Playa Delfines
Playa Delfines
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The dazzling waters, palapas (thatched huts), and phenomenal ocean views are some of the highlights at Playa Delfines. This is Cancun’s largest free public beach and is loved by travelers due to the gentle waves and clean waters. It’s also the only beach in the Hotel Zone without towering resorts in the vicinity and one of the rare few that offers free parking. Swing by in the morning to win a chance of spotting dolphins frolicking from the lookout platform. Or just admire the unobstructed vistas of the Caribbean Sea. Don’t miss the vibrant block-lettered Cancun sign at El Mirador, a popular photo spot.
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See what travellers are saying
- Voyager953559 contributionsA good hotel in CancunWe stayed 10 days at the Windham Hotel in Cancun located on the beach in the hotel zone. Great location with bus stop outside the hotel. 15 km beach. Large rooms and good maintenance. Meals with 3 excellent restaurants. Don't miss the one on the beach. Very pleasant lunch and dinner. Very attentive staff. Very good stay.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten February 21, 2024
- MoRa LAFCordoba, Argentina20,761 contributionsBeach, Mirador and the Cancun signOn other trips we had seen it from the road and thought it was beautiful, but we never had time to enjoy it. Now we did stay there and it was the one we liked the most of those we were able to visit. It is very wide and as it is located in front of the open sea, it has strong waves. It offers a long strip for parking, but every time we passed it we saw it crowded and this time was no exception. To access the beach itself and the sea you have to walk a fairly steep stretch of sand, so move your little legs! haha. You will find infrastructure to use freely: many palapas, good bathrooms, a large viewpoint and the colorful letters of “CANCUN” for the inevitable photo, (although you must stand in a long line waiting for your turn). The view is beautiful with white sand, turquoise sea and rough waves… we really enjoyed watching the birds, hovering over the sea and diving to catch their food: a postcard that we loved. For those who want to eat something light on the beach, there is a grocery store and a chain sandwich shop less than 1 km away.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten March 30, 2024
- Melvina BSalt Lake City, Utah18 contributionsBreathtaking Beach ExperiencePlaya Delfines is a must-visit beach in Cancun. With its stunning white sands and crystal-clear waters, it's a true paradise for beach lovers. Perfect for relaxation and enjoying the breathtaking views. Highly recommended!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten May 2, 2024
- Beverly B44 contributionsBlissful Beach EscapePlaya Delfines in Cancún was simply breathtaking. With its pristine sands, azure waters, and perfect photo spots, it's a paradise waiting to be explored. Whether you're into relaxation or adventure, this beach had it all.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten May 3, 2024
- Judy PMinneapolis, Minnesota39 contributionsBreathtaking Beach EscapePlaya Delfines is a slice of paradise! The pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters are simply stunning. It's the perfect spot for soaking up the sun or enjoying a refreshing swim. Don't miss the breathtaking sunset views. A must-visit beach destination in Cancun!Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten May 23, 2024
- Kate LSan Jose, California38 contributionsPerfect for relaxation!Finally got the chance to leave a review. Playa Delfines is a stunning beach in Cancun with pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. It's uncrowded, offering a peaceful escape with beautiful panoramic views. Limited amenities, but free palapas are available for shade. Perfect for relaxation.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten May 24, 2024
- Hollie TBuffalo, New York33 contributionsParadisePlaya Delfines was pure paradise! The pristine beach stretched as far as the eye could see, with soft sands and turquoise waters inviting endless relaxation. The natural beauty there was breathtaking, perfect for soaking up the sun or taking a refreshing dip. With its serene atmosphere and stunning vistas, Playa Delfines was a true gem for anyone seeking a slice of paradise.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten May 24, 2024
- Sue RBurbank, California43 contributionsThe beauty of natureVisited Playa Delfines and was blown away! The beach was pristine, with soft sands and crystal-clear waters. Perfect spot for soaking up the sun and enjoying the beauty of nature. Definitely a must-visit destination!Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten May 24, 2024
