United States · North America
Maui earns its "Valley Isle" nickname honestly — the island is a study in contrasts. Ka'anapali Beach is resort polish at its best: three miles of golden sand, cliff diving at Black Rock, and sea turtles cruising past snorkelers. Big Beach at Makena is the wild counterpart: powerful shore break, no buildings in sight, and a third of a mile of sand wide enough to absorb crowds. Then there's the Road to Hana, Haleakala at sunrise, and whale season from December through March when humpbacks fill the channels between islands.
From Haulover Beach in Miami to Black's Beach in San Diego, the US nude beaches where clothing-optional use is allowed or long tolerated in 2026, with legal status, access, fees and the spots where the rules are now enforced.
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Mexico's cheapest beach towns are Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Mazatlán, La Paz, Progreso and Bacalar at roughly US$40–70 a day. Cancún and Tulum cost double for the same sand.
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Mexico's best snorkeling and diving: Cozumel's Palancar and Santa Rosa walls, Cabo Pulmo in Baja, Akumal turtles, MUSA off Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos and the Tulum cenotes.
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Mexico's best beach stays for couples in 2026: Rosewood Mayakoba, La Casa Que Canta, Hotel Escondido, Casa Las Tortugas, Privilege Aluxes and Hotel El Ganzo. Four are adults-only.
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Mexico beach resorts in 2026: budget all-inclusives run USD 200-400 a night for two, luxury starts near USD 800, and Los Cabos averages USD 425-530 with almost no budget tier.
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Zicatela is expert-only; La Punta, Sayulita, Troncones and Los Cerritos are the beginner waves. Barra de la Cruz and Scorpion Bay reward the drive. Seasons decide everything.
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