When it comes to hot weather throughout the year and plenty of beautiful white sandy beaches, it's tough to beat Cancun, Mexico. The perfect holiday destination for couples and families alike, Cancun offers a world of choice when it comes to sandy bays, with everything from surfing hotspots which guarantee giant waves to long stretches of golden sand lined with bustling promenades.
Lively spots
Found in the centre of the resort, Forum Beach is popular with the locals who come here to soak up the sun on the sugar-like white sand which slopes into shallow blue waters. Lining the beach you'll find a long promenade full of hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants, so you'll never be stuck when lunch time rolls around. Beachside facilities are numerous and including sun lounger and parasol hire, bars and restaurants with waiter service, life guards, children's play area and showers. The beach bars play music in the late afternoon until the early morning, creating a lively party atmosphere.
Surrounded by a great choice of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, Playa Tortugas is a top pick amongst families and couples who want to be close to many amenities and services. This pale sandy beach meets deep water, suitable for confident adult swimmers, although there are some shallow child-friendly spots, too. As well as the numerous beach bars, you'll find a handful of other facilities to enjoy, such as sun beds, shades, water sports, lifeguards and showers.
Family friendly
Situated in the north of Cancun, Playa Langosta is where many locals choose to soak up the sun and it's also the dock for the Dolphin Discovery excursion and an Isla Mujeres ferry. Here you'll find soft, pale sand and very calm, shallow waters, creating the ideal conditions for the little ones to play and swim. There is a handful of amenities available, including seafood buffet restaurant, sun bed and shade hire, lifeguards and a wealth of water sports. On a weekend it's common venue for concerts and parties.
Punta Cancun in the north of Cancun, Mexico is the ideal place for families to spend the day under the sun. At this popular beach you'll find a wealth of facilities to enjoy, including sun shades and beds, lifeguards, bars, restaurants and plenty of water sports. The calm and shallow waters create the ideal conditions for swimming, whilst the wide sandy beach provides plenty of room for the little ones to play.
Families won't want to miss the chance to visit Playa Las Perlas. Packed with facilities and services, this beach offers sun bed and parasol hire, parking, volleyball court, picnic areas, bars, restaurants, lifeguards and water sports. Here children can safely enjoy the gentle, clear waters, which hardly ever feature waves, or have fun building sandcastles in the pale sand.
Water sports
One of the most popular beaches in Cancun, Playa Linda is a must-visit for water sport enthusiasts. At this white sandy beach you'll find a top selection of amenities and services, including sun beds and parasol hire, bars, restaurants, changing rooms and toilets. The list of water sports is extensive and includes jet skiing, kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving and boat hire.
Known for its beautiful views and fantastic sunbathing opportunities, Playa Marlin is also a top location for water sports. Like many of the beaches in the resort, Playa Marlin provides visitors with plenty of room in which to relax and medium-sized waves which are great for splashing about in. Although there are no facilities to speak of, Playa Marlin is one of the best places in Cancun, Mexico to try parasailing, sail boarding and body boarding.
Another wonderful choice for those who want to try their hand at water sports, Playa Caracol is generally very crowded, but a short walk to the west will bring you to a much quieter section of the beach. As well as the soft golden sand and calm, clean waters, this beach offers sun shade and bed hire, bars, restaurants, lifeguards and a wealth of aquatic activities to choose from.
Surf's up
Toward the east of Cancun, Mexico, you'll find a number of beaches with higher waves, creating the ideal conditions for surfing. Playa Delfines is one of these beaches and is popular with surfers and body boarders alike who take advantage of the breezy conditions. The rough currents make this beach unsuitable for general swimming and although there are very limited beachside facilities, there are some stone benches which are perfect for sunbathing on and people watching.
Popular amongst tourists and locals alike, Playa Gaviota Azul is regularly frequented by surfers and body boarders who make good use of the large waves. The strong undercurrents make this beach a dangerous place for swimming, but the soft white sands create the perfect conditions for sun worshippers. You'll find a number of facilities available here, including sun loungers, shades, lifeguards, sports activities, bars and restaurants.
Found in the heart of the hotel zone, Playa Chac Mool is split into two sections miles of soft sand in the south and interesting rocks and caves in the north. At this beach you'll find large, rough waves which create fantastic surfing conditions where you can enjoy hours of fun. There is also a handful of amenities for visitors to enjoy, such as sun shade and lounger hire, bars, restaurants, lifeguards and water sports.
Secluded
If you'd like to avoid the hustle and bustle of the tourist resorts, consider spending the day at Playa Punta Nizuc. One of the most secluded bays in the area, Playa Punta Nizuc is found on the southern tip of the resort, where waves are almost non-existent, making it a great place to take a dip. Thanks to the offshore reef full of diverse marine life and submerged sculptures, this beach is also a popular spot for diving and snorkelling, although because there are no services or facilities onsite, it's best to bring your own sun lounger, parasol, snacks and drinks.