Tulum Ranks Second as Mexico Claims Six Spots on Best Beaches List

Mexico City — Mexico placed six destinations among the 20 best beaches in the Americas in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Three are in Quintana Roo, giving Riviera Maya visitors several very different beach experiences within one stretch of coast.

Tulum Beach ranked second, scoring 96.29 out of 100 and finishing just behind Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay at 96.67. Playa del Carmen placed 11th with 90.50, while Akumal Beach ranked 13th with 88.28. Elsewhere in Mexico, Playa Balandra in Baja California Sur took fifth place with 94.86; Puerto Vallarta placed 15th with 85.77; and Playa del Amor in Nayarit’s Marietas Islands came 16th with 84.94.

The rankings reflect votes from the magazine’s readers. They are a measure of travelers’ preferences, rather than a promise that every beach will have the same conditions on the day someone visits.

For travelers choosing where to spend their time in Quintana Roo, the three ranked beaches offer distinct outings. Tulum pairs a beach day with the possibility of visiting its nearby archaeological zone. Visitors heading to the shore should check which access point suits their plans: the federal government says public access to Tulum’s beaches is free, while admission to the archaeological site is a separate expense.

Playa del Carmen makes it easy to combine a swim with the city’s restaurants, shops and pedestrian Fifth Avenue. Akumal offers a different draw: its bay is a protected refuge for marine species, including the sea turtles visitors hope to see. Turtle-watching swims are regulated and must take place with authorized guides under rules designed to protect the animals and their habitat. A high ranking is an invitation to visit responsibly, especially in a place where wildlife is part of the attraction.

Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora welcomed the six Mexican entries as a sign of the country’s appeal to international travelers. “Mexico is in fashion,” she said, pointing to its landscapes, natural wealth and visitor experiences.

Quintana Roo also appeared on the awards’ islands list: Isla Holbox ranked third in North America, with a score of 94.29, behind Vancouver Island and Kauai. For visitors planning a longer trip, it offers another option beyond the Riviera Maya’s mainland beaches.

The awards may help narrow a travel wish list, but they cannot tell visitors what the sea will look like next week. Sargassum, weather and water conditions change, so it is still worth checking recent local reports before building a trip around a particular beach.