Surfing in Los Cabos

You can rent a board right at the beach at Costa Azul in San José del Cabo, or at the Cabo Surf Hotel, and paddle right into the gentle, feathering waves at the Old Man's surf spot. If you're intermediate or above, walk a short distance eastward to La Roca (The Rock) break. Big waves are best left to the experts up north, in Todos Santos.

San José del Cabo

Baja Wild (Baja Wild, Km. 28 Carretera Transpeninsular, s/n Local 5, Plaza Costa Azul. 624/172-6300. www.bajawild.com) offers daylong trips to surfing hot spots throughout the Cape region for beginners and experts. A fee of $85 per person includes transportation, equipment, and instruction for a half day at Costa Azul. Full-day surf tours on the Pacific cost $105 per person.

The Mike Doyle Surf School (Cabo Surf Hotel. on the beach at the bottom of the steps, just below the 7 Seas restaurant. 624/172-6188) is the top "surfer-friendly" location in all of Los Cabos. If you stay at the hotel, you can check the surf conditions from the restaurant, bar, pool, or even from your balcony. The school has 60 rental boards, from soft foam boards (great for beginners and kids), to short boards, long boards, and paddleboards. There are two surf instructors available at the shop for lessons.

The Corridor

For good surfing tips, rentals, and lessons, head to Costa Azul Surf Shop (Hwy. 1, Km 27.5. 624/142-2771. www.costa-azul.com.mx). Surfboard rentals are $20 a day and lessons are $55 and includes the surfboard rental.