Mexico · best-of list
The 23 Best Outdoor Spots in Mexico
All 23 outdoor spots our route editors picked in Mexico, across 9 destinations, gathered in one list. Each one is a stop on a route you can open and copy into a trip.
Our curated picks
23 outdoor spots in Mexico, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Bacalar 3 picks
Cenote Azul
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
90-m deep cenote for swimming, with a lakeside restaurant.
Tip: Go weekday mornings.
Photo: Mayra Macias · Google
Cenote Cocalitos
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Lagoon spot with stromatolites and hammocks in the water.
Tip: Do not stand on the stromatolites.
Photo: M M · Google
Los Rápidos
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Section of lagoon with a gentle current you can float down.
Tip: Bring a float; arrive before groups.
Photo: Los Rápidos de Bacalar · Google
La Paz 3 picks
Espíritu Santo Island
La Paz · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Protected desert island with red cliffs, white beaches and a sea lion colony at Los Islotes.
Tip: Full-day boat tours include snorkeling with sea lions.
Photo: Shawn from Airdrie, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0
Playa Balandra
La Paz · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Shallow turquoise bay with the mushroom-shaped rock, inside a protected area.
Tip: Entry is capped in shifts; arrive early and bring water.
Photo: Fabio · Google
Playa El Tecolote
La Paz · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Wide beach facing Espíritu Santo with palapa restaurants and kayak rentals.
Photo: Isaac Ochoa · Google
Los Cabos 3 picks
Cabo Pulmo National Park
Los Cabos · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Living coral reef on the East Cape with schools of jacks, rays and sea lions.
Tip: Snorkel or dive only with local licensed guides.
Photo: John Markos O'Neill from San Francisco, California · CC BY-SA 2.0
Playa Chileno
Los Cabos · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Protected bay on the Corridor with good snorkeling, shade palapas and lifeguards.
Tip: Arrive early for parking and shade.
Photo: Alejandro Pacheco · Google
Playa Médano
Los Cabos · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Calm, swimmable beach facing El Arco, lined with beach clubs and water sports.
Photo: Andres Guerra · Google
Playa del Carmen 3 picks
Akumal Bay
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Bay known for snorkeling with green sea turtles.
Tip: Use a certified guide; keep distance from turtles.
Photo: Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort · Google
Playa Mamitas
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Lively beach with beach clubs north of the center.
Tip: Weekends are busy; rent loungers at a club.
Photo: rocio rodriguez · Google
Punta Esmeralda
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Local beach where a cenote spring meets the sea, with calm water.
Tip: Good for families; fewer vendors.
Photo: Anna Wiśniewska · Google
Puerto Vallarta 3 picks
Islas Marietas
Puerto Vallarta · On our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route
Protected volcanic islands with blue-footed boobies and the Hidden Beach.
Tip: Book licensed tours; Hidden Beach permits are limited.
Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal from Tepic, Nayarit, MEXICO · CC BY-SA 2.0
Playa Mismaloya
Puerto Vallarta · On our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route
Small bay south of town with snorkeling at Los Arcos rock formations.
Photo: Mike R · Google
Vallarta Botanical Garden
Puerto Vallarta · On our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route
Hillside gardens of orchids and native plants, with a river for swimming.
Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tulum 3 picks
Cenote Dos Ojos
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Connected cenotes famous for snorkeling and cave diving.
Tip: Book a guided snorkel for the dark sections.
Photo: Paula Llopis · Google
Gran Cenote
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Clear cenote with caverns for snorkeling and turtles.
Tip: Shower required before entering; go at opening.
Photo: Melody May · Google
Playa Paraíso
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
White-sand beach just south of the ruins.
Tip: Swim after the ruins.
Photo: S. Lankowski · Google
Oaxaca 2 picks
Hierve el Agua
Oaxaca · On our Mexico City to Oaxaca route
Mineral springs and petrified waterfall cliffs in the mountains east of the city.
Tip: Access can close during local disputes; check before going.
Photo: שירה קרישר · Google
Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca
Oaxaca · On our Mexico City to Oaxaca route
Cactus and native plant garden behind Santo Domingo, visited only by guided tour.
Tip: Check tour times in English at the gate.
Photo: Peter Fraser · Google
Todos Santos 2 picks
Playa La Pastora
Todos Santos · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Long empty Pacific beach and surf break north of town, good for walks and whales offshore.
Tip: Strong currents; do not swim.
Photo: Esteban Moran · Google
Playa Los Cerritos
Todos Santos · On our Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz route
Sheltered Pacific beach with beginner surf, board rentals and beach bars.
Tip: The safest swimming beach near town.
Photo: MISAEL MONTELONGO · Google
Tequila 1 pick
Agave Landscape
Tequila · On our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route
UNESCO-listed blue agave fields and old haciendas between Tequila and Amatitán.
Tip: Ride a horseback or jeep tour through the fields at golden hour.
Photo: Jesús Álvarez · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the outdoor spots in Mexico?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 23 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Mexico has the most outdoor spots on this list?
The picks are spread widely: 9 destinations are represented, and none has more than 3.
Are any of these free?
4 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Playa La Pastora, Playa Chileno, Punta Esmeralda and Playa Paraíso. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Mexico
Best outdoor spots nearby
Destinations on this list
- Bacalar 3 on this list
- La Paz 3 on this list
- Los Cabos 3 on this list
- Playa del Carmen 3 on this list
- Puerto Vallarta 3 on this list
- Tulum 3 on this list
- Oaxaca 2 on this list
- Todos Santos 2 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.