The beaches in Mexico are the most beautiful in the world. That’s no secret, especially amongst some of Hollywood’s elite. If you take a peek at the social media feeds of a-listers like George Clooney and Selena Gomez, you’ll see snaps of them lounging on the glorious shores Los Cabos and Punta Mita. You might also notice that these beaches are calm and entirely free of on-lookers.If you want to experience the intimacy and romance of a secluded beach like the stars do, you’ll have to find one of these hidden beaches. Don’t worry though, — we’ve got a list of them here for you so you can avoid a sea of beach umbrellas and truly enjoy Mexico’s Pacific Ocean.
Marietas Islands, Hidden Beach, Tour, Snorkeling & Sightseeing
Hidden Beach on the Marietas Islands is the main feature of our list, easily accessible from the coast of Punta Mita. Just a short boat ride away, the islands are known as Islas Marietas National Park. This important nature reserve and the Hidden Beach have an intriguing history. Let’s dive in!
Because these islands have never been inhabited by humans, the Mexican government began using them for military tests in the early 1900’s. However, after Jaques Cousteau, the father of modern marine conservation, noticed the rare flora and fauna on this island a campaign was started to end the destructive testing. The intensely beautiful ecosystem was declared as a wildlife reserve.
The Islands themselves are a marvel of nature and you should be sure to visit here for some snorkeling. The coral reefs that live on the volcanic rock formations underwater host a wealth of marine life, and you can spot sea turtles, eels and dolphins in the nearby waters almost year round. If you’re visiting from December to March, you’ll see humpback whales!
But the true gem of these islands is known as the Hidden Beach. Also known as the Playa Del Amor or Lover’s Beach, this sandy shoreline hides from outside view. It is said to have been formed by an explosion, but no one can know for sure.
Either way, this magnificent beach is one of the most unusual beauties in the world and it’s only accessible by a small watery tunnel leading from the ocean. No boats are allowed, so you’ll have to swim through. But don’t worry, this special swim has a few feet of air above your head and it’s all part of the adventure! Once you’ve crossed under, you’ll find yourself in paradise. The sands are soft and the waters are crystal clear.
How do you get to the Hidden Beach?
The only way to get to the Hidden Beach is by a chartered, licensed boat ride. If you’re staying in Punta Mita, you’ll be at the best point to set sail for the Hidden Beach. The islands are also accessible from Puerto Vallarta, but the boat trip is much longer.
People usually taxi up to Punta Mita to catch a boat. This scenic ride is about 30 minutes and you’ll probably get to see mantas and dolphins on the way. Once you’ve arrived your tour guides will get your ready for an amazing dip in the water.
Because the Hidden Beach has become such a desirable place to visit for many travellers, the Mexican government has been restricting access since 2016. This measure was taken to preserve the flora and fauna of the island and to prevent erosion of the coral reefs below. What this means for people wanting to visit is that you must book in advance and with a reputable company to ensure your trip to the Hidden Beach is possible.
Each day, only 116 people are allowed to visit the beach and only tour boats with permits can visit the waters surrounding the Islands. Smaller boats can get much closer than big ones, so you’ll want a private or small group boat. When you’re choosing a tour company, it’s important to know that not all tours go to the Hidden Beach. Many charters offer two seperate tours, trips for the Marietas Islands exclusively and trips that also go to the Hidden Beach. Always double-check and be sure to book with a reputable charter.
We recommend booking with Mike’s Charters and Tours or Vallarta Adventures for private eco excursions, hidden beach visits, snorkeling and some onboard pampering.
Even more secluded beaches in Mexico
The Hidden Beach isn’t the only secret beach in the area. In fact, these next beaches may be even more secluded since tours and charters don’t typically have them on their itinerary. All these beaches are less than an hour drive from some great vacation hubs, and they’re perfect for a quiet day in the sun. We’ve listed our favourites to get you started:
Punta Mita
Playas Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito
The first stop on our virtual tour is the Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito beaches. These beaches are very close to each other, and offer almost total isolation.
You can access Patzcuaro by car and then a short walk. From there, you can easily get to Patzcuarito on foot by following a short creek. You’ll be on the edge of the jungle when you visit these beaches, and chances are you won’t see many other people at all.
