Did you get enough quality beach time this summer? This article on the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world aims to inspire you with some good travel ideas on the most astonishing though backpacker wallet-proof beaches on earth.   

Who doesn't love to lie on the beach, getting a sun-tan with an occasional refreshing dip in the sea? But it’s not easy to find a true paradise beach. Sure, there are plenty of websites promoting beautiful beach destinations. But once you have a closer look you’ll soon notice that only a flight to paradisiacal destinations like the Seychelles, Hawaii, Fiji or the Maldives is not compatible with your budget. And who hasn't been disappointed when arriving on a beautiful beach ready and set to enjoy yourself, only to find out that a simple soda will take a merciless bite out of your backpacker budget?!

Since we think budget travelers also deserve some quality beach time we have listed some of the most beautiful, but affordable beaches in the world!

  1. The top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world:  

Playa Norte – Isla Mujeres (Mexico) 

 
With so many miles of both Pacific and Carribean coastline Mexico is home to many beautiful beaches. Some of the most popular and heavily visited beaches are found in Acapulco and Cancun. They are definitely beautiful places, but the beaches around here are really crowded and you’ll most likely end up in a big resort. So here’s a clever alternative. Just off the coast of Cancun you’ll find a small island called Isla Mujeres. It’s only a short trip by ferry from Cancun, but it will allow you to escape the insanity of Cancun. In addition you’ll soon discover that this is just a fabulous little island with a chilled vibe and…. beautiful beaches. Especially Playa Norte. This beach is probably the most picture perfect beach we’ve ever seen. The water here is stunningly blue and I can’t recall ever seeing whiter sand in my life. The descent is minimal so you can wade into the water or snorkel for a hundred meters or so before reaching deeper waters.   

  2. The top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world:  Perhentian Islands (Malaysia)

When we think of beautiful beaches then certainly Malaysia’s tropical beaches must be included. Although Malaysia is blessed with a multitude of beautiful and stunning beaches the best with no doubt are the beaches found at the Perhentian Islands. The Perhentian Islands consist of a number of small islands a few miles of the eastern coastline of Malaysia just south of the Thai border  and are part of the  Pulau Redang National Marine Park. The islands are characterized by the clearest turquoise waters, lush green forests and wide white beaches. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (‘Big Perhentian’) and Perhentian Kecil (‘Small Perhentian’). Especially the small island is popular among budget travelers and you’ll find plenty of budget hostels around. In addition, snorkeling and diving are fabulous and excursions come at fair prices. Note that the islands cannot be visited during Monsoon season (November-February) when the sea is very rough, skies are covered and accommodations close down. Outside the Monsoon season the Perhentian Islands are just paradise on earth. 

 3. The top ten most beautiful beaches in the world : Zarautz (Spain)

The small town of Zarautz is situated in Bask-country in the north of Spain, just about half an hour from San Sebastian. The city-center of Zarautz is built around the beach and is surrounded by big mountains, rocks and boulders. Because of the rocks and the fact that Zarauts is a bay-beach it has nice, clean and big waves, which makes Zarauts a popular place for wind- wave and kite-surfing. Even if you’re not a surfer (yet) you should definitely give it a try when visiting Zarautz. The beach is big, has lush white sands and there are still some deserted places to chill out on your own. Be aware though that the right side of the beach is reserved for nudists. If you start to feel hungry after a long day of sun bathing and swimming it's a good idea to go to one of the thousand tapas cafe's in Zarautz. Tapas are not only cheap (between 2 and 4 euros) and delicious,  but it’s also a good way of tasting all the delights that the local cuisine has to offer. Zarautz has two camping places where you can relax after a beach day and there are plenty of budget hotel accommodations around (note that one of the campings is on top of a hill so it’s better to book early and stay at the lower one).

 4. The top 10  most beautiful beaches in the world : Noosa (Australia)

Noosa is widely known for its beautiful beaches and chilled out atmosphere. Noosa is called the St. Tropez of Australia (read expensive), but if you are in possession of a tent Noosa can actually be cheap. Camp at Noosa River Camping: this camping place is situated at the gorgeous Noosa River where in the morning you can see the sun rise and have a quick swim. Pelican’s will wake you up: It’s pure paradise. Go back to basics and rent a rod to catch your own fish for on the BBQ. If for whatever reason the fishing didn’t go as well as you hoped for, score a nice seafood dish at any restaurant at Noosa Shire. You won’t be disappointed. Noosa is famous for its nice, easy waves and the clarity of the water will blow your mind away. When arriving in Noosa, pelicans and kookaburras will welcome you. Well, what are you waiting for: save, save and catch the first flight to down under! 

 5. The top ten most beautiful beaches in the world : San Blas islands (Panama)

The San Blas Islands group is an archipelago of around 400 islands in front of the Caribbean coast of Panama. These islands are every beach-lover’s wet dream: blue sea, palm trees, most of them uninhabited, and covered with white, white sand. The islands are only a 20 minute flight away from Panama-city and you will feel like you’re in paradise on earth. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, the San Blas Islands are extremely cheap: because of the huge amount of coconuts on the island, this fruit can be used as an unofficial currency. A bottle of soda can be bought for only 4 coconuts! Facilities are few and simple, as is the food: just perfect for an adventurous backpacker.  As diving is not allowed in the San Blas islands, snorkeling is offered almost everywhere. Book a tour and be blown away by the dazzling reef a colorful fishes. 

