5 Best Small Beach Towns Near Cancun to Visit
Are you planning a trip to the Riviera Maya but want something more low-key than Cancun?
Many travelers search for small beach towns near Cancun to enjoy the same turquoise waters and Caribbean charm, without the crowds and large resort atmosphere.
In this guide, I’ll cover the five best small towns near Cancun, each offering its own unique atmosphere, beaches, and local experiences.
It’s worth noting that while Cancun is the gateway to the Riviera Maya (thanks to its international airport), the city itself isn’t considered part of it. To reach these smaller coastal gems, you’ll first need to fly into Cancun International Airport and then make your way south along the Riviera Maya.
All of these beach towns offer excellent accommodations, a beautiful beach shoreline, and many amenities. Perfect for those looking for a relaxing, quieter vacation with their loved ones or family.
Places like Playa Del Carmen and Tulum won’t be included in this list. These beach towns are more considered cities nowadays because of their larger population size, development, and tourism popularity. Both are great places to visit, but they aren’t small beach towns by any means!
For your convenience, the small beach towns are listed from closest to farthest to Cancun.
How to Get to Small Beach Towns Near Cancun
Here is some quick information on how to get to any of these small beach towns in the Riviera Maya from Cancun Airport.
A popular and cheap way to travel around Mexico is by using the ADO Bus. Unfortunately, the bus doesn’t stop at most of these small beach towns. And if they do, the schedule is inconsistent and isn’t reliable.
These are your two transportation options for Puerto Morelos, Playa Paraiso, Puerto Aventuras, and Akumal.
- Private Airport Transportation: The most convenient way to leave Cancun Airport and get anywhere, you’ll have an English-speaking driver waiting for you, and you can choose the vehicle size of your choice!
- Shared Shuttle Bus: On a shared shuttle, you’ll be boarding a van full of passengers, stopping in different places along the coast.
For Cozumel: To get to Cozumel from Cancun Airport, you can take any of the two transportation methods above to Playa Del Carmen and then take the ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel. Or take the ADO Bus to Playa Del Carmen and then the ferry.
Puerto Morelos
The drive time from Cancun Airport to Puerto Morelos is only 20 minutes, with a distance of 25 km.
Due to its proximity to Cancun, Puerto Morelos, once a small fishing village, has undergone significant changes over the years.
As Cancun became a popular vacation destination, Puerto Morelos also experienced growth and development.
Today, Puerto Morelos is a small beach town full of large resorts, a Centro area full of supermarkets, restaurants, and local markets. The most well-known resorts here are Dreams Riviera Maya and Zoetry Cancun. Puerto Morelos is also home to a thriving expat community.
There are plenty of things to do in Puerto Morelos, the town has a few beaches, several delicious restaurants, and a zoo, and it’s one of the best places to snorkel in the Riviera Maya.
Playa Paraiso
Located only a few minutes away from Puerto Morelos is Playa Paraiso, a tiny beach town along the coastline. From Cancun Airport to Playa Paraiso, the drive time is 30 minutes with a distance of 36km.
Playa Paraiso primarily consists of large resorts and many separate entertainment options for guests to enjoy, such as Cirque Du Soleil JOYA, Jungala Aqua Experience, and the Mayan Water Complex.
The most well-known resorts here are Iberostar Paraiso Beach and Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, though this resort is only for adults.
This is an excellent town to visit if you’re staying with kids and would like for there to be many different activities for the family to enjoy, and quieter beaches!
Staying in Playa Paraiso means you’re only 25 minutes away from Playa Del Carmen. You can go into a town for a day or two to check it out, do some souvenir shopping, and try the many excellent restaurants there.
Puerto Aventuras
Slightly further than the first two beach towns, Puerto Aventuras is 1 Hour and 10 minutes, a total distance of 76km from Cancun Airport.
Puerto Aventuras is famous for its large resorts, like the first two beach towns listed. However, unlike Puerto Morelos and Playa Paraiso, Puerto Aventuras is more of a developed small beach town.
There are plenty of things to do in Puerto Aventuras; you can rent a yacht and sail the Caribbean Sea, visit Dolphin Discovery, or head over to Parque Xcaret, the best adventure park in the Riviera Maya.
Dreams Puerto Aventuras and the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya are the two highest-rated resorts in town. Puerto Aventuras has a few beaches taken up by resorts, but there are also Playa Xpu-Ha and Paamul Beach, both excellent public beaches!
The small Centro area has many excellent restaurants, cenotes nearby to explore, and many residential buildings. Because of its small-town charm, many expats call Puerto Aventuras home.
Akumal Beach is only 15 minutes from Puerto Aventuras, a famous beach known for swimming with sea turtles! Also, Puerto Aventuras is between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, so if you’d like to visit either town for a day trip, it’s easy!
Akumal
One of the most popular small beach towns near Cancun is Akumal. The main reason is that Akumal Beach is home to seven species of sea turtles, and locals/tourists come to Akumal to swim with them!
