Playa manglillo: Playa Manglillo (Guanica) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Playa Manglillo (Guanica) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0

17 reviews

Excellent

Very good

Average

Terrible

Lind C

San Francisco, CA12 contributions

Nice small beach

May 2022 • Family

Small but Beautiful beach, scenery unique, mangroves. Very peaceful, not as busy as surrounding beaches Being everything you need.

Written May 15, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Damaris R

4 contributions

Beautiful place.. too many people

Jun 2018 • Family

I wish it could have been less crowded. Great snorkeling and amazing scenery. Must bring food in cooler if staying the whole day.

Written July 5, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

HaveManWillTravel

USA2 contributions

Back Then…. History

Nov 2017 • Family

I first went to Manglillo Beach back in the early 1960’s. Back then nobody but the local conch fisherman knew of this place. It was pristine, full of mangroves, fish and crabs. There was a few openings between the mangroves that allowed the swimmers to venture beyong the mangroves and swim into crystal clear shallow waters. It was a dream, as it was never crowded nor disturbed. The fisherman were conch fisherman that layed thousands of broken conch shells in the surrounding areas and it was the only sign of human activity there. I was about 10 years old then and every year I went to visit Grandma in the summer, we would go there almost every Sunday to just relax and enjoy the lone serenity. As I look at the current photos, some commercialism has invaded the surrounding parts of this beach but it is good to know that it is still pretty much the same without it being torned up. Lets hope it stays that way forever so people can still experience a beach that is a valuable reminder of what old Puerto Rico was all about.

Written November 26, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

boricua7602

Fayetteville, NC39 contributions

Very Relaxing Beach!

Jul 2017 • Family

This is a very nice beach close to Playa Santa. They charge tow dollars and in my opinion is well worth it. Beach is very clean, they have clean restroom and a fresh water showers. The water is crystal clear and the mangroves create beautiful channels. The beach is very shallow, so it is safe for kids. They also have gazebos. Only issue is parking is limited as beach is in a dead end street. Also signs to the beach are limited, use your google maps to get there..

Written July 12, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Feosia

Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico69 contributions

A great day for relax

Jan 2017 • Family

Its a quiet beach, have a lot to take beautiful pictures. Bring mosquito repellent and water shoes if you don’t like to feel the bottom. If you want to walk around bring safety shoes.

Written January 17, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Kilian C

12 contributions

The first part, isn’t as good as the second

Apr 2016 • Couples

Most go to this beach and stay near the mangle, and there’s a messy blob on the bottom, but if you climb the rock at what looks like the end of the beach, you will find the long part of the same beach but that is inside the dry forest. It’s a much better and a much private.

Written December 21, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Derek M

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico66 contributions

A little islan

Apr 2016 • Friends

This beach you most use water shoe’s or you will not like the underwater sand, plus they have place to do BBQ

Written April 3, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ingrid C

Baltimore, MD65 contributions

One of the “secret beaches” on the southwestern coast

Feb 2016 • Couples

Difficult to find. Borders Playa Santa. Found it via a detailed map and with Maps with Me app. Had to ask someone in town/area of Guanica and then find the almost handwritten signs. But, it is a public beach and open. The day we went the gate to the parking lot was closed but we parked on the deadend street and entered through a hole in the fence there. No one cared. We saw one or two other people. We snorkeled in the mangroves. Water is quite shallow. did not see amazing fish but it was an adventure!

Written February 28, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions about Playa Manglillo

Hotels near Playa Manglillo:

• (0.12 mi) Casita El Paraiso — Puerto Rico
• (0.12 mi) Rustic 3 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom House With Ocean View, Walk To The Beach
• (0.24 mi) Steps to the Beach. Private Pier, Apt with paddleboard
• (0.45 mi) Casa de Playa Santa
• (6.69 mi) Turtle Bay Inn

View all hotels near Playa Manglillo on Tripadvisor

---

Restaurants near Playa Manglillo:

• (0. 25 mi) Rest. Brisas de playa santa
• (0.28 mi) Mojito Beach Bar
• (0.28 mi) El Ancla Flotanta
• (0.41 mi) Umami Restaurant
• (4.95 mi) Las Palmas Restaurant

View all restaurants near Playa Manglillo on Tripadvisor

---

Visit Playa Manglillo on your trip to Guanica or Puerto Rico

By using this site, you consent to our use of cookies

Playa Manglillo reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor traveler rating

17 reviews

Google

See more on TripAdvisor ›

Google

• By Marcos Feliciano

  Great place, family children friends or seniors,

  more
  less

• By Greg Warner

  Pretty rundown infrastructure, but a nice and quiet place to check out some mangroves on the beach. Sometimes with iguanas!

