Tulum Landscape
Traveling the world on your own is an incredibly rewarding way to explore. Solo travel has the potential to be transformative, and it certainly offers a unique opportunity for curious and adventure-hungry folk to travel at their own pace, do exactly what they want to do and see what they want to see, and make connections with other travelers.
Mexico, with its lush jungles, sun-kissed beaches, fascinating culture and cuisine, and laid-back, welcoming lifestyle, is the perfect place for any independent traveler to explore. It boasts a truly staggering array of places to visit and things to do, and the Mexican coastline is both long and diverse. From beaches backed by mountains and desert on the Baja California peninsula to the warm turquoise waters of the Riviera Maya, not to mention the stunning surf breaks of Oaxaca and the lush jungles of Nayarit and Colima, whatever your beach style, Mexico will provide.
So if you are considering visiting the Mexican coast with a cruise or backpacking your way around the country, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best beach towns in Mexico, from sleepy surf villages to the ultimate beach party destinations, along with practical tips and must-do local experiences to give solo travelers a helping hand. Read on and discover the best of Mexico’s beach towns that are perfect for independent travelers.
Mexico’s Pacific Coast is known as the Mexican Riviera and boasts big names like Ensenada, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Puerto Escondido. But just north of Puerto Vallarta, in the small state of Nayarit, lies a real gem that remains just about under the radar. Sayulita is the epitome of a perfect surf town, a tiny little treasure with a laid-back attitude, but one that also brings the party when necessary. It is relaxed yet vibrant, with some of the best surf breaks that Mexico has to offer.
There are plenty of wonderful places to surf in Mexico, but few are set up for beginners as well, such as Sayulita. While there are plenty of impressive breaks, there are also a number of beaches with extremely beginner-friendly waves, as well as loads of surf schools right in the center of town.
It is also an arts and culture hub. The colorful streets of Sayulita are painted with beautiful murals, and there are loads of artisan craft shops, boutique cafes, and local markets where you can buy handmade goods. Just down the road, the smaller town of San Pancho has an extremely vibrant and welcoming artistic community, with a range of galleries as well as plenty of classes, courses, and workshops available to visitors.
It is also a great place for adventure lovers to explore, as the beach rolls quite quickly up into the verdant jungle, perfect for nature hikes as well as other adventurous activities like zip-lining and ATV treks.
When visiting Sayulita on your own, it is a great idea (at least at first) to stay in a hostel or a local guesthouse, so you have the chance to meet fellow travelers and get to know the community.
The town can get busy in peak season, so if you prefer to have the beach to yourself, visit in the quieter times of the year, from April to June or October to December. April, November, and December are particularly nice, as they are outside the hot, rainy season.
Tulum has been seen as one of the trendiest and most desirable places in the world, to say nothing of Mexico, for several years now. Its combination of world-class beaches, unrivaled natural beauty, remarkably rich and well-preserved history, and luxury eco-bohemian vibes has made it a playground for influencers and celebrities. But it retains a blissful, serene heart which makes it perfect for solo travelers, and the chance to rub shoulders with the elite is just the icing on the cake.
As soon as you see the Mayan ruins of Tulum, perched precariously out on a cliff overlooking the stunning stretch of sand that is the town’s public beach, you will understand. This remarkably well-preserved archeological site is a history lover’s dream, offering a glimpse into the way of life of this ancient, mysterious civilization, as well as some truly mind-blowing views of the Caribbean coastline.
The vibe in town is also an exciting one, a combination of wellness and health-conscious influencers and dynamic party-goers. You can quite easily start your day with yoga on the beach and move on to an afternoon spa treatment or massage before heading off to a rave in the middle of the jungle when night falls.
It is also a wonderful place for outdoor adventurers. There are hiking, biking, and ATV trails galore, as well as some brilliant snorkeling and scuba diving amidst the electric-colored coral reefs off the coast. Finally, exploring the amazing cenotes, the massive network of sinkholes and aquifers, is an experience unlike any other.
When you arrive in town, rent a bike. The town is a bit of a walk from the hotel zone and again from the public beach and Mayan ruins, and when the sun is up, the heat can be hard to get on foot. If you can find a beachfront hostel (or stretch to a hotel), you’ll have a deluxe experience, but the life and soul of Tulum (as well as its best restaurants) can be found in the main town.
Further south down the Pacific Coast from Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta, the coastline of the state of Oaxaca is known for its world-class surfing, gorgeous beaches, and amazing wildlife reserves. It is a wonderful way to escape from some of the more touristy destinations further north, and Puerto Escondido is one of the best spots in the region.
