Some Cabo beaches are heavenly, others are hazardous.
Los Cabos has several spellbinding beaches but some might genuinely sweep you off your feet. The shorelines of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo—two tourist-friendly cities that are collectively known as Los Cabos—have varying levels of hospitality toward swimmers.
Despite being one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico, less than half of the beaches in Los Cabos are actually swimmable, and many can be hazardous due to strong winds or waves, extremely powerful currents, riptides, undertows, sea urchins, and other dangerous wildlife. There have been incidents of drowning reported at Playa Migriño, Playa Serena, Costa Azul, and even walking on the beach presents a danger as rogue waves as high as 15 feet have claimed the lives of people simply strolling beside the water.
All along the beaches of Los Cabos, warning flags are placed to alert beachgoers to dangerous conditions that require caution when swimming or complete avoidance. Green flags mean one is free to jump in and swim, black and red flags denote that entry is prohibited, yellow flags warn that danger is present, and white flags indicate the presence of jellyfish.
One not-so-ominous flag to take note of is a blue flag. When you spot one of these, it’s a sign that a particular beach has met stringent standards in water quality, safety, environmental education, and services as outlined by the Copenhagen-headquartered Blue Flag program. There are upwards of 30 criteria to meet in order to attain this certification, including wheelchair access, the presence of lifeguards, trash cans, and restrooms. In Los Cabos, Chileno Bay, Palmilla, Las Viudas, and Acapulquito are examples of beaches that boast this esteemed accolade.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
While Los Cabos prides itself on its picturesque stretches of sand that are adored by some three million visitors annually, many of its most pristine shores are often tucked away behind the gates of private resorts and residential developments. Though by law, all Mexican beaches are free, many have controlled access in Los Cabos.
To make the most of a beach holiday in Los Cabos, here is a list of the best and worst strands in the region, keeping in mind factors like accessibility, safety, and downright gorgeousness.
The 5 Best Beaches in Los Cabos
1. Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach)
Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) is as close to Cabo San Lucas’s iconic Land’s End rock formations as you can get. This famed slice of sand where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean is accessible by boat and venturing there is a rite of passage for the Cabo-bound beach lover. When visiting, pack the essentials—water, snacks, and sunscreen—as there is no shade or commerce. While photo-ready Playa del Amor is one of the handful of swimmable beaches in Cabo San Lucas, safety still should not take a backseat due to rough tides.
2. Playa Médano
Playa Médano (Médano Beach) is the main swimmable beach in Cabo San Lucas, with gentle waves and numerous water sports vendors like Sea Cabo Activities, which offers everything from flyboards to wave runners and glass bottom boats. Ever-buzzing Playa Médano is blessed with soft, golden-brown sand and lined with resorts, bars, and restaurants such as Office on the Beach, which is often the first port of call for tequila-thirsty groups in search of mariachi serenades alongside oozing tacos and lick-the-plate-great seafood.
INSIDER TIPNote that Playa Médano is a public beach and it is perennially busy so it may not provide the most relaxing of beach days if that’s what you are after.
3. Chileno Beach
With its Blue Flag status, Chileno Beach is a veritable snorkeler’s paradise. Though there is a full suite of free-to-use amenities like showers, restrooms, and palapas for shade, it is notably free from the cacophony of persistent hawkers, bars, and eateries found on other public beaches. Celebrated for its tranquil, shallow, marine-abundant waters, this cream-colored haven is located along the Tourist Corridor, the 20-mile stretch between sister cities Cabos San Lucas and San José del Cabo. This beach is accessible by bus from Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, or more conveniently by car to avoid the heat and walking, and early arrival is recommended to secure a spot before the crowds descend.
4. Santa Maria Bay
Also recognized with a Blue Flag eco-certification, Santa Maria Bay is a vibrant marine sanctuary where early risers can enjoy the best visibility for snorkeling to spot turtles and a surplus of color-pop fish. Nestled in a secluded cove along Cabo’s Tourist Corridor, this horseshoe-shaped bay is protected from the wind and waves and thus ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Expect minimal vendor hassle and a struggle to claim a spot under the limited palapas if arriving late in the afternoon.
5. Palmilla
Spacious and serene, Palmilla welcomes families and swimmers seeking refuge from the Pacific’s mightier currents. It stands out among Los Cabos’ coastal treasures with ample space, available chairs and umbrellas, showers, free parking, and a distinctly spring-breaker-free ambiance. The beach is fringed by the easy-on-the-eye One&Only Palmilla resort which adds a touch of opulence to the area. While in the neighborhood, visitors can indulge in retail therapy at The Shoppes at Palmilla and savor exquisite tequila at Clase Azul Los Cabos in super stylish environs.
5 Beaches to Avoid in Los Cabos
1. Playa del Divorcio (Divorce Beach)
With a foreboding name, Divorce Beach is a wild and rough beach that is unwelcoming for swimmers but thoroughly inviting for photo ops. It is known to be dramatically beautiful with tumultuous waves and treacherous currents, making it best admired from the safety of the sand. For a gentler, more harmonious touch of the ocean—as well as staggering views of El Arco—stroll over to nearby Lover’s Beach.
INSIDER TIPThere are no facilities or vendors of note at Divorce Beach, so do bring along any required snacks and refreshments when planning to spend a day there.
2. Playa Solmar
If you like long walks on the beach without jumping into the water, Playa Solmar is the beach for you. Swimming and water activities are firmly off-limits there due to fierce currents, formidable waves, and strong undertow. Stretching along the Pacific coast at the base of Land’s End, this beach offers scintillating sunset views but dangerous conditions even for experienced swimmers. Access is via TerraSol Cabo Beach Resort or Grand Somar Land’s End Resort & Spa.
3. Playa Del Estero (Estuary Beach)
In the quieter reaches of San José del Cabo lies Estuary Beach, a place more for birds than bathers. Over 350 species make their home here, including hummingbirds, hooded orioles, and herons. Those who prefer binoculars to swimsuits should visit it to marvel at avian life against a coastal backdrop, but swimming is an unwise pursuit due to a considerable undertow.
4. Pedregal Beach
The ocean’s might is on full display in Pedregal, an exclusive enclave with eye-popping mansions in Cabo San Lucas. Even expert swimmers will be challenged by the vigorous waves and strong currents there. Additionally, there are also no lifeguard services available at unforgiving and rough Pedregal, increasing the danger for dippers.
5. Playa Hotelera (Hotel Beach)
It’s best not to make yourself at home at Hotel Beach in San José del Cabo if you’re a swimmer. One moment you might be knee-deep in the water, and the next, you’re paddling for dear life due to sudden drop-offs. There are also deceptive undertows that demand vigilance. For safe swimming, situate yourself at one of the many pool-having hotels in the area or partake in dry-land activities like volleyball or horse riding on the beach.