One of the few places on the planet where you bring your swimsuit to visit ancient ruins, stunning Tulum Beach on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula takes our number one spot. Not just a gorgeous strip of sugar white sand, the beach here is overlooked by one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya.

Looking out across the turquoise waters here, the sugar white sand squeaking between your toes, it’s easy to imagine the founders standing in the exact same spot around AD 1200 and thinking “Yes, this will do nicely!”

Now check out these stunning images of the world's beautiful beaches from above...

The world's best beaches – and what to see and do there