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Chiapas is a true convergence zone, a fusion of attractions that every traveler should experience. The region offers rich indigenous culture, incomparable cuisine, fascinating archaeological sites, and a variety of beautiful beaches.
To help plan your trip to Chiapas, we’ll explore the unique features of its beaches. This will include a classification of the region’s mangroves, waters in various hues, spots for water sports, and insights into turtle conservation efforts. Join us to discover all that Chiapas’ beaches have to offer!
1. Plaja Puerto Arista
Considered by many as the main spa destination in Chiapas, Playa Puerto Arista offers a variety of attributes and activities. Stretching over 32 kilometers of coastline, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the sea, lagoons, mangroves, palm trees, and palapas. This diverse beach is perfect for relaxation and exploration.
With its expansive terrain and open sea, the beach’s strong waves make it ideal for both water and land activities such as diving, water skiing, boating, horseback riding, jet skiing, and quad biking. There are also local restaurants offering fried fish and an array of seafood dishes, passed down through generations.
2. Plaja San Simón
Barra San Simón is a 16-kilometer stretch of beach with strong waves on one side, while the waters near the estuary are calmer. Its name honors the patron saint of the city. The fine gray sand, diverse waterfowl, and the rich marine life, including oysters, fish, and shrimp, make it a top destination in Chiapas.
Ecotourism is popular here, allowing visitors to camp and relax under the numerous palapas. The nearby mangroves connect to La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. The area is home to diverse wildlife such as turtles, jaguars, monkeys, crocodiles, and toucans, alongside flora like royal palms and cedar trees.
3. Plaja Azul
If you’re seeking a peaceful retreat to clear your mind and deeply relax, Playa Azul Chiapas is the perfect place. With no jet skis or crowds of tourists, it offers a serene atmosphere. Unlike other Mexican beaches, there are no large hotels, and the tourist structures are small and modest.
At Playa Azul, you’ll encounter natural waterfalls with stunning blue hues, especially between December and July when rainfall is minimal. The warm, tranquil waters make it one of the safest beaches for swimming in Chiapas. You can take a boat ride through estuaries, explore mangroves, and spot endangered species like jaguars, toucans, and scarlet macaws.
4. Plaja Barra San Jose
Barra San José is a pristine beach on the Pacific Ocean, known for its powerful waves and smooth sand. The tranquil atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for relaxation. Surrounded by estuaries, you can explore them by boat, and the area features a beautiful pier that enhances its paradisiacal vibe. A boat tour will introduce you to the local flora and fauna of La Estancia.
The area offers an Ecotourism Center where you can learn about its natural attributes, plants, and fruits. Activities such as banana boat rides, beach and water sports (including water skiing and jet-skiing), and horseback riding are popular here. With various services like restaurants, markets, and accommodations, Barra San José has seen a tourism boom, making it a fantastic destination for camping and relaxation.
5. Plaja Zacapulco
Barra Zacapulco is part of the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, where mangroves, estuaries, and the open sea converge. It’s home to the tallest mangroves in Mexico, reaching up to 35 meters. Over 90 bird species, many from the U.S. and Canada, can be seen, including pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, and blue herons.
While photographing these birds, it’s crucial to maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing their natural habitat. In Barra Zacapulco, you can enjoy local seafood cuisine at restaurants, stay in cabins, and explore aquatic attractions for the whole family. Ecotourism activities include visiting the turtle camp, camping, swimming, and wildlife walks amidst diverse vegetation like ferns, lilies, and red mangroves.
6. Plaja Boca del Cielo
Boca del Cielo is a natural space located between the Pacific Ocean and an estuary, making it one of the most popular beaches in Chiapas, alongside Playa Puerto Arista. The fine gray sand, palapas, and soothing sound of the waves create a truly special atmosphere in this region.
This virgin beach offers cabins for those wishing to stay, while hammocks under palm trees provide a perfect spot to relax, sipping coconut water with gin. For safer swimming, children can enjoy a shallow saltwater lagoon with calm waters. You can also indulge in fresh seafood, like lobster or local dishes made with mojarra, shrimp, or mullet. Boat tours through the mangroves and water sports are also available.
7. Puerto Madero
Located in Tapachula, Puerto Madero, also known as Puerto Chiapas or Puerto Benito, combines the exotic with the mystical in an unparalleled natural setting. This beach is one of the 16 most important ports in Mexico, where large vessels frequently arrive, adding to the charm of the area.
With a wide 9 km coastline and beautiful blue waters, Puerto Madero offers plenty of activities such as diving, swimming, motorbiking, sport fishing, and water sports. The newly completed promenade provides a lovely spot for walks, where you can relax on benches and enjoy the sea breeze. Cultural activities, archaeological sites, and local products like marimbas and amber also reflect the area’s national identity.
