Playa El Medano (The Dune Beach) Entering the town of Cabo San Lucas, the graceful sweep of Playa El Médano (Medano Beach), the historical name of the beach, extends through the main beachfront hotel zone, and abounds with beach activity. Bahía San Lucas, once packed with anchored yachts and fishing boats, is relatively quiet since the inner harbor marina was built. These days the bay is alive with watercraft, catamarans, sea kayaks and parasailors. On El Medano, Cabo's main beach, you'll find it easy to rent the water toy of your choice, from high-powered wave runners, to quiet self-powered sea kayaks. For the serious beach runner, El Medano is the place. Stretching for two miles away from town, the sloped soft sand beach provides all the challenge the serious runner wants. Access to this beach is available at Km. 1 near Club Cascadas de Baja or near the harbor entrance at the Plaza Las Glorias Beach Club or through any of the hotels and restaurants along this long stretch of beach.
Playa del Amor (Love Beach) or Playa del Amante (Lover's Beach) Once known as Playa de Doña Chepa, Lover's Beach is another must, but to get to this hidden cove you'll need some kind of floating transportation. Easiest is to hire a water taxi at the marina. The captain will take you on an informative tour of the diving areas around the arch (El Arco), point out Lover's Beach, then go around the popular point for a wonderful view of the dramatic area where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. We suggest you pack a lunch of your choice and plan on spending the better part of the day enjoying Lover's Beach and the striking wind and water shaped rock formations...then ask your skipper to come back for you at a pre-determined time...all for one price. Be most careful here, the powerful waves and currents of the Pacific make swimming quite dangerous. Swim and snorkel only on the Sea of Cortez side of Lover's Beach.
Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio) This stretch of clean white sand is located on the Pacific side a short walk from Lover's Beach. Divorce Beach is great for sunbathing and relaaxing, but It is very dangerous to swim on this beach. There are strong currents, crashing waves and rips there. Stay out of the water along this beach. Swimming is much better on the bay side of Lover's Beach.
Playa Solmar (Solmar Beach, TerraSol & Finisterra Beach) This wide stretch of white sand beach faces the Pacific Ocean and runs from the rocks at Land's End to the base of Pedregal to the West. Along this stretch of beach you'll find Solmar Suites, TerraSol Beach Resort, Hotel Finisterra and the new Playa Grande Resort. The currents and waves are very strong and swimming is dangerous. Access to this beach is through the Solmar Suites Hotel or TerraSol Resort, at the end of Avenida Solmar.
Playa El Faro Viejo (The Old Lighthouse Beach) El Faro Viejo, The Old Lighthouse, is somewhat inaccessible, but worth effort. Four wheel (ATV's) All Terrain Vehicles for the trip are no longer permitted for outings to this impressive spot. Decades ago a mechanized light house replaced the venerable structure. Towering sand dunes built by often powerful winds off the Pacific Ocean offer sweeping vistas. It is now possible to drive a normal rental car most of the way to the old light house. Stop at the top of the hill, the view is spectacular. Do not try to proceed any further as the sand is soft and the dunes very steep.
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 Mexico. 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.
