Xpu-Ha Beach: Still the Best-Kept Secret in Riviera Maya

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Dreaming of the ultimate beach escape in Riviera Maya, Mexico? Look no further than Xpu-Ha Beach!

Set between Playa del Carmen and Tulum (Google Map), this perfect stretch of powdery white sand is one of the best beaches on the Mexican Caribbean coast for swimming, snorkelling or just chilling out.

Although it’s not as much of a secret hideaway as it was in the past, it’s still under the radar of most visitors.

Discover everything you need to plan the ultimate beach day plus insider tips for restaurants, swimming, snorkelling, and soaking up the sun.

Is Xpu-Ha Worth Visiting?

As a judge for the Golden Beach Award 2024 (featured in over 600 media outlets worldwide), a guidebook author (Lonely Planet and Fodor’s) and a traveler to countless beaches across Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe, I’ve experienced some of the world’s most stunning shorelines.

From the hidden beauty of Playa Estacahuite in Oaxaca to Cancun’s iconic sands to dreamy Naxos in Greece, I’ve seen it all—and I’m confident in saying that Xpu-Ha Beach stands out as one of the world’s best beaches.

While it’s no longer a hidden gem, it’s not overwhelmed with people.

But with the high-speed Tren Maya (Mayan Train) expected to bring increased tourism to Quintana Roo, you should visit now before the crowds arrive.

This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated with fresh information after I visited in November 2024. 

How to Pronounce It

Many places in the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala (from Xcaret to Xela) have names beginning with the letter “X” because it’s a common letter in several Maya languages.

The letter “X” is pronounced like “sh” in English. And while its name doesn’t exactly roll off your tongue, if you pronounce Xpu-Ha as “SHPOO-ha” you’ll be pretty close.

Location

Playa Xpu-ha is located 25 kilometres south of Playa del Carmen off Highway 307 on the way to Tulum, in between Puerto Aventuras and Akumal.

It makes a perfect stop if you’re on the way to Bacalar Lagoon, Mahahual or Chetumal.

Although this stretch of the Mayan Riviera coastline is sometimes affected by seaweed during sargassum season, quite often the waters are completely clear.

How to Get There

It’s relatively easy to get to Playa Xpu-Ha, even if you don’t have your own car.

We’ve easily visited on days trips from Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Hotel Xcaret Arte, Secrets Moxché and the Barceló Maya Caribe.

You can take a taxi (be sure to request a pickup time to return) or you can hop on one of the minivans known as colectivos.

Unlike Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca where a colectivo is most often a pick-up truck with a buzzer in back, here on the swanky Riviera Maya, they are air-conditioned, relatively new mini-vans, complete with seat belts.

Not only are they comfortable but they’re cheap. Our ride (one-way) cost just 100 pesos (under $5 USD) for 2 people from Playa del Carmen.

Prices subject to change so ask before you get in the van.

You can catch a colectivo in Playa del Carmen at the corner of 20 Avenida and 2 Calle Norte, a 5 minute walk from Walmart. The vans headed to Tulum will be pointing north on the street.

You just climb into one with an open door, grab a seat and tell the driver where you are going.

How to pronounce Xpu-ha? The pronunciation of Xpu-ha  is pronounced shpoo-ha (shouting “poo-pa” from the back of a crowded van is likely one of the most embarrassing things you could ever do ).

Once the mini-van is full, it will depart, making stops along Federal Highway 307 to let other passengers out.

You pay your fare when you get out. After a 20 minute ride, you’ll arrive at your highway stop (km 265).

Then, cross the highway, pay 50 pesos at the kiosk, get a wristband and walk down the dirt road with the sign for La Playa restaurant, home of the Xpu-Ha Beach Club.

Save your food bill so you can get a refund of your 50 pesos on your way out (assuming you leave before 6 pm).

It’s an easy 10 minute walk, past mangroves and fruit trees, and is mostly shady.

However, there are mosquitos in the Cancun Riviera Maya area. So, spray yourself with insect repellent before you start walking.

Things to Do at Xpu-Ha

On calm days, the top things to do in Xpu-Ha include swimming, snorkelling or just splashing about.

It’s one of the best beaches in Mexico for families. Even non-swimmers  can usually find an easy spot to swim, assuming you don’t arrive on a windy day.

If it’s windy you can always go kitesurfing or go for a long walk. The sand is flat and smooth so perfect for beach walking.

But what most people do is just hang out and relax on the beach. Sip a cocktail, order a bucket of beer and chill out listening to the waves.

There’s not a lot of shade on this beach. So unless you’re a committed sun worshipper, bring your own sun shade umbrella or spend the day at the beach club.

Beach Club La Playa

Unless you bring your own chairs, food and drink, your best option for the day is Restaurant & Beach Club La Playa. It’s hard to miss it as it’s the largest restaurant on the beach.

The clamshell chairs and tables are free to use for the whole day with a minimum order of food and drink.

This gets you access to tidy washrooms with flush toilets, showers, lockers and change rooms.

Currently, the beach club and restaurant is open year-round from Tuesday to Monday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

In high season, be sure to arrive early as lounge chairs disappear quickly.

On the weekends, plan to stay for the day as live music begins at 2:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

While prices aren’t as low as they are in downtown Cancun or Playa del Carmen, they’re not exorbitant.

Expect to pay 200 pesos for ceviches and aguachiles, a tasty combo of shrimp, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, lime, serrano chile and red onion.

New to the beach club menu are molcajetes, a huge order of seafood served in a stone bowl, the traditional Mexican mortar made from volcanic stone. It comes with enough condiments to stock an OXXO store.

This is one of the most extensive menus you’ll find of any of the beach clubs in Riviera Maya.

You can indulge in a tempting array of snacks, from cheese-loaded nachos and freshly-made guacamole to golden coconut shrimp.  There’s even a kid’s menu.

Browse the menu at Restaurant & Beach Club La Playa

Sargassum Seaweed

Like much of the Mexican Caribbean, this stretch of the Riviera Maya is often affected by sargassum seaweed between May and October.

Check out our post on  Sargassum Seaweed Conditions in Cancun for details on seaweed season, health hazards and forecasts.

To monitor current seaweed conditions in Xpu-Ha, you have a few options.

1. GET MAPS AND SEAWEED UPDATES ON FACEBOOK

This not-for-profit group publishes maps of areas affected by sargassum  seaweed in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Tulum. Get updates on the Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun Facebook Page.

2. View Webcams

Check out the beaches on Webcams of Mexico to see live video frames updated every 15 seconds.

3. Consult Seaweed Forecasting Projections

You can also check the Sargassum Early Advisory System (SEAS), a forecasting project based in Texas that provides forecasting for the Gulf Coast, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Pro Tip: If there’s an influx of seaweed, spend the day at the cenotes of Tulum.

More Beautiful Beaches in Mexico

Love beaches? To discover more about vacations on other beautiful beaches in Mexico, check out these posts:

10 Best Beaches in Huatulco  

Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets

Playa Agua Blanca in Oaxaca 

Beginner’s Guide to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca 

Roca Blanca Beach

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