Medano Beach
Medano Beach
4.5
About
Set in one of Cabo San Lucas' liveliest areas, this downtown beach is famous for its gentle waves and warm waters—perfect for swimming or taking a dip. For the more adventurous, you can go parasailing and ride a jet ski or banana boat. This beach is also a popular starting point for kayak tours and snorkeling trips to El Arco. When hungry, the alfresco dining options are great—choose between classic American grub or traditional Mexican fare to fuel up. Note that the beach gets pretty busy on weekends and during the Spring Break months.
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- George G9 contributionsWalk a lotReally nice beach with clear water. Lots of restaurants and bars. Lots of fun. Vendors seem to bother you more when your at a restaurant or bar. Pricey to rent an umbrella and chair, one asked for $45 US. Better of to have your own from Walmart or just get this included at a restaurant or bar when you order drinks/food. Lots of water taxis if you are located at the other side of the marina, 20 minute walk.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 19, 2024
- Dennis ACalgary, Canada12 contributionsGreat beach for walkingGreat beach to walk and grab a water taxi for an arch tour. The vendors were not to pushy Tabasco Bar and restaurant is a nice spot for a break with their 2 for 1 specials. You can watch the cruise ships come in and yachts moor along the beach.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 26, 2024
- Dansker58San Francisco, California411 contributionsBeautiful beachGreat place to walk and enjoy the atmosphere. The sand is soft. Lots of easy access to the beach. There are lots of restaurants on the beach offering shade and great views. Ther are a lot of vendors walking by but if this annoys you best not to engage. Chairs can also be rented for a beach experience. Very clean.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2024
- BartlettDanBartlett, Illinois1,035 contributionsCurrent View at Medano BeachI’ve seen lots of inquiries as to what Medano Beach looks like after last year’s hurricane. The pic is in front of Villa la Estancia. The sand is back. Not quite as high as last year though. For the avid walkers, the “slope” in the sand will make walking a little easier.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 3, 2024
- Erika V3 contributionsMake sure to be dropped off in a swimmable area of Medano Beach!!!We took an Uber down to Medano Beach, but ended up being dropped off down by the very last hotel to walk out to the beach (which was NOT swimmable). I should have Ubered us back closer but we walked the very tiring and hot beach to where we were able to swim. Water was cool but nice once in. We rented an umbrella which was nice to shield from the heat. My only suggestion would be to make sure you are dropped off somewhere near The Office (restaurant) so you can be close to swimmable areas & food spots. The red Cabo sign is right outside on the street near The Office — which is where we chose to eat.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 19, 2024
- Marcia DPhoenix, Arizona132 contributionsMassages and a SwimYou need to go here if you want to swim as most of the resorts in Cabo are on non swimming beaches due to the intense waves and undertow. We spent a fun time in the water and had reserved massages in advance at "The Sandbar" that were absolutely my favorite of all time. The Sandbar is a little bar/restaurant open air and upstairs is all massage beds and plenty of massueses. Having an outdoor massage while listening to the waves and feeling the ocean breezes was the way to go!Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 13, 2024
- nevertrvls1Tulsa, Oklahoma6 contributionsHighly recommendMedano Beach is lively and bustling, but still a great place to relax! The water felt a bit cold at first, but you quickly get used to it. There are tons of vendors selling all sorts of items, which adds to the fun atmosphere (I even got my hair braided, which was awesome!). There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants nearby, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from for food and drinks. All in all, it’s a vibrant beach with a lot to offer—highly recommend! Oh it’s also guarded by the National Guard so it’s super safe.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 11, 2024
- JM ZepedaQueretaro City, Mexico164 contributionsWalking is already impossibleUnfortunately restaurants and hotels took over this beach. Walking from villagroup to pier is almost impossible Add to this the street vendors who won’t let you walk alongside those who sell activities. If you want to enjoy this beach , I recommend the Beach club hotel heart. I was there and by consumption I enjoyed your beds Cheap is not but the service and attention are worth itVisited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 6, 2025