- MichelleCancun, Mexico98 contributionsMandatory stop in CancunIf you come to visit Cancun, you must make a mandatory stop at the Playa delfines viewpoint, it is at Km 21 of the hotel zone, it has a beautiful view, beautiful beach, bathrooms, and security. These are the letters of Cancun with the beach in the background. Bring hydration because if you are retired I will reach out to buy something. Practically in front is the El Rey archaeological zone, which if you have about 20 minutes you can explore.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten May 26, 2024
- JenniferDenham Springs, Louisiana19 contributionsFree Beach with Free Thatch Shade UmbrellasFree beach. Free parking. Sure, the parking is on the sandy side of the road because the lot is so tiny but it’s all free. What’s more, there are dozens of large thatched umbrellas to sit under (again for free). I saw tons of families on the beach with our family of 5 that included three teens. There is a bathroom but expect to pay the guy for toilet paper. There is also seaweed but much less than Plays Langosta that we visited the next day. Bring your own food and drinks, but I saw several guys walking the beach and selling drinks, fruit, ceviche, etc. The Cancun sign is up in the parking lot which increases traffic. Since the hotels have their beaches basically locked up, this is our #1 choice of Cancun beach.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten May 29, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,038 contributions
Jan 2021
Playa Delfines is a long and wide stretch of beautiful white powder sand just south from the hotel zone.
You won't need to come here if you're staying at one of the hotels by the beach north, as this is the same beach stretching for miles.
However, even then I'd recommend doing that to mix up with locals who gather here as this is the public beach and a favorite local spot. On the other hand, for those staying at city ho(s)tels I'd strongly recommend it. You can choose your spot anywhere for free or hire sunbeds and umbrellas for a reasonable fee.
You won't need to come here if you're staying at one of the hotels by the beach north, as this is the same beach stretching for miles.
However, even then I'd recommend doing that to mix up with locals who gather here as this is the public beach and a favorite local spot. On the other hand, for those staying at city ho(s)tels I'd strongly recommend it. You can choose your spot anywhere for free or hire sunbeds and umbrellas for a reasonable fee.
Written February 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mare524
Windsor, Canada341 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
We stayed in Playa Morelos, but managed to visit Cancún beach early one more before handing back in our rental car. We drove the whole strip and ended up stopping at Playa Delfines. At 7am there was LOTS of free parking and barely anyone on the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous. With the soft sand, blue water and the beautiful sunrise. It was a little windy when we went so the waves were quite large and we didn’t end up swimming as planned, since we had kids with us. We walked a bit of the beach looking at the shells that had washed ashore. And fully plan to return with life jackets for our kids so we can swim and enjoy the waves/beach. It was absolutely stunning.
Written November 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12Travel_bug12
London, UK119 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Lovely place to visit. Free umbrellas everywhere if you're lucky enough to get one. Good life guards.
Only problem is you have to pay the scammers for the free parking lots or they'll key your car. We gave a guy 20 pesos when we arrived he complained it wasn't enough. Told him we'd pay when we left.
Left him hanging as he couldn't run as fast as I can drive 🤣🤣🤣
Only problem is you have to pay the scammers for the free parking lots or they'll key your car. We gave a guy 20 pesos when we arrived he complained it wasn't enough. Told him we'd pay when we left.
Left him hanging as he couldn't run as fast as I can drive 🤣🤣🤣
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigC1977
San Antonio, TX88 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Arriving in our taxi, this beach looked gorgeous. Rows of shady palapas free to use and decently kept bathrooms open to all. (In Cancun, nothing is free.)
Once we ventured down to the sand, however, it was not very impressive. There were zero services for food or drink. Not even a vendor walking around selling cold drinks from a cooler or anything. Zip.
I asked the bathroom attendant where one could get snacks or a beer, and she said go back up to the street level and walk down the street to a convenience store.
The seaweed was so thick and the riptide so strong, you can’t really swim either - you just wade in and stand there. Mountains of seaweed as far down the beach as you can see.
I realize there’s not much anyone can do about the seaweed, but nevertheless it does detract from the experience. And like I said, no one was challenging the riptide that I could see, so everyone is packed within about 10 meters of the beach itself.
