Mexico's Best Beach Vacation Towns

Mexico has a multitude of stunning beaches — in a variety of forms — any of which will make for a great vacation. The following are the best beach getaways:

• Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's only beach resort where authentic colonial ambience mixes with true resort amenities. Spectacularly wide Banderas Bay offers 42km (26 miles) of beaches. Some, like Playa Los Muertos — the popular public beach in town — abound with palapa (thatched roof) restaurants, beach volleyball, and parasailing. The beaches of Punta Mita, the exclusive development north of Vallarta, are of the white-sand variety, with crystalline waters and coral reefs just offshore. Others around the bay nestle in coves accessible only by boat.

• Puerto Escondido: This is our pick for the best overall beach value in Mexico. Although it's principally known for its world-class surfing beach, Playa Zicatela, the surrounding beaches all have their own appeal; colorful fishing pangas (small boats)dot the central town beach, parked under the shade of palms leaning so far over they almost touch the ground. Puerto Escondido offers unique accommodations at excellent prices, with exceptional budget dining and nightlife.

• Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: These side-by-side resorts offer beachgoers the best of both worlds: serene simplicity and resort comforts. For those in search of a back-to-basics beach, the best and most beautiful is Playa La Ropa, close to Zihuatanejo. The wide beach at Playa Las Gatas, with its restaurants and snorkeling sites, is also a great place to play. The luxury hotels in Ixtapa, on the next bay over from Zihuatanejo, front Playa Palmar, a fine, wide swath of beach.

• Cancún: Despite the well-documented damage from 2005's Hurricane Wilma, Cancún is rapidly recovering and is known as Mexico's most popular beach playground. Essentially one long ribbon of white sand bordering aquamarine water, Cancún has one of Mexico's most beautifully situated beaches. If you want tropical drinks brought to you while you lounge in the sand, this is the vacation for you. In addition to being a bustling, modern mega-resort, it's also a great place for exploring Caribbean reefs, tranquil lagoons, and the surrounding jungle. The most tranquil waters and beaches on Cancún Island are those at the northern tip, facing the Bahía de Mujeres.

• Playa del Carmen: This is one of our absolute favorite Mexican beach vacations. Stylish and hip, Playa del Carmen offers a beautiful beach and an eclectic assortment of small hotels, inns, and cabañas (cabins). The social scene is focused on the beach by day and the pedestrian-only Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) by night, with its fun assortment of restaurants, clubs, sidewalk cafes, and shops. You're also close to the coast's major attractions, including nature parks, ruins, and cenotes (sinkholes or natural wells). Cozumel Island is just a quick ferry trip away. Enjoy it while it's a manageable size.

• Los Cabos: Dramatic rock formations and crashing waves mix with wide stretches of soft sand and a rolling break. Start at Pueblo la Playa, just north of San José del Cabo, and work your way down the Cabo Corridor to the famed Playa de Amor at Land's End. Some beaches are more appropriate for contemplation than for swimming, which isn't all bad.