Puerto Escondido is genuinely world-famous as a surf destination – literally speaking, as the World Surf League visited in 2021. The pipeline at Zicatela Beach is one of world surfing’s most challenging and renowned breaks, and the beaches up and down the coast offer some of the best waves in Mexico.
But there’s plenty to do for non-surfers, too. From whale watching to swimming with dolphins, the ocean is teeming with life, and you can see manta rays, sea turtles, and birds aplenty on boat trips from Puerto Escondido. Just inland, the mangrove swamps are home to huge crocodiles as well as monkeys and more bird species, making it one of the best places for wildlife lovers.
The town itself is a quintessential surf town, with great beaches, a lively yet laid-back atmosphere, and plenty of great places to eat and drink. Oaxaca cuisine is particularly celebrated, so visiting local restaurants and markets while you are here, and trying the mole, tlayudas, and fresh seafood is a must.
Heading to the beach is a superb way to meet people, as it forms the heart of the town’s social life. Join a yoga class or take a surf lesson to meet other travelers, or just hang out with a few drinks and chat with locals.
If you are brave enough, a guided boat trip after dark gives you the chance to see bioluminescence, one of nature’s most incredible sights. For an even more spectacular experience, head to the Laguna de Chacahua for a couple of days, and enjoy remote, secluded splendor as well as some of the most impressive glowing bioluminescent beaches in the world.
Isla Holbox is a genuine island paradise that has held on to its quiet, serene, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere thanks to its genuine remoteness. Set off the north coast of the Yucatan peninsula, it takes two hours by car to drive to Chiquila, the nearest port, then a further half an hour by boat to the island. Holbox remains car-free, so you’ll need to flag down a golf-cart taxi to take you to your accommodation, and then it’s just laid-back beauty and chill vibes for the rest of your stay.
If you want somewhere to relax and unwind, then Isla Holbox is the place for you. No longer completely undiscovered, it still is pretty crowd-free, and certainly embraces a slower pace of life, meaning peace and tranquility rule. The streets are all sand and the beach is fringed with hammocks, swings, and ad hoc beach cafes, making it incredibly hard to do anything except chill out, let go of anxiety, and lean into enjoying the here and now.
Holbox also offers a pretty rare opportunity to swim, snorkel, or dive with whale sharks, for solo travelers who visit from June to September. These gentle giants are truly awe-inspiring and this is a unique experience, not to be missed. You can also enjoy other wildlife encounters on and around the island, from lagoons filled with flamingos to dolphins and sea turtles.
Holbox is remote, secluded, and disconnected, so don’t expect to get good wifi or even phone signal. As a result, it is not really a place for the digital nomad crowd. It is also worth bringing plenty of cash with you, as there are only two ATMs on the island and neither of them can be relied upon to either have cash or work at all.
If the thought of being away from a decent internet connection for more than a day or two fills you with horror, or you really love to dance by the ocean, then you might want to give Playa del Carmen a look. This excellent city on the Caribbean coast blends beautiful beaches with serious party vibes, and offers all the amenities of a small city to boot, with cafes, bars, excellent restaurants, and even a few cultural attractions.
Located between the Spring Break haven of Cancun and the eco-boutique oasis of Tulum, Playa (as it is known) offers the best of both worlds. It is one of the best places in Mexico to socialize with other travelers thanks to its vibrant nightlife and booming expat scene, and it has a great selection of beachfront bars, rooftop clubs, and mouthwatering restaurants which make it a truly cosmopolitan place to visit.
It is also perfectly situated to discover the best of the Riviera Maya. You can see the glitz and glamor of Cancun, the ruins at Coba and Chitchen Itza, the amazing cenotes of Puerto Morelos, and the fun and excitement of Xcaret and Xplor. This makes it a great base for solo travelers who want to see everything the Yucatan peninsula has to offer.
It is also one of those places that does an equally good job of being a genuine city break and a laid back beach destination. You can browse boutiques and enjoy fine dining just as easily as soaking up some rays on a beautiful beach, making it a great spot for any type of solo traveler.
While the main beaches are great, don’t miss out on the chance to head up and down the coast to discover hidden gems. The turtle sanctuary at Akumal and the quiet wildlife reserve at Xpu Ha are delightful, while even a short walk north of town will open up unspoiled stretches of sand that are the local favorites. It is also worth planning a day trip to the island of Cozumel, for extraordinary scuba diving sites and a taste of island life.
Mexico is a paradise for the solo traveler and its diverse range of gorgeous beach towns are perfect for independent exploration. From outdoor adventure to boutique luxury, Mexico has it all, and a solo beach vacation to this wonderful country is guaranteed to be filled with endless enjoyment and unforgettable memories.
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