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Home / Beaches / Playa Xcalacoco

Playa Xcalacoco

Пляж Шкалакоко
Mexico · Beach · Playa del Carmen
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children and couples: gentle entry, shallow water and a calm atmosphere. Suitable for snorkelling and a quiet holiday. Not suitable for party lovers.

Best month

January

Water
+27.0°C
Length
2 500 m
A secluded beach north of Playa del Carmen, featuring a calm atmosphere and natural beauty. It has a less crowded setting and soft sand, popular for a quiet retreat.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A secluded beach north of Playa del Carmen, featuring a calm atmosphere and natural beauty. It has a less crowded setting and soft sand, popular for a quiet retreat.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Soft beige sand
  • Gentle entry
  • Clear water
  • Snorkelling
  • Calm atmosphere
  • Many restaurants
  • Suitable for children

Cons

  • Rocky shore in some places
  • Strong waves
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Paid parking
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and couples: gentle entry, shallow water and a calm atmosphere. Suitable for snorkelling and a quiet holiday. Not suitable for party lovers.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Playa Xcalacoco, whose name translates from Maya as "twin coconuts", is one of the most underrated beaches in the Riviera Maya. There is a small reef near the shore, ideal for snorkelling.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
mixed
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
2 500 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Underwater Visibility
12.0 m
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November
Season end
May
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurante Xcalacoco

Mexican

Local restaurant with Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood.

Beach Club Xcalacoco

International

Beach club with a varied menu and cocktails.

Nearby cuisines

Mexican

Mexican cuisine with seafood.

Must try: Ceviche, tacos, guacamole

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Caribbean Sea.

Must try: Grilled fish, shrimp, lobster
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash
Best Time to Swim
Best time for swimming is from November to May. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people.
Local Rules
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Swim in permitted areas.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Playa del Carmen

Town with Fifth Avenue, restaurants and shops.

Xel-Há Park

Ecological park with lagoons and snorkelling.

Tulum

Ancient Maya city on the coast.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Xcalacoco: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Xcalacoco: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.5 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Xcalacoco: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — mixed. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Xcalacoco: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 2 500 metres.
Playa Xcalacoco: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November. It ends in May. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Xcalacoco: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Xcalacoco: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Xcalacoco: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Xcalacoco: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurante Xcalacoco, Beach Club Xcalacoco. Cuisines available: Mexican, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Xcalacoco: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash.
Playa Xcalacoco: when is the best time to swim?
Best time for swimming is from November to May. In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people.
Playa Xcalacoco: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Swim in permitted areas.
Playa Xcalacoco: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Xcalacoco: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and couples: gentle entry, shallow water and a calm atmosphere. Suitable for snorkelling and a quiet holiday. Not suitable for party lovers.
Playa Xcalacoco: what makes this beach unique?
Playa Xcalacoco, whose name translates from Maya as "twin coconuts", is one of the most underrated beaches in the Riviera Maya. There is a small reef near the shore, ideal for snorkelling.
Playa Xcalacoco: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Soft beige sand, Gentle entry, Clear water, Snorkelling, Calm atmosphere, Many restaurants, Suitable for children. Cons: Rocky shore in some places, Strong waves, Limited infrastructure, Paid parking.
Playa Xcalacoco: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Playa del Carmen, Xel-Há Park, Tulum. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Xcalacoco: how do I get to the city of Playa del Carmen?
The beach is located near the city of Playa del Carmen. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Playa del Carmen.

City

Playa del Carmen

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

January

Useful information

Country: Mexico
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 20.665700, -87.029830

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