Mexico’s Beaches

Its IS possible for foreigners to own property in Mexico — even by the beach (read the Guide to Real Estate in Mexico for details).  However, regardless of whether you are Mexican or not, you cannot own the beach.

Technically (legally), there is no such thing as a ‘private beach’ in Mexico.  Under the Consitution, all beaches are public property and, as such, people have right of access to them anytime.  There are some exceptions, for example, beaches classed or reserved for military use.

Some hotels place ‘barriers’ along the beach between the hotel and the water’s edge (sometimes in the form of stone boulders or, more commonly, simple rope cordons) to ‘designate the hotel beach area’.   This keeps most beach wanderers away, although the hotel cannot legally stop people walking on the beach in front of its property.  Most hotels cordon off the space immediately in front of the hotel, leaving access to the rest of the beach open.  Some hotels enjoy a virtual ‘private beach’ by fact of the hotel being isolated with no easy access to the beach from either side.

Ambulant trades people are almost always present on Mexico’s beaches, selling a variety of trinkets and tourist fare including sunglasses, towels, jewellry, buckets and spades… Some of them arrive by boat, which may be the only way to access the beach if it has been ‘cordened off’ by the hotel or is otherwise inaccessible without walking through the hotels lining the beach front.

It’s worth mentioning that the paragliding services and other motorized water sports offered by beach-side merchants should be approached with caution: their services are not regulated and the safety of their equipment may or may not be to standard.   If you want to experience paragliding or use motorized water vechicles, it’s best to contact an established operator with a good reputation locally, or arrange the service through your hotel who may have an agreement with an established local business.

Just about every major beach destination in Mexico has a number of beaches which have no hotel or other development associated with them.   They are usually frequented by people playing ball sports, relaxing, sunbathing, having a picnic, or just watching the world go by.  Some of them have palm groves or other shaded areas in the immediate vicinity; some also have beach-bars or kiosks selling a range of take-away food and drinks.

Be aware of beaches facing the open sea (in Spanish known as “playas con mar abierto“), especially on the Pacific coast.  Beaches which are not part of a cove or bay can be extremely dangerous to swim from, as the ocean’s waves land directly on the beach with some considerable force and also have a powerful undertow that may drag even the strongest swimmer out to sea.  If you’ve spotted a secluded beach off the beaten track which you fancy visiting, check with the locals to ensure it’s safe to swim from.

Some of the more popular beaches have a “flag system” in operation: red or black flags indicate danger; white and green flags indicate good swimming conditions.   When you’re out in the sea, keep checking the flag status as local conditions may change at short notice.

Beach & Sunshine Experiences in Mexico