Playa del Amor

At the southernmost tip of the cape, Playa del Amor (Love Beach), also known as Playa del Amante (Lover’s Beach), offers a rare opportunity to dip a toe in two different bodies of water from the same beach.

This two-sided beach touches both the Sea of Cortez in the Bay of San Lucas and the Pacific Ocean (where the beach is called Playa Divorceado). The beach is narrow on the bay side and opens into a wide, sandy expanse on the ocean side. You can swim and snorkel on the bay side, but heavy surf pounds the exposed western shoreline, creating a dangerous undertow.

Water taxis and glass-bottom boats from the Cabo San Lucas Marina shuttle passengers to and from the beach for US$8–12 round-trip. (Ask to see the boat before you pay, as some are in much better shape than others. Should the engine fail and cut your trip short, the person you paid will likely be nowhere in sight.)

There are no docking facilities at the drop-off point, which is on the narrow bay side of the beach. Panga drivers drift as close as possible to shore, but passengers inevitably get wet on the way in and out. Wear water shoes and protect any electronic gear.

Shade is limited to a few rocky overhangs (get there early to claim a spot or bring your own umbrella), and there are no commercial services at the beach, except for an occasional vendor selling cold drinks. Bring a cooler and pack your own lunch.

Another option for getting to Playa del Amor is to rent a kayak (US$10 pp/hr.) on Playa El Médano and paddle across the bay. It’s best to go in the morning, when the water is calm; the paddle takes about 40 minutes one-way.

Playa El Médano

Cabo San Lucas offers the rare combination of a large tourist destination with a well-developed beach area within walking distance of the town, plus several pristine beaches just minutes away by boat. And when you’ve exhausted all these possibilities, the beaches along the Corridor and closer to San José are only a short drive away.

The partying crowd congregates at beach clubs along Playa El Médano (Dune Beach) beginning in the late morning. This long, sandy beach starts at the entrance to the inner harbor and parallels the old road to San José (Camino Viejo a San José) for several kilometers heading northeast.

A wide range of travelers crosses paths on this beach each day: Families mingle with college kids who swim with their bottles of beer; fortysomethings stroll by in string bikinis, dogs chase Frisbees in the surf, and a constant parade of vendors sells silver and beaded jewelry, sombreros, embroidered bracelets, ceramics, beach wraps, hammocks, and, best of all, fresh fruit.

You can swim here any time of year, though the water is warmest July–October. On busy days, keep an eye out for boats landing on the beach. Inexperienced Jet Ski drivers routinely cruise into the roped-off swimming areas.

You can book just about any water activity from the beach, including rental of personal watercraft, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, boogie boards, catamarans, and snorkeling gear. Options for food and facilities at the beach include palapa bars, beach clubs, and resort restaurants.

Playa Solmar

To escape the crowds or cool off in an ocean breeze, head to Playa Solmar on the Pacific Coast. This exposed beach has a steep slope and strong undertow, making it unsafe for swimming. But for sunbathing and whale-watching, it’s a find. Follow Boulevard Marina to the sign for the Hotel Solmar on the right, and park at the resort.