Mexico’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Beach Destinations

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Mexico’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Beach Destinations

Looking for the perfect destination to spend quality time with your family this 2023?

Mexico is an excellent choice, with its pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and exciting activities that will delight every family member.

Whether you want to relax on the beach, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, or explore ancient ruins, Mexico has it all.

In today’s blog post, I will list the 10 best family-friendly beaches in Mexico that are guaranteed to provide you with a fun, sun-filled adventure in 2023!

So grab your sunscreen, pack your bags, and prepare for an unforgettable family vacation in Mexico!

Top 10 family-friendly beaches in Mexico for 2023

1. Xpu-Há, Quintana roo

This pristine beach remains one of the top family-friendly beaches in Mexico, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Xpu-Ha is a small oasis that offers a beach of calm and crystalline shallow waters where children can swim and splash safely.

For the older ones, it would be an opportunity to enjoy snorkeling on the beach shore.

In addition, children can build castles or car racing tracks on the sand, which is white and very fine.

Xpu-Ha offers jungle trails a short distance from the sea, which you can hike with your family and surely encounter some wildlife, making this walk unforgettable.

I recommend going to the Manatí cenote near Xpu-Ha, and I assure you they will love it.

There is an ecotourism park where you can enjoy flora and fauna. If you get hungry, you can go to restaurants around the beach.

Restaurant “La Playa Xpu-Ha” has average prices, good service, and food; restaurant “Toscana” offers many varieties of pasta and delicious seafood risotto.

Recommended Resort: Barcelo Maya Tropical All-Inclusive

Recommended Activity: Xel-Há Park All-Inclusive 1-Day Pass

2. Tulum, Quintana Roo

Tulum is known as a Magical Town for its natural beauty and archaeological treasure.

Still, when visiting with children, knowing which places will offer the best options for an unforgettable vacation is essential.

Start with Tulum beach, with its crystal clear waters and fine white sands; children can swim peacefully and enjoy the sand.

After a day at the beach, take the kids to walk among the famous Mayan ruins of Tulum, surrounded by lush vegetation.

In addition, you can climb some of the ruins from where they can enjoy a beautiful coast view.

Now is the magic moment, a subway walk in the Aktun Chen natural park.

This natural park is full of supernatural, ghostly caves where you can explore fossils, stalactites, stalagmites, and bats. Kids sure love it!

Also, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site.

In this Reserve, you will find hundreds of different species of flora and fauna; it is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.

Recommended Resort: Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort

Recommended Activity: Mayan ruins & Sian Kaan Nature Reserve Tour

3. Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo

Puerto Morelos is a quiet and magical place just 35 km from Cancun, in the vicinity of the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

Near Puerto Morelos, two kilometers away, you will find the botanical garden, where you can see the fauna and flora of the area.

It is also a good idea to visit the Crococun Zoo, where you can see all kinds of crocodiles, among other species.

You can also practice scuba diving and, thanks to its gentle waves, it is possible to kayak.

On the boardwalk, boatmen offer inexpensive rides to visit the reefs.

In the surroundings, there are many restaurants with typical and international food.

Recommended Resort: Sensira Resort & Spa Riviera Maya All Inclusive

Recommended Activity: Croco Cun Interactive Zoo Tour

4. Sayulita, Nayarit: One of the trendiest family-friendly beaches in Mexico

Sayulita is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, colorful architecture, and laid-back atmosphere.

One of the main attractions of Sayulita Mexico is its beautiful family-friendly beaches.

This magical town has several beaches to choose from, each with its own unique features.

The main beach in town, Sayulita Beach, is perfect for swimming and surfing.

In contrast, nearby beaches like Playa de Los Muertos and Playa Carricitos offer a more secluded and peaceful setting.

In addition to its beaches, Sayulita is known for its vibrant and colorful architecture. The town is filled with brightly painted buildings and murals, making great photo opportunities.

You may want to read: 10 Best Cancun Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts in 2023

Another draw of Sayulita is its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The town has a strong sense of community and is home to a thriving ex-pat crowd, making it easy for visitors to feel at home.

One of the best ways to experience Sayulita is by exploring its streets and alleys on foot or by bike.

The town is small enough to navigate easily, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes to discover.

Recommended Hotel: AzulPitaya Beach Front Hotel in Sayulita

Recommended Activity: Canopy Tours & Zip-line Adventure

5. Cabo San Lucas, Baja Sur

Cabo San Lucas not only boasts beautiful family-friendly beaches and resorts in Mexico, but also a plethora of activities for the whole family.

