Mexico’s secret beach town with beautiful lagoons and no crowds revealed as top winter getaway

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Don’t know where to go in Mexico? We got you!

Sometimes Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta just don’t cut it when you’re in the mood for adventure.

Instead of sitting by the pool all day reading your new book, there’s a whole other world waiting to get your adrenaline pumping.

Mexico is not nearly as unsafe as is sometimes portrayed, depending on where you go of course…

That said, Forbes just revealed a secret beach that caught our attention here at Travel Off Path.
We just had to share it, especially since it’s a stone’s throw from what is largely considered The safest city in Mexico.

With a vibrant array of wildlife, crystal clear lagoons and virtually crowd-free beaches (minus a fisherman or two), little-known Celestun makes for a great winter outing that isn’t hyped nearly enough.

Celestun: where Emerald Shores meet beautiful lagoons

If there ever truly was a true “hidden gem” yet to be discovered by the masses, Celestun is just the place.

Wild, exotic, authentic and undeniably beautiful: this polka-dot village, located along the coastline between the Gulf of Mexico and the Ría Celestun lagoon, is worth the trip here.

Although it seems to be in the middle of nowhere, Celestun is safe to visit. You’ll find welcoming locals bringing in their fresh catch of the day and the most relaxed, open-air beach bars you can imagine for an ice-cold drink cerveza.

So, “where’s the adventure?”, you may be wondering…

The adventure isn’t just the journey to this virtually untouched piece of paradise; they are the experiences that await once you arrive.

The few who know this place loved having a boat trip through the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve to witness flocks of flamingos, iguanas and yes, even crocodiles making an occasional appearance.

Not only that, but also the cenotes (swimming holes) are pristine and arguably more attractive than the white sandy beaches of Celestun.

Don’t worry: crocodiles are rarely seen in the turquoise lagoons, far away from the river.

Celestun is one of Mexico’s most otherworldly destinations

It’s not just pristine lagoons, lush jungles and white sandy beaches; if you plan your trip right, you can witness an otherworldly spectacle.

The aforementioned can blush with pink tones under the right conditions. And no, they are not flamingos that melt under the ever-bright sunlight of Mexico.

The pink color in Celestun is largely determined by the salinity. It is therefore said that the best time to witness such an extraordinary spectacle is between March and August, one of the sunniest times of the year, and also more lively.

Water isn’t pink every day, and some days are more subtle than others, but it’s certainly a sight to behold if you get it just right.

Enjoy Public beaches with local flair

Celestun may not be a household name, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t just as beautiful (if not more beautiful) than the resorts we’ve all fallen in love with.

Instead of face-to-face hotels and chain restaurants, Celestun is lined with shady palapas and local beach bars where you can relax and unwind without having to pay a resort fee.

With white sand and blue-green water all year round, there’s no bad time to visit this tranquil, undeveloped coastline west of Merida.

But in winter you’ll find the fewest number of adventurers after they’ve spent all their money on Christmas presents and eggnog, followed by gym memberships that won’t be used.

Take day trips to the safest city in Mexico

Since Celestun seems far-fetched, it’s actually not that difficult to achieve.

You can fly to Merida, Mexico’s safest city, from three major U.S. airports and arrive there in about an hour and a half.

But the truth is, you can base yourself in Celestun at cheap boutique stays Hotel beach Don Gonzalo for less than $60, or opt for city life and book excursions to the beach.

Merida has become one of Mexico’s trendiest cities due to its UNESCO-listed timeless cityscape, affordability, safety and proximity to less crowded beaches without sacrificing quality.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.