The best beaches in Los Cabos, Mexico

Jutting out between the Sea of Cortez and the mighty Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos lines the bottom edge of Mexico's starkly beautiful Baja Peninsula. White beaches, tawny desert cliffs and azure waters create a startling palette across the area, which encompasses Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

The sheltered bays of Los Cabos have their own personalities, from the fiesta vibe at Playa Medano, fronting Cabo San Lucas proper, to the quieter Playa Palmilla, lined with upscale resorts. The spectacular Playa del Amor and its counterpart, Divorce Beach, are only accessed by sea and bring you to one of the state's most famous sights: El Arco at Land’s End.

Most Los Cabos' beaches are swimmable. A mask and snorkel will reveal a vibrant underwater world of colorful fish, and surf breaks dot the coast. During whale-watching season, from December through April, you might be lucky enough to hear the giant mammals singing underwater. For more action, tons of water activities are on offer, from banana boat rides and Jet Ski rentals to parasailing and snorkeling tours.

Whether it is resting up from party nights under a palapa (thatched-roof structure) with a bottomless mimosa from a beach bar or starting the day early with yoga and a stand-up paddleboard session, here are our picks for five of the best beaches to park your towel on in Los Cabos.

1. Playa del Amor

Best for romance and relaxation

Packing a picnic lunch, a bottle of wine and a couple of beach towels for a day on the gloriously secluded sands at Land’s End is a romantic way to spend the day in Los Cabos. Playa del Amor is small and often crowded with quick-stop tour groups, but it puts you directly by El Arco, one of the most dramatic sights in southern Baja.

The calm swimming and snorkeling on the Sea of Cortez–facing side are the stuff that holiday dreams are made of. For more solitude, stroll between a gap in the rocky promontory to the much larger Divorce Beach on the Pacific Ocean side (yes, everyone jokes about this being the bigger beach), then snuggle up at the base of the dramatically eroded cliffs and get serenaded by pounding waves. Bear in mind that the Pacific side is unsafe for swimming.

Planning tip: Hiring a water taxi with a scheduled pickup is the best way to get to these pristine, powdery soft beaches.

2. Playa Medano

Best for partying

If toasting your umpteenth margarita of the day to a fiery sunset on a white beach sounds dreamy, few places on the planet can top Playa Medano. Bars of every ilk, restaurants and glamorous hotels line this perfect arc of the sparkling blue Bahia de Cabo San Lucas, all with a view of El Arco in the distance.

The beach becomes a swamp of inebriated 20-somethings during spring break, but at most other times expect folks from around the world splashing in the clear waters, exploring the bay on rented stand-up paddleboards or drinking icy Pacificos on lounge chairs. As the sun sinks behind Land’s End, you’ll be within walking distance to barhop along the beach or hit the clubs in town. Otherwise, find a beachfront fire pit to make new friends and exclaim “Salud!” to the stars.

Planning tip: Purple-and-gold Rutadel Desierto buses run up and down the coastal highway, making stops at hotels, beaches and restaurants in between the two Cabos.

3. Playa Chileno

Best for snorkeling

Playa Chileno is the most popular beach with locals for good reason. This laid-back stretch of white sand along the Sea of Cortez frames the lushest underwater life of the swimmable spots along the Los Cabos corridor.

Day tours stop here for the abundant fish life, underwater rock formations, corals and sea fans, but with your own gear, it’s easy to plunge in DIY-style from the beach. The northern part of the bay has a boulder and sand habitat where you’ll likely see puffer and box fish. You’ll find more fish and corals toward the southern beach; small fish will likely flutter around you hoping for crumbs of your lunch.

Intriguing tide pools around the cliffs are another draw. Rinse off in public freshwater showers, then nap in the shade of a shaggy palapa.

Planning tip: Don’t have a mask? The swimming here is top notch, with calm and sandy entry points suitable for even the youngest kids.

4. Playa Palmilla

Best for families

Among the quietest, safest and cleanest beaches in the area, the mile-long stretch of powdery golden bliss at Playa Palmilla is backed by luxury hotels and a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course. The swimming pool-like bay in the Sea of Cortez has a gradual sandy entry for gentle splashing around, and local fishing boats pull up with the daily catch (buy some for dinner if you’re self-catering).

If younger children tire of building sandcastles, swimming and strolling, there's a tiny playground near the parking lot. A well-kept, tiled and shady picnic area with sea views, plus spotless toilets and freshwater showers, seal the deal.

Planning tip: There are no restaurants, so be sure to pack a picnic and arrive early on weekends if you want to snag one of the eight shady palapas.

5. Cerritos Beach

Best for surfing

Excellent surf abounds at this southern end of the Baja Peninsula, but for consistency at all levels, you can’t beat Cerritos, between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos on the peninsula's Pacific Ocean side. Surfboard rental tents greet you; arrange your gear, then paddle out to the sometimes challenging point break or mellower beach breaks closer to shore.

The lively beach scene is great for simple sunseekers, too, with fun bars and restaurants and regular live music – the young, bohemian backpacker vibe is much different than the resort atmosphere further south. The water is calm enough for swimming outside of large swells, but check the currents before going too far from the beach.

Planning tip: Local surf schools are easy to sign up with if you’ve come to learn. Mario Surf School has lessons from 1400 Mexican pesos.