Playa Mamitas glitters under a DJ's neon stare, five minutes from 5th Avenue. Playa Fundadores gives you the same town beach for free, three minutes away.
Playa Fundadores: the free one
About three minutes on foot from 5th Avenue, at the foot of Parque Fundadores. It is a free public beach and the one locals actually use. Go here when you want the sea without a plan or a bill. Go here too when you want to be back at a café in a few minutes.
Playa Mamitas: the beach-club strip
A five-minute walk from 5th Avenue, lined with beach clubs. Go here when the beach is the evening's entertainment, and bring a budget for it.
Playa 88: the quiet north end
Further north, Playa 88 has no vendors and fewer people. That is why long-term residents prefer it to the town strip. It is the one for a book and a long afternoon. Plan the transport in advance: it is a taxi or a bike ride from the center, not a stroll.
Punta Esmeralda: the beach with a cenote
A free beach at the north end where a freshwater cenote opens onto the shoreline. The cenote is shallow and wide, with no entry fee. That is why families come on weekends and why it fills with local children. It is an 8-minute walk from our Colosio casitas.
Getting there
The two town beaches are a walk from 5th Avenue. For Playa 88 and Punta Esmeralda, a taxi from the center is short. A bike works if you are staying in Colosio. A local bus into Centro costs about 5 pesos, and the neighborhood is bikeable end to end. Whatever you choose, bring water and cash in pesos for the clubs and vendors.
How to choose
Match the beach to the day, not the other way round. A free hour before dinner is Fundadores. An evening of music is Mamitas. A whole quiet day is Playa 88. A day with children is Punta Esmeralda. And the ocean is only one of the ways to spend a day here. See five things to do when the beach isn't the plan. Read Rudy's top 5 beaches for his own ranking.
FAQ
Which public beach is closest to 5th Avenue?
Playa Fundadores, about 3 minutes on foot, at the foot of Parque Fundadores. It is free and public.
Which beach has beach clubs?
Playa Mamitas, about 5 minutes from 5th Avenue. Expect to pay for loungers and drinks.
Where do locals go for a quieter day?
Playa 88 at the north end has no vendors and fewer people. Punta Esmeralda is free, with a cenote that opens onto the shore.
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