Mexico

The ultimate guide about the best kite spots in Mexico

Mexico is a country full of different ecosystems, from the driest desert to the vast jungle. We have a good variety of coasts that include the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. In short, Mexico is an ideal paradise for kitesurfing and you will have a choice depending on your level and what you want to achieve. We share a list with the best places to kitesurf in Mexico, you are going to love them!

If you are starting in the world of kitesurfing, we recommend this post where you will learn about the main mistakes made in this sport. On the other hand, if you are ready to start, we recommend these classes in Mexico.

What are the top and most exciting Mexican kite spots?

Places to kitesurf in Mexico: Quintana Roo

Holbox (season: November to February)

Holbox is a peaceful island north of Quintana Roo. It is a fishing village that over the years has received more tourism. Cars do not enter here so you will only see motorcycles, bicycles and golf carts. To get to Holbox, you must set sail from the port of Chiquilá, which is two hours from Cancun.

Holbox is a very safe location for novice riders and ideal if you are learning. The water is shallow and unobstructed. For more experienced riders, things get good with the “north” or “cold fronts”. Within the season, you will find the best wind from November to August. The type of wind you will find is side-onshore, it usually blows from the northeast and travels at a speed of 10 to 20 knots. When the north enters, the winds are stronger, they can reach 28 knots. The climate in Holbox is warm all year round, “cooling” a little more in winter (22 to 28 ° C).

Isla Blanca (season: November to May)

This spot is located north of Cancun, about 45 min. from the center of this city. It is also an ideal place for classes and good for novice riders. It is a saltwater lagoon without waves where you can see spectacular sunsets without the bustle of the city. This lagoon is not deep at all because the water will reach your hips as far as possible. You will have winds that go from 10 to 20 knots and if there is north, from 20 to 30 knots. Here you can practice kitesurfing in all wind directions.

Places to kitesurf: Isla Blanca

Playa del Carmen (season: November to May)

Playa del Carmen – or simply “Playa” as the locals call it – began as a small fishing village. Now it is a tourist hub and the fastest growing city in all of Latin America. Despite being so close to Cancun (one hour by car), the vibe is completely different, as Playa del Carmen has a much more bohemian vibe. In this location, international kitesurfing events have been held due to its versatile conditions, from flat waters to “choppy”. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea will delight you. It is important that you know that not every beach in this city is suitable for kitesurfing; You can only be in Playacar and Cocobeach. The wind hits side-onshore from the northeast and southeast most of the time and its speed is 10 to 20 knots.

Cozumel (season: December to May)

Cozumel is a large island located southeast of Quintana Roo. The arrival of cruise ships that travel from all over the world have given it its tourist popularity. It is a location with beaches of envy, white sands and turquoise blue water. This island is a highly valued spot to dive for its colorful coral reefs. To practice kitesurfing, you will have winds from the north, south and mainly from the east, which does not come with too much power but when the north comes in, hold on! that comes the mere good. Cozumel has good sideshore wind and the best time of its season is from February to May.

Tulum (season: December to May)

The town of Tulum is two hours from Cancun. In recent years it has positioned itself as an eco-chic destination, which is why its prices in the hotel zone have been increasing. However, there are options in the center of town for all budgets. Tulum has always had one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean. This location is good for learning to master waves and practice tricks and jumps. Here you will have varied winds, onshore, side on-shore, sideshore coming from northeast, east and southeast, with a force of 12 to 25 knots. In Tulum you will run into choppy waters inside the reef (which is located just under 1 km from the coast).

Does sargassum affect me?

Despite the fact that in recent years the kitesurfing season in Quintana Roo has not been affected by sargassum, it is good that you take it into account. In Isla Blanca and on the west beaches of Cozumel there is little impact due to its orientations. But in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum this famous macroalgae arrives en masse in the months of May, June, July and August.

