The North has gentler waves, softer sand, excellent nightlife, and easy access to the local flavor of El Centro. The South is the quietest stretch with less crowded beaches and close proximity to the Maya ruins of El Rey.
Playa DelfinesCancun's largest and most popular beach is also one of its most beautiful. Ivory sands meet electric turquoise waters at Playa Delfines, also known as Dolphin Beach.
Like many other travelers, you've probably already heard about the seaweed or sargassum problem along the Quintana Roo coastline. Get to know more about Playa Mujeres: A Sargassum-Free Haven in Cancun, and prepare to enjoy a spectacular Caribbean getaway!
To fully enjoy the beach at your 5-star all-inclusive resort in Cancun, you need sunny days and no seaweed. The best months are from January to March. The ocean temperature is a little cooler than during the summer months (average temperature 26°C – 79°F), but it remains nice for swimming.
Cancun offers a more developed, resort-style vacation with plenty of activities and nightlife, while Playa del Carmen is a smaller beach town with a more relaxed atmosphere. I've always loved the laid-back vibe of Playa del Carmen, and I prefer the beach clubs to the all-inclusive resorts in Cancun.
Playa Las Perlas, or Las Perlas Beach, is the closest public beach to downtown and offers shallow waters, water sports, and beautiful sand and water. The beach is a designated Blue Flag area, which means it has to follow strict standards for water quality, environmental care, and safety.
Arguably the most popular tourist spot, Cancun's Hotel Zone (also known as Zona Hotelera) is a long, narrow island with a vast lagoon, Laguna Nichupté, made up of seven lakes. This area has a great variety of activities and a pulsating nightlife.
Stick to downtown Cancun and the Hotel Beach ZoneThe latter has a 13-mile arc of beautiful white-sand beaches lined with resorts and hotels, and considered the safest part of Cancun.
Playa del Carmen started out as a Fisherman's village, as many as 110 years ago. The white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and laid-back feel have made it a popular destination for tourists.
Waves will not get to big, this is a not a surfers paradise so swimming can be done every day! Playa del Carmen and the bays are protected by natural reef systems or in the case of Playa, the island of Cozumel so high waves just don't happen very often.
They both offer beautiful beaches, breathtaking coastlines, and comforting weather. Their main differences rest in the type of experience you are looking for. Cancun tends to be more upbeat and caters more to the tourist crowd.Tulum is more relaxing and gives you a greater authentic local experience.
Cancún's busiest period extends from winter to spring break (from December to as late as mid-April), which makes summer and autumn the least crowded times to visit. A higher chance of rain from June through November, largely due to hurricane season, tends to deter the crowds during those months.
Low season in CancunThe low season is from June to October, with September and October being the least crowded. Tourists won't surround you, and you'll get the best prices.
Seaweed season in Cancun is May to October so if you are visiting during those months in 2023 you could encounter sargassum seaweed on the beaches and/or in the water.
Playa Porto Mari on Curacao, Dutch CaribbeanOne of the most beautiful beaches in Curacao also happens to be one of the best Caribbean beaches without sargassum. Located on the west coast of the island of Curacao, Playa Porto Mari is a private beach which means there is an entrance fee.