Meagan Drillinger
Finding
a great Mexican beach escape is easy; finding one with few tourists is
more of a challenge. But looking past the most popular beach destinations will
yield a bevy of fantastic, beach getaways in Mexico that are still relatively
undiscovered by tourists. These locations will give you a slice of laid-back,
authentic Mexican lifestyle on white, sandy beaches with beautiful hotels, far
from the bustling boardwalks and frenzied marinas of more popular playas.
Puerto
Escondido
While
Oaxaca is well known for its gorgeous colonial capital city as well as its
vibrant culinary scene, the state has some of Mexico’s best and most beautiful
beaches, many of them still relatively undiscovered. Surfers have been chasing
waves along this beach for years, especially on Playa Zicatela on the south end
of the bay; the port town has been ranked among some of the best surf
destinations in the world. At night Puerto Escondido comes alive, especially
along the pedestrian street, El Adoquin. Here the party will last as long as
the tequila and music holds out, which often is past sunrise.
“Puerto
Escondido, located in one of our favorite corners of Mexico, is the perfect
hideaway for a bohemian beach break, with an added touch of authentic Mexican
culture,” says the team at Black Tomato, a luxury
travel company based in the U.K. “For guests looking for an authentically
Mexican beach break, we suggest holing up at the gorgeous boutique property,
Hotel Escondido,
where you can literally step out from your room onto the beach for an early
morning surf as the sun comes up.”
Coming
soon: Karisma Hotels & Resorts
will open an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Escondido in 2017.
But
beyond partying, beach naps and surfing, Puerto Escondido boasts many wonderful
spots for nature lovers. Just 20 minutes north of Puerto Escondido, birders can
rent kayaks or motorbikes to spot pelicans, hawks, hummingbirds and spoonbills.
Visit the nearby village of Mazunte, whose inhabitants have dedicated
themselves to protecting the natural environment. From Mazunte travelers can
take ecotours on foot, on horseback or by rowboat. There is also a turtle
sanctuary that provides shelter for all the marine and land turtle species
found in Mexico.
If
discovering a region’s food and drink is what inspires you to travel, Puerto
Escondido has much to offer in that regard, as well.
“Close
to the beaches of Puerto Escondido guests can explore the rich coffee
plantations of Oaxaca as well as follow the mescal trails visiting
distilleries,” Black Tomato says.
Puerto
Escondido has its own airport and can be reached via daily flights from Mexico
City or Oaxaca.
Cabo
Pulmo
A
sometimes bumpy, 60-mile drive from Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Pulmo is not as easy
to access as some other destinations in Los Cabos. But once there, visitors
will find a paradise for divers and a contender for one of the next big
bohemian beach escapes, according to Zachary Rabinor of Journey Mexico. The small town is
basic beach bum at best, with a population of 250, a smattering of small
hotels, two cantinas and four restaurants, but divers will be rewarded with one
of the largest living coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean. The seclusion, privacy
and absence of a frenetic tourist scene add to its charm.
The
main draw to Cabo Pulmo is Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, just 60 miles north
of Los Cabos. The five-mile stretch of beach runs from Pulmo Point to Los
Frailes, surrounded by undeveloped desert and mountains. It’s a getaway
designed for nature enthusiasts and back-to-basic fans, where a beautiful
beach, a palapa and cerveza is all that is needed for a good time.
As for hotels, Baja Bungalows is just a three-minute walk to a rocky beach on the
Sea of Cortes.
Another option is the Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort, a thatch-roofed property
right in front of the Marine Park. The bungalows are basic in design with an
open floor plan, kitchens and barbecues. There is an onsite restaurant, the Coral
Reef, as well as a host of activities from diving and snorkeling to surfing and
hiking.
Cabo Pulmo only has a handful of restaurants,
which are more akin to cantinas. Most are cash only; the Coral Reef at the Cabo
Pulmo Beach Resort is an exception.
Isla
Holbox
Off
the coast of Cancun is the tiny island of Holbox, a glimpse into the past of
what Tulum used to be, with pristine beaches peppered with idly swinging hammocks,
bohemian hotels and a small but active art scene.
“Holbox
is the epitome of barefoot luxury, as Tulum was when it was first discovered,”
says the team at Black Tomato. “With only a few hotels to choose from, you
really feel as if you stumbled across a hidden gem. Casa Sandra is our go-to property
in Holbox, and the perfect place from which to explore the island and its miles
of sandy beaches.”
There
are no cars allowed on Holbox, so the best way to explore the nearby shops and
bars is via golf cart or on foot. The island is secluded and untouched by mass
tourism and offers visitors the chance to view some unusual wildlife, whether
it be swimming with whale sharks or spotting rare birds.
“The
island has beautiful beaches that are known for great surf … . If you’re not a
surfing pro, there’s also a section of the beach that is perfect for amateur
surfers and body borders,” adds Black Tomato’s team.