Isolated beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are the best seashell beaches.
There are thousands of great beaches in Mexico, but not all of them are appropriate for beachcombing or for collecting shells. The best beaches to find shells are those that border the Gulf of Mexico---preferably the isolated beaches that receive very few visitors. Beaches that are populated with visitors see a constant flow of traffic, both from tourists and Mexican traders looking for shells for their handicrafts. This traffic crushes, hides, locates or buries whatever shells wash up on the beach, whereas isolated beaches remain in their natural state with little or no human traffic throughout the year. This leaves shells and marine life that wash ashore intact and in their natural state.
Costa Esmeralda
This is is a 15-mile beach area that sits on the Gulf of Mexico about 259 kilometers south of Tampico and 205 kilometers north of Veracruz. There are five small beach towns that dot the coast, and a few small rivers that flow over the beach as they flow out to sea. It is a semisecluded, relatively unknown beach surrounded by tropical forests.The area receives visitors but it is not overpopulated with tourists, so it is great a great place to find shells. There are a couple of small inn-like resorts that sit on this beach, and camping is allowed on the beach. There are also small fresh seafood restaurant huts.
Playa Escondida
This is considered the most beautiful beach between the Yucatan and Florida. However, it is almost impossible to reach. It is a truly isolated beach located in the municipality of Catemaco Veracruz. To access this beach, which is an ideal beachcombing location, you have to travel north from Catemaco to Montepio, then at 28 kilometers on the downward drive you will see a gate and sign leading the way to Parador Icacos. Stop here and walk the trail uphill to Playa Escondida. It's about a half-hour walk through the tropical forest. There are rarely any people here, and the beach is protected by two bluffs. Although isolated, this is a great place to picnic, stroll the beach, pick up seashells and have an incredible bird- and wild monkey-watching experience.
Playa Jicacal
Another beautiful isolated beach, great for beachcombing, sits in the southern part of Veracruz near the municipality of Catemaco. This relatively unknown beach is on a shallow bay and is bordered by rocky cliffs. Most of the year it is desolate, only occupied during Mexican holidays, and even then by only a handful of visitors, making this 6-mile stretch a beachcomber's paradise. There is a small old hotel and a beachfront restaurant offering a variety of seafood. Access to the beach is from the Catemaco-Montepio highway. There is a dirt road that branches off the highway at kilometer 28. The road goes toward the gulf and is about a mile long, and at the end you will see the parador (state-owned hotel). From there you can follow the steps down to the beach.
Tags: find shells, great place, Gulf Mexico, isolated beach, isolated beaches, municipality Catemaco, natural state
