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With 9,000 miles of coastline, Mexico has plenty of beaches. Here are the best ones for laying down your towels and soaking it all in.

Mexico's shores have long provided the world with an image of the perfect beach, so it's no surprise that many American honeymooners choose to head south of the border. But if you're planning a getaway to Mexico, you'll soon discover that this country has many miles of coastline facing two very different bodies of water—which means, therefore, that you have literally hundreds of idyllic strands (or playas) to choose from.

Each has a unique vibe: rowdy hot spots, secluded coves where yours are the only footprints in the sand, charming stretches near quaint towns and awe-inspiring beaches with world-class surfing breaks. To help narrow the list of options, we've profiled 10 of our favorite Mexican beaches. Read on to find the one that's right for you.

The East Coast

Playa Chac Mool, Cancun

The Beach: Chac Mool is the Mayan name for the main beach on Cancun island. This 6.2-mile-long strand, which faces the warm waters of the Caribbean, is Mexico's party central, a crowded, often raucous, slice of sand at the heart of Cancun's hotel zone. Beach bars, volleyball and light golden sand are the main attractions. Best of all, there's more shoreline now than ever before, thanks to the beach rebuilding project that replaced what Hurricane Wilma swept away in 2005. Chac Mool is swimmable, but it has waves and an undertow, so you'll have to head over to the lagoon side of the island (it's a 15-minute trip) for water sports. Good snorkeling and scuba are a short boat ride away, however. Don't miss Punta Nizuc—the northern terminus of the fabulous Belize Barrier Reef.

Where to Stay: With three outdoor pools and a world-class spa, the 260-room, adults-only Le Blanc Resort is one of the chic new spots along Chac Mool (leblancsparesort.com).

Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres

The Beach: Isla Mujeres, a sleepy island north of Cancun, is easy to get to by passenger ferry. The island reflects the less well-known, quiet side of the Yucatan beach experience, where traditional Mexican style and culture prevail against high-rise hotels. Playa Norte is the island's most popular beach, a soft white strand that is more laid back than Cancun, but not so langorous that you'll find yourselves getting bored and heading back to town. There's plenty to do here if you so desire: Various vendors along the waterfront offer visitors sailboats for hire, scuba-diving lessons, snorkeling and other marine activities, and you can get a cold beer and charbroiled seafood in any of the authentic palapa-roofed cafes dotting the sand. The sunsets you'll see from your perch on the island are among the best in Mexico. Just offshore is the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, the island's most famous dive spot, where experienced divers come to see Caribbean reef sharks "resting" amid the rocks.

Where to Stay: The Hotel Secreto at Punta Norte offers a fine alternative to the hubbub of the nearby mainland. It is an off-the-beaten-track but elegant beachfront abode with comfortable décor and a casual ambience (hotelsecreto.com).

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