There's more to Mexico than Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The west coast is a paradise for lovers of fun, sun and beautiful beaches.
7 Absolutely Stunning Places You Need to Explore on Mexico’s Pacific Coast
Updated on Jun. 05, 2025
Mazatlán
Mazatlán exudes colonial charisma and the lively atmosphere you’ve come to expect from Mexico. The cobblestone streets of Centro Histórico (Old Mazatlán) are lined with 19th-century buildings, while the modern district of Zona Dorada is where you’ll find most of the bars and nightlife. The boardwalk, which stretches across 13 miles of soft sand, is another major draw.
Adding to the coastal city’s allure are warm hospitality, year-round bikini weather, authentic cuisine and beachfront resorts including Vidanta Mazatlán and Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay. While it may be the shrimp capital—aguachiles are local favorites—meat also shines, especially in dishes like tacos de cabeza (cow head tacos) and pozole (a hearty, hominy and pork stew).
Puerto Vallarta
Once a little-known hamlet on the ÂPacific coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta rose to fame when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor bought a residence there in 1964. And let’s just say, its under-the-radar status was pretty much nonexistent after that. (Love Boat fans will remember it as a favorite port of call for the Pacific Princess.)
Despite being one of the most popular destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta still retains much of the charm that attracted Burton and Taylor in the first place—namely bougainvillea-clad courtyards, a malecón (boardwalk), street tamale vendors and the flea markets of Old Vallarta.
Sayulita
Sayulita is a brightly colored fishing village 26 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. While some audacious American surfers have been coming here since the early 1970s, it remained relatively unfamiliar to the masses until recently. The 2024 completion of a highway connecting Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita opened up access to this quaint beach town that’s becoming more popular by the day.
Now hailed as one of the best boarding spots in Mexico and an all-around awesome place to visit, Sayulita has grown into an unpretentious utopia, where tourists, locals, surfers and fisherman coalesce, and you can score cheap, tasty street tacos around the corner from high-end lodgings, including Playa Escondida and Amor Boutique Hotel.
Punta Mita
Just 30 minutes south of Sayulita is Punta Mita, an exclusive development that’s partially owned by Bill Gates. The peninsula is home to several five-star hotels (including the Four Seasons and the St. Regis), luxury real estate communities (which means awesome beach house vacation rentals like Casa Koko), exclusive beach clubs, Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses and a tennis center managed by Peter Burwash International. World-class dining options also abound, including Bahia by Richard Sandoval and Tuna Blanca.
Cabo San Lucas
Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas, aka “Land’s End,” boasts beautiful beaches—including Medano Beach, the longest and most swimmable in the area—vibrant nightlife, world-class deep-sea fishing and an acclaimed marina (you’ll often see mega-yachts docked here).
As Cabo San Lucas has grown in popularity, many luxury lodgings have started to pop up, including Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal and Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, with its sweeping vistas, infinity pools and swim-up bars. For those who prefer to skip the logistics and just show up, there are also plenty of all-inclusive resorts in Cabo to choose from.
Todos Santos
If you drive an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find Todos Santos, a place that feels like some wild gem, despite being accessible from the main highway. Backed by the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, this idyllic destination, which has been designated by the Mexican government as a Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town), is a mecca of artists, galleries and culture. Cobblestone streets are dotted with Mexican colonial architecture, artisan boutiques and saguaro cacti.
Between its relaxed atmosphere and regional restaurants serving up authentic fare (not just the Mexican food that’s popular in the United States), such as Tacos Y Mariscos El Sinaloense, it’s easy to see why Todos Santos tops so many must-visit lists.
San José del Cabo
With its low-key vibe and narrow streets—dotted with Spanish colonial architecture, churches, plazas and quaint shops—San José del Cabo evokes the ambiance of a traditional Mexican town. Sun-seekers can visit Playa Palmilla, one of Mexico’s best beaches, as well as Cabo Pulmo Marine Park, where you’ll find the Sea of Cortez’s only hard coral reef.
And when it comes to accommodations, the 70-room Hotel El Ganzo is unsurpassed—and in a town known for incredible luxury hotels and resorts, that’s saying something. Standout features include wall murals, rustic wood touches, an in-house recording studio (because why not?) and unobstructed views of the majestic marina. Dreaming of snoozing under the stars? You can fall asleep under the Baja sky at this resort.
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