It’s a lovely place to find seashells and sunbathe, though the swimming can be a bit challenging. Bring a boogie board with you if you plan to do more than wade in the water.<
How to get there: A 20 minute ride from your Punta Mita villa, North East on the Carr. Federal la Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
Playa Carricitos This is one secret beach that makes you work for it.
To get here, you’ll need to embark on a 40 minute hike through the jungle. This is not a difficult trek and you’ll see the glory of the Mexican sun shining through the jungle trees onto the brightly lit path on the way. Once there, you just might be in complete isolation.
Many people are deterred by the idea of a walk to the beach, but we assure you, the reward is worth it. The swimming here is not for beginners, so kids would be safer wading just off the shore. For body surfers, however, this is your perfect playground!
How to get there:A 34 minute ride from Punta Mita, take the highway to Sayulita then drive up Av Revolucion. Park your car and begin your walk through paradise.
Playa de Los Muertos
Playa de Los Muertos gets its unique name from a nearby cemetery, but these golden shores are anything but spooky.
The beach is more popular with local Mexican families, so while you might not be in total isolation, you won’t see many tourists. There are nice big rocks that protect this area from waves, so the water is serene.
Even on busy days, some stretches of this beach are practically empty, making this a great place to snap exclusive pictures and relax in uninterrupted bliss. It’s very close to Playa Carricitos, so you could hit up two secluded beaches in one day.
How to get there: A 34 minute ride from Elegant Mexico’s Punta Mita villas, take the highway to Sayulita then drive up Av Revolucion.
Los Cabos
Bahia Santa Maria
This beach is a hidden oasis. It’s protected as a nature sanctuary because of the many different kinds of marine life that live in the calm waters.
This makes it an ideal location for snorkeling. It’s also perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It’s not going to be empty, but Since Bahia Santa Maria is one of the less visited beaches in the Cabo area, you may only see a handful of other beachgoers spread out across the length of the shore.
How to get there: Drive for 15 minutes along the Transpeninsular Highway from your Elegant Mexico Los Cabos villa.
Playa Las ViudasLas Viudas has a nice scenic landscape that will definitely make you want to spend the day there. There are volcanic rock formations that make coves and secluded corners so even if there are a few people there, you won’t notice them. This beach is a great place for a sunny picnic or a swim, and you’ll get some photos against the unique backdrop.
How to get there: From your Elegant Mexico Los Cabos villa, drive for 15 minutes along the Transpeninsular Highway.
Tulum
Las Palmas Public Beach
Despite the name, Las Palmas Public Beach is actually one of the more secluded beaches in the area. This long stretch of white sand and gentle rolling waves is a great place to soak up the sun or go for a dip.
Be sure to bring a picnic with you, because there are no vendors or restaurants in the immediate area. But that means you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for — an escape from the crowds.
How to get there: Head down Av. Coba and then drive up the shore.
Secret Beach
This beach, aptly named, is located within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Mexico’s treasures and is home to a precious variety of flora and fauna.
There are many amazing beaches and sights to see, but the Secret Beach is your go-to if you’re looking to have the sun all to yourself. This gorgeous shore is completely untouched by development and tourism, and the waters are calm and crystal clear.
Be sure to bring your snacks and drinks with you and brush up on your Spanish. There are no vendors here and if you happen to meet anyone here, they’ll be a local.
How to get there: Take the Av. Coba/QROO 15 down to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere and continue along the water for 35 minutes.
El Ultimo Maya
This nameless beach is referred to by the small restaurant which sits on it, the El Ultimo Maya Restaurant.
To access this beach, you can simply enjoy some fresh ceviche and ribs at the quaint cantina before heading off to wade in the water. While this beach isn’t exactly secret, it’s very quiet and there are usually less than a handful of visitors at any given time. El Ultimo Maya is a great spot to get the secret beach feel with a few amenities like beach chairs and cerveza at your disposal.
How to get there: Take the Av. Coba/QROO 15 down to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere and continue along the water for 30 minutes.
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To make sure you’ll really have the waters all to yourself, find out when Peak and Shoulder Season will be.
And then, If you want to add some more excitement after your serene day in the sun, check out our Top 5 Outdoor Activities that you’ll only find in Mexico.
Wherever you decide to spend your beach day, Elegant Mexico is proud to provide luxury villas and vacation homes close to the most breathtaking beaches in all of Mexico. Book with us now!