6. The top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world : Newquay (GB)

When you think of the nicest and most beautiful beaches ever, most likely you won’t directly think of England. But even this rainy country has some undiscovered pearls. For example, Newquay, a small town on the coast of Cornwall. Newquay is famous for its lively nightlife and is well known by surfers all over the world for its easy ride-able waves.  Book yourself into one of the surf lodges (cheap, hostel-style accommodation) and learn how to surf. Try and book yourself in the newly build Palace Surf lodge, as this hostel is close by the beaches and the party life at the same time!

 7. The top ten most beautiful beaches in the world : Pigeon Point (Tobago)

Tobago is a tiny island near Trinidad in the Caribbean Sea close to the shores of Venezuela. Tobago is the unknown little brother of Jamaica: everyone is relaxed, the sounds of the steel pan and reggae will be the only thing you'll hear at night and the odor of weed is the only thing you'll smell... This makes Tobago the ultimate place to relax and unwind! Try for example Pigeon Point beach on the south-coast of the island. Pigeon Point is a seemingly endless beach with clear, blue waters and the finest yellow-white sand. You will be able to eat the coconuts right of the tree and sip on some chilled pineapple juice made by a local vendor. Although Tobago is known for being an expensive holiday island, it is possible to book a cheap guesthouse or try and settle for something with the extremely laid-back locals. Eating on the streets is the cheapest option, but also a good one as the street stall food is absolutely fantastic. Besides relaxing on the beach Tobago has excellent other ways of passing the time: for example: diving and snorkeling. Tobago's sea life will blow your mind away! 

8. The top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world : Kho Tao (Thailand)

Kho Tao is one of Thailand's famous white sanded, blue water, green rainforest islands. Located in the south-east of the country it takes only one flight or a 15 hour bus and ferry trip from Bangkok to this pearl of an island. Imagine yourself sitting under a palm tree, sipping on an ice-cold Singha Beer and eating a blazing hot Thai red curry: life doesn't get much better than this. Kho Tao is one of the best places to dive in the world and its underwater world is just incredible. Many backpackers go here to obtain their Padi Dive Certificate because of the low costs of the diving schools and the awesome diving of course. Sleeping in Kho Tao is extremely cheap: a simple cabin comes at as little as 4 euros for one night! The same goes for the food.  Pad Thai, a local specialty based on noodles, peanuts, vegetables and a topping of dry shrimps will only cost you a euro.

Besides diving, snorkeling, eating, drinking and sun bathing, Kho Tao has a lot more to offer. You could try and drive a Quad-bike or a motorcycle for almost nothing... Or take a massage course or a cooking course to try and perfect your Thai cooking skills. While exploring the island make sure to visit (or stay) at Ao Leuk, which is the most beautiful beach on the island. Just paradise on earth!! 

9. The top ten most beautiful beaches in the world: Kho Phagnan (Thailand)

Kho Phagnan is one of Thailand’s most famous islands because of the infamous full moon party that thousands of tourist visit each month. Part of this island can easily describe as the Ibiza of Asia. But besides this party reputation, there is more to Kho Phangan than only parties and nightlife.

In fact if you stay outside Haad Rin Beach you will find some amazing and really quiet beaches as well. Try and stay at Harmony Beach resort. It’s a little more expensive than other hostels, although 5 Euros a night is almost no money compared to western standards. Harmony Beach resort is just about half an hour away with the tuk-tuk from Haad Rin beach. Haad Rin is where all the party life is happening at night. The beach on which Harmony Beach resort is built on, is called Ao Hin Lor. This resort has a lot of neat lodges, friendly and helpful hosts, a private beach and a big comfortable lounge outside.

Besides being a beach and party holiday island, Kho Phagnan also is a very adventurous island where you can dive, ride a motorcycle or quad, catch your own fish with a harpoon, ride an elephant and take a cooking course: and all of that for a nickel and a dime! 

10. The top 10  most beautiful beaches in the world:  Praia da Pipa – Brazil

With thousands of miles of tropical coastline it would be impossible to not include Brazil in this list of best beaches. In fact it is not easy to make a choice between Brazil’s beaches since there are so many incredible and beautiful places here. Anyway, we had to choose so we have selected 2. The first is Praia da Pipa located in the province of Rio Grande do Norte in the North East of Brazil (just 85 kilometers south of Natal). Pipa is blessed with a spectacular setting with wide beaches, immaculate white sands and steep hills soaring right from the shore. Bring your bathing suit, but don’t forget your photo camera because this may be the easiest place to shoot some ultimate postcard like photographs. 

11: (Bonus Beach!) The top ten most beautiful beaches in the world: Jericoacoara – Brazil

 Here is a special treat people. Jericoacoara is a secluded and quiet fishing village, about 300 kilometers west of Fortaleza. Jericoacoara is known as international kite surfers’ paradise and is characterized by its spectacular setting among enormous sand dunes. A visit to Jericoacoara is like a trip back into time. Facilities are basic, roads are not paved (in fact roads are just sand paths) and the vibe is chilled. Just check out the picture below and you will immediately notice that Jericoacoara looks like no other beach. The area has been declared a National Park in 2002 so besides sun bathing and kite surfing if you’re into it there is plenty to see around here. 

 We hope that this article on the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world has inspired you to go out there to travel explore and in this case, relax. Travelspecs is a guide for travelers, by travelers. Should we have missed anything in this article on the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world then please drop a comment below.