On February 14th, better known as Valentine’s Day, couples will celebrate their love for one another. It also provides an opportunity for Cupid’s arrow to put together a magical relationship between two individuals. This romantic holiday is celebrated with a special dinner date, red roses, and let’s not forget the most precious gift of all, diamonds! This could include a surprise trip to an exotic destination with gorgeous beaches, beautiful scenery, and fantastic weather for the more adventurous couples.
Playa Xcalacoco is a beautiful beach on the northern tip of Playa del Carmen. This is where many locals and tourists enjoy hanging out. The beach is far away from the hustle and bustle of the town, yet close enough to access quickly. As a retiree in Playa del Carmen, emerging in the culture and mingling with the locals is a great way to really enjoy the city. Xcalacoco beach offers that and much more.
The beach is long and beautiful, with nice warm water for swimming and snorkeling. Although some hotels are lined along this beach, there is more than enough room for those who want to pack their coolers, bring their towel and just enjoy the sun. If you’re not so keen on being out under the soon for too long, there are certain places where for a modest 50 or 100-peso fee you can rent some shade, a chair or a beach bed.
Since the beach is not completely touristy, you should definitely pack a lunch and some beverages with you for the day. There are no restaurants or stores on the beach, and the closest Oxxo or convenience store is on the highway on the entrance towards the beach. You may want to stop there before you keep driving in to get anything you may want to enjoy at the beach.
For those who love swimming and snorkeling, there is a reef just a few meters in. The crystal-clear water allows for great visibility. So, make sure to look out for the many bright and colorful fish and crabs swimming around the corals.
How to Get to Playa Xcalacoco
This beach is located between two hotels (Azul Fives and La Reve). They’re both all-inclusive boutique resorts, which means tourists from those hotels rarely leave their designated areas, leaving plenty of space for everyone else.
To reach the beach from Playa del Carmen downtown, you will need to drive north on the Highway 307. Continue driving past the entrance to Grand Coral. At the traffic light where the Coca Cola factory is, turn right on the road. There is a sign that reads Lol-Tun. This is the road where you will find the last Oxxo before getting to the beach. So, make sure to factor it in as your last stop if you want to buy anything else.
You will drive on this road for a few minutes, reaching the Azul Fives resort. Just ahead is a small entrance, which is the public access to the beach. Keep your eyes open as there is no clear sign for this path. Try to get there as early as possible. After 10am, you will see many cars lined up parked outside and you will need to park far from the entrance. The street only allows for about 20 cars to be parked. If you reach the Le Reve Hotel, you have gone too far.
However, just ahead past Le Reve, there is a place where you can park for $50 pesos. You may also rent shade, bathroom, palapas, beach beds and chairs for another modest fee. You can even rent their BBQ grill for $100 pesos if you want to have some food there.
What to Do in Xcalacoco
There really isn’t much to do except enjoy the sun, the ocean and the calmness of being on a beautiful beach away from the tourist areas. We highly recommend sticking around for the sunset. It is extremely beautiful with its pastel colors making for stunning photographs.
All we can say is that you will not regret spending the day at Xcalacoco beach. It’s a great place to escape from the vibrant city energy and relax in a tranquil setting. This is essential for your health and well-being. And if you love it so much you want to spend every day there, we recommend investing in a property in El Cielo Residencial, which gives residents direct access to this gorgeous beach.
Beach #2 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Tulum North Beach
Meet our second favorite beach in the Riviera Maya, Tulum North. If you are familiar with the Tulum area, you know there is a lot to love: wavy turquoise beaches with powder white sand, a peaceful vibe and so many other things that lead you to relaxation.
But if you want to explore another side of Tulum, this beach will take your breath away. Nested along a natural preserve, Tulum north keeps the raw beauty of the coast with large coconut trees, sand banks and local plants giving it a more secluded and natural feeling. Another perk of this area is the amazing view, from the coast of the water you can clearly see the shore and the Tulum archeological site.
Tulum North Beach: Getting There
Getting to Tulum North is easy, there is a paved road that can take you to the entrance of this favorite beach.
If you are coming from Cancun, take the 307 federal highway in direction of Tulum. Once you get to the town, turn left at the first traffic light (the one across the San Francisco grocery store). Take that road towards the beach and when the road comes to the end turn left, there is going to be some hotels and restaurants but also some signs that say “Acceso Libre a la Playa”.
Tulum North Beach: Things To Do
Chilling and sunbathing seem to be the favorite activity for the visitors of Tulum North beach, however the wavy nature of the beaches makes them perfect for bodyboarding and board paddle as well as windsurfing or surfboarding.
There are also plenty of local fishermen offering fishing trips and tours around the coast if you want to do something different. Additionally, there are many reef areas that are great for snorkeling, make sure to bring your snorkel gear with you or ask around for a snorkel tour.
Tulum North Beach: Mingle With the locals
One of our favorite spots at Tulum North Beach is “Santa Fe”, a free access beach that has a small restaurant with delicious fresh food and amazing burgers and fries. There is also a camping area, bathrooms and showers available as well as rental of lounge chairs in front of the beach.
Finding your favorite beach in the Riviera Maya might be more difficult than finding the home of your dreams! If you are looking for a home in Mexico, contact our professional real estate agents or visit our website and browse thousands of beautiful properties in the best areas of Mexico.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Tulum North Beach. It is a nice beach to catch some sun and relax at. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check all of the other beaches on the list. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!