Places to kitesurf: Yucatán

Progreso (season: February to June)

Progreso is a town located north of Yucatán, just under an hour from Mérida. It is an important fishing port and tourist point, as cruise ships arrive that stop to visit various places in Yucatan. It is also the favorite place for the Yucatecans to visit in summer. Its beaches, located in the Gulf of Mexico, have shallow waters and few waves, although the wind can cause some chop. When the north comes in, the waves rise a bit. To practice kitesurfing, you will have winds from the north, southeast, south, southwest and mainly from the northeast at a speed of 12 to 35 knots. In the morning you will have side-offshore wind with flat water.

San Felipe and Río Lagartos (season: November to August)

San Felipe and Río Lagartos are two towns located on the northern coast of Yucatán. In recent years, this area has gained great popularity for “Las Coloradas” which are striking pink lagoons, stained by nature. These lagoons are 45 min. from Río Lagartos. However, it will not be in these peculiar lagoons where you will practice kitesurfing –because it is private property– but on the “Cancunito” beach. Here the sea is ideal for learning with its shallow depth. In this spot you will have side-onshore winds, from 10 to 25 knots, coming from the north, northeast, southeast and east.

Places to kitesurf: Río Lagartos

Sisal (season: November to July)

Sisal was once a very important seaport, mainly in the henequen hacienda boom. From this point, a quantity of raw materials were exported, including henequen fiber, which is known abroad as “Sisal” thanks to this same port. Currently, it is a quiet fishing town that will help you disconnect from the urban hustle and bustle. Its beaches are wide and with very few or no people. To kite, the best months of the season are from February to July. Its waters are shallow, with little waves and you will receive sideshore winds.

Places to kitesurf: Baja California

Punta San Carlos, B.C. North (season: most of the year)

It is a place far from civilization and most of the time it is desolate. Here you will not find bars, clubs or anything else to do outside of adventure tourism and admire nature. Most of the year there is good wind and it is sunny. To get there, you take a flight to Tijuana and from there you can drive to a town called “El Rosario”. From the town to Punta San Carlos it takes two hours. Here the wind hits side-offshore and the waters can be turbulent so it is recommended for advanced riders.

El Cuyo (November to July)

El Cuyo is a small fishing town located in the northeast of Yucatán. By car, it is two and a half hours from Cancun. At this point, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico mix with those of the Caribbean. Its beaches are quiet, without people and ideal for kitesurfing. Here you will find shallow and safe waters for beginners. The wind starts at about noon with a speed of 10 to 25 knots.

Kitesurfing spots: Gulf of Mexico

Tampico, Tamaulipas (season: October to April)

The port of Tampico is one of the most important in the entire country. It is surrounded by rivers, lagoons and beaches that are home to many species of flora and fauna. Its waters are calm and not deep. For kitesurfing, you will have winds of 10 to 20 knots coming from the north and southeast. When it enters north they can reach more than 20 knots.

Veracruz (season: January to April, June, October to December)

In the Port of Veracruz you can find the following ideal kitesurfing spots: Boca del Río Beach, Camino Real Hotel Beach, Santa Ana Beach (Tampiquera) and Iguana Beach. Similarly, 50 km. there is the famous Costa Smeralda, where you can enjoy complete peace as they are very lonely beaches. Its waters are green – hence its name – and its sand is gray. To the south of the coast, you can find an estuary with completely flat water where you can have fun kiteboarding. In these locations you will find onshore, sideshore and side-onshore winds coming from the north and southeast. Normally these winds will blow at a speed of 13 to 25 knots, however, when it enters north – from October to March – they will increase from 20 to even 40 knots!

Places to kitesurf: Veracruz.

Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche (season: December to May)

Ciudad del Carmen is located southwest of the Yucatan Peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna de Terminos. In the past, like any other coastal town, it lived from fishing, however, starting in the 70s, it is the most important center of operations for PEMEX. Its coastline is friendly to novice riders and people who are learning. The best spots are Playa Norte, Playa Bahamita and Playa La Ensenada. You will have onshore, side-onshore and sideshore winds coming from the north and southeast. In general, they manifest themselves at speeds between 12 and 25 knots, but when the north enters – from October to March – they intensify, reaching between 20 and 40 knots.

