By Ashley Alvarado
Médano Beach (Playa el Médano)
Cabo San Lucas’s most swimmable beach is also its most popular stretch of sand and the most accessible. Located near the heart of Cabo San Lucas, Médano boasts more amenities—restaurants, beach clubs, activities companies, and spas, among them—than any other you’ll find in Los Cabos. Come here for an early morning horseback ride or stroll then stick around for breakfast at Baja Cantina (www.bajacantinabeach club.com), lunch at Mango Deck (www.mangodeckcabo.com), and plenty of fun in the sand. Médano is located just off the main highway at Paseo del Pescador or Paseo de la Marina in Cabo San Lucas.
Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)
While Médano may very well be the most-visited beach in all of Los Cabos, there is none more iconic than Lover’s Beach. This is the shoreline you see in the shadows of the arch at Land’s End. It’s also an excellent spot to visit if you’re interested in diving or snorkeling. The abundance of vibrantly colored sea life is nicely on display. This is also an ideal picnic spot for couples, particularly after a tandem kayak ride. Just remember to bring your own food, water, and other supplies. Or come with Cabo Adventures (www.cabo-adventures.com) and Cabo Expeditions (www.caboexpedi tions.com.mx), who offer various Lover’s Beach–bound outings. Lover’s Beach is accessible only by water. Hop aboard a panga (water taxi) or rent a kayak or wave runner from Médano Beach.
Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio)
You can walk from the Sea of Cortés to the Pacific Ocean in two minutes. That’s roughly how long it takes to work your way across the sand from Lover’s Beach to Divorce Beach, two playas that are forever connected yet have dramatically different personalities. While the waters that surround Lover’s Beach invite you to swim and explore, the unpredictable Pacific Ocean waves make swimming at Divorce Beach strictly verboten. Nevertheless, there are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and this spot is perfect for sunning while you read a good book. You can also take in lovely sights of this beach from onboard Cabo’s incredible lineup of sunset cruises, including Caborey (www.caborey.com) and Pez Gato (www.pezgato.com). Divorce Beach is accessible via Lover’s Beach, which you must reach by water.
Chileno Bay (Bahía el Chileno)
While spring breakers and tourists of all ilk, for that matter, flock to Médano Beach, local residents often turn to Chileno Bay—and for good reason. The beach, conveniently located off the Tourist Corridor, is regularly ranked as one of the cleanest in all of México. It also has an embarrassment of riches in the amenities department: paved parking lot, showers, bathrooms, shade palapas, even some access for the disabled. And we haven’t even mentioned the calm waters, excellent snorkeling conditions, or must-explore tide pools. Crazy as it sounds, here’s an insider’s tip: During whale season, take a moment to hold your head underwater and just listen. You may be rewarded with the sweet singing of a humpback whale. Chileno Bay, like many of the area’s best beaches, is located just off the Tourist Corridor. Look for signs around km 14.
Palmilla Beach (Playa Palmilla)
It’s hard to find a better place for family fun. Swim, snorkel, or grab a book and relax under a shade palapa. During whale season, keep your eyes peeled. This is a nice spot for lazy whale watching. Near the south rocky point, you can try your hand at surf fishing. Charter a panga if you’re interested in game fishing, or just watch as the fishermen come in during the late morning. Purchase your fillets from the fishermen’s concession in the parking lot. Palmilla Beach is located off the arroyo, just outside the entrance to the One&Only Palmilla resort. Take the Palmilla exit at km 27, head south to the arroyo, and turn left. There is good parking located close to the beach.
Cerritos Beach (Playa Los Cerritos)
Heading from Cabo San Lucas toward Todos Santos, along the Baja Peninsula’s Pacific Ocean coastline, you’re treated to several surf-friendly beaches, like Cerritos. An interestingly eclectic crowd inevitably gathers here: There are the hardcore surfers in search of the perfect wave, the families enjoying the black-and-tan sand, and the hungry, who’ve come looking for some local seafood and a tasty beverage. And, somehow, they’ve all come to the right place. The beach, just 40 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, offers world-class surfing conditions, but it also has kayak and snorkeling equipment to rent, waters calm enough for even small children to swim safely, and ways to explore the beach on horseback or ATV. Drive north from Cabo San Lucas on Highway 19, then look for a turn-off road to the left at km 65.
Santa María Bay (Bahía Santa María)
The list of must-visit Los Cabos beaches for divers and snorkelers is too long to include in this article, but we would be remiss if we left out Santa María Bay, which is located right off the Tourist Corridor connecting Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. According to legend—and some local historians—this secluded, horseshoe-shaped beach was once a favorite hideout of Spanish galleons. Now, its marine sanctuary—home to colorful fish, sea turtles, and all manner of sea life—and rugged cliffs beckon a different sort of adventurer. Activities outfits like Cabo Escape (www.caboescapetours.com) and EcoCat (www.caboecotours.com) regularly bring snorkelers by boat, but you can also access the beach by car. Santa María Beach is located along the Tourist Corridor; look for signs around km 12.
Widow’s Beach (Playa Las Viudas)
What was once known as Twin Dolphins Beach has since been renamed Widow’s Beach, and the out-of-this-world volcanic formations are what one might expect to see in the afterlife—depending, of course, on how one has behaved in his current life. This is not the most swimmable beach, but it’s fun to explore the secluded shoreline and its tide pools. That same seclusion makes for a romantic setting come nightfall. Grab a bottle of wine and some blankets for some stargazing at midnight. There is a small parking lot and portable toilet facilities. You can access Widows at km 11.5, along the Tourist Corridor. Take the dirt road about 500 meters toward the ocean.