Beaches of the Cabo San Lucas Tourist Corridor
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Here you will find your choice of beaches including Playa Santa Maria, Chileno, Monuments Beach, Twin Dolphin Beach, Costa Azul, Palmilla, Playa Acapulquito, Bledito, Playa Cabo Real and more.
Tourist Corridor Beach Guide
Santa Maria Beach
Twin Dolphin Beach
Monuments Beach Monuments Beach is a small beach popular with the surfing set and has the closest surf to Cabo San Lucas, just a few miles out of town. It can best be seen from poolside at Da Giorgio's Restaurant at Misiones del Cabo as sunset approaches. Turn off the main road at the entrance to Misiones del Cabo, just before the main entrance you need to park and walk down to the beach
Playa Barco Varado (Shipwreck Beach) The rusty wreckage of a Japanese freighter remains on the rocks of this once popular beach area. Now, the wreck provides a spectacular backdrop for the "Ocean" finishing holes at the Jack Nicklaus Cabo del Sol course. Soon, it will surpass its original popularity with the completion of the new Hacienda Del Mar Hotel now under construction. The beach access is through the Cabo del Sol entrance at Km. 11, follow the well placed signs down to the beach.
Playa Las Viudas (Widow's Beach) Twin Dolphin Beach Playa Las Viudas is now called Twin Dolphin Beach and is located just southwest of the Hotel Twin Dolphin. This picturesque beach is a quiet spot to relax and have a picnic. Turn off the main highway at Km. 12 at the beach access (Acceso a la Playa) sign and proceed 0.4 miles down a very rough road to a quiet section of beach. There are several secluded spots in this area as you continue west along the beach toward the Cabo del Sol Golf Course and development.
Westin Beach
Palmilla Beach
Playa Santa Maria (Santa Maria Beach) Further along the highway at Km. 12 is yet another must see beach at Bahía Santa María next to the exclusive Hotel Twin Dolphin. Look for the beach access sign and follow the dirt road to the parking area. It is a short walk to this beautiful protected cove. As you gaze out to the azure sea you will see the peaceful horseshoe shaped beach with sand the color and consistency of pink rice. Relatively secluded, Bahía Santa María is a protected marine sanctuary, so bring along a bag of bread or tortillas and feed the multi-colored creatures of the deep. This is an excellent spot for snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach.
Playa Bahia Chileno (Chilean Beach) Chileno Bay, next to the Hotel Cabo San Lucas, is yet another breath-taking bay known for its diving and snorkeling. Look for the dive flag at the edge of the highway at Km. 15, which marks the parking entrance. An equipment rental Palapa (a palm leaf covered hut) is located on the beach's western end near the water.
Playa El Tule Playa El Tule, a secluded sandy stretch of beach, is a good surf spot at times. There are scattered boulders in the surf and driftwood can be found up on the beach. Access is at Km. 16.2 at the Los Tules bridge (Puente Los Tules). A four wheel drive vehicle is needed to get across the sometimes soft sand of the arroyo.
Rio Caracol Beach Club At Kilometer 18, you’ll find the Rio Caracol Beach Club, so named for all the fossilized snails found in the adjacent arroyo. This beach club has a lovely palapa restaurant with a wading pool, pergola covered chaises located below on the beach, showers, pretty decent restrooms, and free ocean kayak usage for patrons. What you won’t find are bothersome beach vendors but please note that your own food or coolers are not allowed. If you want your frosty mango margarita refilled, all you have to do is plant the pennant flag (located near your chaise) in the sand and a waiter will promptly take your order. If you are seeking low-keyed privacy, a reasonable menu and ambiance, it doesn’t get any better than this. lcm_8
Playa Bledito (Tequila Cove) Playa Bledito is just west of the protected cove of Playa Cabo Real. Playa Bledito, in front of the Meliá Cabo Real and the Hilton Los Cabos, is a safe swimming beach created by a man-made breakwater. The easiest access is also through Hotel Meliá Cabo Real at Km 19.5.
