DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán : Outdoor

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Playa San Francisco and Playa Sol, Cozumel

Two among the many great beaches on Cozumel’s southwest coast: San Francisco and others near it are great for all-round relaxation; Playa Sol is best if you want a beach with loads going on.
Playa Secreto, Isla Mujeres

Especially good for small kids: a broad, sheltered, shallow inlet tucked away from the main North Beach. Its waters are always tranquil, and the beach is rarely crowded.
Playa Tortugas, Cancún

One of the best beaches on the north side of Cancún Island for mixing with the partying crowds. Highlights include the Fat Tuesday bar (famed for its cocktails), diving, snorkeling, mini-cruises, banana boats, and more.
Progreso

Every weekend and in July and August thousands of Meridanos head up the road to Progreso, to lie on the beach and eat in its many great seafood restaurants. The atmosphere is bustling, friendly, and very Mexican. The opal-colored sea is ideal for swimming.
Puerto Aventuras

This Mediterranean-style resort town was purpose-built from scratch around a natural inlet in the coast. It now contains the Riviera’s best-equipped yachting marina, surrounded by a smart holiday village of villas and condo apartments. There’s also a Dolphin Discovery Center, a golf course, tennis center, and several big hotels.
Puerto Aventuras

The most luxuriously equipped fishing center on the coast. Hosts a big deep-sea tournament each May.
Puerto Aventuras

The biggest, most opulent resort on the southern Riviera, a specially created vacation village around an inlet that’s now a pretty pleasure port lined with shops and restaurants. The nine-hole golf course is attractive, and the marina is the best-equipped on the whole Riviera, making it a popular base for serious deep-sea fishing enthusiasts. In another part of the harbor you can swim with dolphins (see Dolphin Discovery).
Puerto Morelos

Despite its location between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos has avoided big-scale development. There’s plenty of space along the long, white beach, where pelicans hang in the wind. A great snorkeling reef lies close to the shore (see Puerto Morelos, (see Puerto Morelos.
Puerto Morelos

This little fishing town was the biggest place on this coast before the rise of Cancún. It has avoided overdevelopment and retains a low-key atmosphere, much loved by the many foreign-ers who own houses here or stay whole winters in its small hotels. There’s a beautiful white beach, and a superb reef close offshore (now protected as a marine park) that’s wonderful for diving and snorkeling. Local dive operators and fishing guides give individual, friendly service.
Puerto Morelos

Excellent for carefree swimming. As well as the fine, uncrowded white sands, there’s also a reef full of vivid life just offshore.