Los Cabos Beaches - Cabo San Lucas

Once you visit Cabo you'll know why this was a favorite for pirates. Tall scraggly rocks and beautiful cove hide-a-ways. And when The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men author John Steinbeck wrote Log from the Sea of Cortez, well Cabo became quite famous. Perfect weather keeps tourist coming back to the Baja Peninsula's prize with golf, stunning terrain, beaches and world class fishing. Did we forget to mention whale watching?


It's little wonder this is one of the new Hot Spots on many vacation agendas. This awesome wonderland started becoming more popular in the mid-80's and continues to grow. Find your perfect beach, surfing spot, or sports fishing port. They are all here, and more.

Cabo San Lucas is located on the southern point of the Baja Peninsula in "Baja California Sur" in Mexico. It's around 1,000 miles south of San Diego. Perhaps you've heard of the Baja area from the Baja Racing that happens here almost year-round.

Special cars designed to take the twists, turns, bumps, jumps and high speed sand-washes race here. If you're into that sort of adventure, know that there are many Baja Racing operators throughout the peninsula - and it's fun!

A little history of the Cabo area: First discovered around the 1530's by Hernan Cortez. The world was vast with many areas still undiscovered. And since Cortez didn't find anything he thought of worth, Los Cabos stayed the same for a few more centuries. Indians and a few missionaries lived throughout the land. An occasional pirate ship made San Jose del Cabo and La Paz beaches a stopping place.

But it wasn't until after World War II, Southern Califor- nians realized they could fly to La Paz, then travel the dirt roads to the Mar de Cortes - the word got out that the Mar de Cortes was teeming with fish. If you had your own plane, or your own yacht, you had your own sports fishing paradise.

Bing Crosby, Desi Arnaz, John Wayne among others made this their paradise early on and even built a hotel - members only. Soon, however, Cabo San Lucas was on the map with hotels going up everywhere and a major road coming into the area. But fishing wasn't to be the only game in town.

Currently, six major golf courses are open. Golfing in Los Cabos is World Class. Conditions are great and affordable. There are many hotels and resorts that cater just the golfing community. And, it wouldn't surprise us with the International airport, hotel space, and wonderful weather, that a major golf championship would be played here soon. The Los Cabos area is perfect for golf.

So as you make your way through the Beaches of Los Cabos, know that Hernan Cortez looked around and decided it wasn't worth the stop. And because of that, Los Cabos is now a beautiful resort town - still young enough not to be overdone, and big enough not to be too primitive. Cortez went on to build Mexico City.

BEACH INDEX:

• Ideal for watersports, but not all beaches are suitable for swimming.
• No established lifeguard program.
• Some beaches in front of hotels are flagged. Don't swim when a red flag is flying.
• Don't swim alone. Big surf in many areas - dangerous.
• Use extreme caution when venturing into unknown surf. Stay above the tide line.
• Pacific beaches are notorious for rogue waves and undertows.
• Beaches in Los Cabos have few services. Take a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water.
• Water temperature 70's in winter, 80's in the summer.

Now - onto to the many beaches of Los Cabos including Cabo San Lucas and San Jose dos Cabos - NEXT! >>

Playa Solmar - Cabo San Lucas

You thought about a vacation to Cabo, and the beach sounds so inviting, so consider you may spend more time there than you planned. Those crashing waves, like these on Playa (which means beach in Spanish) Solmar (and that means sun and sea). Beauty and peacefulness all in one package. It's little wonder why people book resorts near Playa Solmar in Cabo. Imagine yourself here and what you'd do and we'll tell you what to expect and how to make the most of your stay in Mexico and with others who are enjoying the sun and surf as well. Sit back and do a little reading here and don't forget to look through all the other areas of Los Cabos we cover, beaches and all. Maybe you'll just stay put in Solmar. Maybe not.


Playa Solmar in Cabo San Lucas is the Los Cabos beach best known for whale watching and spectacular sunsets. It's an easy walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas. The beach is very long, the sand very flat. As a matter of fact, it runs from the rocks at Land's End then west all the way to the base of El Pedregal on the Pacific Ocean side.

And what a view for sunset lovers, romantics, people watchers, and yes - whale watchers! From January to March, whales flock to the Los Cabos area. As you stroll along Playa Solmar, you'll be entertained by these mammoths as the frolic just offshore.

You can also take a cruise to go "whale-watching". These are organized from town in Cabo San Lucas, or ask at your hotel. Cruising is exciting as you will see the whales close-up. Make sure you take that camera!

Playa Solmar is beautiful - the grain size is medium to heavy and packs nicely. You'll always see it as a flat golden strand. When the sun is just right, the whole coastline appears to light up. Because the surf is always heavy here, this makes a perfect spot to lay and read a book, or cuddle up and gaze out over the vast ocean.

