Best LGBTQ-Friendly Beaches in Mexico

On the southern curve of Bahia de Banderas lies Playa El Caballo, an almost-always deserted beach strip nestled against lush, jungle foliage. Playa del Caballo brags white sands and turquoise waters. To get there, you’ll either need to hike from Boca de Tomatlan or take a water taxi to the neighboring Las Animas beach. The effort is undoubtedly worth it. While you might see the odd hiker passing through, the majority of your time will be spent in utter peace. Take a good book and your beach bag for a day in paradise as there are very amenities offered at this hidden treasure. There is only one small hotel with a restaurant and bar offering service to locals and tourists, Casitas Maraika.

Playa Zipolite is one of the few nude beaches in Mexico (although nudity is not explicitly legal in Mexico), and its laid back, "hippie" nature gives it an aura of paradise. Watch out for powerful waves and strong currents, but enjoy the sun and quirky restaurants.

With its vibrant nightlife and ultimate resort activities, Mamita's Beach Club attracts a young, party-seeking crowd in Playa Del Carmen.

Playa Los Muertos, meaning Deadman's Beach or the Beach of the Dead, is a popular family-friendly beach in Puerto Vallarta. Though some local legends claim the beach as a site of bloody ambushes during colonial times, many believe that the beach's name is derived from its historic use as a burial site for local indigenous cultures. Los Muertos Beach is centrally located in Puerto Vallarta by the iconic and recently renovated Los Muertos Pier. As Puerto Vallarta's most-visited tourist beach, there's lots to do and enjoy on this beach. Los Muertos beach offers great swimming and water sport conditions. There are always people fishing off the pier or from the beach, boats traveling in the surrounding waters, people paddling around in banana boats, and people parasailing.

Playa Los Meurtos is home to a wide variety of beachfront vendors and concession offerings like fish on a stick, fresh oysters, fresh fruit on a stick, silver, and even massages. There are restaurants and hotels lining this stretch of beach where you can sit for hours enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing. Some local favorites are La Palapa, El Arrayán, El Dorado, and The Blue Shrimp. Playa Los Meurtos is the centerpiece of much of the town's history, you can visit Las Pilitas, The Old Town, and the Original Seahorse Statue. Getting to Los Muertos is easy, you will find it south of the Malecon and the Cuale River Island, by following the edge of the sea from the main square until you see Venustiano Carranza street, where Los Muertos beach starts. In fact, all streets off of Olas Altas street end on the beach.