13 Secluded Beaches in Mexico to Avoid the Crowds

Just an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a charming historic town with a thriving art scene, a wide range of shops, outstanding eateries and a long stretch of pale golden sands just minutes from it all. Most visitors come to shop and dine, with the beach often practically empty. Playa La Pastora at the north end is particularly tranquil, popular for surfing, skimboarding and peaceful strolls. A short walk south and you can join in or watch the baby sea turtle releases from around December through April.

The entire stretch of coastline here is ideal for whale watching, with humpbacks often spotted between mid-December and mid-March while gray whales come quite close to shore from late January through early March. No matter when you visit, the sunsets provide the perfect finale to the day with brilliant colors splashed across the sea and the sky.

La Paz is renowned for its beautiful beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water that await just a short drive from town. Balandra is now world-famous having been named among or at the top of lists of Mexico’s most stunning stretches. With that, it’s no longer the hidden gem it once was, requiring planning ahead with timed entries and arriving early—at least 30 to 60 minutes just to get in. But what many don’t realize is that only five minutes further, Playa Tecolote offers a more peaceful experience and a longer stretch of sand. I’ve never had a problem finding a spot to park and often there are only a handful of others here. Walking to the end of the beach, it’s even quieter.

Unlike Balandra, there are also several casual eateries here. Enjoy barefoot dining, including lots of fresh local seafood that can be paired with a chilled Modelo or margarita. Watersports rentals like paddleboards and wave runners are available and you can even hop on a boat to Espiritu Santo, an uninhabited island famous for its colony of sea lions that you can snorkel with.

The small town of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez is an ideal base for exploring El Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto (Loreto Bay National Park). Within the boundaries of the marine park are five large, uninhabited islands including Isla del Carmen. As reaching it requires your own boat or joining a tour, you won’t find any crowds here. Instead, discover idyllic white sandy beaches tucked into coves and framed by clear cobalt waters home to abundant marine life, including dolphins, whales, manta rays and sea lions. All sorts of birds can be seen here too, including blue-footed boobies, cormorants and frigate birds.

Plus, Tejon translates to Coati, a native animal in the area. In fact, these raccoon relatives are often seen lounging in the trees, foraging for a fruity feast.Whale-watching tours often stop here but if you’re up for an adventure, join a multi-day kayaking trip that includes camping in this pristine environment with all the necessary gear included.

About 90 minutes from San Jose del Cabo airport on the East Cape, Cabo Pulmo is often called the jewel of the region, with miles of untouched, gently sloping beaches providing access to snorkeling and diving. A coral reef is just offshore, home to the highest concentration of marine life in the Sea of Cortez with over 800 different species, including endangered and endemic species like green sea turtles, black skipjacks and Cortez angelfish. Manta rays, moray eels and sea lions can all be spotted too. If you arrive early in the morning, you can catch a glorious sunrise, and in the evening, a stunning canopy of stars.

If you want to enjoy a beach all to yourself, there’s a good chance you can at Punta Pescadero. Located about nine miles north of Los Barilles, it sits in a remote area requiring a drive along an unpaved road although four-wheel drive isn’t necessary. There is a small luxury fly-in resort here with a number of private vacation rentals where you can step right out your door and enjoy the unspoiled sands. While staying here multiple times, I only saw the occasional person walking down the beach from the resort, making it feel as if I had my own private stretch. In less than a minute you can be paddling around in a kayak or exploring the clear waters with a snorkel and mask. The rock formations and abundant sea life make for outstanding snorkeling.

In another very remote area of Baja, about an hour east of downtown La Paz, you’ll discover a secluded paradise. Punta Arenas is a long, wide stretch of white sands with countless shells and coral that wash up on the shore. There are no facilities but you will find a lighthouse and plenty of room to put up an umbrella and toss down a beach blanket. Bring a picnic, a cooler filled with drinks and enjoy the day relaxing while gazing out at the stunning blue waters and Cerralvo Island in between refreshing dips. This is another great place to snorkel with giant schools of colorful fish, sea turtles and, occasionally, giant manta rays.

Located in Huatulco along the southern Pacific coast, Playa Tejon is one of three dozen pristine beaches in the region. Small but quiet while surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it feels quite remote but it’s relatively easy to access down a steep but short trail. The water is incredibly enticing, complete with a vibrant coral reef. It’s an ideal place to swim and snorkel without the crowds while lush rainforest is nearby for hiking. Plus, Tejon translates to Coati, a native animal in the area. These raccoon relatives are often seen lounging in the trees, foraging for a fruity feast.

Translating to the “happy coast,” The Costalegre stretches south from Puerto Vallarta toward Manzanillo. If you visit, you’ll immediately understand how it got its name as a paradise with golden sands backed by emerald mountains and framed by the crashing waves of the Pacific. Located about a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Puerto Vallarta, the sleepy village of Punta Perula is accessed via a dusty road known for its stunning stretch of shoreline with golden sands that wrap around Chamela Bay. As this is where most of the fresh seafood and fish along the Costalegre are caught, you can enjoy some of the freshest around in the rustic palapa restaurants after a day of sunbathing, swimming and various watersports in the crystal-clear blue waters.

Located in the picturesque Zihuatanejo region on the southern Pacific coast, stunning Playa Manzanillo is a lesser-known tourist destination providing a more peaceful oasis with soft white sands and gentle waves ideal for swimming and snorkeling. While it offers a secluded setting with minimal tourist facilities, you’ll be about a 45-minute drive from both Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa with their historic districts and wide range of shopping and dining venues.

Other than relaxing on the beach, there isn’t much to do in sleepy San Agustinillo, although there are a handful of upscale artisan shops, restaurants and beachside hotels. But that doesn’t mean you won’t fall in love with it. It’s likely to steal your heart, providing a peaceful retreat for sunrise beach strolls and gentle waves for swimming and snorkeling. If you want more, San Agustinillo is tucked in between two bigger towns, Mazunte and Zipolote. Laguna Ventanilla, home to abundant wildlife including Olive Ridley sea turtles, iguanas, crocodiles and colorful birds, is only about a 15-minute drive west.

Playa del Carmen is one of the world’s most popular destinations which means avoiding the crowds isn’t always easy here but Playa 88 is much less busy compared to the area’s main beaches. It offers a laid-back vibe and a stunning aesthetic with soft white sands and clear turquoise water that sparkles under the Caribbean sun. It’s ideal for quiet strolls, swimming or just enjoying peaceful contemplation with the sounds of the waves and the birds in the backdrop. There are even some free palapas for shade without having to rent an umbrella. Just bring a beach blanket or chair to unwind while soaking up the serene atmosphere.

One of the few beaches in Akumal and the general Tulum region that are truly peaceful, Xcacel is ideal for those seeking a more secluded experience. There’s little development here as it’s a protected area for sea turtle nesting. It’s a large stretch without music allowed, while swimming is possible at the north end, with its calm and clear shallow blue waters. While it’s the perfect place to relax, if you bring snorkeling gear you can swim alongside tropical fish and sea turtles.

Merida is well worth a visit of its own, but just an hour away and you’ll be in a whole new world. The charming fishing village of Celestun with its vibrantly painted beach shacks, white unspoiled sands, emerald-hued waters and pink flamingos, can be reached via an Uber ride. Despite the striking natural beauty and wildlife, few visitors make it here other than locals from Merida escaping for the weekend, making it one of the most peaceful places to relax. From the Celestun pier, you can take a boat tour through the mangroves in the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve to observe the flamingos.