- IndianapolisCruiserIndianapolis, Indiana298 contributionsCabo! Beautiful anytime of year!Pros: Wear what you want. Cover up in something at a beachside restaurant. Keep in mind kids are on beach. The views of the arch, yachts, water, are what you come for you have all that. It’s swimmable but February the water is cold. The sunsets! Cons: if you don’t want hassled by vendors, stay away from the area of Corazon, The Office, Mango Deck, & any condos around that area. We hang out past “Bocos y Drinks el Chuy” and there are a lot less vendors. It’s there livelihood, if you don’t want to be hassled here or at the marina, don’t come to Cabo! We love it here and just a polite “No gracias” is all that’s needed.Visited February 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten February 4, 2025
- Kaneisini VEuless, Texas4 contributionsGreat, new experienceFun, new experience visiting Medano beach! It was busy, filed with tourists, people visiting off their cruise ships and families/locals. Everyone was nice! Lots of room. Lots of vendors coming up to you asking if you’d like to buy their product. The water was beautiful, cool and very swimmable!Visited February 2025Traveled with friendsWritten February 6, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,150 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This is the main beach near Cabo and it is filled with people during the middle of the day. The beach is also filled with vendors selling blankets and trinkets and also vendors selling tours. In fact, we took one of the tours from the beach for $20 per person and it worked out perfectly. This is also one of the stop points for a taxi boat from the Marina. So you can take taxi boats from the beach to either side of the Marina and visa versa. Further down on the beach – not directly where the boats are coming and going, the water is nice and easy to swim in. We visited end of December, near evening, and the water was still warm enough to easily swim. The downside is the crowds. We were told the beach had been much wider but the recent Hurricane had narrowed the beach substantially, resulting in fewer places for people to sit.
Written January 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taneka C
7 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
Depending on what you are looking to do this beach has it all. The water was great but gets deep quick. If you are bringing children definitely have them suited up with floaters/life vest. The beach itself is small. Not a lot of sand between the water and where you sit. As soon as you get on the sand be prepared to be swooped by the locals to buy something. You can’t be mad at it as for some this is how they make their money. Jet ski ($50 for single or $55 for double is an option something we/the group did as well as the boat ride ($20pp). We got on a big boat for ($20). It’s about a 40 minute ride/tour that we did (lovers & divorce beach, the arc, pelicans brief, we also saw seals) -all covered on the boat ride. Looking back we should of rented the yacht for $400. It was a group of us but it would of been well worth the money cuz we could of split. If it’s a group/ I say do the tour that way. Even if it’s not a group $400 for two hours and some lite eats and drinks plus the tour would of made the trip more fun— we were already having fun but it would
of put it over the top! Ok, moving on! one last thing to make your beach experience a better one, make reservations at one of the beach clubs. We did Corazon beach club. You can sit on beds, beach chairs etc you just have to buy food and drinks so it’s really a no brainer to use that service. I mean you will likely eat and drink on the beach so why not buy some drinks and use their amenities! We had complimentary massages on the beach(I tipped well) mine was really good! plus they (security) keep the locals from harnessing you. The key here is to make reservations or get up early and try and see if they have openings for beds, lounge chairs and tables. This was our main go to beach but we also did one in Todos Santos— just beautifully!!!
of put it over the top! Ok, moving on! one last thing to make your beach experience a better one, make reservations at one of the beach clubs. We did Corazon beach club. You can sit on beds, beach chairs etc you just have to buy food and drinks so it’s really a no brainer to use that service. I mean you will likely eat and drink on the beach so why not buy some drinks and use their amenities! We had complimentary massages on the beach(I tipped well) mine was really good! plus they (security) keep the locals from harnessing you. The key here is to make reservations or get up early and try and see if they have openings for beds, lounge chairs and tables. This was our main go to beach but we also did one in Todos Santos— just beautifully!!!
Written November 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eme
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This was my kids favorite beach (ages 7, 9, and 17) the waves can get a little rough towards the afternoon but the kids loved the waves deff keep your eye on the kids at all times! There’s a lot of food and souvenir vendors which can get annoying being asked every 5 minutes. You can rent a chair and umbrella there also and there’s parking for $40 pesos not dollars!
Written July 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelFun_seekerz
96 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Meh... When you go to Cabo you have to check out the famous Medano Beach, home to the beach-front party clubs and all the spring break action!
