Whether you’re looking for a laidback beach vacation, a romantic honeymoon, a scuba diving adventure, a family getaway, or a cultural escape filled with history and architecture, Mexico has the perfect town for you.
If you’re ready to plan your Mexican vacation, we’re here to help with our roundup of the 10 best Mexico resort towns. We’ve got the best Mexico beach towns as well as inland options, the best Mexican resort towns for families, and the answer to the question, what is the safest seaside town in Mexico?
Cancun
One of the top Mexico resort towns, the main attraction in Cancun is its beautiful soft white-sand beaches with warm turquoise water. Millions come here every year to relax and play, most of them staying in the Hotel Zone. In fact, it’s known as one of the best Mexican beach towns to visit for Spring Break. This can make Cancun feel quite crowded and hectic at times.
Visitors also come for the active nightlife scene, but Cancun is popular with families as well. There’s plenty to do here, including excursions to the famous ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, scuba diving, shopping, horseback riding, and more.
There are a ton of resorts here including lots of all-inclusives. Some of the most popular are Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun, Secrets the Vine Cancun and the JW Marriott Cancun.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is also among the best Mexico beach towns due to its soft white sand and sparkling turquoise water. Just 45 minutes south of Cancun, it is also close to Tulum’s Mayan ruins and amazing cenotes (sinkholes you can swim in).
This Riviera Maya town offers a more relaxed vibe than Cancun but still has plenty of resorts, shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s also considered one of the safest seaside towns in Mexico.
Top resorts here are the Rosewood Mayakoba, UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, and TRS Yucatan.
Cozumel
Some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Mexico can be found in Cozumel, an island off the coast of Playa del Carmen surrounded by coral reefs. It’s mostly undeveloped but still offers plenty of restaurants, resorts, and shopping. It also stays fairly busy due to frequent cruise ship visits.
The beaches are pristine, however (especially on the east side of the island), the forested interior features some Mayan ruins, and the entire southern part of the island is a nature preserve you can explore. The island has a low crime rate, making it one of the best Mexican resort towns for families and another of the safest seaside towns.
Some of the top Cozumel accommodations are Secrets Aura Cozumel and the Cozumel Palace Resort.
Isla Mujeres
One of the best Mexico beach towns for a quieter vacation, this island in the Caribbean is reached via a short ferry from Cancun. While the main area of Playa Norte can get crowded, it’s also one of the best spots for families.
The southern part of Isla Mujeres is more laidback and quiet, featuring fewer resorts and more vacation rentals as well as local dining options. It’s easy to get around on a bike or golf cart, or by taking a taxi.
Popular resorts here are Mia Reef Isla Mujeres and Impression by Secrets Isla Mujeres.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is set on Mexico’s Pacific coast and offers beautiful beaches as well as lush jungles. One of the best Mexican beach towns to visit if you like lots to do, history, architecture, or the mountains, it’s perfect for families as well as singles and couples.
Top things to do here are stroll along the waterfront Malecon or the historic town, climb the steps at El Faro Lighthouse for amazing views, go hiking and horseback riding in the Sierra Madre mountains, visit the botanical gardens, and go whale watching. Puerto Vallarta is also known for its nightlife and culinary scene.
You’ll find a huge range of accommodations here including great boutique hotels as well as large all-inclusive resorts; some top choices are the Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel, Dreams Vallarta Bay, and Secrets Vallarta Bay.
Cabo San Lucas
One of the top Mexico resort towns on the west side of Mexico is Cabo San Lucas, located along the Sea of Cortez. While the water here is not as calm as the Caribbean, the beaches have a rugged beauty of their own.
With around 300 days of sunshine annually, this is a popular year-round destination that offers a variety of activities including snorkeling, golf, and exploring the desert on ATVs.
Top resorts here are Grand Velas Los Cabos, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, and Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos.
Merida
Merida is one of the best Mexican resort towns for families due to its safety and rich history. The capital of the state of Yucatan, Merida features a beautiful and fascinating downtown to explore, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and excellent food.
While it is inland and doesn’t have a beach, it’s not far from the coast. Merida is also close to Mayan ruins and cenotes.
Some of the best accommodations here are The Diplomat Boutique Hotel, Cigno Hotel, and Casa Azul Hotel Monumento Historico.
San Miguel de Allende
Another of the best Mexico resort towns that are not on the beach, San Miguel de Allende offers an authentic experience. This colonial-era town is located in Mexico’s interior about 4 hours from Mexico City and features incredible architecture, delicious food, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and multiple historic buildings like the famous Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel.
There’s so much to do and see in San Miguel de Allende, it has been named the world’s best city. Although it’s easily walkable, the altitude is high and the streets are hilly, so be prepared.
Top places to stay here include Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, Casa de Sierra Nevada, and Hotel Matilda.
Tulum
Located south of Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast, Tulum is one of the best Mexico vacation towns for travelers who want to experience both the beach and the jungle.
In addition to the gorgeous peaceful white-sand beaches and lush jungle, visitors can explore spectacular cenotes and lagoons as well as historic Mayan ruins, or go snorkeling in the crystal-clear water.
Top resort choices here include Bahia Principe Grand Tulum and Catalonia Royal Tulum.
Punta Maroma
Set along one of the best beaches in the country, Maroma Beach, this tiny laidback beach town is home to some of the best Mexico overwater bungalows in the Caribbean: Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma.
These idyllic retreats are perfect for honeymooners or anyone looking for a romantic escape. Other popular resorts are Secrets Maroma Beach and Catalonia Playa Maroma.
Punta Maroma is located on the Caribbean coast between Playa del Carmen and Cancun and features excellent snorkeling at offshore coral reefs.
Now that you’ve read our choices for the 10 best Mexico resort towns, which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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