Please note also that certain sections of the bathroom facilities etc. are roped off due to ongoing construction and there is rubble and debris in those areas.
There is also one of those ubiquitous photo opp signs in big colorful letters: CANCUN, that everyone takes a photo next to for instagram. It does not matter when you go there, day or night, there is a line of 25 to 50 people waiting to take a photograph next to these letters. I do not understand the allure of this, but anytime we ever drove past this point there was a line down the sidewalk in the hot sun to take a photo next to these letters.
Ultimately, we paid $20 for the cab ride to the beach. We each wait it out and got wet in the waves and then sat under the Palapa and dried off. In total we were there less than a half an hour and pretty much got our fill. Then we paid another $20 to go back to our hotel to use the rooftop pool.
Pretty scenery but nothing else going for this place.
Once we ventured down to the sand, however, it was not very impressive. There were zero services for food or drink. Not even a vendor walking around selling cold drinks from a cooler or anything. Zip.
I asked the bathroom attendant where one could get snacks or a beer, and she said go back up to the street level and walk down the street to a convenience store.
The seaweed was so thick and the riptide so strong, you can’t really swim either - you just wade in and stand there. Mountains of seaweed as far down the beach as you can see.
I realize there’s not much anyone can do about the seaweed, but nevertheless it does detract from the experience. And like I said, no one was challenging the riptide that I could see, so everyone is packed within about 10 meters of the beach itself.
Please note also that certain sections of the bathroom facilities etc. are roped off due to ongoing construction and there is rubble and debris in those areas.
There is also one of those ubiquitous photo opp signs in big colorful letters: CANCUN, that everyone takes a photo next to for instagram. It does not matter when you go there, day or night, there is a line of 25 to 50 people waiting to take a photograph next to these letters. I do not understand the allure of this, but anytime we ever drove past this point there was a line down the sidewalk in the hot sun to take a photo next to these letters.
Ultimately, we paid $20 for the cab ride to the beach. We each wait it out and got wet in the waves and then sat under the Palapa and dried off. In total we were there less than a half an hour and pretty much got our fill. Then we paid another $20 to go back to our hotel to use the rooftop pool.
Pretty scenery but nothing else going for this place.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ariel1634
Montevideo, Uruguay485 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Cancun is ceasing to be what it was. From a distance, you can see an incredible turquoise blue sea, which invites you to dive into it. But, as you get closer, it shows you the reality: it is full of small sargassum branches, thousands...millions of them. So many that they change the color of the sea, in the surf you can see a very ugly brown color.
But if you decide to jump into the sea anyway, be careful, the angle of the slope of the shore is very steep and with a little wave it becomes dangerous. The current pulls very strongly inward.
But if you decide to jump into the sea anyway, be careful, the angle of the slope of the shore is very steep and with a little wave it becomes dangerous. The current pulls very strongly inward.

Written May 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miguel R
Kuna, ID51 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Acces to the beach easy by bus or car. The beach was beautiful but quite crowded for a Friday morning. The waves were quite fierce today ,red flags, no swimming today for me.
No restaurants around sobe sure to bring your own stuff. There are some vendors around that sell some food and drinks. The food is homemade stuff so you are not sure what you are getting. The drinks (beer, margaritas, etc...)usually watered down and cost around 7 dollars. Way too much.
Also of note, bathrooms close at 5 pm, so make sure you go before then
No restaurants around sobe sure to bring your own stuff. There are some vendors around that sell some food and drinks. The food is homemade stuff so you are not sure what you are getting. The drinks (beer, margaritas, etc...)usually watered down and cost around 7 dollars. Way too much.