Solmar is not for swimming. It's dangerous and has very strong undertows. It's advisable not even to play in the surf as the waves can get high as they come in sets. The locals say Playa Solmar in not a good surfing beach. There are no lifeguards - stay on the beach here.

To get to Playa Solmar, take Boulevard Marina, go past the Galeon Restaurant and then hang a right on Avenida Solmar. You'll need to enter the Solmar, TerraSol or Playa Grande resorts to have access to Playa Solmar.


Playa Solmar - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium/heavy grain, no silt. Golden!
• Facilities - resorts, however please be courteous.
• Shade - none.
• Sports - none. Do not snorkel, do not swim here. Dangerous!
• Notes - heavy surf, unpredictable undercurrents. But, recommended for whale-watching!

Next up, a "lovely" beach that's an amazing wonder of nature. Simply breathtaking! >>

Playa del Amor - Cabo San Lucas

Ah...even the name sounds so wonderfully inviting. Playa del Amor, Cabo. The beach of Love. Imagine yourself here. This is one spectacle that bears a visit. Not only is the sand outstanding, but the scenery is out of this world. Rustic and at the same time compelling. It's as if God came here and spent a day making beautiful things of the rocks and sea. And, it's still here for you to enjoy. It bears noting that this is still Los Cabos, and the sea here is to be highly respected. Currents and powerful waves control the shore and enlist a sense of care for the elements you may not have back home.


Here's a beach where when you look up and around you see rock formations like Neptune's Finger and The Arch. There are more unusual rock formations around Playa del Amor than any of Cabo San Lucas' other beaches. Take your camera - you'll get some great pictures.

The towering rock formations are just one piece of the beauty. The other key is the pristine water that surround the rock and beach. Two bodies of water meet at Playa del Amor; the Pacific Ocean on one side, and the Sea of Cortes on the other.

Hidden behind Cabo San Lucas' landmark, El Arco, or The Arch at Land's End is Playa del Amor - Lover's Beach! Yes, tourists come here because of the beauty and because it makes up the commercialism now a part of Cabo San Lucas. You'll find pictures of Playa del Amor on every Cabo poster and brochure - so naturally, people want to see what's out here.

Hey, you can swim here! Plus, there are water- sports run by local com- panies, and some hotels. But make sure you're on the Sea of Cortes side, the calmer bay. You'll be entertained by the many schools of colored fish if you choose snorkeling at Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor). And the water is quite clear. Stay along the rocky outcroppings and you'll see all kinds of marine life.

There is an area on the Pacific Ocean side so rough the locals call in Divorce Beach. It's extremely dangerous so don't venture in, or around the rocks where waves come crashing ashore. Waves have been known to pull people off the rocks and out to sea where rescue can take time. No fooling.

Playa del Amor is highly recommend. It's breathtaking and so natural. What makes it so is the contrast of the two seas as they come together here. What beauty! We can't say enough.

To get to Playa del Amor, try taking a Water Taxi from the Cabo San Lucas marina.

Playa del Amor - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - mainly medium grain from rock. No coral or shell.
• Facilities - none, but beach vendors abound.
• Shade - none.
• Sports - kayaking, jetski, boating, snorkeling.
• Notes - highly recommended. Dangerous on the Pacific side. Use extreme caution!

What is Cabo San Lucas' all-around Best Beach? Something for everyone awaits - Next >>

Playa El Medano - Cabo San Lucas

If you're coming to Cabo, the main drag, chances are this is the very beach you're going to be coming to. It's the main beach in Cabo and young people flock here from every corner of the globe. Cabo has become a Spring Break destination mainly because it's easy to get to from the United States, and because it is just so stunningly beautiful, like many of the people who come here to hang out. Remember that Playa El Medano isn't like your beach back home. So take care in keeping aware of your surroundings. Even the locals do.


El Medano means "The Dune" and is Cabo's main beach. What a wonderful beach just to relax in full view of the Land's End rock formations and Arch. And you can see Land's End from anywhere on the beach.

The beach stretches almost two miles so it's one of Cabo's longest beaches. This is the best swim- ming beach in Cabo San Lucas.

Plus, if you get hungry, no worries. Playa El Medano is packed with great restaurants and Mexican bars right on the beach. You can stroll a bit and check them out, then make a choice of where you want to eat. Our tip? Choose the one where all the people are gathered.

In addition to good eats, you'll find a diversity of water fun not found on any other Cabo beach. From beach volleyball to wave runners, kayaks to small catamarans - it's all here. You can rent a small sailboat and sail in the bay. Water ski boats will run you along the shore. And because of the gentle surf, you can rent a boogie board and spend the afternoon impressing your significant other.

