Published on March 18th, 2018 - One of the best ways to practice what you've learned through your online Spanish lessons is speaking the language with someone else, and traveling to Mexico might be the perfect excuse to practice.
Mexico is a country known for being home to a wide range of natural environments including deserts, tropical forests, mountains, and beautiful beaches. Although we're sure all of them are worth visiting, we decided to list some of the most beautiful Mexican coasts that you'll be dying to add to your list. ¿Estás listo? (Are you ready?)
1. Playa del Carmen
This beautiful spot is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo, and it's mostly known for its blue beaches, nightlife and giant resorts by the shores.
This destination is so popular worldwide that at some point we've all heard of it, but we had to add it to the list. At Playa del Carmen there are plenty of activities to do and unique places that you won't find anywhere else just a few minutes away from the city center and 5th Avenue.
Between February to August are probably the best months to visit this beautiful place. One of the things you have to do during your visit to Playa del Carmen is trying different types of genuine Mexican dishes, such as tostadas, ceviche and tacos, made with fresh seafood. You will meet many Americans who live and visit Playa del Carmen, but it is still a good idea to learn a few basic phrases in Spanish before you go.
2. BahÃ?Ã??Ã?Ã?Ã?ÃÂa Balandra
This beach is located 15.5 miles from La Paz and its surrounded by desert trees, cacti and low mountains with a reddish color. BahÃ?Ã??Ã?Ã?Ã?ÃÂa Balandra is probably the quietest place in our list. It is an isolated, sparsely populated coastal area in Baja California Sur.
Aside from the tranquility and the warm crystalline sea, another wonder of this place is the fact that the red hue of the mountains contrasts with the white sands and the bright water from the sea, ranging from turquoise to blue and green tones.
Bahia Balandra is the perfect place to forget about the world and disconnect for a few days, a hidden paradise in the coasts of Baja California Sur. So bring your beach chair, snacks and a good book, because once you get there you will not want to leave.
3. Tulum
When someone talks about Mexican beaches, it's impossible not to mention Tulum, a dream paradise with white sands, incredible jungles and cenotes (underground bodies of water).
When in Tulum, the Mayan ruins are a must. Take a morning tour: you'll have the best views and pictures to show your friends once you're home, and after a morning of walking you'll have the afternoon free to try new activities like snorkeling or cenote diving. If you're looking for something more relaxing, you can spend your day at the beach drinking a cold margarita while you sunbathe. Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time.
4. Playa del Amor, Marieta Islands
A few miles off the coast of Nayarit you'll find Islas Marietas, a group of small and uninhabited islands with abundant marine life populations which have been kept thanks to the different actions taken by the Mexican government towards protecting the area from fishing and hunting.
Through snorkeling and guided tours on the island, you'll be able to enjoy the panoramic views, the undersea life and the variety of birds that live there.
Also, inside these groups of islands, you'll find Playa del Amor, a tiny beach that can only be visited by small groups everyday, and probably very different to others you've seen so far: it's surrounded by a cave with a large open "roof" that lets the sunlight in. Can you imagine spending a day in a place like this?
Islas Marieta and Playa del Amor are very popular for their flora and fauna which make it the perfect spot for nature enthusiasts as well.
5. Playa de Akumal
About an hour away from Cancun, in Riviera Maya, you'll find the town of Akumal, home to dazzling sea views, a coral reef and warm waters filled with different types of fish, turtles and other sea animals. Because of the abundance of species, snorkeling is one of the activities that you must do once you arrive at this charming town. Life runs slow and relaxed, it is a great place to practice your Spanish with the friendly locals.
Although you could spend all day relaxing at the beach, nearby are several natural and historic sites, ecological parks and Mayan ruins that are totally worth admiring. Plus, you could also book a visit to the Centro Ecologico, a non-governmental organization that focuses on sustainability issues and improving the ecosystem in and around Akumal.
6. Playa Las Gatas, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero
Guerrero is a state in southwestern Mexico, and it has an incredible beach we think you'll love. Playa Las Gatas is a beach crowded with sunbeds, restaurants, and snorkeling shops. The reefs that surround the beach are the perfect scenario for this underwater activity.
There are two ways of reaching Playa Las Gatas: first (and this is for those who like hiking) is through Playa la Ropa, which is separated from Las Gatas by rows of big rocks. In order to reach your destination, you'll have to take a 20 minute-hike while enjoying the beautiful views this coast offers. The second option is easier: you can take a boat from the shores of Zihuatanejo that will take you directly to Playa Las Gatas.
Now that you know about these beautiful Mexican beaches, which one are you gonna visit first? Whichever you choose, the experience will be like no other you've had. Talk about your next trip to Mexico with your online Spanish tutor. They might share their favorite place with you, or maybe together you can make a list of some quotes that will be useful once you get there. For example: "Me gustarÃ?Ã?Ã?ÃÂÃ?Ã?Ã?ÃÂa tomar una margarita" (I'd like to drink a margarita) or "¿Me podrÃ?Ã?Ã?ÃÂÃ?Ã?Ã?ÃÂa decir cómo llegar a la playa, por favor?" (Could you please tell me how to get to the beach?) Can you think of something else to ask? Your next destination awaits!
