Mexico’s Baja California, the second-largest peninsula in the world, is renowned for its stunning stretches of golden beach that line its border from the Sea of Cortés to the Pacific Ocean. Whether your perfect día de playa (or “beach day”) looks like swimming, sun bathing or getting active with some water sports, here are our top picks of must-visit beaches throughout Baja California Sur.
Playa del Amor, Cabo San Lucas
Easily accessible by boat, but remote enough to feel intimate and secluded, this beautiful Pacific-facing beach is one of Cabo’s most popular due to its central proximity to the area’s famous Land’s End limestone rock formations, including the iconic El Arco that rises out of the sea.
Playa Santa Maria, Cabo San Lucas
Enjoy a picnic on the sand, go for a relaxing swim, or snorkel or dive into the clear waters off the horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand at Playa Santa Maria. The bay is also part of a protected marina that is filled with colorful aquatic life.
Chileno Beach, Cabo San Lucas
Located between the meeting of the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, the sparkling Chileno Beach has a Blue Flag certificate for cleanliness and safety, making it perfect for an ideal escape.
Playa Medano, Cabo San Lucas
If you want to be at the center of the party, Playa Medano is at the heart of the action in Los Cabos. This popular beach is also considered one of the safest for swimming with a separate area that’s roped off just for enjoying the water. You can also go kayaking, parasailing and more.
Playa Ensenada Grande, Espiritu Santo Island
Say “hola” to a colony of sea lions that call this remote piece of paradise home. Located offshore from La Paz, Isla Espiritu Santo offers great scuba diving, snorkeling and yes, even the chance to swim with sea lions, in its crystal clear waters.
Playa Balandra, La Paz
Known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico, Playa Balandra in La Paz is a large circular bay flanked by desert hills and a pristine shoreline of white sand. Great for kids or novice swimmers, the turquoise water is shallow year-round for a relaxing dip.
Photos: Expedia