Just know what you're getting yourself in to. This is not a relaxing oasis. It's the middle of town with lots of action and excitement. There's water taxis coming in and out, and behemoth cruise ships on the horizon, and sail boats and yachts docked off shore. We got there around 9:00 am when it was relatively calm, but within 30 minutes there are touts offering adventures and jet skis and they're trying to get you to rent a chair or an umbrella. Folks are constantly walking by and approaching and offering trinkets and tchotchkes, shirts, jewelry, massages, sunglasses... constantly. I don't begrudge anyone their right to make a buck. It just wasn't the scene for me on vacation.
It is a perfectly fine beach. It is one of the few Cabo beaches where you can safely allow the kids to play. The water was cool, but pleasant. Clear water. Walking around you could see the little puffer fish (uninflated, of course) swimming around your feet.
Seems overpriced. Kids wanted a mango on a stick. $5 American, no negotiation. (I refused as I'm too cheap when I can buy a mango for a buck back here at home) There were some inflatables about 50 yards out to jump around on. $10/kid. My Sister got them down to $30 for 4 kids, but that still seems excessive. Full disclosure: the kids loved it and played out there for 2 hours so maybe there as some value on that one.
We'd taken a water taxi over from the Marina. Planned to spend the day but after a couple hours I was over it. We didn't make it to the Mango Club, Office, etc. 20-25 years ago I might have wanted to spend all my time here. I'm not a total Hater, just wasn't for me for a full day of beach time.
Just know what you're getting yourself in to. This is not a relaxing oasis. It's the middle of town with lots of action and excitement. There's water taxis coming in and out, and behemoth cruise ships on the horizon, and sail boats and yachts docked off shore. We got there around 9:00 am when it was relatively calm, but within 30 minutes there are touts offering adventures and jet skis and they're trying to get you to rent a chair or an umbrella. Folks are constantly walking by and approaching and offering trinkets and tchotchkes, shirts, jewelry, massages, sunglasses... constantly. I don't begrudge anyone their right to make a buck. It just wasn't the scene for me on vacation.
It is a perfectly fine beach. It is one of the few Cabo beaches where you can safely allow the kids to play. The water was cool, but pleasant. Clear water. Walking around you could see the little puffer fish (uninflated, of course) swimming around your feet.
Seems overpriced. Kids wanted a mango on a stick. $5 American, no negotiation. (I refused as I'm too cheap when I can buy a mango for a buck back here at home) There were some inflatables about 50 yards out to jump around on. $10/kid. My Sister got them down to $30 for 4 kids, but that still seems excessive. Full disclosure: the kids loved it and played out there for 2 hours so maybe there as some value on that one.
We'd taken a water taxi over from the Marina. Planned to spend the day but after a couple hours I was over it. We didn't make it to the Mango Club, Office, etc. 20-25 years ago I might have wanted to spend all my time here. I'm not a total Hater, just wasn't for me for a full day of beach time.
Written April 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rwherrick
San Jose, CA43 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Medano beach is the main beach in Cabo San Lucas. It is beautiful, swimmable, and has good people watching. It also has a wide range of available activities, ranging from boat rides to Lover’s beach, jet ski rentals, and parasailing. And lots of bars and restaurants offering “on the beach service”. But for my money, I found the excessive number of vendors spoiled the visit. It’s hard to really relax when every minute or two you’re asked to acknowledge one of the vendors on the beach, and either reject or accept their sales pitch. Most other beaches in the area don’t have this problem, but if you’re staying at a hotel in the center of Medano beach, it might be a long ride for you to go somewhere else. (If you’re interested in the economics of this, our tour guide told us that being a vendor is a relatively high-paid position, making 3-4x the Mexican minimum wage. It attracts those interested in sending money back to their families. So while it’s a dreadful job I wouldn’t want, you at least don’t need to be under the impression that it’s their only way to earn a living. It just pays a lot better than a wide range of other minimum-wage jobs they could be doing.). This is still a must-see if you’re visiting Cabo for the first time, if only to say you’ve seen it.
