From San José to Cabo San Lucas, this twenty-mile stretch of beach paradise has it all. Excellent snorkeling and diving, world-class surfing, swimming, a maritime marine preserve, family beaches, rock and roll party beaches, first-class public beach clubs, world-class hotels, and pristine, primitive, solitary shores. Each location noted herein is accessible via rental car, taxi, bus, bike, burro or boat. So, whatever your fantasy, it is all here?

San José del Cabo

El Estero
Beginning at the East end of the Playa Hotelera (Hotel Beach) in San José del Cabo, one will find San José’s famed estuary. The freshwater lagoon has over three hundred and fifty species of wildlife and lush vegetation. Fed by underground aquifers, the river and lagoon are one of the few oases in the otherwise nearly desolate lower Baja peninsula. For a little exploring, one may still rent a variety of concessions including horses, mountain bikes, kayaks or ATVs adjacent to the Presidente Inter-continental Los Cabos Resort, which borders the estuary. Kayaking in the lagoon is an option de-pending on the water level.

Playa Hotelera
This stretch of sand runs from the estuary west past the new Royal Solaris hotel, continuing until it reaches the Costa Azul beach. Playa Hotelera beaches are generally not recommended for swimming due to a fairly consistent body thumping shore break and a deep inshore drop-off. Most of the hotels in this region feature fine pools and beach side activities, excluding swimming in the ocean. On the west end of Playa Hotelera are Plazas Garuffi and Caracol where one can find many terrific shops and restaurants. On the beach below the Plaza are public palapas for shade and across from the plaza is a wonderful children’s park with lots of play equipment, a small carpeted soccer stadium, water park fountains to play in (when turned on) and fine plantings of native flora.

Tourist Corridor

Playa Palmilla
For excellent family swimming, snorkeling, and fishing, head east to Kilometer 27, the Palmilla Hotel turn-off. Follow the Acceso al Playa signs to the beach below Pepe’s restaurant. There you will find a mile-long crescent beach with palapas for shade, reefs to explore while snorkeling, a fine bay for swimming, and boats to hire for fishing. In the early afternoon, when anglers return to the beach, you can enjoy watching them clean their fish, casting scraps to the dozens of pelicans who wait. This feeding ritual is generations old and pelicans can be most friendly, especially if you have fish entrails in your hand.

Cabo Real
The beach known as Buenos Aires that runs to the Meliá Cabo Real Beach and Golf Resort at Kilometer 19.5, is largely deserted and is thereby a natural alternative for seekers of quiet solitude. Playa Bledito, in front of the Meliá Cabo Real and the Hilton Los Cabos, is a safe swimming beach created by a man-made breakwater. Next to the Hilton is La Concha, a first class beach club, with a restaurant, swimming pool, tide pools, showers, restrooms and equipment rentals. Turn left once inside the Meliá Cabo Real driveway entrance to get to the parking lot that runs along the east side of the Hilton Los Cabos.

Rio Caracol
At Kilometer 18, you’ll find the Rio Caracol Beach Club, so named for all the fossilized snails found in the adjacent arroyo. This beach club has a lovely palapa restaurant with a wading pool, pergola covered chaises located below on the beach, showers, pretty decent restrooms, and free ocean kayak usage for patrons. What you won’t find are bothersome beach vendors but please note that your own food or coolers are not allowed. If you want your frosty mango margarita refilled, all you have to do is plant the pennant flag (located near your chaise) in the sand and a waiter will promptly take your order. If you are seeking low-keyed privacy, a reasonable menu and ambiance, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Playa Chileno
Playa Chileno, just southwest of the Hotel Cabo San Lucas, is another fine beach for swimming and snorkeling. On weekends, it’s popular with the locals, however, it’s not too congested on weekdays. With an amazing reef, Chileno is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving; and for kids, there are tide pools at the east end of the beach. A grove of palm trees offers much needed shade and for your convenience, you’ll find a dive shop with kayak and equipment rentals, public restrooms and shower facilities. Look for the large red and white dive sign marking the parking lot at Kilometer 14.

