Matchmaker

Mexico’s Best Beach Resorts

With sun-soaked days blending into starry nights, world-class cuisine, ruins and rainforests (and tequila, of course)—Mexico is one of our favorite ultimate relaxation destinations with no shortage of resort options. From beloved beach towns to far-flung properties worth traveling to, we’re here to help you choose the best Mexican beach resort for your next south-of-the-border vacation. Whether it’s a multi-gen family getaway, romantic escape or some much needed “me time”—there is a perfect property for every occasion.

Contact Indagare to plan a beach-resort getaway. Our trip designers can match you with the right hotel, plan great meals and special activities like private dinners and boat charters.

Hipster Hideaway: Tulum

Situated between Mexico’s luxe Mayan Riviera and the expansive Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Tulum has long been a favorite of eco-conscious travelers in search of life’s simple pleasures: a great climate, a perfect beach, simply prepared seafood and a strong margarita.

  • What Makes It Unique: Beautiful, swimmable beaches and a dynamic food scene.
  • Where to Stay: La Zebra, Be TulumSanará
  • Top Activities: Visiting Mayan ruins and cenotes (underground lagoons/rivers), snorkeling, kite-surfing, swimming with whale sharks, yoga.
  • Keep in Mind: Ongoing land disputes in Tulum have resulted in the recent evictions of several hotels and businesses.
  • Getting There: Fly into Cancun Airport, a 90-minute drive from most of the properties.

Mexican Country Club: Punta Mita

Known for its surf breaks and golf links, Punta Mita is an upscale resort complex that appeals to beach lovers with family-friendly hotels, an Aman-influenced hideaway and sprawling villas.

  • What Makes It Unique: Incredible surfing and rental villas that provide guests with privacy as well as all the amenities of a big hotel.
  • Where to Stay: Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Imanta Resort, St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
  • Top Activities: Surfing, visiting Sayulita, exploring and zip-lining in the jungle, golf, tennis.
  • Keep in Mind: With the exception of excursions to the nearby beach chic town of Sayulita, visitors to Punta Mita will spend the majority of their time at their hotel.
  • Getting There: Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport, a 45-minute drive away.
Related: Punta Mita, Mexico: Six To Know

Posh Family-Friendly Retreat: Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya, a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beaches and turquoise Caribbean water offering exhilarating eco-adventures and Mayan ruins, extends from just south of Cancun to the eco-chic beach town of Tulum.

  • What Makes It Unique: Calm seas, beautiful beaches and abundant cultural activities.
  • Where to Stay: Chablé Maroma, Rosewood Mayakoba, Hotel Esencia, Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa
  • Top Activities: Scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports, plus visiting Mayan ruins, cenotes and aquatic theme parks.
  • Keep in Mind: With few towns to explore, visitors either stay put at their hotel or engage in excursions.
  • Getting There: Fly into Cancun Airport, 45 minutes from town.
Related: Member Postcard: Honeymoon at Esencia

Luxurious Classic: Los Cabos

Mexico’s stunning Baja Peninsula, once prized for its fishing by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, now draws Hollywood A-listers with its extraordinary resorts and relaxed atmosphere, which encourages lounging and pampering.

The Showstopper: Cuixmala

The late billionaire Sir James Goldsmith fashioned his own private reserve—complete with zebras imported from Africa—on a 25,000-acre parcel of pristine Pacific Coast (just south of Costa Careyes). Originally intended for his family’s exclusive use, the lavish Cuixmala is now a resort, with distinctive rooms and rental villas.

  • What Makes It Unique: The sophisticated clientele (the owners often entertain their famous friends here), wildlife reserve and extravagant but chic décor.
  • Top Activities: Horseback riding, lagoon tours, surfing, mountain biking, bird watching, participating in the turtle protection program, tennis, volleyball, yoga, picnics and visiting Cuixmala’s sister property, Hacienda de San Antonio, a stunning countryside hotel and working farm.
  • Keep in Mind: The ocean is incredibly rough, and you cannot swim at the main beach. Cuixmala has three swimmable beaches off the main property, the nearest of which is half an hour away.
  • Getting There: Fly into Manzanillo Airport, a 90-minute drive.
Related: The 17 Most Luxurious Hotel Suites in the World

Eco-Escape: Casa Chablé

Located two hours south of Tulum in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, Casa Chablé is an intimate hideaway, ideal for those seeking elevated wellness offerings and interaction with nature in a barefoot-luxury setting.

  • What Makes It Unique: The intimate property has just 10 rooms and bungalows, and is far-removed from the buzzy Tulum atmosphere. Its size makes it great for group takeovers, with a prime location for nature-lovers.
  • Top Activities: Beach safari excursions (including ample opportunities to see dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays), bird-watching, mezcal tasting, kayaking, meditation and yoga, stargazing and cooking classes.
  • Keep in Mind: While there is a small gym, the intimate size of the property isn’t suited for those requiring a full amenity list and greater levels of privacy.
  • Getting There: After a two and a half hour drive from the Cancún Airport to Tulum, choose a private journey of either a 35-minute boat ride or a 90-minute drive.

Rainforest Retreat: One&Only Mandarina

On a hilly swath of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, the sleek One&Only Mandarina is part rainforest nature preserve, part sand-and-sea getaway and part playground for the active traveler seeking options.

  • What Makes It Unique: Because of the resort’s sprawling layout within the jungle and the fact that every suite and treehouse comes with its own plunge pool), it feels blissfully crowd-free (read: no fighting over pool loungers) even when operating at full capacity (which it usually is).
  • Top Activities: Swimming at the two beach clubs or five pools, horseback riding at the world-class equestrian center, full-service spa, hiking, zip-lining, surfing, SUP-boarding and complementary fitness and wellness classes.
  • Keep in Mind: Guests get around the property by golf cart, requested by texting their dedicated butlers over WhatsApp. We recommend booking the pick-up times in advance to avoid too much wait around peak-times (i.e. breakfast). Walking everywhere is technically possible, but the resort is large and has steep hills.
  • Getting There: Fly into Puerto Vallarta Airport, the hotel’s transfer is about one-hour drive to the resort.
Related: Spotlight: One&Only Mandarina Grand VillasContact Indagare to plan a trip to a Mexican beach resort. Our trip designers can match you with the right hotel, plan great meals and special activities like private dinners and boat charters.

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We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities.

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