The best 30 beaches in the Gulf of Mexico have qualities that make them one of the most popular in the world. Let’s get to know them in this article.
Miramar Beach (Tamaulipas, Mexico)
In the state of Tamaulipas, Ciudad Madero municipality, is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the Gulf of Mexico with 10 km of fine sand and warm waters with calm waves. It is an easily accessible beach that you can get to by your own vehicle or public transport. The Costero boulevard is the road that must be taken to reach it.
In Miramar beach you will find lodgings, restaurants, rental of lounge chairs, bicycles, ATVs, toilets, parking and camping area. Commercial premises and hotels are on the banks of the avenue.
Peculiarities
On the boardwalk “Las Escolleras” you will see the monument in honor of the crew of the oil tankers sunk during World War II. You will also see the dolphins of the Gulf of Mexico swimming very closely.
Montepo Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
Montepo is 160 km from the port of Veracruz, in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas, in the heart of the volcanic mountains. It is a beach with gentle waves, waterfalls and a beautiful rocky landscape.
There you will have restaurants, hotels and entertainment services such as rock climbing, zip lining, boat rides and kayaking. On the south side of the coast and by renting a boat you can visit the nearby caves and if you like, surf. The five jets is a waterfall 30 minutes from Montepo beach, which you can reach on horseback or with the services of a guide.
Roca Partida (Veracruz, Mexico)
The Roca Partida cliff is classified as a biosphere reserve. It is a beach characterized by rocks that the foliage dresses in green and trees that grow inclined or horizontally.
It is 130 km from the port of Veracruz, specifically in Arrollo Lisa, Los Tuxtlas region, with lodgings and a space for camping and rappelling. The phone signal there is minimal. In the place, cliffs (which you can climb) have been formed as a result of the impact that the lava has with the sea. You will be able to visit on a tour the famous cave of the pirate Lorencillo, who according to legend hid his treasures in Roca Partida.
Emerald Coast (Veracruz)
Costa Esmeralda is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. A calm environment of soft sand and waters with green tones where you can fish. It is on the north side of the state of Veracruz. It is a 40 km strip with 6 beaches with hotels and restaurants that fit any budget. A place to ride in kayaks, on horseback, on a banana boat, on jet skis, ATVs and at the same time, to enjoy the scenery, relax and share with your partner. There they prepare Veracruz-style fish, crab chilpachole, octopus with onions, among other tasty typical Mexican dishes. The six beaches that are located in Costa Esmeralda are:
Monte Gordo Beach
The most popular of the strip with calm waters and ideal for camping. It has bathroom services and very good hotels.
East Beach
It has a spa, two places for camping, a swimming pool, toilets and the most luxurious hotels in the area.
La Vigueta Beach
Beautiful beach with hotels, including the most famous in Costa Esmeralda.
Ricardo Flores Magon Beach
On this Costa Esmeralda beach is the entrance to the Cinaga del Fuerte, a place with incredible mangroves that you can enjoy practicing ecotourism along 800 hectares.
La Guadalupe Beach
Beach with grocery stores, drinks, picnic areas and very good restaurants. 6. Gulfport (Mississippi, United States)
Beach for rowing, kayaking and pedal boating, famous for the grooves that form in the water, a majestic spectacle. In addition to seeing the beautiful blue of its waters and feeling the white sand that covers the 19 km of the coast, you will be able to admire dolphins, local birds and lizards. It is a fairly clean place with a view that is accompanied by the boats that are anchored in the port. This quiet beach near New Orleans is a quiet place with few visitors, with access for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. Their activities include fishing on the pier, renting a jet ski, catching crabs and watching the sunset. Pets are not allowed.
Chaparrales Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
Beautiful beach with rock formations and moderate waves just over an hour from the city of Poza Rica, Veracruz. You can marvel at the palm trees and their exoticism, as well as various species that inhabit the sea and the many colorful seashells found on the shore. Another of the shows to see is the spawning of turtles on the shore of the beach. To visit Chaparrales beach it is necessary to arrive at Cazones de Herrera and take any of its sides (the right or the left). Also read our guide on the 28 best tourist places in Veracruz that you have to visit
Aguada Island (Campeche, Mexico)
Virgin beach that separates the lagoon from the Gulf of Mexico, a division that makes it an area with two environments; in one are the beaches of the lagoon and in the other, the sandbanks of the sea. The boat tours offered by the fishermen go through the Laguna de los Trminos and although the price is somewhat high, it is worth it. You will be able to see the two lighthouses on Isla Aguada. In one of them there is a museum that you can visit.
