There You Glow

Discover the best beaches for perfecting that summer tan
By Ashley Alvarado

 

Gift shops, high-end stores, and on-site boutiques abound in Los Cabos. But there’s one absolute necessity for every summertime visitor that you simply won’t find in any of these tiendas: the perfect Cabo tan. Spray-on tans and self-tanning lotions have come a long way in recent years (yay for science!), and we’re not opposed to anything that will help keep you and your skin healthier in the long run. That said, there’s just nothing like the glow of well-hydrated, sun-kissed skin. Fortunately for us, Los Cabos offers up a plethora of beaches. In addition to gorgeous vistas, each of these beaches features something unique and charming. Here we round up some of our favorite stretches of sand, each perfect for getting your tan on. Want more beaches? Visit www.cabosanlucasbeaches.com.

Médano Beach (Playa el Médano)

Accessible from the Cabo San Lucas Marina or Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas.

Forgive us for leading with the obvious, but Médano Beach in downtown Cabo San Lucas is not only the city’s most swimmable shoreline but also the best equipped. Restaurants, beach clubs, resorts, and spas (yes, spas) dot the playa. It even has its own Facebook page: www .facebook.com/medanobeachcabo. Come early to watch the sunrise, then stick around for breakfast at one of the outstanding eateries.

Mango Deck (www.mangodeck.com) is a longtime favorite known for its generous portions (the menu includes American, Mexican, and Japanese cuisine), year-round spring break vibe, and all-you-can-eat weekend brunch buffets. It’s also a spot to spend the whole day: Grab a lounge chair and some shade where you can retreat to hydrate and reapply sunscreen as needed. (When we say hydrate, we mean water, people.)

A newer favorite is SUR Beach House Los Cabos (www .bahiacabo.com). The sprawling property blends whimsy and sophistication, chic modernity and classic Cabo cool. SUR comes from the same team that operates the Bahia Hotel and its on-site restaurant, Bar Esquina. Why does this matter? Because it pretty much guarantees an excellent menu, customer service, and investment not only in your experience but that of the staffers you’ll meet throughout the day. Did we mention this is also the new home of Cabo SUP? In between stand-up paddleboarding sessions, you can relax on a shade-covered day bed or pop into SUR’s restaurant for a bite to eat (we’re partial to the raw bar; try the clams!).

For those who are looking for more action than relaxation, you can also look for a pick-up game of volleyball on the beach. Just remember to keep that bottle of water handy!

Cabo Pulmo

See map on page 96.

You’ll need to rent a car or arrange a tour to Cabo Pulmo, but believe us when we say seeing the world-famous reef here is worth it. Cabo Pulmo is a national marine park, and the snorkeling and scuba diving conditions you’ll find here are among the best in the world. There’s also plenty to do when you’re out of the water. Explore the shoreline and take in the dramatic change from the beach to the desert-like surroundings, relax with a book, or try some of the local seafood options in Los Frailes.

Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)

Located on the half-mile Land’s End headland, Lover’s Beach is accessible by boat only.
You can’t visit Los Cabos without also making a trip—one way or another—to Land’s End. The iconic arch is beyond photogenic, and you can snap pics of it from aboard sunset cruises, snorkeling tours, kayaking trips, or while exploring aboard a kayak. The nearby Lover’s Beach is a great launching point for snorkeling and swimming, but we’re also fond of the no-frills shoreline when it comes to relaxing with friends and family. Lover’s Beach is located on the calm waters of the Sea of Cortés; you can also cross the sand to the Pacific side, where the playa’s known as Divorce Beach. Neither beach has any facilities or stores, so you’ll want to bring all your necessities for the day.

Palmilla Beach (Playa Palmilla)

Exit km 27 from the tourist corridor and follow the signs.

Located along the 20-mile tourist corridor that connects Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Palmilla Beach offers the best swimming near San José del Cabo. It’s more than a mile of protected shoreline along a quiet crescent-shaped bay, and it’s perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, or just relaxing with family or friends. You can rent snorkeling and dive equipment from the dive shop located near the entrance to the One&Only Palmilla (www.oneandonlyre sorts.com).

Located along the 20-mile stretch known as the tourist corridor, Palmilla Beach rests inside a tranquil crescent-shaped bay. It’s the best swimming beach near San José del Cabo, and, with more than a mile of protected shore, it’s the longest swimming beach in this area. It’s great for families, snorkeling, kayaking, and just relaxing. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented at the dive shop located just before the One&Only Palmilla hotel grounds.

Chileno Bay (Playa Chileno)

Follow the signs from the tourist corridor, exiting at about km 14.

One of the highest-rated beaches in Los Cabos—and all of México—Chileno is celebrated for its beauty, cleanliness, calm waters, and coral that makes the area perfect for snorkeling and spearfishing. Come here as part of an excursion; several companies offer snorkel tours. You can also grab one of the beach’s palapas, where you can enjoy some shade and reapply the sunscreen.

As much as we love the look of sun-kissed skin, I think we can all agree that nobody looks good with lobster-red skin!