Best Beach Hotels in Los Cabos

This part of Mexico is flush with scenic, yet unswimmable beaches, making the beach at the ultra-luxurious 160-room One&Only is a rare gem. It's not huge, and has just a few private cabanas that are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but the rocky backdrop and relatively calm water are a welcome treat. Snorkel gear and non-motorized beach equipment are available for free, and surf lessons can be arranged. For those who don't want to splash in the surf, there are two pools, including the family-friendly Agua pool, which has shallower areas for kids and is conveniently located next to Agua bar. The adult pool, which is closer to the resort's main terraces, has a swim-up bar, hot tub, plenty of lounge chairs, and stunning views out to sea. Poolside drink service, neck and knee pillows, and free 10-minute foot massages are on offer as well.

For those looking to balance their tranquil Cabo escape with easy access to nightlife, it's hard to beat this resort's location right on Medano Beach -- one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos -- and a five-minute walk from San Lucas' bustling marina. The 109-apartment property is the only beachfront structure in the immediate area, so there are no bars or restaurants crowding this stretch of beach. For the most part, the luxury resort is pure serenity, with a lovely spa, gym, and a bi-level infinity pool with stunning Land's End views. And while the location on Medano Beach is spectacular, a bit of noise from party boats in the bay is inevitable.

The all-inclusive, adult-only Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort is a tranquil, upscale resort on a gorgeous private beach. It feels removed and secluded from the Cabo nightlife, though it's only about a 10-minute drive away. Amenities are plentiful: there are two beautiful pools, tennis courts, five restaurants and five bars, and a full-service spa with beachside yoga classes. Beach and poolside beverage service is available, though note that beach beds may be reserved for guests staying in certain room categories.

Medano Beach is the best swimming beach in Cabo San Lucas for swimming, and the 185-room Casa Dorada is located right in the heart of this area. Aside from the excellent beach location, one outstanding feature is the big, beautiful pool with plush lounge chairs and poolside service. While other Cabo resort pools can feel crowded, this one maintains a peaceful quality, although some guests complain about music being a touch too loud. Fitness options include an 18-hole golf course, large fitness center, or morning yoga classes.

The Hacienda del Mar has a beautiful location along a huge stretch of soft beige sand, with plenty of space to set up loungers and umbrellas. As is the case with other resorts in the area, swimming is not possible due to dangerous currents and riptides. That does not take away from the beauty, though; guests can enjoy long walks along the deep blue Sea of Cortez, relax under a palapa with a cocktail, or strike up a game at the volleyball net. A set of steps leads down to the sand from a few different areas -- one by the restaurant and one in the middle of the pool. Very few vendors (if any) find their way here since the resort is tucked away on its own cove. There are a few ruggedly attractive rocky patches, but more than enough soft sand. Be on the lookout for frequent whale sightings from December to April.

The somewhat hidden beach at this upscale boutique hotel is one of the best surfing spots in Los Cabos, with few crowds and small to medium waves, which are great for beginners and intermediate surfers. (The current can get strong so only strong swimmers should attempt to swim here.) The wide, golden white sand has dramatic rocks on either end --  these deter tourist foot traffic, so this beautiful beach sees mostly guests and locals who come to enjoy the surf. Mike Doyle Surf School is located under the hotel, and is open year round, with three instructors who offer lessons one-on-one or in small groups. The peak surf season runs from March to November, but the shop remains open all year. They provide rentals for a range of boards, wetsuits, boogie boards, paddelboards, and kayaks. Guests who simply want to lounge on the beach with a frisbee can rent chairs and an umbrella for a daily fee.

Casa Costa Azul is a 14-room boutique hotel with tons of charm, but one of its biggest selling points is the stunning, surfable beach. There's no set-ups or lounge chairs on the sand, but the beach is wide, clean, and -- best of all -- swimmable on most days (though always check conditions ahead of time). The best breaks for surfers are a five-minute walk down the beach at a spot known as Zipper's (the name is shared with the nearby restaurant). The hotel provides beach towels for free. Just above the beach is the hotel's sleek pool deck with a plunge pool and lounge chairs looking out to sea. Other spots for relaxing include a sandy hammock area that's strung between palm trees, within earshot of the ocean.

Perched on a rocky cliffside, the swanky, 161-room Cape has a dramatic location on Monuments Beach, one of Cabo San Lucas’ best surf beaches. While the beach is beautiful and semi-private (it’s technically public but virtually impossible for non-guests to visit), it’s better suited for surfing than swimming. The water can be choppy and unswimmable, particularly during inclement weather. A short row of chairs overlooks the beach, however, there are few permanent facilities on the sand because of the extreme high-tide line.

With a dramatic cliffside setting, stunning ocean views are available almost everywhere from this 123-room luxury resort, including from the many terraces at the hotel's gourmet restaurant that jut out into the ocean. Two lovely stretches of white sandy beach are set up for sunbathing; however, neither are swimmable. Thankfully, the hotel has a number of pools, including a family pool, a villa-area pool, and a stunning main pool. The latter is for adults only. It's framed by palm trees, monitored by attentive staff, and has an infinity edge that looks out to the crashing surf. Multiple terraces of lounge chairs ring the perimeter, and cabanas can be reserved for a fee. There's also a hot tub.

Even though this section of sea is often too dangerous for swimming, the sprawling, pristine beach in front of the 250-room Sandos Finisterra is a beauty to behold. A wide stretch of light beige sand separates the shoreline from the pools, and there are plenty of chairs and palapas for everyone to spread out. Guests from Sandos and neighboring resorts may be found fishing, or simply going for a long stroll to the very end for views of the El Arco rock formation (especially beautiful at sunrise). Some stretches of sand within walking distance might have less of a current offshore. Keep an eye out for whale sightings, which occur from December through April, often signaled by the sounding of a bell.

Many of this time-share property's 460 units have ocean views; all have understated decor, stocked kitchens, satellite TVs, and furnished balconies. The beach is, for the most part, a major highlight of the resort. It is a wide open space with clean white sand leading to the calm blue water (the water gets deep quickly, so it’s not great for toddlers, but rather adults and strong swimmers). The resort's lounge chairs are sectioned off from the public (in particular, vendors) but this does not stop salesmen for trying to get the attention of guests. The beach occasionally disappears during storms and high tides.

A great family-friendly option for Los Cabos, this beachfront all-inclusive resort has fresh and modern interiors and a decent variety of activities and facilities. The main pool is a massive freeform body of water, ringed with lounge chairs and stretching nearly to the beach. Nearby are an infinity pool that overlooks the sand, a hot tub, and a poolside bar. A pool concierge helps keep everything in order, and poolside waiters are available. There's also a separate, slightly boozier adult pool on the south side of the resort. While the hotel has cabanas and lounge chairs set up on the beach, swimming isn't allowed in the ocean here.