Bahia Santa Maria
Santa Maria beach, located at Kilometer 12, is a spectacular horseshoe-shaped cove. This marine preserve is a prime destination for many charter boats that offer snorkeling and SCUBA diving excursions departing from the Cabo San Lucas harbor. If you want to see a world of friendly colorful tropical fish, this is the place to go. Mornings, when it’s calm, is usually best for optimum underwater visibility. There are no facilities available other than a dirt parking lot and a few beach vendors so bring what you need with you. This is truly one of the most beautiful places in Los Cabos and well worth a visit.

Playa las Viudas
Also called Twin Dolphin Beach, Playa las Viudas, located on the southwest side of the Hotel Twin Dolphin, is a favorite for locals and those wanting a more natural experience. Take the dirt road from Kilometer 12 to the beach and you’ll find coves, reefs, and interesting volcanic rock formations. Dogs are welcomed here so, for some, this place is heaven, as dogs are frowned upon at most of the other, more developed beaches in Los Cabos. Here you may snorkel, dive, surf, fish, or swim (when it’s not too rough). Bring your own umbrella, sunblock, lots of water, snacks and other gear necessary for an expedition to this primitive beach.

Monuments
Situated below Da Giorgio Cabo restaurant is a fine little beach just a short cab ride from downtown Cabo San Lucas on the east end of the Bahia San Lucas. It marks the extreme southwest end of the Tourist Corridor. Here, depending upon conditions, one can surf, sun bathe, snorkel the reefs, and swim. Best of all, Da Giorgio has in-credible terraced bathing pools integrated with their restaurant wherein one can have a drink, in or out of the pool, or enjoy fine Italian dining. Monuments is located at the Misiones del Cabo turn off from Kilometer 5.

Cabo San Lucas

Lover’s Beach
Cabo San Lucas is world-famous for the breathtaking spectacle at Land’s End as well as Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach). One really hasn’t been to Cabo until one stands near the arch and feels the incredible forces of nature and its beauty at work here. You will be impressed by the towering majesty of the rock formations, the caves, Lover’s Beach, and the clear azure tropical waters. There is great snorkeling on the bay side, running from Lover’s Beach to the marina breakwater just outside the entrance to Cabo San Lucas harbor. This marine sanctuary is great for viewing a wonderful variety of colorful tropical fish as well as game fish. So have a mini-adventure—rent snorkel gear, take a water taxi—be sure to arrange your return trip as well—to Lover’s beach, explore, snorkel and enjoy.

You can also get to the arch and Lover’s Beach by renting a kayak at El Médano beach. Or, you might want to climb aboard one of several dive boats to be found along the waterfront. You will enjoy a pleasurable round trip excursion to the arch and game preserve, with all the SCUBA or snorkel gear provided (and even lunch if desired). Just get there—anyway you can. To not experience the arch at Land’s End is like going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Playa Solmar
This wide stretch of white sand beach faces the Pacific Ocean and runs from the rocks at Land’s End to the base of Pedregal to the West. This beach is shared by Hotel Solmar Suites, Terrasol Beach Resort, Playa Grande Resort and Hotel Finisterra. The crashing waves and strong undertow make swimming here extremely dangerous, however, it’s a fabulous place to take a stroll, especially at sunset. Access is through any of the resorts along this section of beach.

Playa El Médano
Playa El Médano (The Dunes Beach) encompasses several miles of safe swimming beach beginning at the east side of the harbor entrance all the way to Villa del Palmar on the east end of the bay. Close to town, El Médano is the main beach of San Lucas. Here, hotels, bars and restaurants compete for space, offering all the goodies most people come to expect from a prime tourist destination. Whether you choose an activity such as swimming, jet skiing, kayaking, waterskiing, banana boating, parasailing and volleyball or just want to hang out and enjoy the beach parties, you’re sure to have a good time here.

El Médano beach, nearest to town, is also prime sales territory for the ubiquitous vendors who will continuously interrupt your siesta with offerings of everything from Chicklets to blankets, sombreros, temporary tattoos, hair braiding, and silver jewelry. Don’t misunderstand me, El Médano is a blast—it’s where the action is and is close to downtown Cabo—a true destination beach for the young at heart. It is the place to see and be seen, where the party continues all day and into the night.

Médano does not necessarily offer the tranquility of Santa Maria or Palmilla Beach but that’s what makes the beaches of Los Cabos so unique—there is a special place for everyone. Play volleyball, throw a frisbee with friends, or build a sandcastle with the kids—come and enjoy.