Baja California Sur has some of the most amazing beaches in Mexico, and Playa Los Cerritos (Cerritos Beach) is one of the best of them all. I’ve been coming to Cerritos since 2021, and while it’s a lot more developed than it was even a few years ago, it is not yet overcrowded.
Cerritos Beach is a great spot for water sports buffs and also a popular destination for campers and RVers seeking refuge from the cold North American winter. Its pristine crescent-shaped beach has fine, golden sands, and the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean roll onto the beach in a never-ending stream of mellow waves. I love the area so much, I bought a house on nearby San Pedrito beach.
If you’re looking for the perfect day trip from Los Cabos, Los Cerritos Beach could be your ideal destination. It’s perfect for surfing and swimming, has a great choice of places to eat, and is surrounded by the natural beauty of the desert landscape and Sierra de la Laguna mountains.
This part of Baja Sur is still fairly undeveloped compared to the bright lights and busy nightlife of Los Cabos. However, the number of new accommodation options, restaurants, and activities is growing rapidly as Los Cerritos becomes more popular as a tourist destination in its own right.
My local’s guide to Cerritos Beach will help you plan your day trip to this stunning beach. I’ll recommend the best things to do on Playa Los Cerritos and the top places to eat and drink. If you’d like to stay a little longer in this beautiful part of Baja California, I’ve also shared some of the best hotels at Cerritos Beach.
Where is Cerritos Beach?
Playa Santa Lucia de Los Cerritos is a popular surfing spot also known as Playa Los Cerritos or Cerritos Beach. It lies 40 miles north of Cabo San Lucas and a few miles south of Todos Santos on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur.
The name Cerritos Beach refers to the beach itself as well as the surrounding area. It’s technically part of the neighboring town of El Pescadero, but many people now consider Cerritos to be a separate town.
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How to get to Cerritos Beach
Driving your own car or a rental car is the best way to visit Cerritos Beach, as it gives you maximum flexibility. You’ll find several rental car companies at the airport and in Los Cabos, but check out the rules of driving in Mexico to be sure you have the correct documentation with you.
If you’re staying in the resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, you’ll fly into San José del Cabo International Airport (SJD), not to be confused with Los Cabos International Airport, which is located in Cabo San Lucas and is much smaller.
From there, it’s a 15-minute drive along Highway 1 to San José del Cabo or 45 minutes to Cabo San Lucas.
Alternatively, you could fly into another international airport such as Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and transfer internally to La Paz airport (LAP). This is around a 2-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas.
To visit Cerritos Beach from Cabo San Lucas, you’ll drive for around 50 minutes north along Highway 19 until you reach KM 66. If you’re visiting Cerritos Beach from Todos Santos, you simply need to take a 15-minute drive down Highway 19 to KM 66.
Look for a turn-off to your left at the top of a hill at KM 66, and then drive about 1.7 miles down a well-maintained dirt road to the Los Cerritos Beach area. You will know you are getting close when you see the abandoned mustard colored domed hotel perched on the cliff above Cerritos Beach. When in doubt, head toward that landmark.
Guided tour from Los Cabos
If you are staying in Los Cabos and don’t have access to a rental car, this Todos Santos Day Trip shows you the town’s main highlights and also stops at Los Cerritos Beach.
You’ll be accompanied by an expert local guide, and your tour price includes round-trip transportation from Cabo San Lucas and lunch at La Garita restaurant in Todos Santos.
When is the best time to visit Playa Los Cerritos?
If you just want to relax on the beach, Playa Los Cerritos is ideal to visit all year round. However, experienced surfers will find the conditions are better in the winter months.
Between November and March, there are more consistent waves reaching up to 12 feet high. The water temperatures will be lower and you will want a wetsuit. There is plenty for beginner surfers to do year-round, though, so don’t let this stop you. My kids and I have taken lessons as beginners regardless of the time of year with no issues.
The winter months are also the best time for whale watching, as they migrate to Baja California in the winter for their breeding season.
If you visit Los Cerritos Beach in the summer months between June and August, the water temperatures will be warmer, but the waves will also be smaller. This makes it a great time for novice surfers to take to the water.
The best things to do at Cerritos Beach
Whether you want a relaxing day in the sun or something more active, you’ll find plenty of great things to do at Cerritos Beach. It’s also a great addition to a day out with kids in Pescadero.
Relax on the sand
Cerritos Beach has enough modern amenities to make it a great place to spend the whole day. Bathroom facilities are available for a fee, and there’s also a new paid parking lot with an attendant for security. Park in the lot to get access to the bathrooms.
You can simply relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area and, if you feel like stretching your legs, the crescent-shaped beach is perfect for a relaxing stroll.
What I love about Cerritos is that it’s good for surfers but also perfect for families. The beach is quite flat for a very long way out, making it great for little kids and boogie boarders.
If you prefer, you can bring your own food, drinks, and beach gear, but you can also rent chairs and umbrellas on the beach.
Vendors wander along the beach selling fruit, drinks, jewelry, and other gifts, and masseuses walk around offering massages. They’re friendly but not pushy, and if you say “no gracias”, they won’t pester you.
All transactions on the beach will be made in cash, so be sure to bring enough pesos with you.
Go Surfing
Cerritos Beach is a well-known surf spot with waves breaking steadily on the shore, making it suitable for surfers of all skill levels.
You can rent surf boards and boogie boards on the beach, and there are several surf shops and surf schools offering group surf lessons or private instruction. Mario Surf School is highly recommended, and they offer a shuttle service between Todos Santos and Cerritos Beach.