Children can’t miss admiring the wonderful world of fish in their habitat, taking them in the submarine-submersible, where the guide will give them a fun class on marine biology and how to take care of the environment.

Children five years and older can embark on a whale-watching adventure in the Zodiac boats, famous for their speed and stability, which will take them close enough to observe the humpback whales in their acrobatic jumps, the gray whales, and the spectacular blue whale, the largest whale in the world.

Whale season runs between late November and early April.

In downtown Cabo San Lucas, you will find “Pancho’s,” an iconic restaurant where you will be able to taste pork ribs, chamorro, and fresh fish & seafood.

Recommended Resort: Pueblo Bonito Beach Resort – All Inclusive

Recommended Activity: Dolphin Swim Class with Marine Specialist

6. Las Animas Beach, near Puerto Vallarta

South of Puerto Vallarta, you will find this beautiful beach with clear and smooth sand, and a calm swell, excellent for children to enjoy splashing or swimming in the clear and transparent waters.

In Las Animas, you will find excellent restaurants, shops, and massage parlors.

Be sure to enjoy the most traditional specialties of the region such as seafood and oysters.

In addition, tropical fruits are abundant in this area, such as bananas, pineapple, coconut, mangos, and papaya.

To get to Las Animas beach, you must go to Boca de Tomatlan, head to the pier, and get a water taxi. If you don’t like boats, you can also hike there.

Recommended nearby Resort: Barcelo Mismaloya All-Inclusive

Recommended Activity: Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise

7. Akumal Beach, a family beach destination in Mexico like no other

For quite a while now, Akumal has been considered one of the best family-friendly beaches in Mexico.

Akumal’s fine white sand beach and its calm and crystal clear waters are protected by coral reefs.

The waters are warm and shallow, which makes this beach an ideal place for children.

Turtles are one of the main attractions of Akumal, I advise you to rent life jackets and the necessary snorkeling equipment for children and adults, in case someone gets tired, bring a snorkeling board.

Recommended Resort: Hotel Club Akumal Caribe

Recommended Activity: Cenotes And Snorkeling with Turtles

8. Balandra Beach, Baja Sur

Balandra Beach sits in a protected natural area on the outskirts of La Paz, which means that hotels or restaurants do not surround it. It is a rare paradisiacal environment.

In Balandra, children will have fun and can swim safely because the water is a mirror very close to the sand since its maximum depth is approximately 60 cm in its entire length.

Thanks to the natural shape of the inlet that surrounds it, there are no waves, it looks like a huge pool.

The water is so crystal clear that children can admire colorful fish, mollusks, and crabs.

When the tide is low, you can walk across the beach, but be careful because of the presence of manta rays; stepping on one is very painful.

Playa Balandra offers many recreational activities, ideal for walking, swimming, and kayaking.

Ensure to bring snacks, drinks, an umbrella, etc., as there is nothing besides the beach and a few huts.

Recommended nearby Hotel: Casa al Mar

Recommended Activity: Swim with Sea Lions & Espíritu Santo Boat Tour

9. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Guerrero

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is a beautiful destination located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. This region offers various activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

From beautiful beaches to cultural sites and outdoor adventures, enough is here to keep you and your family busy.

This region is famous for its fresh seafood, and many local restaurants offer delicious food at reasonable prices. Some of the must-try dishes include ceviche, fish tacos, and shrimp cocktails.

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is also a great destination for fishing enthusiasts.

There are several fishing charters available that offer guided tours for both deep-sea and freshwater fishing.

The Archaeological Museum of the Costa Grande is an excellent place to learn about the history and culture of the region.

The museum features exhibits on the pre-Hispanic cultures that once inhabited the area.

One of the best ways to explore the beautiful coastline of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is by taking a boat tour.

Recommended Resort: Azul Ixtapa All-Inclusive Resort

10. Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo

Isla Mujeres and its Playa Norte are known for their warm, crystal clear waters that allow children to swim and splash among the abundance of fish and play with them as they come near their feet.

In addition, once they get out of the water they can play on the clean white sand without algae.

Older family members can enjoy snorkeling and admire the variety of fish and corals. Kayaks and paddleboards are also available.

Recommended Resort: Mia Reef Isla Mujeres Cancun All-Inclusive Resort

Recommended Activity: Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Isla Mujeres

Best Family Beaches in Mexico: Conclusion

As you’ve seen, Mexico offers some of the world’s most beautiful and family-friendly beaches.

From the crystal-clear waters of the Mexican Caribbean to the rugged cliffs of Los Cabos, there’s a beach for every taste and preference.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful time in Mexico. Don’t forget to comment below and share this article with your folks on social media. Vamonos!