Last Updated on April 10, 2024
Because my wife and I have a fractional ownership in Los Cabos at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa, we visit this area of Baja, California, Mexico at least once or twice a year. There are many reasons to love Cabo (as the locals call it), one of which is its stunning beaches.
Imagine floating in a turquoise bay with coral-colored sand, snorkeling alongside colorful fish, or walking for hundreds of yards in waist-high water. Every beach in Southern Baja offers something unique. These are the ones we most highly recommend visiting.
Just remember to pack your bathing suit, flip-flops, sunscreen, hat, beach bag, and camera.
Playa Santa Maria
My family and I love this idyllic horseshoe cove with multi-colored sand that offers amazing snorkeling due to its crystal-clear waters and abundance of marine biodiversity. The beach is situated in a protected marine sanctuary, ensuring its preservation. Snorkelers can expect to encounter colorful fish, coral reefs, and perhaps even sea turtles.
For a break from the sun, Santa Maria offers palapas for much-needed shade.
Tips: Arrive at the beach early to beat the tour boats if you’re planning to snorkel and to claim your palapa.
Playa El Chileno
Known for its crystalline waters, this is where you’ll find snorkeling at its best due to its tranquil waters, magnificent reef system, and array of marine life. This is also a great beach for swimming.
Facilities such as bathrooms, showers, and palapas are available, as well as a handicap ramp that takes you right to the beach, making this stretch of sand a comfortable option for a day at the beach.
Tips: Snorkeling visibility is often better in the early mornings and arriving early will help avoid mid-day snorkel tours. Bring snorkeling gear and beach umbrellas for shade.
Playa El Medano
This is the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, characterized by its golden sands and lively atmosphere. The two-mile stretch dotted with hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs is a hub for water sports and various activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
The swimmable and family beach also offers magnificent views of Land’s End and iconic rock formations such as Cabo’s famous El Arco (The Arch).
Tips: Be prepared to be approached by a lot of souvenir vendors here. If you’re not into shopping, just respond with a kind “No gracias.”
Playa Del Amor
Spanish for “Lovers Beach,” this stretch of sand at Lands End is accessible only by boat, kayak or other water vessel and nestled between dramatic rock formations, including El Arco (The Arch).
The beach offers tranquil waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling, though caution is advised due to occasionally strong currents.
On the other side of the rocks lies Divorcio Playa (Divorce Beach), which faces the rougher waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Tips: There are no services on the beach, so if you’re planning to snorkel, you’ll need to bring your own gear, and don’t forget to pack extra water. Do not venture too close to the water or swim at Divorcio Playa. Tourists have drowned due to the turbulent waters and dangerous undercurrents.
Playa Palmilla
Located near the exclusive Palmilla resort community in San Jose Del Cabo, Palmilla Beach offers a more serene and upscale ambiance. Waters along this mile-long stretch of golden sand are amazingly calm. The beach area to the left is roped off with buoys for safe swimming and the area has fascinating tide pools and rocks to explore.
Pangas and fishing cruisers are available for charter, but you won’t find water sport rentals such as kayaks or jet skis.
Tips: Playa Palmilla is popular among locals, especially on weekends, so arrive early if you want a nab a palapa. Restrooms and showers are available and don’t forget to bring your snorkeling gear.
Playa Las Viudas
I’m surprised by the number of visitors to Los Cabos who’ve never heard of this beach, and it’s one of my top favorites.
Playa Las Viudas (Widow’s Beach) is situated near Cabo San Lucas along the Tourist Corridor that connects Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo.
It’s a bit off the beaten path compared to some of the more popular beaches in the area, making it ideal for visitors seeking a quieter atmosphere. The name is derived from the jagged rock formations that resemble widow’s veils, and the out-of-this-world volcanic formations are impressively primitive.
You won’t want to swim here due to the turbulent waters with dangerous undercurrents.
Two other beaches not in Los Cabos are worth mentioning because if you build in enough time on your Cabo vacation, you’ll want to visit these at some point and they are worth the day trip.
Playa Los Cerritos
Switch it up and head to this stretch of sand in a more remote location about 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas heading toward the pueblo magico town of Todos Santos.
Playa Los Cerritos is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and its golden sands are fringed with swaying palm trees and backed by rolling hills. The beach is renowned for its excellent surfing conditions attracting surfers of all skill levels. You’ll find plenty of surf schools here.
My nephew had his first surf lessons on this beach, ideal for those learning the sport due to its consistent waves and sandy bottom.
Tips: Come prepared with food, drinks and beach gear. If time allows, visit the charming town of Todos Santos just 10 miles from Playa Los Cerritos.
Playa Belandra
I guarantee you haven’t ever seen anything like this breathtaking beach. Located 12 miles from the city of La Paz, and about two hours from Cabo San Lucas, Belandra is the definition of a Baja paradise. One of the most iconic features is the distinctive rock formation known as “El Hongo” (The Mushroom).
The white powder-like sand and shallow waters create a myriad of dreamy turquoise colors as far as the eye can see. It’s a kayak lover’s dream, offers excellent snorkeling, and because the water is very shallow in most of the bay, you can simply explore by foot.
Playa Belandra and its surrounding ecosystem are protected by conservation efforts aimed at preserving its natural beauty and biodiversity. At one end of the beach, visitors will find a unique mangrove estuary known as “El Mogote.”
The ecological reserve is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including the mangroves, seabirds, and marine life. Exploring the mangrove channels by kayak or paddleboard offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and observe the local ecosystem up close.
Tips: There are palapas for shade and a truck that sells water and snacks (sometimes open), so you may want to bring your own, just in case. Be sure to watch for stingrays when wading. Locals recommend doing the “stingray shuffle.”
Because stingrays are known to bury their bodies in the sand and can be difficult to see, if visitors shuffle their feet in the sand, the vibrations send a gentle warning to the stingrays and they will swim away. We’ve never had a problem here, but then again, we spent our time kayaking the waters of the bay and in the mangroves.