If you prefer body surfing, you’ll be pleased to know the sandy beach is free from rocks, so it’s the perfect place to catch a wave.
Los Cerritos Beach Surfing Lesson
If you’re staying in Los Cabos but don’t have access to a car, this surfing lesson on Los Cerritos Beach includes return transportation from Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. It’s suitable for all surfers aged 6+ and all experience levels .
All necessary equipment is provided, and you’ll receive expert instruction in a private lesson before enjoying an authentic Mexican lunch.
Swim in the Pacific Ocean
If you’re not keen on surfing, Playa Los Cerritos is also the only safe swimming beach in the Todos Santos area.
The waves near the shore here aren’t as strong as on some other Todos Santos and Los Cabos beaches, and you’ll probably find at least part of the beach is calm enough to swim during your visit.
Keep an eye open for strong waves and rip tides, though, as they can take you by surprise. Stay toward the north end of the beach to avoid undertows. The south end is less busy, but also more dangerous for swimmers.
Whale watching and tide pools
When the tide is out, it’s fun to walk down to the end of Cerritos Beach and look for fish and other little creatures in the rock pools there.
You may also spot humpback whales and gray whales from the beach during the winter months. Whales migrate to the Baja California peninsula at this time of year for their breeding season.
Visit a Day Club
The Big Fun Beach Club is a day club overlooking Cerritos Beach with a restaurant and sports bar.
It offers daybeds for relaxing on and a range of activities to suit all ages, including a play structure, volleyball, beach chess, surfing lessons, and televised sport.
Get a massage
Masseuses set up portable massage tables on the sand and offer massages to help you fully relax. Quality and prices vary, and confirm up front the length, type of massage, and the price. Be prepared to tip a bit on top of the stated price. You will need to pay in cash and pesos are preferred, though some vendors may accept US dollars.
Take a trip to Todos Santos and Pescadero
If you’d like to make the most of your day on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, take a short drive north to explore the “Pueblo Magico” town of Todos Santos. This charming town has a historic district filled with cobblestone roads, traditional architecture, cute boutiques, and art galleries.
In between Los Cerritos and Todos Santos, you’ll find the sleepy town of El Pescadero. This former fishing village is quieter than its larger neighbour and offers a glimpse of a more authentic Baja California way of life.
There’s plenty to see and do in the Todos Santos area, so you could plan a 3-day stay in Todos Santos that includes visits to Pescadero and Los Cerritos.
Visit Playa San Pedrito
Playa San Pedrito is another surfing beach near Pescadero. It’s a quiet, undeveloped beach without the vendors, bars, and restaurants of Los Cerritos Beach, which gives it a very laid-back vibe.
However, the waves are much stronger here, and so it’s only suitable if you’re an experienced surfer and strong swimmer.
Visit Cerritos Beach Dog Cafe
For a totally different experience, stop at Cerritos Beach Dog Cafe to enjoy a cup of coffee and play with some adorable rescue dogs.
This not-for-profit organization was established to rescue and care for street dogs in the Cerritos Beach area. They neuter the dogs, take care of their health, and do their best to find new homes for them. As they say, “every cup helps a pup!”
Watch the sunset
The spectacular sunsets at Cerritos Beach are worth waiting for. So, why not enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and watch the sun sinking over the Pacific Ocean?
The Best Restaurants at Cerritos Beach
This area of Baja California has seen a lot of development recently, and you’ll now find plenty of good food at Cerritos Beach.
Barracuda Cantina is the most famous Cerritos Beach restaurant, which you may have seen on the Netflix show “Taco Chronicles”.
This open-air restaurant and beach bar has a relaxed atmosphere and serves fantastic tacos using the local fish and seafood, along with tostadas, burritos, and quesadillas. The bar mixes up great cocktails, and you can enjoy these from your seat at the edge of the sands.
The Cerritos Beach Club Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, accompanied by live music performances on Sundays. It is located at Cerritos Surf Town Hotel toward the southern end of Cerritos. Food is good but a bit pricey and service is slow.
Other popular places to eat at Cerritos Beach include Casa Maya, Tropico 6 Doce, and La Tuna Cerritos, which is a beachfront restaurant/bar with live music in the evenings. Check social media for hours before visiting.
Where to stay at Cerritos Beach
If you’d like to extend your stay at Cerritos Beach, there are now several boutique hotels in the local area that are worth checking out.
Cerritos Surf Town Beach Hotel is a boutique resort just a few steps from the sands. It offers luxury rooms with ocean views and a restaurant serving Baja Californian cuisine.
Cerritos Beach Inn has 6 oceanfront suites and 4 mountain/desert view suites, each with a private balcony or patio. There’s also a pool, a 10-seat hot tub, and a large restaurant.
Cerritos Beach Hotel Desert Moon is perfect for surfers, as it’s the closest hotel to the surf break. The aparthotel’s comfortable rooms are well-equipped with kitchenettes and full-size fridge/freezers, and each has a separate sitting area and dining area.
You’ll find more options for accommodation along the road in Pescadero and a much larger selection of hotels in Todos Santos.
The Wrap Up
The laid-back vibe of Los Cerritos Beach makes it feel like a different world compared to the busy tourist resort of Cabos San Lucas. It’s a perfect day trip for families, surfers, or people who want to relax in beautiful surroundings and enjoy a more authentic taste of Baja California Sur.
This guide has given you all the information you need to plan your perfect day at Los Cerritos Beach. Once you visit, I’m sure you’ll agree that Playa Los Cerritos is possibly the best beach in Baja California!
