A sun worshipper’s guide, Los Cabos Magazine – Issue #11.
The Top Ten Beaches from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo.
CABO SAN LUCAS
Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)
Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor): Behind the arch, spanning Cabo San Lucas Bay and the Pacific Ocean, affords a unique opportunity to swim and snorkel in the bay and admire the crashing waves on the Pacific side (Divorce Beach to locals), where swimming is very dangerous. This awe-inspiring, secluded beach is not to be missed. No services. Access: By water taxi or glass bottom boat from the CSL marina, and from Médano Beach, where kayaks are also for rent.
Médano Beach (Playa El Médano)
Cabo’s most popular beach, known for lots of action and magnificent Land’s End views. Water sports, safe swimming, people watching, and fun restaurants and bars stretch for a mile along Cabo San Lucas Bay. Access: Through any of the hotels or restaurants from Hacienda to Club Cascadas. Drive via Paseo del Pescador. Parking is limited; take a taxi for less stress!
Long, wide and great for sunset watching, this beach fronts the Pacific Ocean and is NOT for swimming or water sports. Access: Through the Terrasol, Solmar Suites, Playa Grande or Finisterra resorts along the beach, via Avenida Solmar off Boulevard Marina.
TOURIST CORRIDOR
Widows Beach (Playa Las Viudas) – Twin Dolphin Beach
Privacy, tidal pools and swimming, with caution. No services. Access: Km. 12.5, to the right of the Twin Dolphin Hotel entrance.
Santa María Bay (Bahía Santa María)
Just east of the Hotel Twin Dolphin, this horseshoe-shaped gem tucked between two bluffs is a protected marine sanctuary. Perfect for families with very good swimming, snorkeling and dive sites offshore. Like Chileno Bay, snorkel cruises arrive mid-day. Shade is scarce, so rent a beach umbrella, along with snorkeling gear, at the entrance. Access: Km. 13, follow the road to the parking area, about a quarter of a mile in from the highway.
This long and fairly flat beach is a must on your vacation checklist. Excellent for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving on the reef, head southwest for privacy and to the palm grove for shade. Services: Restrooms and trash cans. Access: Km. 14.5, look for the parking lot fronting the highway near the Chileno Bay Club.
Tequila Cove (Playa Bledito)
Fronting the Hilton and Meliá Cabo Real hotels and featuring swimming and water sports inside a man-made breakwater. Rent watercraft in front of the Meliá Cabo Real. Access: Cabo Real, Km. 19.5, through the Meliá Cabo Real or Hilton hotels, or walk in from the arroyo between Casa del Mar and Dreams Los Cabos.
Palmilla Beach (Playa Palmilla)
Great for families, beautiful crescent-shaped Palmilla Bay has the best swimming beach near San José del Cabo. Swim anywhere, or snorkel near Punta Palmilla, charter a fishing panga, go for a walk, kayak, or just relax and watch the anglers returning with their catch. Popular with local families on Sundays. No services except for shade palapas. Access: Palmilla Resort, Km. 27, follow the signs, the beach is half a mile from the highway.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO
Blue Coast Beach (Playa Costa Azul)
The world-famous Zippers and La Roca surf breaks are at Costa Azul, between the lookout at Km. 27.5 and San José’s hotel row. Swimming is possible but rocky; watch the surfers from Zipper’s Bar and Grill. Services include a mini-mart, and a surf shop with lessons and board rentals. Access: Km. 28 at Costa Azul Bridge, (Puente Costa Azul) under the bridge through the arroyo.
Hotel Beach (Playa Hotelera)
Long and wide, stretching from the hotel zone to the San José estuary (Estero San José). While swimming is risky, this beach is popular for walking, jogging, volleyball, and surf fishing. The Los Cabos Municipal Sea Turtle Program’s nursery is next to the estuary. Services at the hotels. Access: Through any of the non-all inclusive hotels and resorts, open spaces, or marked beach accesses (acceso a playa) on Paseo San José.
