Cancun’s best all-round beach serves up excellent swimming, diving and local entertainment.
Playa Tortugas is one of Cancun’s most popular public beaches, offering a festive culture that has been carefully tailored to tourists. Just a short trip from the downtown area, the beach is crowded with people from all walks of life. The atmosphere is exciting, and this is the place to be if you are chasing the Cancun party experience. Play beach volleyball, or jump off the pier with the locals before relaxing with a cocktail. Playa Tortugas is an excellent beach for water activities, and offers snorkeling, swimming and bungee jumping.
While not as expansive as other Cancun beaches, there’s plenty of space along the sandy shore to set up your towel. Grab a seat at one of the beachfront restaurants, and sink your feet deep into the sand. Deckchairs and lounges are provided right on the beach, and from here you’ll have the best view of the ocean. Drinks and a range of snacks are available from the restaurant, along with more substantial meals.
Playa Tortugas’ water is clean and safe, and is an ideal location for swimming. The pier here is long, so boats rarely come close to the shore, making it a great place to swim with kids. The Great Mesoamerican Coral Reef that covers hundreds of miles between Mexico and the Honduras, is just offshore and can be reached easily from the beach. The water here remains shallow, making it an excellent place for divers however, currents are often active and conditions should be checked daily.
Take the plunge from the top of Playa Tortugas’s bungee-jumping tower for something more adventurous. Before you jump, be sure to take in the stunning views across Cancun’s beaches and lagoon.
Playa Tortugas is located approximately five miles (eight kilometers) from downtown Cancun and is best reached by bus or taxi. Paid parking is available. As the beach is public, it is open all hours, and there is no entrance fee.
