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 at the intermediate level 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 offers daylong trips to surfing hot spots throughout the Cape region for beginners and experts. A fee of $90 per person includes transportation, equipment, and instruction for a half day at Costa Azul. Full-day surf tours on the Pacific cost $110 per person. Hwy. 1, Km 28, s/n Local 5, Plaza Costa Azul, Baja California Sur, 23400. 624/172-6300. www.bajawild.com.

Mike Doyle Surf School. The Mike Doyle Surf School is the top "surfer-friendly" location in all of Los Cabos. If you stay at the Cabo Surf Hotel where Mike Doyle's is located, 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. Cabo Surf Hotel, on the beach at the bottom of the steps, just below the 7 Seas restaurant, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, 23400. 624/172-6188; 858/964-5117 In U.S. www.cabosurfshop.com. $75 group rate; $95 for private instruction.

The Corridor

Costa Azul Surf Shop. For good surfing tips, rentals, and lessons, head to Costa Azul Surf Shop. Surfboard rentals are $20 a day and lessons are $55 and include the surfboard rental. Hwy. 1, Km 27.5, Baja California Sur, 23400. 624/142-2771 or 624/142-4454. www.costa-azul.com.mx.

Todos Santos

Todos Santos is a quick drive up the coast from Cabo San Lucas, and it offers great surfing areas for beginners to experts. The advantage here is that the crowds, including the swarming masses from the cruise ships, don't head up to these waters, which makes for a much more relaxed scene in the water and on the beach.

Los Cerritos, south of Todos Santos on Mexico 19, offers gentle waves to beginners during the summer and more challenging breaks for advanced surfers during the northwest swell from December to March. San Pedrito, also south of town, offers great surfing for experienced surfers during the winter swells, with a number of popular, low-key surf-oriented motels along the beach. In summer, the surf is generally pretty mellow along this stretch, so locals and surfers who demand greater challenge head to the Corridor or areas along the east side of the Cape for more satisfying breaks.

Todos Santos Surf Shop. Swing by Todos Santos Surf Shop on your way out of town for board rentals, to arrange a lesson, buy gear, or get that ding in your board repaired. Degollado and Rangel, Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, 23300. 612/145-0882.