Among the bird species found there are the heron, certain varieties of hawks and the jabirú stork. There are also mammals and reptiles.
Seybaplaya (Campeche, Mexico)
With cabins, palm trees and the beautiful combination of blue and green tones of its waters, another natural paradise that bathes the shores of the Gulf of Mexico is found in the state of Campeche: Seybaplaya. A remote place with palapas and restaurants both to relax and to have adventures (kayaking and snorkeling). This beach is on the coastal strip of the state of Campeche. If you travel by car and take the southwest side of the city of Campeche, it will only take you 30 minutes to reach Seybaplaya.
Siho Beach (Campeche, Mexico)
The exotic beauty of Siho makes it one of the best beaches in the Gulf of Mexico, a place with a romantic, calm atmosphere and a soft sea breeze in one of the most fascinating areas of the Champotón municipality, in the extreme north of the state of Campeche. The beach has palapas service and a sand hill from where you will have magnificent views. Its activities include horseback riding, kayaking, picnics, diving and water skiing, all together with a wide range of hotels.
Playa Bonita (Campeche, Mexico)
A beach with crystalline waters, gentle waves, fine white sand and magnificent sunsets that add to its natural attractions. It is near San Francisco de Campeche, 15 minutes from the city center. Bonita is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for 2 Mexican pesos for access. If you go by car or bicycle you will pay 10 pesos and 5 pesos, respectively. From Monday to Friday there are fewer visits. The place has restaurants with Campechana and Mexican gastronomy. Dogfish bread is one of the most liked dishes. Its entertainment includes water skiing, swimming, soccer and volleyball. A sandbank with rental of hammocks and palapas, bathroom services, showers, dressing rooms and lifeguards. It has access for people with reduced mobility.
Clearwater Beach (Florida, United States)
Many tourists comment on Tripadvisor that Clearwater Beach is one of the best beaches in the Gulf of Mexico to share with the family. It has beautiful blue waters and white sand, with spectacular sunsets. Its restaurants prepare dishes for all tastes and its hotels are equally applauded by visitors. On this clean beach in western Florida, United States, you’ll find umbrella rentals and parking.
Muñecos Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
A beach with wild waves because it is in the open sea, a favorable condition for surfers and practitioners of other extreme sports. It is called like this because some rocks resemble the shape of a doll that “looks” at the horizon, a curiosity that made it a tourist attraction. The beautiful blue of its waters, its rock formations and the sunsets make this a dream place to share with the family. A clean, paradisiacal environment with some dunes rarely visited by tourists. Playa Muñecos is one hour from the port of Veracruz.
La Pesca Beach (Tamaulipas, Mexico)
On this beach you will find natural beauties headed by the 230 km that covers the Laguna Madre, a body of water open to the Gulf of Mexico. It is a beach with soft white sand, crystal clear waters and a very calm atmosphere. Rivers such as the Soto La Marina and Conchos rivers flow there. It also has the Morales lagoon, a large expanse of salt water where you can practice sport fishing, an activity with which annual tournaments are held. Another of the great attractions are the species of birds that perch in the waters and the spawning of turtles on the shores of La Pesca beach in July. Among the activities you can do in this part of the Gulf of Mexico are boat rides and fishing in kayaks. Diving equipment is also rented. El Arenal, in Puerto La Pesca, Soto La Marina municipality, has many restaurants and lodgings. From the city of Victoria there are buses that will take you directly to this magnificent beach in Tamaulipas and the Gulf of Mexico.
Las Coloradas Beach (Yucatan)
The pink and turquoise sea of Las Coloradas has large amounts of salt, making it unsuitable for swimming. However, it is a place with beautiful landscapes that are well worth photographing. You will be able to see the confluence of the tonality of the waters, the arid vegetation, the salt flats and the factory that processes them. The pink flamingos can be seen between April and May. It is a private beach that for 50 Mexican pesos you can visit. The guides will give you an explanation about the salt flats and about species such as pink flamingos and horseshoe crabs. From the city of Mrida, Playa del Carmen, Cancún and Valladolid, you will find public transport and travel agencies that offer tours through Las Coloradas and Ro Lagartos.
