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Top 5 Beaches In Los Cabos According To Locals 

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One of the biggest attractions to Los Cabos for tourists is the numerous stunning beaches lining the coast.   

Despite the fact that not all of the beaches are safe for swimming, they make for beautiful scenery, and the ones that are swimmable are known for their calm crystal clear water.   

While each beach has something different to offer – seclusion, excitement, water activities, or expansive beaches – there are five that top the list, according to locals.   

Aerial View of Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Medano Beach 

Medano Beach, or El Medano, is the most popular beach for tourists visiting Los Cabos because it offers the most excitement and entertainment.   

Located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, it’s always filled with tourists participating in water activities, sunbathing on the soft sand, lounging in cabanas, and partying it up at one of many beach clubs or restaurants.   

Medano Beach also has amazing views of Land’s End and the famous Arch.   

@jwade.mindset Welcome to Paradise🌴🌵 #paradise #mexico #cabosanlucas #cabo #medanobeach #sunshine #sun #enjoylife ♬ Paradise – Bazzi

Chileno Beach 

Chileno Beach, also known as Playa Chileno, offers a completely different experience compared to Medano Beach.   

It’s loved by locals and tourists alike because of its more peaceful nature due to its location along the Tourist Corridor, which is a stretch of coast that lies between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.   

Chileno Beach is considered one of the best swimmable beaches in Los Cabos and is great for snorkeling, but you won’t find any restaurants or beach clubs here.   

@exploratory_glory Playa El Chileno, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico 🇲🇽 #cabosanlucas #bajacalifornia #mexico @Exploratory Glory @Exploratory Glory @Exploratory Glory ♬ Beautiful Life – Dual Sessions

Palmilla Beach 

Also located along the Tourist Corridor, but closer to San Jose del Cabo, Palmilla Beach, or Playa Palmilla, is another fantastic beach for swimming and snorkeling.   

While there are limited facilities at the location, meaning you’ll have to bring along necessities like food and water, the lack of vendors makes it more laid back and peaceful.   

Palmilla Beach is about a mile long, so there is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy some solitude. 

@rolandoandoxmexico Playa Palmilla, Los Cabos. 🏖️ #playa #beach #palmilla #palmillabeach #loscabos #labaja #bajacaliforniasur ♬ Keeping Your Head Up (Jonas Blue Remix) [Radio Edit] – Birdy

Santa Maria Beach 

Santa Maria Beach is not only popular for its calm swimmable waters, but the sense of privacy you get from the two rock formations on either side of it.   

Located along the Tourist Corridor, the waters of Santa Maria Beach are known for their wide variety of tropical fish that can be seen just below the surface.   

Snorkeling and diving are also popular at this beach which is just a stone’s throw away from Chileno Beach.   

@ozeanity.net 🏜️ Grand dia en Sant Maria Una de las playas mas bonitas en #LosCabos #cabo #vacaciones #cabosanlucas #whattodoincabo #ilovecabo #visitCabo #nobaddays #bestday #beachday #mexico #playasmexicanas #loscabosmexico🏝 #mexicanbeaches #destination #cabotourism ♬ august – Taylor Swift

Las Viudas Beach 

While not the best beach for swimming, Las Viudas Beach is a paradise all its own.   

Located along the Tourist Corridor, it’s not only secluded due to its location but also the numerous different rock formations dotting the beach, giving visitors separate areas around the beach to relax and enjoy.   

You’ll have to come prepared to spend the day at this peaceful beach, though, as there are no facilities beyond portable restrooms.   

@ant_eatsworld Playa Las Viudas Cabo San Lucas BCS #beach #beaches #bajacalifornia #bajacaliforniasur #cabosanlucas #cabo #whitesands #whitesandbeaches #paridisebeach ♬ original sound – @Ant_eatsworld Instagram

Why Some Los Cabos Beaches Are Not Swimmable 

The reason some beaches in Los Cabos are unswimmable is the presence of strong undercurrents and large waves that characterize many of the beaches.   

It’s important to pay attention to the beach safety warning flags, which will tell you which beaches are safe for swimming.   

Under some conditions, even the swimmable beaches will be unsafe for swimming and these flags will tell you that.   

@garrettabdulla

Surviving Big Waves In Cabo

♬ original sound – Garrett

Los Cabos Beach Safety Warning Flags 

When arriving at any beach in Los Cabos the first thing to look for is a beach safety warning flag.  The meaning of the flags are: 

  • Green – Safe For Swimming 
  • Yellow – Exercise Caution When Swimming 
  • Red – Do Not Enter The Water 
  • Black – Beach Is Closed To Visitors 

It’s important to adhere to these warnings to stay safe on Los Cabos’ amazing beaches.

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