|
 TM
Sexy Secluded Mexico Beaches
Sun, Peace and Relaxation are only a short flight away this winter
Need a break from the daily grind? Seeking a sunny place to
unwind close to home? Look no farther than Mexico’s coastal paradises this
winter. With thousands of miles of coastline there are hundreds of unexplored
areas just waiting for sun-seekers to hang up their hammock and enjoy a
scrumptious seafood taco.
PACIFIC COAST: Nayarit and Jalisco
 Sun-seekers are bound to find a place to rest their towel and forget their
worries on the beaches of Nayarit. The small yet colorful state located on
Mexico’s Pacific Coast is not only a major agricultural center but also one of
Mexico’s most beautiful beach destinations. Among the must-sees is the coastal
city of San Blas, founded in the mid XVII century and the main tourist
center in Nayarit because of the beauty of its beaches and countryside. Water
sports abound and there are many seaside restaurants, which specialize in
serving up the local seafood delicacies.
 Another Nayarit secret enclave is the tiny low-key fishing village of
Sayulita. The beautiful sandy beaches are popular among surfers who come
from nearby Puerto Vallarta only an hour away. You can rent surfboards on the
beach and rent bicycles, join boat trips, go horseback riding, and/or enjoy some
trekking and kayaking. For more information, visit
www.turnay.gob.mx .
 The neighboring southern state of Jalisco also has its
share of intimate getaways. Among the most popular is Playa Careyes,
eight miles of beautiful coastline spanning secluded beaches, palm-strewn
foothills and lagoons surrounded by tropical vegetation. Here, a car-accessible
track continues along the dune, where you could enjoy a day or week of beach
camping. Fishing is good either from the beach, by boat or the rocks on either
side. Water is generally clear for snorkeling and, beyond the waves, good for
either kayaking or sail boarding. For more information, visit
http://visita.jalisco.gob.mx .
SOUTHERN COAST: Oaxaca and Chiapas
Rich in tradition, cuisine, culture and natural beauty, Oaxaca also has amazing
beaches. Tucked sleepily in southern Mexico’s Pacific coast is the Oaxacan beach
village of Zipolite extending for a little over a mile. Zipolite is a
great place to take it easy, with a magical combination of pounding sea and sun,
open-air sleeping, eating, drinking and unique scenery. Most Zipolite
accommodations are on the beach, where you can rent rooms, cabanas or even
hammocks. Seaside eateries abound and are highly recommended. Nearby Mazunte is
a quiet little place that attracts nature-loving beach-goers. Although there
are few amenities, this is a great place to get away from it all and is home to
an impressive turtle museum, the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga (Mexican
Turtle Center). There are also boat excursions to see turtles and dolphins in
the area for a small fee.
Only two miles west of Mazunte is Playa Ventanilla, a small quiet
untouched village. For those seeking a tranquil interlude, this peaceful
village is as close to paradise as one can get. Playa Ventanilla is a great spot
for an adventure or just a day at the beach. There are tours of the local lagoon
7 days a week for about US$3 per person. The tour lasts approximately an hour
and a half and takes you to an island in the lagoon where cold drinks and food
are served. You may see crocodiles, birds and other wildlife. Further down the
beach is a much bigger lagoon. Locals are willing to guide you there for a small
fee. There is also a horseback riding tour of the lagoons. For more information
on the Oaxacan coast visit
www.aoaxaca.com .
Heading eastwardly is the state of Chiapas, home to renowned archaeological
sites, folkloric Indian communities and secluded pristine beaches. While Chiapas
shares its borders with the famed Pacific coast, its beaches are still quite
virgin and little known to international travelers. Among these is the area
Boca del Cielo in Puerto Arista, a lagoon-side village, where you can take a
lancha across to a sandbar, with a few seafood eateries, between the
lagoon and ocean. Local specialties include fresh lobster and fresh coconut
water. For more information, visit
www.turismochiapas.gob.mx .
YUCATAN PENINSULA COAST: Yucatan and Campeche
Characterized by world-famous archaeological sites, enchanting colonial cities,
romantic haciendas and resorts, beautiful beaches and distinct cuisine, the
western coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is the ideal tranquil setting, making it
one of Mexico’s premier travel destinations.
 Just far enough away from the denser population areas so that it maintains a
special, slow, laid-back feeling is the beach town of Puerto Telchac,
only 35 miles northeast of Merida. The area offers visitors breathtaking white
sand beaches and gentle surf, safe for swimming and an excellent spot for
snorkeling. Other recreational activities in Puerto Telchac include hiking,
sailing, boating, fishing and snorkeling. During July and August, the main
plaza is especially folkloric as the fair is in town with booths offering foods,
regional handicrafts and mechanical rides.
Only an hour away from Merida is Sisal, a legendary port during colonial
times. Today its warm white beaches and exotic natural scenery make it the
perfect place for rest and relaxation. Beautiful migratory birds like the
Canadian duck arrive punctually every year in search of the peaceful waters of
Sisal. Also worth a visit are the fortifications built by the port guardians to
protect against raiding pirates. Local cuisine is offered by a few good seafood
restaurants serving up cold beers and fresh ceviche daily. For more information,
visit
www.mayayucatan.com.mx .
 With more than 300 miles of coastline, neighboring state Campeche has its own
hidden treasures. There are beautiful beaches in Campeche and most of them have
little or no development on them. Many beach areas are protected for the
preservation of Carey turtles. A little less than five miles away from the city
of Campeche is Playa Bonita, easily accessible by bus or taxi. There are
palapas where you can hang a hammock sold in town and enjoy a relaxing beach
outing among the locals that typically go on the weekends in the spring and
summer.
For the more adventurous Campeche is also home to Playa de Sabancuy on
the banks of the river Sabancuy. This is an enchanting place almost untouched by
humans. The waters are very calm and sand is powder like. There are shrimp,
oysters and a wide variety of fish in the river. The town of Sabancuy is an old
fishing village with a lot of potential for tourism. There are plans to develop
an eco-resort in Sabancuy in the next few years. For more information, visit
www.campechetravel.com.
Edited by Marilyn Miller
Adult Travel Editor
TravelLady Magazine
Back to TravelLady Magazine |
|