3. Playa Pescadores
Moving farther down the sand, you’ll arrive at Playa Pescadores, another jaw-droppingly stunning beach in Tulum. Playa Pescadores shares the same perks as the other beaches previously mentioned: uninterrupted views out to the crystal-colored sea, soft white sand, palm trees, and even a glimpse of the cliffs where the ruins are in the distance.
It’s called Playa Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach) because this is where you’ll find many of the fishing boats that go out daily to secure the freshest catch. You can also find boats that take travelers on tours to the nearby reefs for snorkeling and to see the sea turtles.
What’s wonderful about the beaches in Tulum is that they are so close together. So if you feel like one is too crowded, simply take a short stroll along the shoreline until you find a spot to call your own.
If you’re arriving by car, you’ll find the coastal road is often lined with parked cars. Several parking options are available down the entire stretch of highway, and you’ll be able to walk onto the beach from the road entrance.
4. X’Cacel Beach
For a little extra legwork comes a whole lot of extra reward. X’cacel beach may not be the closest beach to Tulum proper, but it’s close enough to make the trip, and you’ll find that you may be one of the only ones there.
X’cacel is a turtle hot spot near Tulum, located between Chemuyil and Xel-Ha water park. It’s a relatively remote beach, which makes it a little more challenging to find. But that is a good thing, especially when it comes to turtle conservation.
Each spring, hundreds of sea turtles come to lay their eggs on X’cacel. A local sanctuary helps to protect the eggs while they sit and then when they hatch. The local sanctuary asks for a donation per person to use the beach, so they can continue their conservation operations.
Not far from the beach is a small cenote, too, which is also included in the donation fee. X’cacel is a great spot near Tulum to get a lot of iconic activities done at once. From turtles and snorkeling, to pristine beach photos, mangroves, and a dip in a cenote, X’cacel is really one of the hidden treasures of Tulum.