If you want great snorkeling and diving, ask at any of the hotels for a trip to El Arco, the Arch, where you can catch some of Cabo's best marine life.

So Playa El Medano is definitely not the place to come to get away from it all... as it's all here. Happy Hour lasts most of the day - just find a bar on the beach. While you're sipping, you'll note El Medano is the best beach for people watching. Wow, look at the bodies. It's fun to see the many beach vendors show their wares along the strip and the tourists trying to bargain for a souvenir to take home.

But El Medano is a family beach as well. With more and more families coming to Cabo San Lucas, the area is adapting. Swimming areas are roped off along the beach. In other areas you'll find parasailing and windsurfing. Though not a family sport, take the gang down near the area and check out the fun! You'll have a front row seat on excitement.

To get to Playa El Medano, from the downtown area walk around the marina past Puerto Paraiso and Marina Fiesta all the way to the end - then hang a left at the channel entrance. You're here! Parking is scarce (especially during Spring Break, so if you're coming by car, prepare to walk at least a few blocks.)

Playa El Medano - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium to fine grain, rock/loam mix, golden.
• Facilities - throughout the entire beach.
• Shade - umbrellas abound.
• Sports - all water sports. Arrange on beach with local operators.
• Notes - this place packs out during Spring Break - even at night, when the bars get full. Best bet is to come during North American winter months.

There are a few choice beaches right down the Cabo "Tourist Corridor". Are they the best kept secret? Or best to stay away? Find out - Next! >>

Bahia Santa Maria - Cabo San Lucas

What most beaches lack in nature, Bahia Santa Maria shows how it's done. Rustic and magnificent, a stroke of wild paints this bay one of our favorites. Find a spot, but don't stay there. Hike from one end to the other and take the camera. Wildlife abounds more than you'll see at most beaches in Cabo and for good reason. This is area is protected, which means you can't take anything but pictures. Leave everything alone and the next visitor and the Mexican government will thank you. Again, the surf is to be respected here and tides can leave you in the muddy flats, so watch your time.


Shaped like a large horseshoe, Bahia Santa Maria - in all its beauty - was designated a Protected Marine Sanctuary by the Mexican Government. Still, you can put in with your snorkel gear in one place God seemingly designed for the family.

Gentle surf makes viewing gorgo- nians (sea fans) that have made the area along the rock walls their home. As you and your family simply float over the wonderment, dozens of beautifully color tropical fish and other marine life will accent this once in a lifetime outing. It's simply breathtaking.

And if you don't snorkel, don't fret. Bahia Santa Maria is one of the nicest swimming beaches as well. During the morning hours you'll find the surf right tolerable. From mid-afternoon on, swells kick up and can be a challenge, especially with small children. These aren't monster waves, just larger rolling waves that can wake you up if you're not watching for them.

Another way to see Bahia Santa Maria is by hiring a tour boat, or snorkel tour from Cabo San Lucas. As you make your way out, you'll pass by the points that make Cabo spectacular, such as the Arch and Land's End. Bring that camera!

But be advised, there is no shade here. You're open to the elements, so bring water and an umbrella if at all possible. Oh, and don't forget your snorkel gear. You can't rent it at the beach.

To get to Bahia Santa Maria, take the highway to Kilometer 13. It lies east of the Twin Dolphin Hotel - just follow the signs there. The beach is a three minute walk from the highway. You'll notice the path from the bus stop area - or if in doubt, follow the people heading to the ocean. They're all here to enjoy the same thing: Bahia Santa Maria in Cabo San Lucas!

Bahia Santa Maria - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand -golden, from rock and some coral. Medium to small grain, some silt.
• Facilities - none.
• Shade - none.
• Sports - bring your snorkel gear. Recommended spot.
• Notes - come early in the day to avoid the hot sun. Remember to use suntan lotion after you snorkel as it washes off.

Where did we find the whitest sand in Cabo San Lucas? Come take a peek - Next! >>

Bahia Chileno - Cabo San Lucas

This reminded us of Geriba beach in Buzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a long strip of compacted sand that seemed perfect to jog on at any time of day. A dog or two lets you know you're not in Florida. Bahia Chileno in Cabo is picturesque and inviting. A beach towel and a drink and we're set. There are plenty of vendors in the area to keep us here for a week. The sun is shinning clear through the blue skies of Cabo San Lucas. We've found another gem.

You won't need any inspiration to make this beach a must visit when in Cabo San Lucas. Understand that if you come all the way out to Mexico's Riviera without visiting the Bahia Chileno, well - you might as well say you didn't have time to make it to the beach.