Tuxpan Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
Beach with a family atmosphere and 42 kilometers of fine sand and low waves. A natural space with rental of palapas, hammocks and tables, everything to observe the landscapes, especially the sunsets. Its great extension has divided it into several beaches: Faro beach, Azul beach, El Palmar beach, Cocoteros beach, San Antonio beach, Benito Juárez beach, Emiliano Zapata beach, Barra Galindo beach and Villamar beach. Its restaurants offer a good part of Veracruz and Mexican gastronomy. There are also street vendors and a good hotel offer. Playa Tuxpan is ideal for practicing diving, volleyball and beach soccer. You can also visit the El Loko Water Park. It is 289 kilometers from Mexico City, which is equivalent to four hours of travel. If you go by car you will find the Mexico – Pachuca highway; then you should be aware of the signs until you find highway 132, which will take you to the town of Tuxpan.
Paradise Beach (Campeche, Mexico)
Soft sand beach, gentle waves and shallow waters, just 3 km from Champotón, in the heart of the Riviera Maya, quite close to the center of San Francisco de Campeche. It is a place with a pleasant climate (average 26 degrees Celsius) and lots of jungle vegetation.
North Beach (Campeche, Mexico)
White and soft sand beach with palapa services, changing rooms, lifeguards, doctors, banana rides, jet skis, kayaks, sailboats, and parasailing. Although it still lacks more tourist infrastructure, Playa Norte is still a charm, which also has a beautiful boardwalk from where you can see beautiful sunsets and where you can practice running. On the coast there are several food stalls that offer national cuisine at good prices. Near the beach there is a zoo, sports fields and children’s games.
North Lido Beach (Florida, United States)
Virgin beach with turquoise waters and rough currents with no palapa services, no marine vehicle rental, no lifeguards, at the northwest end of St. Armand’s Circle, a quarter of a mile from that town. North Lido Beach was in the 70s a nudist beach very visited by foreigners, especially Europeans. Now it is not so crowded, something in favor of those who prefer absolute silence and tranquility on white sands. In its surroundings there are residential complexes, shops and restaurants. At its northern end there are some dunes.
Caracol Beach (Campeche, Mexico)
Campechana beach with beautiful landscapes made up of mangroves, blue waters and gentle waves, which come from the Trminos lagoon. On the coast there are palm trees, palapas, an area for water sports, a boat dock, restaurants and large hotel chains. The natural settings, especially at sunset, are quite a spectacle. If you go with children you can rent a water bike and if you like, practice surfing and sailing. Playa Caracol is towards the southern end of Ciudad del Carmen, surrounded by Isla Aguada and Isla del Carmen.
Las Palmitas Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
Beach with warm waters and a beautiful blue that invites you to swim with the family. One of its greatest attractions is “Bocana”, a place where salty and sweet waters converge. It has palapas to be in the shade and a few meters from the shore there are palm trees and other smaller plants that make Las Palmitas even more beautiful, a place bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the most visited sandy beaches in Agua Dulce, municipality of Veracruz, with an important gastronomic variety due to its many restaurants. From the city of Veracruz you can find the accesses that will take you to this beautiful and very popular Blue Flag beach.
Bahamitas Beach (Campeche, Mexico)
A place of fine sand and crystalline waters, that is Bahamitas, a country beach 15 km from Ciudad del Carmen. If you go from Mrida you should take the federal highway 180 and pay attention to the signs. Its activities include diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing and sport fishing, although many visitors prefer to walk along the beach to watch the sunset. The gastronomy of this paradise can be tasted in several of its restaurants with dishes such as shrimp cocktail, fish broth, and grilled shellfish.
Celestún Beach (Yucatán, Mexico)
Gulf of Mexico beach 105 km from the city of Mrida, specifically from the extreme west. A coastal area that has an estuary inhabited by a large number of species such as pink flamingos. You will be able to practice kayaks in the Dzinitún mangroves, a protected area for hosting birds that breed there and that come from various parts, such as the ducks that travel from Canada in March and December. Celestún is now one of the most important ports in Yucatán. You can take boat rides along the estuary from the pier or on the shore of the beach; in the latter case, the fishermen offer the service. There is also a very good gastronomic offer. If you go in a group, several travel agencies organize tours from Mrida. The journey lasts an hour and a half. There are also taxi lines that can take you to Celestún.
Chachalacas Beach (Veracruz, Mexico)
Beach with blue and turquoise waters with incredible natural resources, 4 hours from Mexico City. You can go from the port of Veracruz taking highway 108. Its dunes cover 500 km and part of its attractions are motorcycle, ATV, banana, boat and horse rides. Chachalacas has restaurants, bathrooms and showers. Also modest hotels but with good basic services.