8. Golful Paredón
Bahía Paredón is a beautiful beach considered part of the extension of the Dead Sea Riviera. Though it lacks sandy beaches due to its strong waves, it offers plenty of fun and is perfect for enjoying its tourist attractions. The sunsets here provide a spectacular view.
In its waters, you can enjoy various water sports and take long boat rides. As a fishing village, Bahía Paredón also offers excellent seafood cuisine at local restaurants. If you’re looking to stay, you’ll find a small, simple yet comfortable hotel in the town center, just 14 km south of Tonalá, easily accessible via the Federal Highway.
9. Chocohuital
Chocohuital is a place full of natural beauty and duality, with the open sea on one side offering a beach, while the other side features an estuary filled with mangroves. The beach is a paradise with gentle waves, beautiful blue water, fine sand, and a clean space, accompanied by a relaxing sea breeze.
This area is also home to the La Encrucijada Reserve, allowing you to experience the wonders of nature. In Chocohuital, you can enjoy activities like swimming, recreational fishing, kayaking, and savor regional dishes prepared by locals. A guided tour of the mangroves, featuring birds, alligators, crocodiles, and the iconic chocohuital tree, is available through “Los Rancheros de Chocohuital.”
10. Playa Linda
Playa Linda is a beach with strong waves due to the open sea, featuring a cool breeze and fine golden sand. It’s a favorite among Tapachula locals and an ideal spot for expert water sports, as well as beach sports. Here, you can enjoy boat rides, fishing, camping, or simply relax in a palapa while taking in the views.
Comfortable clothing, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen are recommended. The local cuisine is simple, delicious, and very affordable, served at the beach’s restaurants. Playa Linda also offers one of the most stunning sunsets in southern Mexico, making it a must-visit. Located in Tapachula, it’s easily accessible via the 11 km road leading to Puerto Chiapas.
11. Playa del Sol
Playa del Sol is a stunning beach with a sign marking its entrance, perfect for a photo opportunity. The beach is simple yet beautiful, accessible via a striking and expansive new boulevard. The area is adorned with palm trees and palapas, and its calm, blue waters and white sand create a serene atmosphere. The beach is well-maintained, and nearby, you’ll find pools with slides for added fun.
You can enjoy horseback riding, ATV rides, or practice beach and water sports here. The sunsets are breathtaking, ideal for photography and even postcard-worthy. In the local restaurants, you can savor seafood and regional delicacies. Affordable hotels are available for those wishing to stay a few days. The area also offers a visit to the Natural Reserve, home to a sea turtle sanctuary.
12. Plaja Palmarcito
Playa Palmarcito offers a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for travelers seeking rest on a paradisiacal beach. Its calm waters match the serene environment, making it an ideal escape, still relatively untouched by mass tourism. The locals are welcoming and provide excellent care, ensuring you have a fantastic time at the beach.
Here, you can savor local cuisine, including dishes made with fish, pork, chicken, and beef. Playa Palmarcito is also a great spot to enjoy beautiful sunsets. With palm trees and palapas for shade, it’s located at the edge of the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve, in Pijijiapan Municipality, Chiapas.
13. Playa Grande
This beach is one of the key entrances to the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. It features an estuary where you can take a tour and explore the natural wonders around you. The area is rich in vegetation, and the mangroves are home to various animal species, especially an abundance of birds.
While you can immerse yourself in nature and even travel to Marthinica, learning about environmental conservation along the way, note that there are no accommodation services at the beach. However, you can find lodging in the nearby town of Pijijiapan, Chiapas, which is just over an hour away from Tonalá.
14. Golful Santa Brigida
This paradise beach boasts white sand, turquoise water, and virtually no waves, making it perfect for swimming, water skiing, boat tours around the bay, visiting nearby islands, or exploring the Sepultura Biosphere Reserve. You can also enjoy sailing trips among other exciting activities.
The beach awaits you with its white sands, calm turquoise waters, palapas, and a treasure trove of natural beauty. It’s an ideal destination for honeymooners, with hotels offering accommodations to enjoy stunning sunsets and sunrises that only Bahía Santa Brígida can provide.
15. Centrul de Ecoturism El Madresal
Considered the most ambitious project in the state of Chiapas, this initiative stands out because 44 local families decided to unite in promoting ecotourism in the region. This makes the paradise of El Madresal an exceptional case, offering a unique experience compared to other destinations, and it will likely be one of your best investments.
At El Madresal, the beach meets an estuary surrounded by mangroves, offering a picturesque setting where you can admire the natural beauty and engage in various activities. It is also a sanctuary for numerous animal species. This makes it an excellent alternative for spending your vacation in a place where you can not only enjoy the scenery but also learn about the importance of preserving such pristine spaces.