Also of note, bathrooms close at 5 pm, so make sure you go before then
Written December 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gwendolyn V
9 contributions
Aug 2023
Pretty but not worth it. Waves are SO rough, you'll get pummeled, like bathing suit ripped off, claw clip gone forever kind of pummeled. The beach is really beautiful from a distance but there are so many other nicer areas. No shade and crowded. Parking is free but attendants make you feel like you have to tip them. Parking lot smells like pee. Steep sloped descent to beach is hard to walk up when you're hot and sandy. Skip entering the water on this one and go straight to Playa Caracol or Playa Langosta. Water is soooo much calmer and clearer. P.S. for Playa Caracol, walk down towards the Riu Palace for the perfect less crowded clear water area and good snorkeling off the beach.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefan
Cologne, Germany199 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Dream beach! One of the few places where you can dive into the Caribbean waters in easy public and easily accessible. Otherwise, the coastline is mostly overbuilt and you can occasionally go to the water in small passages between the all-inclusive bunkers. Here everything is a little more open, with observation deck and easy access. During our visit it was still not very crowded, so we could enjoy the time on the beach.
Automatically translated
Written January 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole P
Birmingham, UK5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
It was very windy and the sea was too wavey to swim in. It was 250 pesos to hire sunbeds and an umbrella but unfortunately we got scammed, the guy went off to get us change and sent someone else over giving us the wrong amount of change (he pocketed 50 pesos) so we couldn’t even dispute it as he didn’t understand us. The beach was clean but there are much nicer beaches that are less touristy elsewhere.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
honey_badger1888
United Kingdom748 contributions
Feb 2022
We were told this beach was the best in Cancun, but it's an ok beach, not a great one.
People could spend a bit of time here quite happily, but it's definitely not a paradise beach
The beach is ok and the water can be a bit choppy.
For far better beaches, head to Mujeres Island, 20mins away by ferry and costing pennies to reach.
People could spend a bit of time here quite happily, but it's definitely not a paradise beach
The beach is ok and the water can be a bit choppy.
For far better beaches, head to Mujeres Island, 20mins away by ferry and costing pennies to reach.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cómo llego a Playa Delfines desde el Hotel Riu Palace Peninsula?
Written April 18, 2023
Los autobuses urbanos R1 pasan muy seguido y son muy económicos. Te dejan en la entrada de la playa y lo vuelves a tomar allí mismo. En playa Delfines tienes las famosas letras de Cancún para tomarte fotografías. Es una playa pública con quinchos o palapas para tener sombra. Si vas temprano consigues alguna. Hay baños también.
Written April 20, 2023
Tyrone B. Alô
Brasilia, DF
Essa praia tem algum lugar que venda comida e bebidas?? Há algum serviço de garçom nessa praia??
Written March 11, 2021
Is this beach open currently? We are staying at Westin lagunamar and there beaches closed are there beaches that are close to here that are open
Written August 12, 2020
Ok are there any other beaches near by that are open?
Written August 19, 2020
Hi! How we can get directly to Playa Delfines from Playa del Carmen?
We saw several ways: taxi (quite expensive), and bus (but with intercharge in Cancun bus station which take up to 2 hours)
Is there any direct way to get there?
Thanks in advance!
Written March 4, 2020
Is taxi expensive to get to this beach if your hotel is like 15 mins away
Written June 15, 2019
Yes it is, the least amount a taxi will charge you in the hotel zone is $10dollars! Even if it’s driving u to the corner. Taxis in the hotel zone and Playa are the worse!
Written June 21, 2019
I don’t really speak a lot of Spanish so how difficult will taking the bus be from where I’m staying to this beach? For a non-Spanish speaker?
Written March 25, 2019
Not hard at all, most of bus drivers know some English since they are used to transport tourists and locals. All you have to say is “Playa Delfines” and they will advise you when you arrive. Same thing on the return, just mention the name of your hotel, try to seat close to the driver so he can advise when you arrive. Also, price for transportation is cheap, you won’t spend more than a couple of dollars per person, enjoy Cancun.
Written March 31, 2019
Hola
queria preguntarte si da para armar una carpa de playa en la zona de cancun.... o te miran con mala cara si lo haces?
hablo de las carpas playeras (no las de acampar)
Gracias
Written February 24, 2019
Hay muchas sombrillas gratis de coiron por todo el litoral..y no vi ninguna carpa playera , por si aca
Written July 18, 2019
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