Mexico · North America
Puerto Vallarta is what Cancun might be if it cared more about cobblestone streets and less about bottle service. The Malecon boardwalk stretches along the Pacific, lined with bronze sculptures and street performers, ending at Los Muertos Beach where the pier's sail-shaped arches have become an Instagram landmark. The old town — the Zona Romantica — has the best restaurants, with ceviche and whole grilled fish at beachside palapas for under $10. Take a water taxi south to the hidden beaches of Las Animas or Yelapa, accessible only by boat. The Sierra Madre jungle starts right at the city's edge, and the zip-line and ATV tours actually deliver on the adventure promise. Whale watching season runs December through March, and the humpbacks come close enough to shore that you can sometimes see them from your dinner table.
Puerto Vallarta wraps around Banderas Bay where jungle mountains crash into the Pacific. Boat-access beaches, humpback whale watching from December through March, and street tacos at $2 make this one of Mexico's most rewarding coastal cities.
Read more about this
Sayulita is a colorful surf village on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit with a beginner-friendly point break, $2 fish tacos, and a bohemian energy that hasn't been polished away by development. Forty-five minutes from Puerto Vallarta, it runs on its own clock.
Read more about this
The best beaches in Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico's Pacific coast, from Sayulita's beginner surf break to remote Patzcuarito, the Marietas Islands' Hidden Beach, and Lo de Marcos' turtle releases. Includes costs, water quality notes, and seasonal travel advice.
Read more about this
Mexico has one legal nude beach (Zipolite in Oaxaca) and a handful of clothing-optional resorts along the Riviera Maya. Here is what each option delivers, what the legal grey areas look like, and how to plan your trip.
Read more about this
An honest breakdown of Mexico's best all-inclusive beach resorts, covering Excellence Playa Mujeres, Hyatt Ziva, Hotel Xcaret, Secrets Maroma, Grand Velas, Le Blanc, Iberostar, and Dreams Riviera Cancun with real pricing, food quality, and who each resort suits best.
Read more about this
From the surf breaks of Puerto Escondido to the car-free island of Holbox, these Mexican beach towns deliver better food, lower prices, and more character than the Cancun hotel zone — with details on how to reach each one.
Read more about this