  more
  less

• By Edan Crespo

  What an amazing place to visit, you’ll definitely enjoy it, the place hace bathroom places to change little huts for BBQ o and don’t forgot to invest in some Inflatable so you can float

  more
  less

• By Lou Fegans

  A unique beach with mangroves is pretty to see but not worth going out of your way to visit. The mangroves are very lovely however there’s a lot of abandoned infrastructure that detract from the natural beauty. There is limited parking and a very very tiny Beach for swimming not worth making a special trip for

  more
  less

• By Eduardo Rivera

  google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJmT_Otyo4HYwRQjrn3OdTYK4″>A beautiful, place we loved it

  more
  less

See more on Google ›

Plan your trip to Guanica

• Get a personalized trip

  A full day by day itinerary based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your trip. We’ll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place. Everyone on the same page.

Know more

Popular things to do in Guanica

©

Forest

Bosque Estatal de Guanica

4.4

Duration: 2h 30 min

©

Scuba / Snorkeling

Island Scuba

4.8

Duration: 2h 30 min

©

Garden

Finca El Girasol

4. 0

Duration: 1h 30 min

©

Beach

Playa Santa

4.3

Duration: 2h 30 min

Side trips from Guanica

©

History Museum

Museo de Arte de Ponce

Ponce

4.7

Duration: 2 hours

©

Specialty Museum

Parque de Bombas

Ponce

4.4

Duration: 2h 30 min

©

Island

Isla de Caja de Muertos

Ponce

4.7

Duration: 4 hours

©

Monument

Museo Castillo Serralles

Ponce

4.6

Duration: 2h 30 min

See all trips

Mexico. The beaches of Playa del Carmen

Share

Playa del Carmen is one of the main resort towns of the Mexican Riviera Maya. There are really a lot of interesting things nearby: these are the ruins of the Mayan civilization, cenotes, fabulous islands and, of course, beaches that are considered among the best in the world.

Tropical paradise in Mexico

Fundadores beach

Los Fundadores Park is the most famous beach in Playa del Carmen – partly because of the arch, against which many photographs have been taken. This is a fairly wide beach, so despite its busyness, there is usually a place on the sand where you can sit.

The place is family-oriented – there are no noisy beach clubs here, but you can enjoy fun games, such as beach volleyball. There is a fenced area for swimming and lifeguards, small bars and restaurants.

Tourist favorite arch in Mexico’s Fundadores Park

Punta Esmeralda Beach

A picturesque corner of paradise – Punta Esmeralda Beach – is located near the Parsadisus Hotel and is easily accessible from the city center. One of the main features of this beach is that it is surrounded by a lagoon-like cenote that flows into the sea. It is very small, and therefore well suited for relaxing and playing with children. Another feature is authenticity, because local residents rest on it. There is usually at least one snack and drink vendor on the beach.

Playa Maroma

Located 14 km north of the center of Playa del Carmen, Maroma Beach is a well-developed place with a range of services at guests’ disposal. Lifeguards, algae-free clean white sand and a beach basketball court make Maroma one of the best beaches on the Riviera Maya.

It’s not just about the amenities, the beach itself is wide and flat, with nice sand going down to the crystal clear water. It’s big enough for everyone to find a place.

Here you can also rent jet skis, ride a catamaran, go snorkeling and eat at a restaurant and beach club

Xpu-Ha

This long stretch of gorgeous sand winds its way along the coast and seems completely deserted compared to other beaches in the area. It is located near Cenote Azul, 30 minutes south of Playa. Access to this true coastal paradise costs 40 Mexican pesos (about US$2) per person.

Once there, you can enjoy the tranquility of this less developed beach. There is a snack bar and a beach club where you can rent an umbrella. Xpu-Ha features calm waters that are good for swimming and beautiful sunsets.

Peaceful corner on Xpu-Ha beach

Akumal

South of the city, half an hour away, is the town of Akumal, an ideal place for a day trip. This tranquil coastal community is dotted with beautiful houses, as well as several eateries and restaurants. But most importantly, Playa Akumal is an excellent beach, known for the fact that turtles live in coastal waters. To see them, you need to join an organized snorkeling tour.

Puerto Morelos

It is a small coastal town with several public beaches, all of which are quiet and well maintained. The town itself, located about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen, has everything you need to have a great day out. There is parking, small eateries and shops. Puerto Morelos is a lesser known destination away from the major resorts of the Riviera.

Sunsets on the beach of Puerto Morelos

Yal-Ku Lagoon

If you are looking for an atypical beach, then you might want to consider a trip to the Yal-Koo Lagoon. This idyllic location is located 20 minutes south of Playa on the road to Akumal. The lagoon is actually a bay, so salt water mixes with fresh water here. This is a protected area, so you have to pay to enter. There is a snack bar, showers, changing rooms and a snorkeling tube rental shop.

