Beach, Please
A look at the best beaches in Los Cabos and what makes them great
By Fernando Rodriguez

Instagram is awash in Los Cabos beach photos. There are pics of Médano and Palmilla, Lover’s and Chileno, Hotel Beach and Cerritos. And while it’s easy to get fed up with oversaturated selfies, we have a voracious appetite for all those beach shots. Here we take a look at some of the region’s most famous playas.
Médano Beach (Playa el Médano)
One of the world’s most recognizable beaches, this picturesque, two-mile stretch of sand in downtown Cabo San Lucas is known for its close proximity to the arch at Land’s End and landmark spots like the Office, Mango Deck, and now Breathless. While you can enjoy moments of quiet early in the day and from sunset on, Médano buzzes throughout the day with families and coeds on wave runners, stand-up paddleboards, banana boats, and, of course, visiting the row of beach clubs. This is, after all, the most swimmable beach in Cabo San Lucas.
Water taxis shuttle tourists around the Cabo San Lucas Bay, while others take wave runners or kayaks to Land’s End. Still others enjoy peak viewing parasailing with Cabo Expeditions or powered hang-gliding with Cabo Sky Tours. Here, too, you’ll see city-size cruise ships park, as their guests take a day to explore Cabo San Lucas.
North of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find Cerritos Beach, which has earned legions of fans because of its wonderful swells and breaks that make for a spectacular surfing experience. You’ll hit Cerritos on your way to Todos Santos, the famed artist colony.
The beach is so awesome, though, that it’s likely you’ll not want to leave. There’s a lot to do here. Mario Surf School owner Mario Becerril Zayas says, “This is actually one of the best beaches in México to learn how to surf because there are no rocks. For the more serious surfer, some of the best waves are right next door at San Pedrito, a place Americans refer to as Pescadero Beach.” The Cerritos Beach Club features a beachfront restaurant and bar.
Chileno Bay (Playa el Chileno)
When it comes to my favorite beaches, a third can’t-miss playa is Chileno Bay. It has consistently earned Blue Flag status for excellence by the Foundation for Environmental Education for its water quality, safety, and services. Located along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Chileno is a popular spot for tourists and locals, especially on the weekends. In addition to excellent snorkeling conditions—near and farther out in the bay—the recently renovated facilities include wooden palapas, umbrellas for rent, and an on-site bathroom. There’s plenty of parking, including handicap access. This is a beautiful spot that is beloved by people, but not yet a hotspot for strolling vendors (as you’ll see in some other popular beaches).
Widow’s Beach (Playa Las Viudas)
Located off the main highway near Santa María and Chileno, this is a favorite beach for those seeking the quiet of a secluded beach. While there has been a lot of construction of late, there’s still a lot to enjoy here, including out-of-this-world volcanic rock formations.
Santa María (Playa Santa María)
Next door to Chileno Bay is Santa María Beach and its swim-friendly cove and recently renovated palapa shade area. The lovely horseshoe-shaped beach is the quiet, serene sister of the busier Chileno Bay. Santa María features clear water, high-visibility snorkeling, and calm waters for swimming. All of this has helped the cozy beach remain one of the two more popular snorkeling tour stops offered by several activity tour companies like Cabo Escape, EcoCat, SunRider, and Cabo Expeditions. The new 40-acre resort and residential development called Montage Los Cabos has transformed the area, and now it is an improved, higher-quality, visitor-friendly, little getaway. There are a few vendors offering cold refreshments and healthy mixed fruit at Santa María. (The sand farthest away from the ocean is a bit coarse.)
Palmilla Beach (Playa Palmilla)
Located on the southern edge of San José del Cabo, near the grounds of the famed One&Only Palmilla, this beach offers excellent swimming in a protected cove. The resort area was one of the first to attract the Hollywood jet set back in the 1950s. How great is the swimming here? It’s now the starting point for the swim stage of the annual Los Cabos Ironman competition. It’s easy to get here; just follow signs for the Palmilla exit of the tourist corridor and take advantage of the public parking.
Surfers love Costa Azul, the annual site of the international Cabo Surf Open and a neighbor of Palmilla. There are great burgers and beers at the seaside Zipper’s Restaurant and Bar, but that’s not why people flock here. Instead, it’s all about the epic surf breaks found at Zippers and the Rock. For those same reasons, swimming at Costa Azul is risky and recommended only for seasoned surfers.
Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)
Here’s another iconic Cabo San Lucas beach. The nearest beach to Land’s End, Lover’s Beach is accessible only by water taxi from the Cabo San Lucas Marina or Médano Beach (prices average $8–$12 U.S.). The swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking conditions are great here on the Sea of Cortés, and it’s only a short walk over to Divorce Beach, which faces the Pacific Ocean. Keep in mind, the misnomer Pacific Ocean is anything but calm: Don’t swim or venture out into the water.
The East Cape is home to several incredible beaches, but the most famous—and rightfully so—is Cabo Pulmo, a marine reserve that’s home to some of the world’s best snorkeling and scuba diving conditions. You’ll want to rent a car or arrange a tour to get to Cabo Pulmo (it’s a bit of a drive, but totally worth it). See map on page 96. Make sure to pack a waterproof camera!
For complete beach listings, visit www.cabosanlucasbeaches.com. Y