You know what’s really cool? Hitting the open road—windows down, music blaring, snacks riding shotgun with you, and that endless horizon beckoning you for new adventures. So, I packed up my car, grabbed my camera, and set off last winter on an epic road trip around Mexico. What was I doing? Just exploring the most beautiful coastal towns and absorbing all the beach vibes, with tacos on the side.
If you’re into sunset chasing, wave lounging, or snacking on freshly caught ceviche right off the beach, Mexico’s beaches are simply stunning. Hang tight as I dish out the scoop on the hippest beach destinations I discovered—and I’ll include some humorous anecdotes for good measure.
1. Tijuana, the gateway to Baja
I began my adventure in Tijuana, directly across the border from California. Tijuana has this hip street life, really colorful, lots of energy, and incredible street fare. I slept there for a couple of nights in the artsy Zona Centro district, which is full of murals and really adorable independent cafes all around the area.
The city is not so much the place to be for a beach vacation, but there are some hip spots such as Playas de Tijuana where locals hang out and stroll along the boardwalk on Sundays. I tasted my first authentic fish taco there—crunchy, golden, and slathered in spicy salsa. I’ve been searching for that flavor since then.
2. Ensenada: Amazing wine and awesome vibes!
If you go two hours south of Tijuana, you reach Ensenada, this really cool port city that you just can’t help but get along with. It’s renowned for seafood, surfing, and Baja wine. And for real, Baja California has wine country, and it’s really cool.
I spent an entire day touring around Valle de Guadalupe, sampling incredible local wines and having farm-to-table luncheons relaxing under the olive trees. At night, I’d return to Ensenada to watch the Pacific sunset at Playa Hermosa.
Pro tip: Try the ceviche tostadas at La Guerrerense—Anthony Bourdain called it one of his favorites, and now I know why.
3. La Paz: Where Desert Meets Sea
After driving along the Baja Peninsula (what an adventure!) I made it to La Paz, and it flat-out felt like home. Nestled between the desert and the Sea of Cortez, La Paz is really mellow, adorable, and completely underrated.
I kayaked at Balandra Beach, snorkeled with sea lions at Isla Espíritu Santo, walked along the sunset malecón, and topped it all off with an appreciated paleta (popsicle). Water is this incredible Caribbean-blue and totally relaxing—great to kayak or to sit around and let all your cares float away.
Swimming alongside the whale sharks was seriously one of the coolest experiences of my life! They’re these enormous, laid-back animals, and being alongside something so large (yet still graceful) just felt completely surreal.
4. Mazatlan, the Heart of Sinal
After ferrying across the Sea of Cortez to the mainland, I landed in Mazatlán, a coastal city rich in culture and history. Mazatlán is more than just beaches—it’s music, it’s golden sunsets, it’s the sizzle of shrimp on the grill.
I was hanging out in the old center, and it was like visiting this dream world with all these pastel colors, full of colonial architecture and lively plazas. During the day, I relaxed at Playa Olas Altas, and by night, I was dancing to live banda music with residents who were really cool about teaching me some steps.
You’ve gotta see the cliff divers at El Clavadista—it’s such a combination of tradition mixed with all-out adrenaline!
5. Puerto Vallarta: Extremely LGBTQ+-Friendly and Simply Awesome
I continued driving along the coast and made the stop at Puerto Vallarta, and man, it immediately became one of my favorites. It’s really friendly, really vibrant, and genuinely pretty. The town has quaint cobblestone streets lined with balconies bursting with flowers, and the beaches stretch miles and miles.
There is such a large LGBTQ community in Puerto Vallarta, which makes the party atmosphere all the more fantastic. I snorkeled one day at the Los Arcos Marine Park, then headed to Zona Romántica to get some cocktails, where the nightlife is really incredible.
And sunset sailboats? Highly recommend!
6. Manzanillo: A Bargain Discovery
Manzanillo isn’t as well-known as some of the other places around there, but it’s a laid-back beach town that’s just perfect if you want to escape all the tourist madness. It’s a working port town, so you definitely get that local feel.
I was relaxing at this adorable Airbnb located up on the hill overlooking the bay. I would wake up each morning to fishermen returning with the day’s fresh catch. And the best part? Getting that fresh fish grilled straight off the beach at one of the family-run palapas.
Man, scuba diving and snorkeling in Manzanillo are amazing—there were just so many colorful fish that I completely lost count!