Fort Lauderdale Beach (Florida, United States)
The beautiful city of Fort Lauderdalem, in Florida, United States, has more than 7 kilometers of beaches along its coasts. A clean place without as much seaweed as other Miami beaches have. It has cafes, restaurants, shops and many other places and activities for fun, such as water skiing. Barbecues are allowed. To access Fort Laudderdale Beach you have to pay between USD 20 and USD 25, amount that includes parking.
Siesta Beach
According to many on Tripadvisor, Siesta Beach is the best beach on the Gulf of Mexico, a sandy area that won first place as the best beach in the United States in 2017. You will always be invited to watch its sunsets while you walk along its soft, fine, white sand, which also has a large amount of quartz. The intense blue of the sea also has preponderance in the beauty of this enchanted paradise. The temperature in January is between warm and cold, which is why it is for many the best month to visit this beach with shallow waters. It has a picnic area and you can kayak, snorkel and sport fish.
Clearwater Beach
This is another marvel that the Gulf of Mexico offers in Florida, USA, a family beach with beautiful blue waters and white sand. In this, as in many sandbanks that make up the Gulf of Mexico, dolphins are observed, something that tourists always love. The beach has palm trees by day and places to eat and listen to live music in the evenings. Among the activities that are carried out is skydiving and boat rides. Clearwater Beach, which in 2016 was chosen by TripAdvisor as the best in the United States, is west of Florida.
Fort Myers Beach (Florida, United States)
Beach with a very tropical climate, white sands that do not burn and calm waves of warm waters, 200 km from Orlando (adjacent to Bonita Spring, another of the incredible beaches in Florida). It has a dock and expensive parking on the boulevard. Its sunsets are beautiful and you can see dolphins. Among the activities that you can do along its 7 miles, apart from swimming, walking and tanning, there is kayaking, surfing, skydiving and a dolphin eco-tour. Fort Myers Beach has its own shopping center, Times Square. Here you will find more information about the beach.
Sanchez Magallanes Beach (Tabasco, Mexico)
With a total of 183 km of coastline that make up the Gulf of Mexico, we have Sánchez de Magallanes beach, in the municipality of Cárdenas, a sandy area where gastronomy is one of the biggest attractions. The waters of the beach are warm and the sand is very soft, ideal for those who want to take boat trips to observe the beauties of the bay or practice sport fishing, the main recreational activity in the area. The town of Sánchez de Magallanes is a peninsula between the sea and the El Carmen lagoon, specifically 122 km northwest of Cárdenas and 150 km from Villahermosa. Therefore, you can enjoy both the waters of the Mexican Gulf and the lagoon. On your tour, you may be interested in getting to know El Pajaral Island and part of the fauna of the place such as herons, pelicans, cormorants, among other animals.
Sisal Beach
Beach in Yucatan, Mexico, ideal to enjoy with the family. It has an extensive biodiversity and a pier where you can enjoy the pleasant sea breeze. At Sisal beach you can witness how migratory birds, among which the Canadian duck stands out, enjoy the warmth of these waters that are part of the Gulf of Mexico. The place has restaurants and lodgings for all tastes and budgets. Their palapas on the edge of the beach fill up very quickly.
Siesta Key (Florida, United States)
Paradisiacal place with turquoise waters and quartz sand that gives it an attractive white hue, in the city of Saratosa, Florida, United States. It is ideal for resting and extremely clean, with a special air that will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean, a place that guarantees spectacular sunsets, for a reason it is considered the best beach in the United States.
Activities
Among the activities carried out on this beach is fishing and among the species that inhabit these waters are redfin trout and speckled trout. It is a beach visited by walkers, cyclists, runners, windsurfers, parasailers, surfers and for surf fishing. In November it hosts the Siesta Key Crystal Classic exhibition, featuring intricate designs and sand sculptures. In the area there are hotels, cafes, restaurants and boutiques.
What are the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico includes the coasts of the Mexican and American states and of Cuba. From Mexico it occupies the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Campeche, Tabasco and Yucatan. Of the United States it occupies Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Lastly, the eastern part of the Gulf of Mexico occupies the maritime outlet that leads to the Atlantic Ocean from the coasts of Cuba.
What to visit in the Gulf of Mexico
The beaches of Veracruz, Campeche and Tamaulipas are excellent options in Mexico, although each one that makes up the gulf in Aztec lands has its own peculiar beauties. In the United States, the beaches of Florida are worth visiting because in addition to the natural beauties, there are also shops and places to buy food and clothes. This has been the entire selection that we have prepared for you with the 30 best beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. We invite you to share this article with your friends on social networks.