Are you planning to visit Mexico this year but want to avoid the crowds? If you are looking for ideas for slightly more off-the-beaten-path beach destinations in Mexico, you have come to the right place. I love going to Mexico, but I don’t like crowds and overly developed tourist destinations with huge resorts and hoards of tourists.
Luckily, from San Diego, going to Mexico via Cross Border XPress is convenient and cheap, so I go every chance I get. Here are my favorite 4 off the beaten path beach destinations in Mexico that you should consider for your next Mexico trip.
Acapulco
I just went to Acapulco in May for a tourism conference and got to check out this cute beach destination. Known for its glitz and glamour past, when movie stars and anyone with a name in the entertainment industry flocked here, Acapulco is now a lot more laid back and less touristy.
Why you should visit
Acapulco was hit by a Category 5 Hurricane in October 2023 and is currently being rebuilt. This means, you’ll have to deal with fewer tourists and get to enjoy brand-new resorts and amenities while also supporting the locals who were hit hard by this natural disaster.
Yes, there are still some resorts in the cityscape that have not been rebuilt yet, but they have made incredible progress in just a few short months and it is impressive to hear their stories about how the community came together to rebuild their city. You can read more about the night of the hurricane and the aftermath here.
Things to Do
Where to Stay
I stayed at the incredible Las Brisas Resort. As I mentioned before, I am not much of a resort lover, but this was incredible. The resort is built into a steep mountain side and most “rooms” are actually a villa with pool. To get up and down the mountain, you call cute little pink jeeps named after famous guests to give you a ride. The resort was completely destroyed by the hurricane but now sparkles in its brand-new glory. Doesn’t this look amazing?
Nayarit
Located just north of the famous Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit has a little bit of everything. The northern parts are really off the beaten path, and you might be the only international tourist in town. The further south you go, the more touristy it gets.
Why you should visit
Nayarit is a great place if you want to experience it all during your beach vacation. You can visit a cute little boho fishing village and “Magical Town” aka Pueblo Magico in San Francisco (San Pancho). You can also enjoy a more busy beach party vibe in Sayulita or relax at a mega-resort in Nuevo Puerto Vallarta.
Things to Do
Where to Stay
I did a road trip from Tepic via Jala to the coast, explored Sayulita and San Francisco, and finally ended up in Nuevo Vallarta. I stayed at the stunning Grand Luxxe Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta, which definitely fits the bill for a great beachfront luxury resort.
Ensenada
Ensenada is obviously one of the easiest Mexican Beach Destinations to visit from San Diego and my husband and I love going down there for a day trip or a quick and easy weekend getaway. While Ensenada has some nice beaches, there is so much more to do if you need a little more than just lazily lying on the beach (no judgment here; we love that too!).
Why you should visit
Ensenada is just a 1.5 hour drive from San Diego, which makes it perfect for a short notice and cheap beach getaway. Sometimes, you just have to get away and not plan for weeks on where to go, what to do, and how to get there.
Things to Do
Where to Stay
There are so many hotels in Ensenada, but our go-to hotel is often the Coral Marina. It is a bit outside of town and feels a bit more relaxing, yet an Uber usually costs less than $3 and takes about 5 minutes.
La Paz
I have to admit that I have not been to La Paz yet, but it is on my list for this year. I have a good friend who lives down there and she has been telling me to come visit for a while now. Everything she had told me sounds amazing and I can’t wait to finally go there and see it for myself.
Why you should visit
La Paz is a nature lover’s paradise. Once you get a little outside of La Paz, you can have pristine beaches all to yourself, snorkel with sea lions, go whale watching, swim with whale sharks and so much more. Then there are the hiking and ATV adventures, eco-tours and sandboarding in the dunes for the more adventurous travelers. La Paz has something for everyone!
Things to Do
Where to Stay
As mentioned before, I have not visited La Paz yet, but I have spent a few hours researching potential accommodations there. The Posada de las Flores looks absolutely dreamy and has a cute and boutique-y vibe and the restaurant has some stunning views of the water. I will update this post about my experience, when I stayed there.
Don’t these 4 off-the-beaten-path beach destinations in Mexico look dreamy? Which one is your favorite?
This article was written by Maria Haase for San Diego Explorer. As customary in travel writing, some trips and experiences were hosted by Cross Border Xpress, Visit Nayarit, Visit Acapulco, TIANGUIS 2024, and ProTurismo Ensenada. and the stay and experiences were free of charge. This has not influenced their opinion and the content of this article.
Last Updated on May 20, 2026 by Maria Haase
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