7. Zihuatanejo: Laid-back and incredible ocean vistas
If you’ve witnessed the finale to The Shawshank Redemption, you’ll fully recognize Zihuatanejo. Trust us, it’s just the same way in real life too.
This sleepy beach community that developed into this relaxed resort area has the most relaxed atmosphere of any place I’ve been to. I spent hours lounging around at Playa La Ropa, enjoying micheladas while observing parasailers soaring overhead.
Locals refer to it simply as Zihua, and really, it’s such a relaxed place to sit back, read a good book, and unwind. You won’t find any huge resorts anywhere around—just fantastic people, incredible sunsets, and really clear water that you’ll want to dive into.
8. Acapulco: The Comeback Kiddo
I didn’t know what to expect of Acapulco—it has had good times and bad times—but I’m really glad I visited. That glamorous glow remains, the city still glimmers, particularly along the Costera promenade, but there is this hip, nostalgic vibe that keeps it fascinating too.
Among the most awesome experiences was visiting the La Quebrada cliff divers, which remains just as awe-inducing now as it would’ve been all the way back in the 1950s. I also took a boat tour to Roqueta Island, where you can swim, hike, and relax at this incredible secret beach cave.
I’d hang out at these neighborhood seafood restaurants where families would come, there’d be music playing, and you could definitely smell that great combination of salty air and grilled garlic wafting through.
9. Huatulco: Extremely Relaxed and Unspoiled
By the time I actually reached Oaxaca, I was completely smitten with Huatulco. It’s such an awesome, Earth-friendly destination with incredible views, nine beautiful bays, and lots of secret coves to explore.
I jumped on this scooter (which was a little shaky at first, but I got used to it) and sped off to explore the various beaches—some with yellow sand, others rimmed with jungle. My favorite place to snorkel was Playa La Entrega, and Bahía Cacaluta was like my own personal paradise.
Huatulco has such a relaxed atmosphere, and there are so many eco-friendly activities, so I felt like I was doing my part just to be there.
10. Puerto Escondido: A Surf Town with Vibes
My final notable stop along this coastal road trip was Puerto Escondido, this incredible surf town that completely won me over. It has this raw, rugged vibe, really authentic, and this rebellious atmosphere that appeals to artists, digital nomads, and surfers all at the same time.
I’d spend my mornings watching the surfers ride those huge waves at Zicatela Beach (well beyond my capabilities, but lots of fun to observe), then I’d simply relax afternoons at the much more relaxed Carrizalillo Beach, which was great for swimming.
At night, the town completely transforms with the likes of mezcal bars, fire dancers, and people trading tall tales under the stars. It was the ultimate place to end the journey—a location that was wild, unrestricted, and just full of life.
Mexico Road Trip Tips That I Learned Along the Way
Before you go, I’ve got some tips that I’ve personally learned while I’ve been traveling that’ll make your journey much easier, much safer, and lots more fun.
Download offline maps
Cell service can be spotty, especially in remote areas or between towns. I used Google Maps offline mode a lot, and it saved me more than once.
Don’t forget to bring some cash!
Although many places accept cards, those small beach towns and roadside places generally don’t. It’s best to have some pesos available for gas, tolls, and taco stands.
Brush up on Spanish
Even basic phrases go a long way. People appreciate the effort, and it makes interactions smoother (and more fun!).
Travel during dry weather
Therefore, between the month of November to April is the optimal time to enjoy clear skies and tranquil seas. Summer can strike with strong rains and even hurricanes.
Relax – No kidding
Speed bumps are everywhere, even on the highways. And the best things in life tend to happen when you are not in a rush.
Be flexible
The best part of a road trip is all the unexpected things. Leave a little room in your itinerary for those great hidden beaches or small towns that just capture your heart.
Wrapping It All up: Mexico’s Relaxed Beach Atmosphere
Taking that road trip to visit Mexico’s coastal cities was genuinely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, I swear. Each city was completely different—from the wild atmosphere of Tijuana to the hip art community of Puerto Escondido—completely drew me in and inspired the entire time.
What completely blew my mind was not so much the views (I mean, seriously, the beaches are ridiculously awesome), but the friendliness of the people, the culture, and the fact that each meal, each conversation, and each town had its own feel to it.
If you are considering taking a road trip to Mexico—just go! Just be prepared to completely fall in love with many more destinations than you expected to. And perhaps, like me, you won’t be ready for the journey to end.