5 beautiful beaches in Latin America

Latin America offers a wealth of beautiful, amazing beaches, and you will find countless coastlines with white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and relaxation.

But which are some of the most beautiful beaches in Latin America?

Check out 5 must-see beaches in Latin America below.

Playa Varadero in Cuba – Caribbean idyll

Varadero is located on the north coast of Cuba, around 140 km from Havana.

It is Cuba’s largest and most popular beach area – and for good reason. The 20-km long isthmus, surrounded by the Mexican Gulf, welcomes you with white sand, azure waters and swaying palms. The beach is perfect for some lazy days of relaxation.

Many hotels along the beach are all-inclusive hotels where you can indulge in delicious food and a wide range of entertainment and activities.

The beach area offers a wide range of activities – both sports and water sports – and your desire is the only limit.

Varadero also has a small town where you can shop for colourful souvenirs at the cosy market.

Varadero is Caribbean idyll with a capital I!

Playa del Carmen in Mexico – White sandy beach and unique diving area

Kilometre-long white sandy beach, crystal clear waters and palm trees greet you when you arrive at Playa del Carmen.

The beach, which is located along the Yucatán Peninsula, has relaxation high on its list of main attractions. The white sandy beach is inviting, the water is beautiful, and the atmosphere is wonderful.

In addition to relaxation, the beach offers a variety of activities. You can, among other things, windsurf and jet ski. If you want a world-class diving experience, you can sail from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel in about 30–45 minutes. Cozumel offers beautiful coral reefs and exciting caves.

The area also offers plenty of urban life. The town’s main street, Avenida 5, and all its shops, restaurants and bars, runs from the centre of Playa del Carmen. Round off the evening at one of the street’s restaurants or enjoy a cold Corona to the sound of good music on the beach overlooking the Caribbean.

Armação dos Búzios in Brazil – Charm and brightly coloured boats

In South America, around 180 km north of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, is the Armação dos Búzios peninsula, a gem with more than 20 different beaches around the various coves, each of them offering unique experiences.

The peninsula was once a small fishing village, and its charm remains to this day. Instead of big hotels, the town is covered with idyllic “pousadas”, which are reminiscent of our Bed & Breakfasts.

Since 1964, when Brigitte Bardot swam in the turquoise blue waters, the peninsula has been known in jet-set circles.

The town oozes atmosphere, and along the promenade, lovely cafés, colourful boats and unique experiences await you. Today, the island is known as the St. Tropez of Brazil.

The main attraction of the peninsula is its wonderful and diverse beaches. You can, for example, relax on family-friendly beaches, surf at the more windy beaches and explore the lush beaches. In short: there is a beach for every taste.

Playa Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica – Rainforest and sandy beach in one

Neighboured by waterfalls and lush rainforest, Costa Rica’s most beautiful beach, Manuel Antonio, enjoys a unique location.

The white sandy beach is a mere 30-minute walk from the main entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most scenic national parks in the world.

The National Park is home to 293 different animal species and houses abundant flora.

The rainforest beach offers wonderful experiences, beyond those provided by the rainforest itself. You can see beautiful coral reefs, surf, relax in the scenic, lush surroundings and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Manuel Antonio is a truly unique beach paradise not to be missed!

The beach was also voted best beach in Costa Rica by Travelers’ Choice in 2017.

Cayo Santa Maria in Cuba – Wild nature and wonderful beach

The north coast of Cuba is home to a recently discovered gem.

The 16 km long and 2 km wide island of Cayo Santa Maria is situated off the town of Caibarién on the Cuban mainland. And this island is untamed paradise. The first hotel on the island was not built until 2001, making this a relatively new holiday paradise.

Wonderful beaches, azure waters, fabulous resorts and the most beautiful lush and wild nature are pretty much all you will find on the island.

The paradise island’s main attraction is, of course, its 13 km long fine sandy beach. Most of the resorts are on the north coast of the island, as are most of the beaches. On the south coast, however, you will find the lush nature where you can explore mangroves and forests.

Cayo Santa Maria is the perfect paradise getaway.

The Latin American beaches are really quite something. If you have fallen in love with the beautiful beaches, you can travel with us to one of the amazing countries – Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller