The beaches in Tulum are considered among the most beautiful in Mexico and the whole world. The coastline that covers this destination has over 6 miles of sublime white sand bathed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea that has a pleasantly warm temperature all year round.

At one end of the coast are the spectacular ruins of Tulum, and at the other, the immense Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. In between are different beaches, some public, and others part of boutique hotels and beach clubs. It is an ideal place to disconnect, have a delightful time in the water and enjoy the views.

Here is a list of the best beaches in Tulum that you should not miss.

Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach)

As its name says, this beach is a paradise located 0.6 miles from the archaeological site of Tulum and is probably the best public beach in the destination. Playa Paraíso is a classic Caribbean beach, with soft sand, calm waters and imposing palm trees. Here you will find the famous “leaning palm” that is the protagonist of many photos of Tulum. On this beach, you will find several restaurants, beach clubs and tours for snorkeling and exploring the second largest coral reef in the world.

Playa de las Ruinas (Tulum Ruins Beach)

This is a small beach, but its great charm is that it is located within the archaeological site of Tulum, the most visited pre-Hispanic city in Mexico after Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán. It is not very common to see a pyramid standing next to a beautiful turquoise sea, so the pictures you can take from here are spectacular.

By visiting this beach, you can learn a little more about the impressive Mayan culture and then cool off in the warm Caribbean Sea. By the way, on your visit to Playa de las Ruinas, you will encounter a lot of “toloks”, the Mayan iguanas that inhabit this area. Remember to respect them, but don’t leave without taking a picture of them.

Playa las Palmas (Palms Beach)

This beautiful beach is close to Playa Paraiso, among the dense tropical jungle. The wind is stronger here, so it is very popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Playa las Palmas is easily accessible from downtown Tulum, and here you will find different restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite.

Playa Secreta (Secret Beach)

We could not leave out the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which has beautiful beaches. Playa Secreta is one of them; it will take you longer to get there, but it is well worth the trip.

Sian Ka’an is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and has impressive natural wealth. Here you can visit lagoons, coral reefs and mangroves where a great diversity of fascinating fauna lives. It is not for nothing that this reserve is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Sian Ka’an means in Mayan “where the sky is born”, and that is how you will feel when you visit this place where you will find this beautiful beach that is a well-kept secret of Tulum.

If you visit Playa Secreta, we recommend you bring your snacks and drinks, as well as an umbrella to protect you from the sun, as it is a virgin beach with no tourist services.

Playa Xcacel (Xcacel Beach)

About 20 minutes drive from Tulum locates this long and beautiful beach with crystal clear waters. It is called the “lost jewel of Quintana Roo”, and its landscape is practically virgin. About 200 meters from the coast is the Xcacelito cenote, which you should definitely stop by when visiting this beach. It is a small and solitary cenote with a charming jungle environment where you can refresh after swimming in the sea. As in Playa Secreta, we recommend bringing your drinks, snacks and an umbrella.

These are some of the best beaches in Tulum. As you can see, there are options for different types of tastes.

If you are interested in learning more about the tourist and real estate hot spot that Tulum has become, we invite you to read other articles in our blog, where you will find content that will help you understand better the real estate market and make the best investment in this fabulous destination.

In Riviera Tulum we are here to support you. We offer you land, houses and commercial lots located in the middle of the majestic Mayan jungle and a few minutes away from some of the beautiful beaches mentioned here.

Get in touch with us. We will be happy to meet you and help you with all your questions.