Cancun Beaches | Playa las Perlas – Pearl Beach
Playa las Perlas – Pearl Beach
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 2.5, Hotel Zone, Cancun
Located at Km 2.5, between the Cancun mainland and the bridge, it’s a relatively small beach on the protected waters of the Bahia de Mujeres Beach, and is popular with locals. There are several restaurants lining the sand, but most of the water-sports activities are only available to those staying at the nearby resorts like the Imperial las Perlas or Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas.
Cancun Beaches | Playa Langosta – Lobster Beach
Playa Langosta – Lobster Beach
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 5, Hotel Zone, Cancún
Small, placid Playa Langosta (Lobster Beach), which has an entrance at Boulevard Kukulcán’s Km 5, has calm waters that make it an excellent place to swim. There’s a dock (mainly used by Dolphin Discovery) that juts out in the middle of the water, but swimming areas are marked off with ropes and buoys. The safe waters and gentle waves make this a popular beach with families as well as Spring Breakers.
Cancun Beaches | Playa Delfines – Dolphin Beach
Playa Delfines – Dolphin Beach
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 18, Hotel Zone, Cancun
Located near Ruinas El Rey at Km 18, where Boulevard Kukulcan curves into a hill, Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) is one of the last beaches before Punta Nizuc. Hotels have yet to dominate this small section of coastline, and there’s an incredible lookout over the ocean. On a clear day you can see at least four shades of blue in the water, though swimming is treacherous unless a green flag is posted. This resort-free area has plenty of sand and surfers, and it’s one of the few places in Cancun where you can take surfing lessons. Although decent waves roll in during hurricane season, they seldom hit “epic” status. At best, you might find choppy, inconsistent surf here and at Playa Chac mool and City Beach. Those seeking more than just a ripple should avoid the placid northern beaches, where Isla Mujeres lies just offshore.
Cancun Beaches | Playa Chac Mool
Playa Chac Mool
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 10, Hotel Zone, Cancun
Located at Km 10 on Boulevard Kukulcán, Playa Chacmool can be accessed through the beach entrance across the street from Señor Frog’s. As at Playa Caracol, development has greatly encroached on Chacmool’s shores. There are a lot of rocks, but the water is a stunning turquoise and the beach is close to shopping centers and the party zone, so there are plenty of restaurants nearby. The short stretch to the south has gentler waters and fewer rocks. Public changing rooms are also available. The clear, shallow water makes it tempting to walk far out, but be careful—there’s a strong current and undertow.
Playa Caracol | Snail Beach
Playa Caracol – Snail Beach
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 9.5, Hotel Zone, Cancun
The last “real” beach along the east-west stretch of the Zona Hotelera, is near Plaza Caracol and the Xcaret dock. Located at Km 8.5, the whole area has been eaten up by development, in particular the high-rise condominium complex next to the entrance. This beach is also hindered by the rocks that jut out from the water to mark the beginning of Punta Cancun, where Boulevard Kukulcan turns south. There are several hotels along here and a few sports rental outfits.
Playa Ballenas | Whale Beach
Playa Ballenas – Whale Beach
Where? Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 14.5, Hotel Zone, Cancun
Also known as Whale Beach, this is raw stretch of sand and crystal water at Km 14.5 between Sandos Cancun and Cancun Palace. Jet skiers often zoom through the water, and the strong wind makes the surf rough. The beach is open to the public, and parking and beach access are available at Calle Ballenas.
Cancun Beaches | Bahía de Mujeres | Top of the 7
Bahia de Mujeres Top of the 7
With the Cancun beach zone running 22.5 km long (in the shape of the number “7”), this area is located in the northern end of the hotel zone (that is, on “top of the 7”), with white sand beaches and beautiful turquoise-blue waters. While this area may be shallow for some distance out, with little or no surf, this is still ideal enough for great swimming, snorkeling and other water sports.
Plaza Flamingo Shopping
Plaza Flamingo Shopping
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 11.5, across from Hotel Flamingo Resort & Plaza, Zona Hotelera, Cancun
Plaza Flamingo is a small mall that houses around 80 different shops that sell mainly clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs.
The main attractions at Plaza Flamingo are the chain restaurants Jimmy Buffet’s, Margaritaville, Outback Steakhouse, and Bubba Gump, which fill up with partiers during Spring Break.
Plaza Las Americas Cancun
Plaza Las Americas
Address: Av. Tulum, Sm 4 and Sm 9, Cancun
The largest shopping center in downtown Cancun. There are 50-plus stores, three restaurants, two movie theaters, video arcade, fast-food outlets, and several large department stores. Warning: this mall gets very crowded on weekends!
Plaza Hollywood Shopping Mall
Plaza Hollywood
Address: Av. Xcaret at Rubi Cancún, El Centro, Cancun
At Plaza Hollywood, you’ll find several small boutiques and restaurants at this strip mall, as well as a bank, post office, and Starbucks.
For the wine connoisseur, there is La Europea Wine Market, which carries a wide selection of imported cheeses and meats, as well as Mexican reds.
