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Does Cancun or Riviera Maya have better beaches?

While the entire area has great beaches, there is definitely a difference in the types of beaches contained in each area. The ocean water in Cancun tends to have more waves and surf rolling in, while the waters in the Riviera Maya are often calmer thanks to the natural barrier reef that protects this area.



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Maroma Beach So it deserves to be on our 21 best beaches in the Riviera Maya. Maroma beach is two miles long and has gentle water, powder-soft sand, and a tropical backdrop. Located on 500 acres of beach and rain forest, it is a fabulous setting for swimming in an exclusive getaway.

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East Coast: Mexico's east coast, particularly the Caribbean Sea's turquoise waters in spots like Tulum, are the stuff beach vacation dreams are made of. The east coast also has a reputation for soft white sand and warm, calm waters.

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The Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's most popular tourist regions and for good reason: it offers a wide variety of options for those seeking sun, sea, and relaxation. With its stunning beaches of crystal-clear waters and white sands, the region is a true tropical paradise.

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Oftentimes, people use Cancun and the Riviera Maya interchangeably; however, they are two different locations. Cancun is a city with a lot of residents while the Riviera Maya is a region south of Cancun with many smaller resort towns such as Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos all located along the water.

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Isla Contoy has some of the best calm beaches in Mexico, and the prettiest water in Mexico! You'll find some of the best beaches near Cancun at Isla Contoy National Park.

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Best Beaches in Mexico
  • Sayulita.
  • Tulum.
  • Cancun.
  • Puerto Vallarta.
  • Puerto Escondido.
  • Playa del Carmen.
  • Manzanillo.
  • Punta Mita.


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Best Beaches in Mexico
  • Isla Holbox.
  • Zihuatanejo.
  • Isla Mujeres.
  • Cozumel.
  • La Paz.
  • Sayulita.
  • Tulum.
  • Cancun.


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Puerto Vallarta — Safest Mexico Beach City Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the safest resort towns in Mexico. While it has these amazing Puerto Vallarta all inclusive resorts, you can of course stay-off resort and best just as safe.

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Sargassum In The Riviera Maya This Year Expected To Nearly Double Compared To 2022 Levels. Sargassum levels in the Riviera Maya are expected to nearly double compared to levels seen last year.

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Without a doubt, Mexico's Riviera Maya is one of the top beach destinations in the world. Its unique mix of white sand beaches and warm, turquoise blue waters, put this easternmost part of the Yucatan peninsula in the international spotlight and made it a favorite of travelers from all over the world.

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Overview on Sargassum in Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Tulum Historically, the seaweed typically starts at the beginning of spring due to a rise in sea temperature, which accelerates the reproduction of the seaweed. As the days get warmer, the presence of sargassum is expected to increase.

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Marama Beach has the clearest water in Mexico - Picture of El Dorado Maroma, Playa Maroma
  • El Dorado Maroma.
  • Playa Maroma Hotels.
  • Playa Maroma.
  • Playa del Carmen.
  • Riviera Maya.
  • Quintana Roo.
  • Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico.


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Cancun is considered to be the heart of the Mexican Caribbean and year on year thousands of visitors who come to the Yucatan Peninsula end up right here! The gorgeous beaches, great weather, and amazingly clear and clean waters are huge pulls for many tourists, but Cancun has much more to offer than just this.

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Located on the Mexican Caribbean coastline, it's no doubt Cancun's beaches have some of the most transparent waters in the world. Famed for its turquoise color and crystal clear waters, it makes it the ultimate destination for water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming.

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Its pristine, white beaches, beautiful cenotes, archaeological sites, divers cuisine, restaurants, hotels, condos and resorts. Here are 10 reasons to visit the Riviera Maya, in the south of Cancun, from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen, Sian Ka'an in the south of Tulum.

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Seaweed season is generally between May and October. Based on the large size of the sargassum mat currently in the Atlantic, experts forecast that Tulum could have a major seaweed problem in 2023, depending on ocean and wind currents.

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Check out the hip epicenter of nightlife Calle 12, Playa del Carmen is a street lined with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and entertainment that is one of the major hubs of local Riviera Maya nightlife.

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Virtually all areas of the Riviera Maya are good for tourists to walk around, aside from two places (you can still go, just exercise increased caution). One is the Cancún downtown, and the other is anything further in-land from Avenida 45 Norte in Playa del Carmen (past the motorway bridge).

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