5 Places To Go Surfing While In Mexico

Mexico has sandy shores, azure waters and beautiful beaches, but which are the best beaches to head to if you love surfing? Here we’ve compiled the absolute top surf spots from across Mexico, starting with the Baja Peninsula and working our way right down to Oaxaca.

* Ensenada, Baja California

A stalwart of the Mexican surfing scene, Ensenada is just outside up-and-coming travel destination Tijuana and not far from the US border, meaning it attracts surfers from all over the world. While the water is cold on the beaches in Ensenada, they do have some of the best waves around, especially in wintertime. For those with some experience under their belt, the famed San Miguel beach is probably the best place to check out, with its consistent breaks and reliable swells. Todos Santos is up there too.

* Mazatlán, Sinaloa

While Mazatlán has undeniably developed a negative reputation in recent years, it must be said that the surf potential makes it still worth the trip. In the western state of Sinaloa, Mazatlán has perhaps the best all-rounder beaches for surfing in Mexico. From the family-friendly, excellent for surf newbies Playa Los Pinos to the crashing break of Olas Altas, whichever beach you choose, keep in mind that the Mazatlán surfing season runs from April to October.

* Sayulita, Nayarit

A local favourite and well-known amongst hippie travellers as the best destination for beachside raves, the quaint and colourful town of Sayulita in Nayarit is also one of the best surfing destinations in the country. Right along the beautiful, if fairly petite, stretch of Playa Sayulita sand you can find numerous classes offering surf rental and lessons, making it the perfect place for surfers of all abilities. December to April sees the best swell.

* Cuyutlán, Colima

Moving down the Mexican coast and into the tiny state of Colima, whose surf potential is sometimes overlooked. Easily the most famous beach is Boca de Pascuales, which is legendary for its towering breaks and tubes that come from all directions and should only be taken on by experts. However, there are still plenty of spots for newbies to give surfing a go in Cuyutlán, well-known for its ola verde (green wave).

* La Ticla, Michoacán

La Ticla is a small Nahuatl village in Michoacán, the state which has sadly garnered a poor reputation for drugs and violence over the last few years. However, if you’re just looking for great surfing then this is definitely a spot to consider, on the southwest Mexican coastline. If you think this (relatively) quiet surf destination might be the one for you, head there in summer and make the most of the waves, although they’re pretty good all year round.