Located on the tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula, Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San José or simply Los Cabos, as they are internationally known, are famous for being a mecca for water sports. Surfing, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking are only a few of the activities on offer. Apart from wave-riding and underwater exploring however, visitors are bound to be impressed by the pristine beaches, natural beauty, luxury resorts and hidden coves. No matter if you’re visiting with friends for an adventurous trip, looking for some peaceful family time or planning a romantic getaway, there’s a beach at Los Cabos just for you. Read on and discover the best beaches in Los Cabos.
Medano Beach
Playa El Médano or Medano Beach is the most popular swimming spot in Cabo San Lucas, only a few minutes away from the center of the town. It stretches for two miles from the eastern edge of the bay all the way down to the end of the pier at the harbor. Being a major tourist destination, the beach is lined up with bars, souvenir shops, restaurants and watersports rentals and offers all kinds of activities for every type of beach bum. The water is usually calm and ideal for a fun day kayaking, snorkeling or banana boating under the hot sun, while the fine sand is superb for beach volleyball, frisbee throwing or sandcastle building with the kids. Come nightfall, Medano Beach is the place to be if you’re in the mood to party. While there, don’t miss the chance to join Buccaneer Queen’s crew on an extraordinary pirate adventure.
Costa Azul Beach
Playa Costa Azul is on the most popular beaches in the San José del Cabo region. A real mecca for surfers, the beach offers clear waters and surf breaks for all levels. If you are a beginner, you’ll find several surf schools to initiate you in the world of water sports and provide all the necessary equipment. During summer months, the beach gets really crowded by people who gather to watch the Los Cabos Open of Surf, a world-renowned annual surfing tournament. Costa Azul is also a great place to get acquainted with local gastronomy without having to leave the beach. Towards the northern side of the bay, you’ll find Mama Mia Restaurant Bar, while if you move towards the southern side you’ll come across the famous Zipper’s Bar and Grill. Both serve a mix of traditional cuisine, seafood and street food with astonishing oceanfront views.
Lover’s Beach
Playa del Amor or Lover’s Beach might not be the secluded, romantic, tiny bay that you would reasonably imagine, but it’s still one of the most exciting spots to visit on your Los Cabos vacation. The beach is exclusively accessible by water and the easiest way to get there is by booking a water taxi from Medano Beach. On the short boat ride, you’ll have the chance to see the impressive coastal rock formations from afar, marvel at the famous “El Arco” and observe rich marine life underwater at Land’s End. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may choose to reach the hidden cove by rock climbing or even kayaking around the massive rocks. Keep in mind, however, that the tip of the bay is the exact point where the Pacific Ocean and the sea of Cortez clash and tides get rough to navigate at times.
Cannery Beaches
The name Cannery Beaches refers to Playa Coral Negro and Playa De La Empacadora, two neighboring beaches situated right next to the entrance of Cabo San Lucas’ marina. Unlike Medano Beach and Lover’s Beach, the Cannery Beaches seem to not be getting enough attention from visitors and media alike. Nevertheless, their natural beauty is incomparable. Nestled under the hills of Mount Solmar at Land’s End, their sandy shores and aquamarine waters offer peace and relaxation away from the hectic beach bars and wandering beach vendors. This is the ideal spot to rest under the shade of the massive rocks and spend a laid-back afternoon with family or a serene romantic evening with your sweetheart. It’s also a great place to get some rest if you’re planning to reach “El Arco” and Lover’s Beach by kayak from Medano Beach.
Santa Maria Beach
Right next to Playa Chileno, Santa Maria attracts a very specific type of crowd. The crescent-moon-shaped beach has a reputation of being the best snorkeling spot in Los Cabos. Upon arriving at the beach, you’ll immediately notice numerous tour boats docked and flocks of snorkel tubes sticking out from the water, lingering over the coral reefs. Like its neighbor, Santa Maria is Blue-Flag-certified and its transparent waters mirror the colorful ecosystem below. During whale season, you might be lucky enough to spot a humpback whale sprouting or breaching in the distance. Rumor has it, that if you dive and listen closely when a pod passes by you might even be able to hear the whales singing to each other. There are little to no amenities on the beach, so be sure to bring along anything you might need.
Palmilla Beach
Palmilla Beach is one of the most beautiful spots close to San Jose del Cabo and it’s easily accessible by car. The long, horseshoe-shaped beach is sheltered in a protected cove and the surprisingly tranquil waters of the Sea of Cortez make it the place to be for a leisurely swim or snorkeling. In fact, Playa Palmilla is where the annual Ironman Los Cabos half-triathlon takes place. There are a few rental beach umbrellas and palapa huts to rest under, as well as kayak and boat rentals. Palmilla is also a famous fishing spot with many local fishermen starting off their day here and many tourists chartering boats to try their luck in game fishing in the open seas.
Chileno Beach
Playa Chileno or Chileno Beach is located between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, along the sandy strip known as the Tourist Corridor. It is widely regarded as one of the cleanest beaches in Mexico and has many times been awarded the Blue Flag, an international symbol of crystal-clear waters and safety. This is the place locals head when the spring break crowds take over the more famous beaches in the area. The beach is wide and flat, dotted with picturesque palapa huts and it’s perfect for a family getaway. Rocky reefs that run along its sides are home to an abundance of marine fauna, offering an amazing underwater view to snorkelers.
Playa Las Viudas
Formerly known as Twin Dolphin Beach, Playa Las Viudas or Widow’s Beach is another popular spot on the Tourist Corridor. Even though it’s not suitable for swimming due to strong currents and underwater reefs, it’s the ideal place for photography enthusiasts and shell-hunters. Facing the Sea of Cortés, Playa Las Viudas is surrounded by volcanic rocks with tiny, hidden coves that make for a primitive, exotic backdrop for your Instagram snaps. Marvel at the views from the top of the rocks, explore the desert trails that lie beyond and finish off the evening by watching the sunset at one of several secluded spots. For the perfect end to a day at the beach, dine at Sunset da Mona Lisa, a Mediterranean restaurant situated at the eastern end of the bay.
Monuments Beach
Playa Monumento or Monuments Beach is the closest surfing spot to Cabo San Lucas, just a few minutes from the town. It’s widely regarded as the best place to surf in Los Cabos, but the surf break here is more than challenging and best reserved for the most experienced wave tamers. Still, you should visit for the amazing views of the rock formations that stretch all the way to Land’s End and El Arco, the famed sunset panoramas and fine dining at Sunset Da Mona Lisa Restaurant.