Playa Cabo Real The beach known as Buenos Aires that runs to the Meliá Cabo Real Beach and Golf Resort at Kilometer 19.5, is largely deserted and is thereby a natural alternative for seekers of quiet solitude. Playa Bledito, in front of the Meliá Cabo Real and the Hilton Los Cabos, is a safe swimming beach created by a man-made breakwater. Next to the Hilton is La Concha, a first class beach club, with a restaurant, swimming pool, tide pools, showers, restrooms and equipment rentals. Turn left once inside the Meliá Cabo Real driveway entrance to get to the parking lot that runs along the east side of the Hilton Los Cabos. lcm_8.
Playa La Concha (The Shell Beach) Note: As of April 2004, this beach club has been closed to the public. Small rocky cove with nice beach, palapa, swimming pool, tide pools, showers and restaurant and bar. Turn into the entrance to Meliá Cabo Real Hotel, then turn left and follow the paved road to the end. The beach club is to your right, down the hill.
Playa Buenos Aires (Good Air Beach) Not a swimming beach, the lengthy Buenos Aires Beach stretches for mile upon beautiful mile, ending at the rapidly growing Cabo Real Resort. No sign marks the location, but if you would like a beach all to yourself, enjoy horseback riding in the sand or watching whales cavorting in the months of January to March, visit the deserted Buenos Aires shoreline. Exit Highway 1 at Km. 22 or 24 and follow the old Highway. Look for a dirt road in an arroyo. A four wheel drive vehicle is necessary for access to most of this beach.
Westin Regina Resort Beach Go down the driveway to the Westin Regina Resort Los Cabos and take a right on the dirt road down (taxis park in this area) to the beach. Follow the road as far as you can, then back up just a little. You should see a very overgrown road on the right. Put it in 4 wheel drive and go through the brush. You'll quickly come out on a very hard sandstone. Go slow and traverse the sandstone a hundred yds or so traversing west and heading down to the beach, you will not get stuck, and the reward is great. The beach is lined with coves, you can see the hotel a mile or so away.
Playa Palmilla (Palmilla Beach) Upon Punta Palmilla rests the luxurious Hotel Palmilla with its striking beaches. Inside the tranquil bay the beach along this protected cove is perfect for improving your tan, snorkeling, watching the pelicans perform their aerobatics, or catching up on that long unread novel. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented at the dive shop, located just before the hotel grounds. Follow the signs to Hotel Palmilla at Km. 27. The entrance to the beach is just before Pepe's Restaurant.
Playa Acapulquito Just west of Playa Costa Azul is a little stretch of beach called Playa Acapulquito, known as Old Man's Beach. It looks like the local surf spot has migrated to this area. Access is just off the new four lane highway at Km. 28. Swimming is possible, but watch for surfers.
Playa Costa Azul (Blue Coast Beach) As we continue southwest down the coast we come to Costa Azul and Bahía Palmilla. In this half mile stretch before Palmilla Bay is the world famous surf break called Costa Azul. Exit the highway at Km. 28.5, right at the bridge, and proceed to the beach. There's a surf camp, rental cabañas, beach restaurant, convenience store and services.
NOTICE - WARNING
We emphatically stress that swimming off all the beaches on the Pacific side is dangerous due to swift sea currents and powerful waves. Use caution. As you will discover along the Los Cabos coast, almost all roads lead to a beach and a new adventure
Please do not drive on any of the area's beaches. Mexican Federal law prohibits driving any motorized vehicles on any beach in Mexico.
Please do not litter our beaches. Always take along a plastic trash bag for your trash. Also, consider picking up any trash left by other inconsiderate people. Help keep the beaches clean and beautiful.
Things to Remember
It is important to remember a few things before beginning your Baja Beach trip:
Number One: There are no lifeguards here, not even at most hotel pools. So, try not to swim alone as no big lifeguard hunk wearing red Speedos is going to come to your rescue.
Number Two: One won’t find a convenience store on every corner here (or on any corner for that matter), so bring lots of sunblock, sunglasses, water, snacks, bathroom tissue, film as well as a beach umbrella, snorkeling gear, sand toys, etc. And don’t forget a bag to carry your trash out in.
Number Three: Certain beaches have seas with severe undertows, dangerous breakers, rip tides, or deep drop-offs close to shore. Pay attention to any warning signs.
Number Four: Remember that it’s illegal to drive on beaches in México. Environmental protectionism is growing in countries all over the world and one needs to be as sensitive here in México as in the USA. In either country, a fuel spill from one’s boat or 4x4 on most beaches can result in stiff fines.
