Playa Delfines Cancun – beach, swimming and our tips

Playa Delfines – Cancun without the hotels

Playa Delfines stands apart from much of the Hotel Zone. While many of Cancun's beaches are dominated by huge resorts, this is a large public beach where the view of the sea gets to play the leading role. It is one of the beaches we believe all first-time visitors should see. Where is Playa Delfines? Playa Delfines is located in the southern part of Cancun's Hotel Zone along Boulevard Kukulcán. The beach is about 15–20 kilometers from the northern part of the hotel area, depending on where you start. It is accessible by local bus, taxi and car. Why visit Playa Delfines? It's primarily the view. From the upper part of the beach you look out over a huge sand beach and the clear Caribbean Sea. This is also one of the best places for the classic: the CANCUN photo. The colourful Cancun sign stands at the viewpoint and is popular among tourists. What is the beach like? Playa Delfines is:

wide
open
relatively little developed
known for clear turquoise water
surrounded by fewer hotel buildings than many other beaches

That gives a much more open feeling. Can you swim? Yes, but conditions can be demanding. Playa Delfines is exposed to the Caribbean Sea, and waves and currents can be stronger than on the beaches north in the Hotel Zone. Always follow the beach flags and instructions from lifeguards. If you are travelling with small children and the waves are large, we would rather choose a more sheltered beach that day. Is Playa Delfines free? Yes, Playa Delfines is a public beach. That is one of the reasons it is popular with both visitors and locals.

Facilities

Facilities can change over time, so this is a point we should check and photograph when Cancun.no visits the beach. We will eventually record:

toilets
showers
parking
parasols/palapas
lifeguards
accessibility
food and drink
public transport

Directly on the beach there is less commercial activity than at several of the more central beaches. When should you come? Early morning has several advantages:

fewer people
lower temperatures
nicer light
greater chance of available space
beautiful sunrise

The Hotel Zone's east-facing beaches are perfect for sunrise.

Playa Delfines with children

We definitely think families should visit the beach. But "visit" and "best swimming beach with small children" are not necessarily the same. If the waves are strong, you can use Playa Delfines for:

sand
view
photos
relaxation

and swim at a more sheltered beach later.

The Cancun sign

This is one of the most photographed spots in Cancun. At busy times there can be a queue. If you want the photo without spending much time, come early. How long do you need? For a pure sightseeing visit: 30–60 minutes. For a proper beach day: 3–5 hours or more.

Combine the visit with

Playa Delfines is located in the southern part of the Hotel Zone, so it is natural to combine the visit with other attractions in the area. Among others, both Museo Maya de Cancún and El Rey are located in this part of the hotel zone.