For a great holiday in Cancun, Mexico there is no need to spend a lot of money to experience what this incredible vacation destination has to offer. Check out our list of free things to do in Cancun that only require transportation means and an open heart to nature´s wonders.

10 Public Beaches

Visit a different beach each day of your stay. Cancun has many public beaches among the best in the world, running all along the Hotel Zone. If you have lots of energy you can try to reach the next from the beach.

Playa Las Perlas. The first public beach when driving from downtown to the Hotel Zone. It seems more like a bay, with shallow calm waters with some sea grass. Perfect for jogging, kite-surfing, wave runners and windsurfing. Located next to Las Perlas hotel.

Playa Langosta. A tranquil beach with views to Isla Mujeres. The bay continues here and makes it an ideal place for children and for walking knee deep. It remains the favorite of local residents on weekends. Gets crowded on Sundays. Located just steps away from the bridge and Club Internacional de Cancun hotel.

Playa Tortugas. A very famous beach that was once MTV´s Spring Break headquarters for years at Fat Tuesday Bar. Today is the main dock for Dolphin Discovery tours and other boat cruises to Isla Mujeres, and a great place for water sports. Located next to Pok Ta Pok Golf Course.

Playa Caracol. Just as its name, this beach is located steps away from Plaza Caracol Shopping mall. Due to past hurricanes, there is not much space to suntan, but it´s worth a visit. The turquoise colors can be enjoyed, and has a pier. There is a seafood restaurant where you can have lunch or dinner by the beach.

Playa Gaviota Azul. Behind Forum by the Sea Shopping Mall you can find a public entrance to a beach which is great for long-distance swimmers. There are wave movements, and ocean has moved close to the buildings. This beach is better enjoyed out of the water, and can be seen from the mall restaurants.

Playa Chac Mool. This is almost a secret beach, located steps away from Senor Frogs Bar & Restaurant. The entrance seems like a path way to nowhere, don let it fool you. After this, you will arrive to a gorgeous white sand beach. You can swim, suntan and have fun with wave movement.

Playa Marlin. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Hotel Zone. This beach is located behind Kukulcan Plaza and offers space for parking. Locals try surfing and bogie surfing here; there are also banana boat rides and even parasailing. Steps away from the beach you will find many restaurants and stores.

Playa Ballenas. Close to the Ritz Carlton hotel and next to Cancun Palace Resort. This beach is a beautiful scenario for a fun day; there´s shade, and the water is deep for swimming, challenging waves and all the water sports you can think of. You will find a lifeguard on duty and you can take a very pleasant walk.

Playa Delfines. Known by locals as “El Mirador” or Cancun´s viewpoint. This beach is the most famous one in the Hotel Zone. First-time visitors to Cancun that visit this beach have lifetime memories. From sunset to sunrise the awe-inspiring ocean views keep surprising each visitor. Tide is rough, but people enjoy stopping for the views. There are sitting areas, palapa shades and a lifeguard on duty. Next to Hilton Cancun hotel and across from Hilton Golf course.

Punta Nizuc. Known by locals as “El Mirador II” offers a totally different ocean view. It is located in the south point of the Hotel Zone making it the last public beach, just minutes from Wet & Wild Water Park. The water is calm, and looks more like a lake than the ocean because is close to the mangroves connects. Locals visit this beach more for the view than for swimming, and offers lots of space where to suntan.