Tourist Corridor Beaches -
Cabo San Lucas to San José Del Cabo

Playa Costa Azul (Blue Coast Beach)

As we continue southwest down the coast we come to Costa Azul and Bahía Palmilla. In this half-mile stretch before Palmilla Bay is the world famous surf break called Costa Azul. Exit the highway at Km. 28.5, right at the bridge, and proceed to the beach. There's a surf camp, rental cabañas, beach restaurant, convenience store and services.

Playa Palmilla (Palmilla Beach)

Upon Punta Palmilla rests the luxurious Hotel Palmilla with its striking beaches. This protected cove is perfect for improving your tan, snorkeling, watching the pelicans perform their aerobatics. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented at the dive shop, located just before the hotel grounds. Follow the signs to Hotel Palmilla at Km. 27. The entrance to the beach is just before Pepe's Restaurant.

Playa Santa Maria (Santa Maria Beach)

Further along the highway at Km. 12 is yet another must see beach at Bahía Santa María next to the exclusive Hotel Twin Dolphin. Look for the beach access sign and follow the dirt road to the parking area. Relatively secluded, Bahía Santa María is a protected marine sanctuary, so bring along a bag of bread or tortillas and feed the multi-colored creatures of the deep. This is an excellent spot for snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. This marine preserve is a prime destination for many charter boats that offer snorkeling and SCUBA diving excursions departing from the Cabo San Lucas harbor.

Playa Las Viudas (Twin Dolphin Beach)

If you discover this beach, you have discovered one of my favorite places. Tucked away by the Hotel Twin Dolphin, Playa Las Viudas seems to almost always be secluded. These reefs are great for snorkeling, diving, and swimming; however, it is wise to use caution and only swim when the water is calm. To find this charming retreat in paradise, turn right at KM 12 just before the Hotel Twin Dolphin entrance and follow the dirt road for about 7/10th of a mile down to the beach. At certain times of the year, the sand can be relatively deep and soft and may require 4-wheel drive, but for the most part the road is navigable by any vehicle. There are several secluded spots in this area as you continue west along the beach toward the Cabo del Sol Golf Course and development.

Playa Barco Varado (Shipwreck Beach)

The rusty wreckage of a Japanese freighter remains on the rocks of this once popular beach area. Now, the wreck provides a spectacular backdrop for the "Ocean" finishing holes at the Jack Nicklaus Cabo del Sol course. Soon, it will surpass its original popularity with the completion of the new Hacienda Del Mar Hotel now under construction. The beach access is through the Cabo del Sol entrance at Km. 11; follow the well-placed signs down to the beach.

Monuments Beach

Monuments Beach is a small beach popular with the surfing set and has the closest surf to Cabo San Lucas, just a few miles out of town. It can best be seen from poolside at Da Giorgio's Restaurant at Misiones del Cabo as sunset approaches. Turn off the main road at the entrance to Misiones del Cabo, just before the main entrance you need to park and walk down to the beach.

Playa Bahia Chileno (Chilean Beach)

Chileno Bay, next to the Hotel Cabo San Lucas, is yet another breath-taking bay known for its diving and snorkeling. Look for the dive flag at the edge of the highway at Km. 15, which marks the parking entrance. An equipment rental Palapa (a palm leaf covered hut) is located on the beach's western end near the water.

Playa El Tule

Playa El Tule, a secluded sandy stretch of beach, is a good surf spot at times. There are scattered boulders in the surf and driftwood can be found up on the beach. Access is at Km. 16.2 at the Los Tules bridge (Puente Los Tules). A four-wheel drive vehicle is needed to get across the sometimes soft sand of the arroyo.

Rio Caracol Beach Club

At Kilometer 18, you'll find the Rio Caracol Beach Club, so named for all the fossilized snails found in the adjacent arroyo. This beach club has a lovely palapa restaurant with a wading pool, pergola covered chaises located below on the beach, showers, pretty decent restrooms, and free ocean kayak usage for patrons. What you won't find are bothersome beach vendors but please note that your own food or coolers are not allowed. If you want your frosty mango margarita refilled, all you have to do is plant the pennant flag (located near your chaise) in the sand and a waiter will promptly take your order. If you are seeking low-keyed privacy, a reasonable menu and ambiance, it doesn't get any better than this.

Playa Bledito (Tequila Cove)

Playa Bledito is just west of the protected cove of Playa Cabo Real. The easiest access is also through Hotel Meliá Cabo Real at Km 19.5.

Playa Cabo Real

The beach known as Buenos Aires that runs to the Meliá Cabo Real Beach and Golf Resort at Kilometer 19.5, is largely deserted and is thereby a natural alternative for seekers of quiet solitude. Playa Bledito, in front of the Meliá Cabo Real and the Hilton Los Cabos, is a safe swimming beach created by a man-made breakwater. Next to the Hilton is La Concha, a first class beach club, with a restaurant, swimming pool, tide pools, showers, restrooms and equipment rentals. Turn left once inside the Meliá Cabo Real driveway entrance to get to the parking lot that runs along the east side of the Hilton Los Cabos.

Playa La Concha (Shell Beach)

Small rocky cove with nice beach, palapa, swimming pool, tide pools, showers and restaurant and bar. Turn into the entrance to Meliá Cabo Real Hotel, then turn left and follow the paved road to the end. The beach club is to your right, down the hill.

Playa Buenos Aires (Good Air Beach)

Not a swimming beach, the lengthy Buenos Aires Beach stretches for mile upon beautiful mile, ending at the rapidly growing Cabo Real Resort. No sign marks the location, but if you would like a beach all to yourself, enjoy horseback riding in the sand or watching whales cavorting in the months of January to March, visit the deserted Buenos Aires shoreline. Exit Highway 1 at Km. 22 or 24 and follow the old Highway. Look for a dirt road in an arroyo. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary for access to most of this beach.

Playa Acapulquito

Just west of Playa Costa Azul is a little stretch of beach called Playa Acapulquito, known as Old Man's Beach. It looks like the local surf spot has migrated to this area. Access is just off the new four lane highway at Km. 28. Swimming is possible, but watch for surfers.