Because this IS the beach - the one we think is the best in class for Cabo San Lucas. If rated by stars it would receive a grand "5 Stars" for "all-around" best. And here's why:

Bahia Chileno (Chilean) is perfectly situated midway in the "Tourist Corridor". Hands down the finest Los Cabos beach for swimming, diving, kayaking, and snorkeling above the best reef in these parts. The locals know it, too. Just ask and you'll be told what area of the beach is best for the sport you want to enjoy. We did.

We found the beach wide, and the surf fairly flat. Each morning you'll find joggers from the nearby resorts. Swimming is safe - as opposed to many of the beaches we've reported on in the Cabos area. One side on Bahia Chileno is sandy all the way out to the reef. The other crescent is sandy but full of rock formations along the bottom, making it ideal for snorkel and diving.

Underwater expect the best in colorful reef fish, sea turtles, squid, moray eels, sea urchins, those great gorgonians (sea fans), colorful sea sponges, and starfish. Look, but don't touch. Do take an underwater camera. This beauty you don't want to forget.

There was a dive shop on the beach, but the host hotel was sold in 2005 and a new dive shop has not opened. Make arrangements in Cabo San Lucas.

This beach is so easy to find. Bahia Chileno is close to the highway, around kilometer 14.5. There's a parking area with a bus stop. Walk from the parking lot toward the ocean - you can't miss this gem.

Bahia Chileno - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - golden to white. From coral/shell, some rock.
• Facilities - the only beach in the Cabo area with a bathroom. BYO-paper!
• Shade - palms throughout.
• Sports - don't depend on the snorkel/dive rental at the beach. Make arrangements in town.
• Notes - grand beach and area. Consider investing in a home here.

On our way to San Jose (beaches), with one that is known as the longest swimming beach. It's a converted fishing village that still launches some of Cabo's biggest sports fishermen - Next! >>

Bahia Palmilla - Cabo San Lucas

This beach, like others in Cabo, has resorts that are so close to the shore, you can hang in a hammock and sleep the afternoon listening to the waves meeting the shore, a gull crying overhead, and the gentle breeze as it passes through the palm fronds. Amazing how one beach, Bahia Palmilla, can take you from stress to relaxed in less than 10 minutes. So beautiful is Bahia Palmilla, that even more resorts are trying to nudge in the already full landscape. But no worries. This coastline has plenty for everyone.

Another crescent-shaped bay that invites you to spend some time relaxing and listening to the surf gently reach the shore as it's done for millennia. Who would have thought a tiny sleepy fishing village would become a tourist focal point?

Bahia Palmilla is that point and abundance surrounds it. From the grand Jack Nicklaus Ocean Nine golf course to the super exclusive One&Only; Hotel Palmilla. If you can't get it here - Cabo doesn't have it.

Known by the tourism operators as the "longest swimming beach", we found they meant that you can probably swim for longer along the shoreline than any other area beach. Remember, some of the Cabo San Lucas beaches are downright dangerous for swimming. But not Bahia Palmilla. It's splendid.

Palmilla is another one of those split crescents - in other words - there's a rock outcropping that juts into the ocean splitting a beach with sand out to a rocky/reef bottom, and a side that has simply sand as far as you can probably swim (or should).

Because of this, it's wonderful for snorkeling. Make sure you stay along the rocks as there is nothing to see in the sand, except...well, sand. And with the protected shoreline, this is the beach for families. Even the locals come here on the weekends with their own. Rent a kayak in town and paddle around the bay (bahia). The beach is very near the parking lot.

This is one beach that sports thatch covered beach huts for shade and yes, there are garbage cans. Cabo San Lucas cares about this environment. Don't search for a restroom because as snazzy as Bahia Palmilla is, there are no facilities. No rental facilities, either - so bring what you'd like to do from town (Cabo San Lucas).

Even though the beach is near the parking lot, it's a long hike from the highway - so your best bet is by car or taxi. Take the Palmilla exit around kilometer 27, then just follow the signs down to the beach. Look for the taxi stand in the circle drive fronting the hotel. That's the entrance to the beach.

Bahia Palmilla - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium/fine grain, coral/shell/rock. Golden.
• Facilities -none, but we found you could walk to the hotel, and...
• Shade - beach huts!
• Sports - bring all from town as there are no rentals at the beach. Swimming is delightful here.
• Notes - can get busy on the weekends and holidays, but not crowded. Recommended for families.

And now we leave Cabo San Lucas to visit the enchanting beaches of San Jose del Cabo - all along the Mexican Riveira - with their very own Côte d'Azur! - Next! >>