Mexico's Pacific coast is perfectly positioned to take in a gorgeous sunset. While there's not a bad seat in the house, there are some spots where the dial on the "Wow Factor" is turned all the way up. These extraordinary locations may be special for a variety of reasons: their ease in getting to, being in the middle of one of Mexico's resort cities on the coast; their romantic ambience; or the possibility of combining an excellent meal with a sundown show.
Sunset da Mona Lisa, Cabo San Lucas
Los Cabos has a vantage point all its own, being at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula. "I tell all my friends and family heading to Los Cabos that one of my favorite places to catch a sunset is the Sunset da Mona Lisa," said David Lavigne, frequent traveler and director of Mexico product development for Delta Vacations and Aeromexico Vacations. "The restaurant is set into a cliff overlooking the bay, offering stunning views of the famous Arch at Land's End as well as some of the most breathtakingly colorful sunsets I've ever seen. Add to all of this, authentic Italian cuisine and a bottle of Chianti and you're all set for a romantic evening."
San Francisco, Riviera Nayarit
Most visitors to Riviera Nayarit make tracks for Punta Mita or the hip surfer town of Sayulita. Chances are, after a couple days, they'll begin hearing people talk about the amazing sunsets at the small seaside town of San Francisco (the locals more often call it "San Pancho"). This is the kind of coastal town where the main street leads effortlessly to the beach and a handful of al fresco restaurants serve Pacificos and ceviche. Each evening, locals and visitors make their way down to the beach to catch the sun going down. The night I was there I was impressed by the sense of community: lovers sat in the sand holding hands, dozens of dogs darted back and forth, and a young boy played folk guitar. As the sun sank, surfers caught their final sunlit waves.
Playa Migriño, Los Cabos
This is a great choice for those who would like to combine a beautiful sunset with a horseback ride or a roar along the sand in an ATV. The beach is about 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas (longer than that if part of an organized tour, since there will be multiple hotel stops). From December through April, whales can often be glimpsed from the shore.
Malecon, Mazatlan
Malecons are the Mexican version of a city boardwalk. One of the longest and most lively malecons is in Mazatlan, Mexico's colonial city by the sea. The four-mile long malecon has plenty of people during the day, but as evening approaches it really fills up, with families taking a stroll before dinner, young people flirting with each other and joggers out for a bit of exercise. Catch the cliff divers at El Clavadista, watch the pelicans plunging into the waves in search of dinner, and work up your own appetite; Mazatlan is the center of Mexico's shrimp industry and there are plenty of small restaurants along the malecon serving up camarones in numerous ways – from fresh aguachile to hearty bacon-wrapped shrimp. Commandeer one of Mexico's ubiquitous white plastic chairs and tables on the beach, order up a meal and watch the sun dip into the ocean.
Hotel Guaycura, Todos Santos
Getting to Todos Santos takes some effort. Most people will fly into Los Cabos and then make the 90-minute drive north. Todos Santos has a hip mix of locals and expatriates and walking down the town's main street reveals one art gallery after another. The Hotel Guaycura rooftop Sky Lounge is the place to go if a traveler wants to enjoy an excellently mixed cocktail and some tapas while the sun disappears for the day.
Rosarito Pier, Rosarito
Rosarito Beach was once a hugely popular Mexican getaway for Southern Californians, being only 30 miles from the border. Crime and turmoil put a dent in arrivals, and today Rosarito is mainly visited by locals and Mexican-Americans driving down to see their relatives. The best place to catch a sunset is on the Rosarito pier, which stretches a quarter mile into the ocean. I've spent many an evening there, fishing off the pier for smelt and halibut while the setting sun lit up the sky in Technicolor. The beach north of the pier is enjoyed to the max by Mexican tourists, with horses galloping along the sand, mariachi and banda bands strolling in full dress, and vendor after vendor selling everything from corn on the cob to heaping fruit salads dusted with chile. The beach is also lined with bargain-priced nightclubs; one tout tried to lure me in with, "All you can drink until midnight – only $10."
Las Brisas Acapulco, Acapulco
One of the most stirring sights in the world is Acapulco Bay after dark. The best way to catch a sunset is to have a meal or a drink at one of the many upscale restaurants along the cliff road. My favorite place is the Sunset Bar at Las Brisas Acapulco, an elegant open-air setting to watch Acapulco light up for the night.
Playa de los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta
As the day dies, there's no more fitting place to catch the sun's adieu than Playa de los Muertos, the Beach of the Dead. Counter to its name, it's a lively stretch of sand, with locals and visitors finding a spot on the beach or at one of the informal restaurants to hash out the day and catch a sunset. The beach is located in the city center, making it easy to find and only a short stroll to PV's Zona Romantica.
Ocean Bar and Grill, Huatulco
Huatulco had a blip as a major Mexico beach resort destination and then faded. Word is it's poised for resurgence. One of the proofs for this claim is the Ocean Bar and Grill at the oceanfront Cosmo Residences, near Huatulco's Playa Arrocito. Here visitors will find a chill South Beach-meets-Mexico vibe, with hanging beds and expertly mixed cocktails. The restaurant sits atop a bluff, guaranteeing dramatic sunsets over the bay.
Casa Kau-Kan, Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo is one of my favorite places in Mexico, a perfect balance of the modern and traditional. Ask a local where to catch a sunset and the reply will most likely be "Playa la Madera." Once a traveler finds their way to Madera Beach, they should head straight to Casa Kau-Kan, a romantic adobe restaurant with an open-air terrace overlooking the beach and the bay.
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