Written December 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJAClark
Calgary, Canada33 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Modano Beach is large and directly across the bay from the famed Los Cabos Arch and Lovers Beach. Sand is a bit more coarse than the powdered sand variety. Sand is deep and Beach is not so steep from the water so as to be a difficult or long climb. No rip tide concern here. The current is weakest nearest the Marina. The grade of the ocean bottom allows for a reasonable walk into the ocean before getting deep. That said, this is not a wading type Beach.
Numerous water, Beach, food and bar activities available. There are plenty of locals working on this Beach trying to sell silver, t-shirts, bandannas, bowls, hats, puppets, massages, jet skiing, Beach lounge chairs & umbrellas, wind chimes, cigars, pipes, flowers, water taxi rides and whistles. Often, and to me and not my wife, the cigar vendors offer what they term 'party favours' while meaning illegal drugs.
The frequency of the Beach sales offers is at best troubling and at worst a significant aggravation ... is all the time and all day long. The same seller will come back numerous times to you. They stand in front of you and will whistle or shout over you to attract the attention of other Beach goers located behind you. EDM is everywhere nearest the mouth of the Marina. As you've further from the Marina, the volume and tempo of the music drops and mellows.
There is gate monitored public parking available at approx the midpoint of the Beach. Parking fees was $40 MX. Parking is on hard parked dirt/sand.
Plenty of bar and food service available. Bathrooms available by entering one of the beach bars.
The Beach is beautiful, deep, long and very clean. The Swimming area is entirely weed free. The views are special.
The dominant memory I took from 2 days on this beach is not the aforementioned positives, instead the significannt annoyance of inescapable sales offers from locals is what I recall most.
Numerous water, Beach, food and bar activities available. There are plenty of locals working on this Beach trying to sell silver, t-shirts, bandannas, bowls, hats, puppets, massages, jet skiing, Beach lounge chairs & umbrellas, wind chimes, cigars, pipes, flowers, water taxi rides and whistles. Often, and to me and not my wife, the cigar vendors offer what they term 'party favours' while meaning illegal drugs.
The frequency of the Beach sales offers is at best troubling and at worst a significant aggravation ... is all the time and all day long. The same seller will come back numerous times to you. They stand in front of you and will whistle or shout over you to attract the attention of other Beach goers located behind you. EDM is everywhere nearest the mouth of the Marina. As you've further from the Marina, the volume and tempo of the music drops and mellows.
There is gate monitored public parking available at approx the midpoint of the Beach. Parking fees was $40 MX. Parking is on hard parked dirt/sand.
Plenty of bar and food service available. Bathrooms available by entering one of the beach bars.
The Beach is beautiful, deep, long and very clean. The Swimming area is entirely weed free. The views are special.
The dominant memory I took from 2 days on this beach is not the aforementioned positives, instead the significannt annoyance of inescapable sales offers from locals is what I recall most.
Written January 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janna
Arizona626 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
We entered Medano beach at the access near the Corazon hotel. Very busy and popular place to be. We made our way down to just past the Hungry Shark and settled in for the afternoon. Nice but loosely packed sand. Beautifully clear blue and refreshing cool water which was calm enough to be swimmable. I was grateful for the Hungry Shark, they offered beach service and ice-cold beverages. It seems everything is offered on this beach. I took advantage of the beach chair rental and passed on the umbrella rental (but would take that up if I was making a day of it). The downside: *constant* approaches by vendors offering everything from sculptures to clothes to jewelry. Most of which seemed well-made and beautiful, yet I tired of saying 'no, gracias' every 5 minutes. If I had to do it again, I'd head up the beach just past the last resort for a quieter experience, and bring my own beverages and supplies. Or try Pedregal Playa.
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy C
7 contributions
Mar 2023
We visited Medano Beach while some of the family went jet skiing. It was very crowded due to Spring Break and vendors approach from all corners, sometimes very annoying . They do not give up. I understand they are trying to make a living but it is too much.
Always barter with the vendors, they will take much less than the asking price!
Always barter with the vendors, they will take much less than the asking price!
