You will, however, need a car for exploring Cabo San Lucas beaches. With the exception of Medano Beach, private taxi rides to and from the Corridor beaches are expensive. Public bus transportation is an option and drivers will generally let you disembark at beach turn-offs. However, walking from the highway to the beaches themselves often involves a long trek without any shade (i.e., miserably hot).
Medano Beach
Cabo’s most popular sunbathing spot is Medano Beach (Playa El Medano), which curves gracefully along the shore of Cabo San Lucas Bay just north of town and encompasses the beachfront hotel zone. The water here is usually safe for swimming, the sand is soft, and people-watching from the outdoor bars and local restaurants lining the beach is always entertaining.
Cruise ships anchor just off shore. Parasailers soar overhead. Beach vendors trudge through the sand. Catamarans, sea kayaks and pangas ply the bay. Rowdy co-eds rent wave runners and other water toys. To reach the beach from Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas, head south on Paseo de Pescador. During college spring break weeks Medano's raucous beachfront bars are party central.
Land's End and Lover's Beach
Land’s End, or “Finisterra,” is literally that—the tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Both the approach to Cabo San Lucas via Mex. 1 and elevated spots in town offer panoramic views of Baja's final frontier. Some of the beaches in this area, however, are accessible only by boat.
Located just west of Land's End, Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) may well be the most idyllic, although it's almost always crowded unless you arrive early in the day. A water taxi can be hired either at Medano Beach or the Cabo San Lucas marina to take you to the beach, drop you off and then return at a predetermined time; bring along drinking water and a lunch. Swimming and snorkeling are usually safe along the cove that faces the Gulf of California side, although the water can occasionally get a bit rough.
At Lover's Beach it's also possible to walk coast to coast—literally and in a matter of minutes. From the gulf shore, the sand extends across the cape to another beach facing the Pacific Ocean. Known as Divorce Beach, this stretch's white sand is great for strolling or beachcombing, but crashing waves and strong rip currents make swimming dangerous.
Solmar Beach (Playa Solmar) is a wide stretch of sand running west from the rocks at Land's End. Several large hotels, including the Grand Solmar resort, the Hotel Finisterra, the Terra Sol Beach Resort and the Playa Grande Resort, front this beach. The powerful Pacific undertow and currents make swimming here dangerous as well, but the views are spectacular.
Land's End is noted for two dramatic rock formations sculpted by the elements. El Arco, Cabo's signature landmark, is the famous natural rock arch of Cabo San Lucas featured on everything from tourist brochures to souvenir shot glasses. The other photogenic formations here are the pinnacles of The Friars (Los Frailes)—chiseled granite formations shaped like hooded monks. Deep blue water surrounds them at Land's End, a point where the Gulf of California mingles with the mighty Pacific.
For close-up views of El Arco you'll need to hit the water. Everything from water taxis and kayak tours to booze cruises and glass-bottom boats make the short trip from either Medano Beach or the Cabo San Lucas marina. Glass-bottom boat tours last an hour, cost about $15 (U.S.) per person and depart from the docks at the far southern end of the marina. You'll find ticket booths along the malecón.
Other Beaches along the Los Cabos Coast
If you have a car, the Gulf of California coast between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is sprinkled with surfing areas, hidden beaches and secluded little coves that can be explored. Turn-offs branching off the Corridor (Mex. 1), some no more than dirt paths, lead to these spots. Generally these beaches are not considered safe for swimming (there are no lifeguards, for one thing), but they offer excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. Heading northeast on Mex. 1 from Cabo San Lucas toward San José del Cabo, here are a few worth visiting.
Shipwreck Beach (Playa Barco Varado) is at Km 11, about 7 miles north of downtown Cabo. It's a long drive from the highway to the entrance of the Cabo del Sol resort development; access to the beach is via the southwest side of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort (follow the signs). The beach is named for a Japanese tuna boat that ran aground in the 1960s; until recently the rusted hulk still remained on the rocks, providing golfers at Cabo del Sol's Ocean Course with a spectacular backdrop on the last few holes. There are tide pools to explore and swimming in the surf is possible, although not recommended for young children due to waves and occasional rough conditions.
Widow's Beach (Playa las Viudas) also is known as Twin Dolphin Beach because of its location near the now-demolished Hotel Twin Dolphin. Swimming is usually good at this series of scalloped, coarse sand beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. When the surf's up, however, the pounding shore break will surely finish you off. But the wild beauty of Viudas make it a worthwhile stop at any time, regardless of ocean conditions. The turn-off for the unpaved beach access road (signed “Acceso a la Playa”) is just past the Km 12 marker.
Snorkelers are drawn to Playa Santa Maria, a picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay endowed with colorful underwater scenery. Around mid-day tour boats arrive at the cove, blasting high-decibel party music and dispensing pods of snorkelers. In other words, it's best to visit in the morning or late afternoon. There are no snack bars, so pack a cooler. Shade is nonexistent, but roving umbrella rental boys will set you up for a few pesos. The signed beach turn-off is on Mex. 1 just past Playa la Viudas. Parking is available in a “guarded” lot near the highway, or farther down the dirt road at the beach itself.
Chileno Bay, about 14 kilometers (9 miles) northeast, is one of the most beautiful areas along the Los Cabos coast, and a prime destination for swimming, snorkeling, scuba and other things to do. A gorgeous bay backed by rocky bluffs, Playa Chileno caters to civilized beachgoers with bathrooms, showers and a booth renting snorkel equipment. The Mex. 1 Chileno turn-off is clearly signed “Chileno Bay Playa Público”; a paved road leads down to a free parking lot.
Playa Palmilla, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) northeast, is near the luxurious, long-established One&Only Palmilla resort hotel. A long crescent of sand, Palmilla's dependably calm surf makes it one of the best swimming beaches along the Corridor. If you've brought your mask and fins, there's decent snorkeling along the rocks toward the point. Thatched palapa umbrellas provide welcome shade, and if you're in the mood to fish, the Fisherman's Cooperative in the beach parking lot will gladly arrange a trip. The well-signed turn-off (look for the Palmilla resort signs) is near the Km 27 marker. The paved access road winds through Palmilla's golf course before reaching the beach.
Most of the beaches facing the Gulf of California are safe for swimming; those facing the open Pacific should be appreciated only for the view. Pay attention to any warning signs: Some beaches are prone to riptides and dangerous breakers, or have deep drop-offs close to shore. All beaches in Mexico are the property of the government and consequently are accessible to the public. Parking at or camping on deserted beaches is perfectly legal; it is not legal, however, to leave behind garbage of any kind. Driving on beaches in Mexico also is illegal.