Beach #5 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Xcalacoco Beach
Cancun and the Riviera Maya are the most popular destinations in Mexico, with more than 2 million tourists every year. There are so many things to do in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean, from adventure to relaxation, tasty Mexican food, colorful fiestas and gorgeous beaches.
Even with the growing popularity of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, there are many secluded beaches waiting for adventurous souls to find them. If you want to escape the crowds and the noise of the popular beaches, traveling a little bit further will reward you with a paradisiac beach.
Xcalacoco Beach: General Information
If you want to enjoy this beautiful paradise, the access is free! So, bring your towel, sunscreen and favorite beverage. If you’d rather have a comfortable chair and cold drinks being served to you, there are also some beach clubs in the area.
The beaches have powdery white sand and beautiful turquoise to azure colored water, there are also some rocks that make the coast so much more interesting. If you are into relaxation, please try one of the message stands on the beach, it is an incredible experience.
Xcalacoco Beach: Getting There
Driving: From the Federal Highway look for the traffic light with the Coca Cola sign, and turn right (east) driving towards the beach or follow the signs for Petit Lafitte.
Keep in mind that there is not a parking lot, if you are going to the public beach in your car you might have to park on the road or pay one of the beach bars to park there. Some places will let you park for free if you eat there, always ask!
Xcalacoco Beach: Things To Do
Xcalacoco Beach has a rocky shore and is an ideal place to snorkel.
If you love water sports, you can go paddle boarding, kayaking or even sailboarding.
Having a massage on the beach is a heavenly experience
Just relax and enjoy the beautiful view.
Xcalacoco Beach: Recommendations
There are areas on the beach that have rocks, so bringing a pair of water shoes is a good idea.
There are no public restrooms in the area, plan accordingly.
You won’t find trash cans at Xcalacoco beach; bring your own bags to put trash in.
Do not forget to bring your biodegradable suntan lotion and insect repellent, harsh chemicals harm the coral reef and the local fauna.
Xcalacoco is one of our favorite beaches in the Riviera Maya, enjoy this beautiful place and let us know about your experience at Xcalacoco Beach. If you are interested in purchasing a beachfront property on Xcalacoco Beach there are several breathtaking options like The Fives a gorgeous condo-hotel.
We hope you enjoy Xcalacoco Beach. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday and watch all of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya Videos! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check out all the options. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!
Beach #11 on the Countdown to the Best Beach in the Riviera Maya: Puerto Morelos Beach
The Riviera Maya is a stretch of 80 miles of pristine beaches located just a few miles south of the hustle and bustle of Cancun. This area attracts around 10 million visitors each year and offers luxurious hotels and resorts, as well as a number of theme parks, clubs, shopping malls, and other attractions.
Puerto Morelos is located about 10 miles south of Cancun and about 20 miles north of the beautiful Playa del Carmen and it is one of the best kept secrets and one of the top 25 beaches in the Riviera Maya. Walking on its square and around the town will let you feel the vibe of this small fishing village.
Puerto Morelos: General Information
If you want to stay away from the Cancun crowds, do not forget to visit Puerto Morelos! You can not only enjoy the quiet atmosphere, but also visit the Mesoamerican Reef; which is located only a few meters from the beach.
The main roads have a wide offering on small restaurants, cafes and boutiques; no huge chains or massive hotels. The locals and hotels in the area want to keep it that way, by having strict building restrictions and working together to preserve the little town feeling.
Puerto Morelos: Getting There
By Car:
From Cancun: Get the 307 Federal highway southbound (towards Tulum) and stay on this road for about 10 miles. Once you get to Puerto Morelos you need to take the exit and turn left under the overpass.
By Bus:
You can take the bus straight from the Cancun International Airport; the cost is around $6 USD for a one way ticket. This bus does not go to the town center, but it does go to the highway turnoff into town just 2 kilometers away from the square. From there you can grab a 20 peso taxi or a collectivo to the downtown beach area.
Puerto Morelos: Things To Do
Snorkeling:
Enjoy the beautiful Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef in the world. There is plenty of local providers offering tours just off the main plaza, for only $25 USD your get the boat ride and all the needed equipment.
Diving:
Enjoy all sorts of diving adventures: there is the reef, caverns and cenotes in the area; ideal for every level and age. Dive Shops are available directly in Puerto Morelos.
Sport Fishing:
The waters off the Puerto Morelos coast have a wide variety of marine species: Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Barracuda, Grouper, Snapper, Snook, Pompano, and more…
Ruta de los Cenotes:
This is a wonderful way to visit many cenotes in a day for a reasonable price. Local run cenotes are open for visitors; enjoy the cool transparent water and the amazing caves, a life changing experience!
Alma Libre Bookstore:
Alma Libre is the Riviera Maya’s best English language new and used bookstore. In this book store you can find regional guide books and maps, as well as books about the indigenous culture, flora and fauna of the region.
Crococun:
This is ideal for families, a guided tour to learn more about crocodiles and other native species. Seeing the spider monkeys in the wild is amazing, the kids will love it!
We hope you enjoy your visit to Puerto Morelos and the beautiful beach. Keep up to date with the best beaches in paradise by following our Top 25 Beaches in the Riviera Maya countdown every Friday! If you are in search for the perfect beach to spend the day at, make sure you check out our options. We aim to provide you with the best information about living in the Riviera Maya!
Top Mexico Real Estate is a local American-Owned company that specializes in helping foreigners become homeowners in Mexico. If you are looking for a second home or to retire in paradise, please feel free to contact any of our Top Buyers’ Representatives! Browse our beautiful properties; we are sure you will find your dream home.
