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When it comes to Texas, travelers tend to hit the big cities deep in the heart of the Lone Star State.
While most travelers looking for beach vacations focus on Florida or California, the South is teeming with lesser-known coastlines ready to amaze you – Texas is one of them.
Well, as long as you skip Galveston’s Mississippi River-esque waters…
Sandwiched between Corpus Christi and the Mexican border lies a refreshingly welcoming haven as the world grapples with concerns about overtourism.
In South Padre Island, you will find friendly locals, beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts overlooking soft sand and sparkling blue water; That’s why it’s sometimes called the “Cancun of Texas,” according to the Texas publication MySA.
Cancun vibes in Texas?
There’s a reason, or dozens, why Cancun has become Americans’ favorite beach getaway.
To say that there is a secret piece of Cancun within the vast borders of Texas would be an embarrassment to those who come year after year and soak up the sun in a world-famous paradise.
But… that doesn’t mean this beach town isn’t a great place to vacation, especially when you compare it to the aforementioned Galveston, where the highlight is the nearest exit sign.
Unlike Cancun, you won’t find endless resorts lining the blinding white sands.
What you’ll find is a select number of luxury resorts with far less crowds than Cancun’s resort pools, elbow-to-elbow swim bars and ugly retiree Speedometers.
The good news is that the food scene is still great, with a wide spread ranging from Southern-in-your-mouth barbecue to sinful Mexican fare, given South Padre’s influence near the border.
The beaches are also really beautiful.
Try to time your trip before the Spring Break crowd takeover, which is the most fitting comparison to Cancun, along with tons of fun water excursions like dolphin trips.
Locals may tell you that their beaches have white sand. Once again, it’s Texas “white” that beats the Gulf’s infamous standard for substandard conditions.
“Light” would be a better description, but don’t expect exactly what you see on a typical Cancun postcard.
South Padre’s best beach hotels
Visiting South Padre Island without booking a nice resort, or at least a beachfront condo, is a disservice to the experience here.
Winter is a great time to plan a trip before the spring crowds, and yes, South Padre does have one airport with connections from Houston and Dallas.
There are several household names in South Padre’s cluster of luxury lodgings, including others you’ve probably never heard of but are still top-notch.
These are the top 5 beach hotels in the South Padres, according to South Padres TripAdvisor: (based on ‘best value’)
- Sand Rose Beach Resort (also a Travelers’ choice favorite for 2024)
- Isla Grand Beach Resort
- Beachfront Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island
- Peninsula Island Resort & Spa
- My Sapphire South Padre
The surprises not on the list include a few surprising household names: Margaritaville and Holiday inntwo of the most affordable resorts you can find.
You can score Margaritaville rates under $100 this winter Skyscanner – and don’t forget to take advantage of the resort’s benefits unlimited coffee!
Unfortunately, the same offer doesn’t extend to margaritas. Time for a name change?
South Padre’s new fame
If South Padre can claim fame, it would be the spring break road trip destination of choice for college students from numerous college towns in Texas and neighboring states.
But as we turn the page to 2025, South Padre is being hyped and touted as an emerging hotspot by countless publications, including us.
MySA also mentioned that South Padre was a four-time champion in the 2023 rendition Texas Travel Awardswinning the categories:
- Destination of the year
- Best ‘little market’ (art, live music and outdoor activities)
- Best beach
- Best Views (also winner of 2024!)
More recently, South Padre was also named one of the most “charming towns on the Gulf Coast” World Atlas.
It may not quite be on the Cancun level, but South Padre has proven to be a great getaway for all ages and won’t break the bank.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