The lagoon is famous for its rich underwater life

Let us help you plan your trip!

Subscribe to the newsletter and we will send you useful guides every week *

Share

20.01.2022

the best beaches, hotels, transport, excursions.

Updated on 02/02/2022

Where is Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is a small resort town which is located in the popular tourist area of ​​the Riviera Maya. Distance from Cancun Airport – 60 km. The transfer takes about 1 hour. You can get from Cancun by regular bus, shuttle bus, or by rented car.

In the 80s Playa was a small fishing village, but with the development of tourism, hotels began to be built here too. It is believed that the prices here are lower than in Cancun, although in reality they are the same. Independent tourists who do not want to be tied to All Inclusive prefer to come to Playa del Carmen. Also, the city is often visited by tourists who arrive on the island of Cozumel on a cruise ship.

South of Playa del Carmen is the village of Playacar with all-inclusive hotels and private apartments.

Playa del Carmen on google maps

Hotels in Playa del Carmen

Conventionally, hotels can be divided into two categories: those that are located within the city (small 3-4 stars with a small territory) and those that are located in the hotel zone south of the city.

Hotels within city limits:
Hotels:
– The Reef Coco Beach –
– Panama Jack Playa del Carmen
– Hotel Coco Rio (Cheap)
– Hotel Tucan etc.

Attractions Playa del Carmen

Cozumel Island

Cozumel is a small island off the coast of Playa del Carmen known for its pristine beaches. You can get there by ferry from Playa del Carmen in about 45 minutes, costing about 13 USD.

Frida Kahlo Museum

A small museum of a Mexican artist who is known for her self-portraits, also associated with Leon Trotsky.
Museum on Google Maps

Coco Bongo nightclub

Club Coco Bongo in Mexico is the perfect place for those who would like to have an unforgettable time on the dance floor, listen to pop music, famous hits of the 70s, 80s or 90s, as well as modern compositions.

Coco Bongo (Golden Member)

Amazing Las Vegas show! The best songs in the style of rock and pop music! Parodies of famous performers: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Lady Gaga. Famous scenes from films, as well as professional acrobats, dancers and the atmosphere of a general holiday!

from 135 $
Watch

Cave Restaurant Alux

Alux is built in an underground cave! This place is not walking distance from the main tourist area, you will need to take a taxi. The average check for dinner for two is about $250. Don’t forget the tip. coordinates on google maps

Fundadores Park

The Fundadores Park, or “Park of the Founding Fathers”, is a public park in Playa del Carmen located just north of the Cozumel ferry terminal along the beach, with fun for the whole family.

Excursions from Playa del Carmen

Most of the major attractions where tours take place are closer to Playa del Carmen than to Cancun. Our guides pick up tourists from any hotels. The full list of excursions can be viewed here.

Restaurants

Los Aguachiles serves amazing seafood dishes. Especially their tostadas with fresh fish! One of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen.

El Fogon is a super-simple yet authentic diner with plastic chairs that airs the latest episode of a Latino idol on TV, but order the pastor for 3 or 4 cold beer tacos and you’ll be in heaven.

Don Sirloin is another famous taco restaurant in town. They have great salsa options, the most delicious is with jalapeno and pineapple…

La Cueva del Chango is my favorite breakfast spot in Playa del Carmen. Come early as the queue can be very long! Very cool aesthetic, with a fish pond and turtles. Order chilaquiles with fresh juice!

El Pirata is the place to have a huge plate of fresh ceviche for lunch.

Don Chendo is a tiny Chicago-style pizzeria. Great pizza, friendly staff.

Dona Mary’s is perhaps the most authentic Mexican restaurant on the Playa. They make amazing chicken tostadas. No English menu, no cutlery and only plastic chairs. Often we were the only tourists.

Playa del Carmen has a large Italian diaspora, so you can try delicious homemade pasta at Papa Charly Italian Restaurant!

Bio Natural is an organic food store and vegetarian restaurant with a wide variety of vegan and healthy options. Great for breakfast!

Beaches

Principal Beach (Playa Principal)
Tukan Beach (Playa Tukan)
Mamitas beach (Playa Mamitas)
Shangri-La Beach (Playa Shangri-La)
Subul Beach (Playa Zubul)
Coco Beach (Playa Coco)
All these beaches are quite crowded, cheerful, protected from waves.

Pros and cons of holidays in Playa del Carmen

Pros:
– A large number of shops
– Popular tourist street “5th Avenue”
– You can move around the city both by taxi and on foot.
– Beaches with small waves

Cons:
– The beaches are quite crowded enough because of the locals.