Where are the best beaches?

I'm learning a lot from these great posts - thanks!

Only problem with La Manzanilla aside from it being a PITA to get to without a car is that it seems like most of the lodging is gringo-owned and very expensive. Otherwise yeah: great beach, amazing variety of restaurants for the size, lovely.

We have a friend who's a serious beach fanatic and dedicated swimmer, and she spends months at a time in Caleta de Campos on the Michoacán coast. We only spend a few days but if you want a tranquil cove with absolutely perfect swimming conditions and unspoiled beach experience it is hard to beat. The "buts" however are going to exclude most people: taco stands and other humble local places only, nothing to do really except hang out, very low chance of hearing anything but Spanish spoken. And it's a twisty, windy drive from either Manzanillo or Lazaro Cardenas.

The Retire Early Lifstyle folks did a profile on the place a few years back:

http://www.retireearlylifestyle.com/caleta-de-campo-.htm

And the entire town of La Manzanilla is on Ejido land.

slainte39 wrote:

Trailrunner wrote:Yes! And some good restaurants now, finally. lol They're terrified they are gonna turn into another Sayulita.

Sayulita has changed so much over the last 30 years, that they would be shooting at a fast moving target.

Go in off season. High season is looney. My wife just returned with the girls and said the crowds were crazy.

Z

Zedinmexico wrote:

slainte39 wrote:

Trailrunner wrote:Yes! And some good restaurants now, finally. lol They're terrified they are gonna turn into another Sayulita.

Sayulita has changed so much over the last 30 years, that they would be shooting at a fast moving target.

Go in off season.  High season is looney. My wife just returned with the girls and said the crowds were crazy.

Z

But, but: It's hotter n' hell in low season.

I just read a post about Sayulita on FB, one of the expat sites, about so many people getting sick there from swimming in the ocean and the restaurants. Then a hefty list of comments saying same.
Not good publicity.

gringal wrote:

Zedinmexico wrote:

slainte39 wrote:

Trailrunner wrote:Yes! And some good restaurants now, finally. lol They're terrified they are gonna turn into another Sayulita.

Sayulita has changed so much over the last 30 years, that they would be shooting at a fast moving target.

Go in off season.  High season is looney. My wife just returned with the girls and said the crowds were crazy.

Z

But, but:  It's hotter n' hell in low season.  

I like it hot. You like it cooler than me.

Z

Nobody has mentioned Playa Zipolite. I had a fantastic time there once. Topless tolerated and an otherwise zone of tolerance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playa_Zipolite

Another missing is Playa Escondido.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Escondido,_Oaxaca

Me? I like the beach West of Ajijic on the largest lake in Mexico. Lake Chapala. You folks ought to take advantage of Lake Chapala. It can't be far from where you live. And guess what? The water is not salty.