Among the most attractive places in Cancun, the famous Hotel Zone is number 1 and is located on Boulevard Kukulkan, with an extension of 26 km that throughout its journey offers incredible views of its beautiful white sand beaches and the Nichupte Lagoon.
As soon as you discover it, you will notice the beauty of a perfect place to walk and enjoy till dawn; there you will find a wide variety of hotels, beaches, shopping malls, a nightclub area, an archaeological zone, ferry stations, aquatic entertainment centers, shops, craft market, among many other options of tourist interest.
Before continuing, remember to visit the beaches taking all preventive measures against the pandemic, and be careful not to leave garbage when it is time to leave.
After this short introduction, let’s go to the topic that interests us… Here we present the best public beaches in Cancun:
1. Playa Langosta (Lobster Beach)
It is the second public beach in Cancun closest to the downtown, located at km 5 of the Hotel Zone; right next to the square where the Mexican Flag Pole is located.
It has a wide white sand beach and the waves of the sea are very calm and very shallow, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy with children; Added to this, it has 2 play areas, one with inflatables in the sea (for a fee) and another at the entrance (free), ideal for enjoying pleasant moments with the family.
In addition, you will find a small pier from where ferries leave for Isla Mujeres and a photo booth for a beautiful souvenir postcard.
Other services available are a parking area with surveillance, rental of lounge chairs and umbrellas, toilets, etc.
2. Playa Caracol (Snail Beach)
One of the most beautiful public beaches in Cancun is undoubtedly Playa Caracol, located at km 8.5, with an entrance in front of Plaza Caracol, where the Xcaret offices are located.
The sea there is very calm, with sandbanks that regulate a very shallow depth for several meters from the shore towards the interior of the sea; from the entrance to the beach, you can walk to one side or the other and locate yourself according to your liking, the more you walk, the fewer people and the more tranquility.
You will find rental services for beds and umbrellas, restrooms, and a restaurant; in addition, it is very close to a renowned supermarket, cafeteria, food places, convenience stores, handicraft stores, private parking lots, etc.
3. Punta Cancun Beach
Are you one of those looking for impressive places for a photo? If the answer is yes, you have to visit this beach.
The reality is that it is small and it is an area where there are stones, besides that it has somewhat complicated access since you will have to walk from the neighboring beaches, Playa Caracol on one side or from Playa Forum on the other side, then you will have to ask for permission at the hotel Hyatt Ziva since you have to cross part of their property; but everything is worth it.
There you will discover El Faro, a breakwater and a beautiful pier, 3 emblems that complement each other to make your stay unforgettable.
The water is calm and there are shallow areas and others not so deep, but you should be careful with the stones.
As soon as you leave the beach there is a commercial area where you will find restaurants, bars, a nightclub area, a supermarket, shops, tour operators, and much more.
4. Forum Beach or Gaviota Azul
An option for those looking for a beach with more movement; is located at km 9.5 of the Hotel Zone, you can find it passing a small road that is between the Mandala nightclub and Plaza Forum, right in the nightclub area of Cancun.
It is a beach that summons a greater number of people compared with the previous ones, in times before the pandemic, it was the epicenter for parties on the beach.
In this place, the sea is much stronger, with intense waves that make it an attraction for those who enjoy surfing.
Like the rest of the beaches in Cancun, it has services such as lifeguards, lounge chairs, and umbrellas, a few steps away from a department store and a shopping plaza, right in front of the Coral Negro handicrafts market and with easy access to local food around.
5. Chac Mool Beach
This beautiful beach is located at km 10 of the hotel zone; it is a nice place to spend an amazing day.
The beach is wide and although the sea in the area is very rough, there is a sector with a sandbank that allows you to enjoy the tranquility of the water at a very shallow depth.
If you arrive early, you can occupy some of the palapas available for free and you also have options to rent lounge chairs and umbrellas; it also has lifeguards, public bathrooms, showers, and some parking spaces if you go by car.
On the other hand, it is good to know that very close to the beach you will find a restaurant, bar, pharmacy, convenience store, and surfboard rental service, all the options you may need.
6. Marlin Beach
Visiting this beach is a unique experience, in it, you will discover the beautiful turquoise color of the sea of Cancun; it is located at km 13 of the hotel zone and has access on the side street to Plaza Kukulkan.
The beauty of this beach is that it has wide spaces to relax, you can rent an umbrella and lounge chair or simply put your towel on the sand and sunbathe.
Also, it has public bathrooms, showers, a volleyball court, and spaces to rest; if you go by car, you will have the option of parking at the access area (with few spaces) or in the surrounding streets.
On the other hand, the advantage of this beach is that it is very close to two shopping malls, Plaza Kukulkan, and Plaza La Isla, with many alternatives to discover and enjoy. In addition, you will find convenience stores, restaurants, pharmacies, etc., within walking distance, options that will be useful for those who want to spend the whole day there.
7. Playa Delfines (Dolphins Beach)
If you visit this beautiful Caribbean destination, one of the most famous public beaches in Cancun is Playa Delfines, one of the most representative postcards of the beauty of Cancun and its beaches.
It is an extensive beach and has a large number of palapas that can be used for free to enjoy your day at the beach.
Regarding the sea, you have to know that it is an open sea, which implies more intense waves and requires greater precautions to enjoy a dip. It is not the best option if you go with children.
Added to this, it has a viewpoint from where you will have a privileged view of the sea and a photographic stop.
Another detail of this beach is that it is somewhat remote, there are no shops in the area, so you should bring what you need; however, the peace of the place is unique and you will also be close to the Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito, a nice experience if you like to walk.