Day 4 itinerary for Los Cabos: Wonderful beaches and great snorkeling at Chileno Beach and Santa Maria Beach
Today we will explore more beaches and do a lot of snorkeling if you like.
We do this by visiting two of the best beaches in the Los Cabos area: Chileno Beach (Playa el Chileno) and Santa Maria Beach (Playa Santa Maria).
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.
Chileno Beach / Playa el Chileno
Chileno Beach is located right off Highway 1, roughly half-way between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
It is one of the best beaches in Los Cabos, if not the best beach in Los Cabos.
On Highway 1, take the exit to Playa el Chileno and follow the signs to the parking lot. The parking lot has quite a few spaces, but due to the popularity of Chileno Beach, it sometimes fills up during high season. Getting there before 11am is always a good idea.
Chileno Beach is safe for swimming, as it is located in the protected Chileno Bay.
It has soft coarse sand and no water shoes are needed to walk on the sand or to get into the water. You should bring your own food, and a beach umbrella or a beach tent, as there are very limited services and shade.
The beach has public restrooms.
There is good snorkeling on both the northern and southern ends of the beach by the submerged rocks. When you enter the water at the southern end, you will likely be greeted by lots of fish, as visitors keep feeding the fish over there.
Everything you need to know about snorkeling can be found here.
Santa Maria Beach / Playa Santa Maria
Located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Chileno Beach, Santa Maria Beach is located right off Highway 1, roughly half-way between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
On Highway 1, take the exit to Playa Santa Maria and follow the signs to the parking lot. The parking lot rarely ever fills up to capacity, but it can happen.
Don’t blindly follow google maps – the location of the parking lot is here.
Santa Maria Beach has mostly coarse sand. People with sensitive feet may want to use water shoes to walk on the sand and into the water.
You should bring your own food, and a beach umbrella or beach tent, as there are very limited services and shade.
The beach has public restrooms.
There is snorkeling on both the northern and southern ends of the beach by the submerged rocks.
Everything you need to know about snorkeling can be found here.
Where do you want to go now?
Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:
Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later:
