Mexico beach vacation guide for Canadians

Ah, Mexico. If you’re planning a beach vacation or looking for all-inclusive beach getaways, look no further: Mexico is one of the destinations Canadians visit most, and for good reason. Boasting gorgeous stretches of white or golden sand and steeped in culture with ancient ruins right by the ocean, the country offers plenty for families, couples and solo travellers to do. To help you decide where to go within this diverse nation, our deal experts have put together a list of top destinations for a Mexico beach vacation. Popular holiday locations in Mexico include the Yucatan Peninsula, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, but Mazatlan, Oaxaca and Zihuatanejo also make our list.

At Travelzoo,  we are always on the hunt for great Mexico beach vacation packages, including last minute, all-inclusive getaways to Mexico as well as Travelzoo-exclusive member deals for luxury hotels in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and beyond. We look for great deals for an all-inclusive beach vacation from $1000-$1500, and we shout it from the rooftop when we find something under $1000. If Mexico is on your travel wish list, check out some of our recommendations for the best beach vacation experience.

Yucatan Peninsula

Home to iconic Mayan ruins and sea life ablaze with colour, the Yucatan Peninsula is made up of the Mexican states of Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco and parts of Belize and Guatamala. Quintana Roo is home to Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. Cancun can be a busy destination, so consider travelling down south to Riviera Maya, which extends down along the coast from Cancun to Tulum. (We once compared the Fairmont Mayakoba to a resort unicorn: and for good reason). If you’re interested in exploring Mayan ruins, Tulum has some of the best sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, and a few are located right on the beach.  The Mexican state of Yucatan (not to be confused with the entire peninsula) is full of stunning archaeological sites, from jaw-dropping pyramids to biosphere reserves known for bright pink Celestun flamingos.

For an in-depth guide to the Yucatan Peninsula (and the name of our new favourite island for manta ray scuba diving, bioluminescent beach-walking and flamingo-spotting), check out our Yucatan peninsula beach vacation guide.  

Baha California Sur, Los Cabos

Los Cabos is a stunning combination of desert, beaches and mountains. Whether you are looking to hit the waves at Cabo San Lucas, snorkel in San Jose del Cabo or enjoy a week off in a upscale all inclusive result, there is plenty to do at Los Cabos. 

Travelzoo tip: Hugged by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Gulf of California on the east, Los Cabos is great for divers but has surprisingly few swimmable beaches because the undertow is so strong. 

For an in-depth beach vacation guide on Los Cabos and our recommendation for snorkelers, check out our Los Cabos beach vacation guide. 

Puerto Vallarta

A former fishing village of “The Night of the Iguana” fame, Puerto Vallarta is nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and stretches of beautiful Pacific Coast beach. From 5-star suite escapes to all-inclusive vacations with flights, Puerto Vallarta is one of Travelzoo's most popular Mexico destinations. 

A visit to Puerto Vallarta wouldn't be complete without a trip to Old Town or a walk down Los Muertos beach, one of the most iconic spots in Puerto Vallarta; legends speak of pirates coming ashore here, and there are said to be buried treasure and skeletons beneath the sand. 

For an in-depth guide to Puerto Vallarta as well as our recommendation for a must-see secret island, visit our Puerto Vallarta beach vacation guide. 

Sinaloa, Mazatlan

Mazatlan was one of the first major resort towns on the Pacific coastline and is a place of pleasant contrasts. The Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) is the city’s traditional tourist playground, with high-energy streets and hotels and tour buses full of cruise-ship passengers. Viejo Mazatlan (Old Mazatlan), the historic city centre, has been recently restored and is rich in colourful postcolonial buildings, restaurants and art galleries.

Oaxaca & Guerrero

Home to Huatulco, a popular cruise port destination and perennially popular Acapulco, Oaxaca and Guerreo are famed for beautiful beaches. Whether you are drawn to the massive waves at Playa Zipolite or looking for a quieter, remote bay with cyan lagoons, you'll find your oasis in our beach vacation guide for Oaxaca and Guerreo.