Other beaches in Tulum, Mexico may be more famous but none is more beautiful than Zazil-Kin. The beach is wide, clean, and absolutely gorgeous, and because of its location at the far northern end of the three-mile long Hotel Zone, always uncrowded. The few intrepid tourists who do make it this far up the beach come to enjoy the laid-back beach bar or book walk-in beach dives with the Aquatic Dive Center, also located on the beach.

Gorgeous Zazil-Kin Beach has bamboo bars, dive shacks, and restaurants with sand floors

The beach bar is actually part of Zazil-Kin Cabanas, which are set behind the low dunes at the back of the beach, but the general public is welcome. Tropical frozen drinks and $2 icy cold beers are available at the simple thatched roof palapa bar, where customers can grab a low-slung chairs and relax in the shade provided by lush palms trees.

Offshore reef is close enough for divers to walk in from shore

An offshore reef lies quite close to shore, making Zazil-Kin Beach more placid than the southern beaches, as the reef protects the inner lagoon from heavy surf. The close proximity of the reef allows shore dives and on most days the Aquatic Dive Center strings a long line of the distinctive red and white diver flags in the sand as a reminder to boats that submerged divers are present.

During the hottest part of the day, Zazil-Kin Cabanas offer alternatives to baking in the midday sun. Follow the sand paths over the dunes and wind through the palms to their restaurant, a unique open-air facility where heavy wooden tables and chairs sink into a sand floor. The menu is simple, offering mostly sandwiches and fries, but the food is quite good and the prices are some of the most economical in Tulum. A massage area is also open to the public. Alternatively, the Tulum Mayan Ruins, located barely half a mile up the beach, are within easy walking distance.

Photo Credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel of Cultural Travel with Hole In The Donut