Places to kitesurf: Ciudad del Carmen.

Kitesurfing spots: Pacific Ocean Coast

San Carlos, Sonora (season: October to April)

San Carlos is located in the port of Guaymas, facing the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Its waters are blue, transparent and quite calm, being Playa Algodones where you will find particularly flat waters. In the bay the sideshore wind blows incessantly, coming from the west at a speed of 15 to 25 knots. The wind makes its appearance at approximately noon.

Places to kitesurf: San Carlos Sonora.

Bucerías, Nayarit (season: January to June)

Bucerías is a fishing town that has wonderful beaches. They are away from the bustle of the city and the crowds, so they are ideal if you want to live moments of peace. In fact, you will find few riders, this way you will not collide with anyone if you want to learn. The onshore winds begin to blow at approximately 1:30 PM and come from the west and northwest. The best months of the season are from March to June. They are very good spots: Destiladera (Veneros), Litibu, Punta Negra and Higuera Blanca.

Places to kitesurf: Bucerías, Nayarit.

Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (season: January to June)

Despite being locations in two different states, they are only 30 min. away from each other. The climate is warm and ranges between 25 ° C and 32 ° C. The prevailing winds that you will have are from the west, side-onshore, at a speed of 4 to 20 knots. These begin to blow from noon. The best months of the season are from March to June.

Places to kitesurf: Nuevo Vallarta.

La Ventosa and Salina Cruz, Oaxaca (season: almost all year round except August, September, October).

These two beach destinations in Oaxaca are an hour away from each other. La Ventosa is considered one of the windiest destinations in the world (obviously that’s where its name comes from). This is caused by two mountain ranges on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, producing what is called a “Venturi effect” which, in this case, is nothing more than a very strong wind funnel. Here there are winds between 20 and 35 knots offshore. In some areas it is not easy to take off or land the kite and there are extreme conditions so this location is only for experts. The best spots are the Azul, Brasil and Salinas del Marqués beaches. Without a doubt, one of the best places to kitesurf in Mexico.

Places to kitesurf: La Ventosa.

Places to kitesurf: Baja California

Punta San Carlos, B.C. North (season: most of the year)

Punta San Carlos, Baja California Norte.

La Ventana, B.C. South (season: October to April)

This spot located in the Sea of Cortez is good for learning kitesurfing. It is only 30 minutes from La Paz and it will offer you versatility to practice this sport. La Ventana has both flat waters and waves and is a favorite place for international competitions, which is why it is one of the best places to kitesurf in Mexico. Some of those that have been organized are La Ventana Classic, La Ventana Windfest, Kite Foil Cup and the Expo Kite La Ventana. This beach is L-shaped and receives sideshore winds that begin at noon. These travel at a speed of between 15 to 25 knots and come mainly from the north and northwest.

Los Barriles, B.C. South (season: January to April and October to December)

Los Barriles is an ideal place to be away from civilization and enjoy nature. It is located in the Sea of Cortez between Los Cabos and La Paz. From Los Cabos, it is an hour by car. This is a good place for beginners and riders who want to practice with waves. The best spot is in Playa Norte. Here you will have winds from the north and northeast, side on shore, sideshore at a speed of 10 to 25 knots. Additionally, when the north enters the winds reach up to 30 knots.

Los Barriles, Baja California Sur.

Punta Abreojos, B.C. South (season: September to April)

It is a small fishing village 234 km from Loreto. It is a quiet destination, without noise and with excellent waves. You will have side-onshore and off-shore winds coming from north and northwest at speeds of between 15 and 25 knots. It is important to mention that there are some obstacles such as rocks in the water. For this and for the windy weather, it is recommended only for intermediate and advanced.

Now that you know which are the best places to kitesurf in Mexico, we hope that you will soon be encouraged to have a good trip. Do you know other good places to kite? Share them in the comment section.