city”.
Make time, too, for a guided estuary stroll to the close by La Patrona Polo & Equestrian Membership wetlands, which sit on the sting of a tropical forest. Look out for American crocodiles, iguanas and the occasional armadillo.
For meals, Barracuda San Pancho gives one of the best dinner on the town (suppose ceviche and grilled fish), whereas La Cervecería San Pancho is the place you’ll discover locals and long-stay vacationers sipping small-batch Mexican beers and mezcal cocktails.
The place to remain
Marii Lodge Boutique (rooms from $190) has lush gardens, a small pool and is simply 10 minutes away by foot from the seaside.
Ebook now
Learn extra: 8 of one of the best Caribbean cruises for a 2025 vacation
4. Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
.jpeg)
open picture in gallery
Isla Mujeres is the calm Caribbean counterpoint to continuously thrumming Cancun.
The island is only a 15-minute ferry trip away from town, however you’ll disembark right into a far-less hectic haven of world-class seashores and all-round good vibes.
One of many greatest attracts is the waters that encompass the five-mile-long strip of land. Don a snorkel masks to view a wealthy reef ecosystem that’s dwelling to fish together with sergeant majors, blue tangs and angelfish, in addition to a spellbindingly surreal underwater sculpture museum.
Different magnets for vacationers embody the beautiful Playa Norte seaside, with its velvety sand, and the island’s vibrant streets, retailers and eating places, which could be explored by golf cart, rented from one of many many rent retailers.
The place to remain
Ixchel Seashore Lodge (rooms from $150) has a chief place in entrance of the island’s signature Playa Norte seaside and boasts two out of doors swimming pools, plus rooms with air-conditioning and free wifi.
Ebook now
Learn extra: I visited Mexico’s most vibrant metropolis for a energetic, culture-filled getaway
5. Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo
open picture in gallery
The barefoot paradise of Isla Holbox stands in sharpest distinction to Mexico’s resort complexes.
This 26-mile-long, one-mile-wide castaway car-free island on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is the place you may go to unplug from civilization, with out being too distant from it.
Fill your days right here with watching the solar rise, flopping in a hammock, going for a swim, strolling the sandy streets, then watching the solar set from the huge west-facing seashores. Later, head to open-air bar Sizzling Nook for cocktails and reside music.
Create a window, too, for a whale shark boat tour when you go to between mid-Might and mid-September. The light giants collect within the plankton-rich waters offshore throughout this era, and vacationers are allowed to leap in and snorkel alongside them. It’s a (fastidiously regulated) expertise that may lengthy reside on in your reminiscence.
The place to remain
Boutique-style Casa Las Tortugas (rooms from $280) has direct entry to a postcard-perfect stretch of sand, and the all-important hammocks.
Ebook now
Learn extra: The six most inexpensive Caribbean vacation locations
6. Huatulco, Oaxaca
open picture in gallery
Put under-the-radar-gem Huatulco firmly in your radar, as a result of that is one among Mexico’s cleanest, most secure and calmest coastal locations.
The signature expertise right here is exploring its 9 protected Pacific Ocean bays (“Las Bahías de Huatulco”) and 36 seashores by boat. You’ll be capable to leap into Instagrammable waters inhabited by dolphins and sea turtles and admire the world’s cove-cut cliffs.
Additionally to not be missed is a guided nature stroll into the Huatulco Nationwide Park, a world of mangroves and tropical forests that’s dwelling to crocodiles, iguanas and armadillos, in addition to a spectacular array of birdlife.
Remedy starvation pangs with a visit to Terra-Cotta restaurant, which is understood for its coffee-rubbed meats and coconut shrimp.
For a nightcap, head to La Crema Bar, which is adorned with colourful murals and serves tequila cocktails to prospects perched on stiletto-shaped stools.
The place to remain
Goals Huatulco Resort & Spa (rooms from $325) is family-friendly with a kids-only pool and spacious suites.
Ebook now
Learn extra: 12 finest all-inclusive motels in Mexico, from adults-only hideaways to family-friendly favourites
7. La Paz, Baja California Sur
open picture in gallery
At La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez, the seashores set the rhythm of life.
The standout is Balandra, which has blinding white sand and clear water that’s knee-to-waist-high as much as 500 toes out from the shore at low tide. The ecosystem is fragile right here, so customer numbers are capped and also you’ll must guide a slot.
For a memorable meal, guide a desk at local-favorite Nim, the place tuna tiradito and grilled octopus are among the many home specialities.
Then get your nightcap repair at La Depressing (don’t be delay by the identify), which serves artisanal cocktails in a country lantern-festooned courtyard.
The place to remain
Lodge Catedral La Paz (rooms from $145) is situated within the historic heart and boasts a rooftop pool and sensible, minimalist rooms.
Ebook now
Learn extra: The most effective Mexico vacation locations – and when to journey to every one
8. Loreto, Baja California Sur
open picture in gallery
Loreto will maintain you below a spell. And that’s official — the federal government of Mexico has designated it one of many Pueblos Mágicos, which means it possesses “magical” qualities.
The place does the enchantment lie? Definitely on the Loreto Bay Nationwide Marine Park, which you’ll discover through a ship tour.
This Unesco-listed marine sanctuary is made up of 5 uninhabited islands in nutrient-rich waters the place dolphins, sea lions and even blue whales and humpbacks could be noticed.
Again on dry land, the Seventeenth-century Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto, the primary mission in all of Baja California, bewitches with its stone façade and interesting museum subsequent door.
The enchiladas and home made soups at restaurant Mi Loreto can be one other memorable a part of your journey.
The place to remain
Lodge La Misión Loreto (rooms from $170), original in a beguiling European-Mexican hacienda model, sits proper on the seafront promenade, with Sea of Cortez views on supply from the showstopping out of doors pool.
Ebook now
Learn extra: The most effective motels in Cancun, from household getaways to wellness escapes
