Playa Langosta is one of the best beaches in Cancún for families with young children and anyone who prefers calm waters to high waves.

It is situated on the northern side of the Zona Hotelera, facing Bahía de Mujeres, so the sea is considerably calmer and shallower than, for example, at Playa Delfines or Playa Chac Mool.

Of all the beaches in the centre of Cancún, I found Playa Langosta to be the prettiest, cleanest and most peaceful.

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Swimming and the beach’s appearance

Playa Langosta has fine, light-coloured sand and a very gentle slope into the water. Even several dozen metres from the shore, you can often touch the seabed, and large waves are a rare occurrence here.

It is precisely these calm waters that are its greatest asset.

What’s more, thanks to the shallow water near the shore and deeper water around 100 metres from the beach, a stunning combination of light turquoise and dark blue colours is created here.

Bear in mind, too, that there are several jetties in the vicinity and cruise ships sail past. Playa Langosta therefore does not feel like a deserted natural beach.

Who is Playa Langosta suitable for?

• families with young children
• less confident swimmers
• travellers staying in the centre of Cancún
• anyone looking for calm waters without big waves

On the other hand, we’d recommend a different beach if you’re after the classic open Caribbean scenery and fun in the waves.

Entrance fees and facilities

Entry to Playa Langosta is free. At the public entrance, you’ll find:

• free toilets and showers
• changing rooms
• a children’s playground
• a small free car park
• parasol and sun lounger hire (around 300 mxn per day)
• bus stops right by the beach

The car park has limited capacity and fills up quickly, especially at weekends. Unless you’re staying in the local area, it’s usually more practical to come by bus or Uber.

There’s also a GoMart mini-market, ice-cream shops and several rather pricey restaurants right by the beach.

How to get to Playa Langosta

The beach is situated approximately 5 kilometres along Boulevard Kukulcán in the northern part of the hotel zone.

Buses on routes R1 and R2 run very frequently past the beach from the centre of Cancún and other parts of the Zona Hotelera. Get off at the Playa Langosta stop.

An Uber from the city centre (ADO bus station) costs approximately 105 mxn.

There is free parking right in front of the beach – see the location on Google Maps. We didn’t arrive until the afternoon and the car park was completely full, but we eventually managed to park for free in the side streets to the east of the Melia Hotel.

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Accommodation near Playa Langosta

We particularly recommend the area around the beach to families and travellers who want calmer waters, whilst still having easy access to the city centre and the main part of the Zona Hotelera.

• The Royal Cancun by IHG: a quieter all-inclusive resort particularly suitable for families.
• Breathless Cancun Soul: a more modern, adults-only resort with a livelier atmosphere.
• Meliá Casa Maya Cancún: a large resort right on a quiet stretch of coastline.
• 👉 Our comparison of the top hotels and locations in Cancún

Is Playa Langosta worth a visit?

I don’t generally like the Zona Hotelera in Cancún very much, but if I had to pick one nice beach, it would be Playa Langosta.

It’s big enough, quiet, and even though there’s heavy boat traffic nearby, the water stays clean.

So, within the Zona Hotelera, it’s one of the best quiet beaches.

Nevertheless, I prefer the Costa Mujeres coastline north of Cancún.

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