12 Best Beaches in Mexico to Escape the Cold This Winter

When the chill of winter hits, with early mornings spent scraping an icy windshield or digging out of your driveway, it’s time for an escape to a warm weather destination. Even better? A place with warm turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. 

I’m grateful to be a resident of La Paz in Baja California Sur. Not only do I have access to many idyllic beaches in this area, but some of the best across the country are within relatively easy reach, and the airfare is affordable. 

The best beaches in Mexico (playas in Spanish) for winter travel are further south along the Pacific coast from the states of Baja California Sur to Oaxaca, and along the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula. While there are plenty of picturesque stretches in the state of Baja California, north of Baja California Sur, temperatures are on the cool side in the winter and not ideal for swimming. 

My favorites all ensure a spectacular escape when you’re craving fun and relaxation under the winter sun in Mexico.

Playa Balandra is only about a 25-minute drive from central La Paz, and it’s often been ranked among or at the top of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches. It surrounds a stunning bay with translucent turquoise water that looks like a big natural swimming pool. As it’s shallow, you can even walk for a long distance across the sandy bottom if you don’t want to swim, although a dip here is truly unforgettable. You might walk or swim out to the famous “mushroom” rock, an iconic formation sculpted by the wind and the waves. Or, rent a kayak and paddle across. 

The only downside to Balandra is that it’s no longer a well-kept secret. The number of visitors is limited to 450 to help protect the fragile ecosystem, open with specific time windows, typically from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to spend an entire day at the beach, you might enjoy the morning here and then head to Playa Tecolote, just a five-minute drive away. It offers long, white sands, and swimmable water most days, along with multiple beach bars and restaurants. 

About an hour from La Paz, not far from the small town of La Ventana, remote Playa Punta Arena is one of the locals’ best-kept secrets. You’ll have to travel a bumpy, unpaved road to reach it, but there’s no need for a four-wheel drive. Your reward is a long strip of fine powdery white sands with a lighthouse at the tip, and total tranquility. Rarely are more than a handful of people here, and it’s also a great place to snorkel among all sorts of colorful fish. Those who stick around until dusk might catch an incredible sight, with mobula rays leaping from the water as high as six feet. You won’t find facilities of any kind here, so bring all your supplies, including plenty of water and an umbrella for shade. 

Playa La Pastora is located just a few miles outside the charming town of Todos Santos, with its cobbled streets and town square hosting well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. It offers a long stretch of golden sands that are almost always empty or nearly so, other than when a group gathers to watch or take part in the baby sea turtle releases between December and April. The waves of the Pacific are too powerful for swimming here, but they are popular among experienced surfers. The best thing to do here is to soak up the sun while relaxing and enjoy long, peaceful strolls. Winter is truly the best time to come, with gray whales often seen just offshore while humpbacks breach in the distance. 

You won’t find much in the way of facilities, but the Green Room is an excellent restaurant/bar at the north end right on the beach, providing a great place to sip a cocktail while the sun goes down. 

Located about an hour’s drive north of Cabo and 20 minutes south of Todos Santos, Playa Los Cerritos is one of the most popular beaches on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula, as it offers areas with gentle waves for swimming, and lifeguards are on duty between December and April. The sand is soft and spans nearly three miles, perfect for beachcombing, sandcastle building, and sunbathing.

There are also sections along the beach with waves good for beginning surfers and stretches at the western end by the cliffs, ideal for more advanced surfers. Lessons are available through the local surf schools if you want to learn to get up on a board and ride. Plus, you can rent surfboards or stand-up paddleboards here too. Right on the beach, Surfpoint Village hosts a farmers’ market selling a variety of local products from coffee and food to souvenirs.

One of the symbols of Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula is the famous Arch, which is located near Playa del Amor, or Lovers Beach. The boat ride to get there is an attraction in itself that includes an up-close view of the fascinating rock formations where sea lions often like to lounge. The beach itself borders the Pacific on one side and the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez on the other, where you can swim and snorkel among diverse marine life, in between spending time on the secluded sands. 

Playa Los Muertos is the most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta, located in the romantic historic center with its cobbled streets that feel like a walk back in time. Offering a central location and a wide stretch of palm-lined sands, it’s a vibrant hub of activity. There are beachside bars and restaurants along with beach clubs where you can sunbathe and enjoy food and drink service. Facilities for renting kayaks and paddleboards are available, while tour operators offer activities like jet skiing and parasailing, a big thrill with a bird’s-eye view of Banderas Bay.

If you’re looking for something more secluded and tranquil in Puerto Vallarta, consider hopping on the water taxi from the main pier to Las Animas Beach, where you can easily reach Playa Caballo with a short walk to the east. Its golden sands are surrounded by lush greenery while providing the perfect place to just breathe in the salty sea air, listen to the sounds of the waves, and gaze out at the calm, turquoise water. It’s the perfect place to swim, and you’ll find some facilities here as well, including venues for renting loungers and umbrellas. Bring a picnic or take advantage of the eateries that are within a reasonable stroll. 

In the state of Oaxaca, the port town of Puerto Escondido lies along the southern Pacific coast, renowned for its beaches and its buzzing nightlife. Tucked into a protected cove with soft sands, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs, Playa Carrizalillo can be reached by descending 157 steps on a steep staircase. The gentle waves make it a good beach for swimming or for learning to surf, with board rentals and lessons available right on-site. There are also loungers for rent, but you can always bring a beach towel or blanket and relax for free. Several thatched-roofed eateries offer cold drinks and a variety of delicious eats, including seafood platters and Mexican antojitos (finger foods).

Located about two hours further south from Puerto Escondido along the Pacific coast in Huatulco, Playa Tejon offers a small, peaceful beach surrounded by spectacular scenery. It has a remote feel, yet it’s not hard to reach, requiring only a short but steep trek down a trail. This is one of the best beaches in the area for swimming and snorkeling with a vibrant coral reef, minus the big crowds. 

Visitors can also watch for coatis, which is what the beach was named for, with tejon translating to coati. A member of the raccoon family, they’re frequently seen in the trees where they feast on the fruit. In fact, there’s a big tree right in the middle of the beach when you’re in need of a bit of shade. 

About midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, most visitors simply pass Puerto Morelos by, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed beach getaway without 24/7 nightlife or loud crowds, it’s a great pick. The main beach is simply called Playa de Puerto Morelos, providing a central location for soaking up the sun, swimming, and snorkeling with close proximity to the Great Mesoamerican Reef. The water is calm and shallow, protected by the world’s second-largest barrier reef, inhabited by an array of marine life, including colorful fish, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, and sea turtles. Boat tours are available if you want to head to deeper waters as well. 

Playa Norte in the fishing village of Celestún is just an hour’s drive from Merida, a colonial city often referred to as the “White City” with its historic charm and white limestone buildings. The beach offers unspoiled soft, white sands and clear cobalt waters along the Gulf of Mexico coast, set within the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity, particularly a large population of flamingos. From the Celestún pier, boat tours can bring you through the mangroves to observe the birds. 

Another Playa Norte can be found curving around the northern edge of Isla Mujeres, a short boat ride from Cancun, followed by a 5- to 10-minute walk. It’s often named among Mexico’s most beautiful, boasting chalk-white sands made up of crushed coral and edged by calm, shallow turquoise water for swimming. The water is only chest deep, even if you head far from the shore. In between dips, you might rent a lounger and umbrella or bring a beach towel to toss beneath a palm tree and relax while enjoying the scene. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, along with vendors selling delicious coconut ice cream.