Akumal is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Cancun Airport, with a distance of 92 km.
Swimming with sea turtles in Akumal is the most popular attraction here, but there are many other things to do in Akumal as well. There are excellent local restaurants in the Centro area of town.
Akumal has many beaches to discover along its coast. There are plenty of nearby cenotes to discover, a monkey sanctuary, and Yal Ku Park.
A must-experience when visiting Akumal is Casa Tortuga Cenotes, this cenote park has four mesmerizing incredible cenotes to discover!
Secrets Akumal is famous for being one of the best resorts in all of Mexico, and it’s located right here in Akumal. If out of budget, consider Akumal Bay Resort.
Cozumel
Lastly, Cozumel is not a beach town, but sometimes feels like one when visiting. It is located across the water from Playa Del Carmen. Cozumel is one of the most beautiful islands in Mexico, full of luscious green jungle and stretches of beach shoreline, and famous for its snorkeling/diving adventures.
Cozumel is 1 hour and 40 minutes from Cancun Airport. You can fly into Cozumel Airport, but if you can’t find a direct flight to Cozumel, you must first go from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen and then take the ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel.
There are so many things to do and experience in Cozumel. The island is known for snorkeling and scuba diving because of its rich and healthy coral reefs.
But besides that, other top activities in Cozumel include jeep safaris, visiting Punta Sur ecological park, and riding around the island’s coastline.
Another popular activity in Cozumel is spending an afternoon at the many beach clubs here that include all-inclusive, all-you-can-eat and drink passes! Mr. Sanchos and Paradise Beach Club are the most well-known ones!
For those visiting with their loved one, consider Presidente InterContinental, one of the best resorts in the Riviera Maya. If you’re visiting with your family, Melia Cozumel is a great all-inclusive offering many amenities for the whole family!
Ferries go back and forth between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen from morning to night. So, making a day trip to Playa Del Carmen from Cozumel is easy and convenient!
Why Visit a Small Beach Town in The Riviera Maya
If you’re reading this list of small beach towns and thinking to yourself: What are the benefits of going to a small beach town when you can go to big ones like Cancun or Playa Del Carmen? Here are a few reasons why!
- You’ve been to Cancun and would like to check out elsewhere in the region.
- This is a romantic getaway or honeymoon for you and your partner, and you’d like to visit a beach town that’s quieter, calmer, and can cater to special romantic requests.
- For those visiting with their intimate or extended family, visiting a smaller beach town makes things easier for the family and safer for kids.
Are these Small Beach Towns near Cancun Safe?
These small beach towns in the Riviera Maya are safer than the bigger towns like Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum.
Don’t get me wrong; these towns are safe, also, but not nearly as secure as the smaller beach towns I’ve listed above. With less foot traffic and tourists, it’s typical for a city to be safer!
These quiet beach towns near Cancun are simple beach towns with minimal to no nightlife, with small residential communities where everyone knows one another.
Remember to purchase travel insurance before visiting Mexico in case of any unexpected issues!
Best Time To Visit Riviera Maya
The best time to visit any of these towns in the Riviera Maya is between November and April; this time of year is considered the dry season in the Riviera Maya.
During the dry season, the weather is most optimal in the region. It’s hot enough to go to the beach, the humidity isn’t nearly as high as in the rainy season, and you’re less likely to experience rain when visiting.
Dry Season: November to April
Rainy Season: May to October
The Riviera Maya has two main seasons, the dry and rainy season, and is also part of the hurricane season.
What is the rainy season like in Riviera Maya?
It’s much hotter during the rainy season, and the humidity levels are at their highest during this time of year. Rainfall does occur sometimes, and when it does, it is usually brief because the region has a tropical climate.
But during this time, you are more likely to encounter days where it may rain all day, compared to the dry season.
What’s the best way to get to small beach towns near Cancun?
The easiest way is to fly into Cancun International Airport and then take an ADO bus, private transfer, or taxi to towns like Puerto Morelos, Playa Paraíso, or Akumal. For Puerto Aventuras, a private transfer or taxi is usually the most convenient.
Are the small beaches near Cancun quieter than Cancun itself?
Yes, beach towns like Puerto Morelos, Playa Paraíso, and Akumal generally offer a more peaceful and relaxed vibe, with fewer crowds and a more intimate, local atmosphere compared to the bustling hotel zone in Cancun.
Which small beach town near Cancun is best for snorkeling or sea turtles?
Akumal is most famous for swimming with green sea turtles in a bay setting. Puerto Morelos also offers vibrant snorkeling reefs just offshore, and Cozumel, via ferry, is known for exceptional coral reefs and underwater adventures.
Which small beach town near Cancun is the most affordable?
If you’re traveling on a budget, Puerto Morelos is often the cheapest small town near Cancun for food, hotels, and activities. Akumal and Playa Paraíso can be pricier since they’re more resort-driven, while Puerto Aventuras usually falls in between.