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony B
Buckeye, AZ46 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
The beach itself was beautiful. A little bit of a high-tide, but we weren't swimming so no problems. My wife bought a San Lucas hat and cover-up for a pretty good deal; they were willing to negotiate. We did a glass bottom boat experience that was really cool!! We were on the boat La Bruja with Captain Miguel. He took us to the Arch, Lover's Beach (and Divorce Beach on the other side), Pelican Rock, and we saw some "Mexican Water Chihuahuas" (sea lions).
When we got back, we decided to eat at Mango Deck. It looked bustling, but we didn't know what to expect from the place. The food, pretty great! The atmosphere......kind of an adult experience. Not a place I suggest taking anyone under 18. Beware of them pushing tequila and jello shots in your face, and some "light touching" once you take a shot. It wasn't bad, just unexpected because we noticed other younger children there.
We enjoyed ourselves and would definitely be willing to go back.
FYI, we came from San Jose side and with 4 people we took a taxi that was $80 round-trip. We tried Uber, but they all only fit 3 people and would have been $88 if we split cars...so in this case the taxi was cheaper.
When we got back, we decided to eat at Mango Deck. It looked bustling, but we didn't know what to expect from the place. The food, pretty great! The atmosphere......kind of an adult experience. Not a place I suggest taking anyone under 18. Beware of them pushing tequila and jello shots in your face, and some "light touching" once you take a shot. It wasn't bad, just unexpected because we noticed other younger children there.
We enjoyed ourselves and would definitely be willing to go back.
FYI, we came from San Jose side and with 4 people we took a taxi that was $80 round-trip. We tried Uber, but they all only fit 3 people and would have been $88 if we split cars...so in this case the taxi was cheaper.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ady A
4 contributions
May 2024 • Family
The beach is fine, except that there are 4-legged rats among the rocks, I left my things for a moment and I had some stored snacks and my money and when I went to get them, the animal ran out and bit my food and! My money and clothes!!!! It was disgusting, I had to go to the bank to change it and the rest (clothes) and food with everything and a cloth bag, I had to throw it away, because of anger, never on a beach, not even Acapulco this had happened to me.
I must emphasize that there is a lot of discrimination against us Mexicans, from the street vendors themselves, who only offer their products to foreigners and want to charge the same Mexicans and despots in dollars.
I must emphasize that there is a lot of discrimination against us Mexicans, from the street vendors themselves, who only offer their products to foreigners and want to charge the same Mexicans and despots in dollars.

Written May 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
panda
Colima, Mexico
Hola, iré a inicios de diciembre con 3 amigos más, que precio anda rondando estar en sombrillas y la comida de la zona?
Written October 11, 2024
Are there tennis courts at this hotel?
Written November 21, 2022
Are there tennis courts at this hotel?
Written November 21, 2022
Best way to access Medano Beach for a day if not staying in a resort there?
Written June 8, 2022
Drive or taxi to parking area just off beach and behind Tobasco Beach Bar (southern most beach bar along the row of beach bars). Is by the day pay parking, on the dirt, right off beach and at very reasonable rate.
Written June 15, 2022
Nichole L
Great Falls, Montana
Are there umbrellas available or do you have to bring your own. Or anything available to be covered from the sun
Written April 12, 2022
You might be able to rent them on the beach, but most hotels provide umbrellas and beach towels free of charge. Check with your hotel.
Written April 12, 2022
yes you do need passport to enter Cabo, I know the name of the state is baja "california" sur but it is just like New Mexico (which is actually a part of US)
Written December 28, 2021
Do you have to pay to enter Medano Beach??
Written September 4, 2019
No, this is a public beach in which it is the best spot to go swimming. Depends on which Hotel you are staying you can always take an Uber in which it is also much cheaper than a Taxi or you can just take a walk along the beach as we did.
Written September 4, 2019
Can you fish on Medano beach? Is there any public beach where you can fish from near the marina??
Written August 13, 2019
I haven't seen anybody fishing on Medano beach but there's a bunch of public beaches you can fish on and a bunch of Bluffs or rocks find a guide at the Marina and tell me want to fish off shore. I have a really good local guy down there send me a direct message and I'll send you his phone number
Written August 14, 2019
Strong Family
Abbotsford, Canada
Any hotels that offer NOT inclusive day pass to use pool, restroom, towels, chairs, beach access, pay as you go food and drink.
Written July 30, 2019
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