If the famous beach of Playa Balandra is too crowded (Balandra has a set capacity of 200 people and tourists from neighboring Los Cabos will bus in for day trips), check out nearby Playa El Tecolote a little further down the road.

Just outside of the capital city of La Paz, Playa Tecolote is more of a local’s beach with soft sand, clear waters and plenty of restaurants selling delicious fresh seafood and ice cold cerveza. While Balandra is known for its shallow calm waters which can be great for families with young children, El Tecolote is the best beach outside of La Paz if you like to swim, kayak or just relax.

Be aware that this beach can get crowded on the weekends because of its proximity to the largest city in Baja California Sur. 

Travel off the beaten path to find the beaches of La Ventana, a small village known as the kitesurfing capital of Baja. If you aren’t into kitesurfing you can still enjoy a refreshing swim in the deep blue waters. La Ventana has an amazingly laid back vibe and is one of the best places to relax under a shady tree just listening to the crashing waves.

Cabo Pulmo National Park is home to the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez, which makes it a diving and snorkeling paradise. The motto around Cabo Pulmo is “Bad Roads, Good People” and after driving down miles of bumpy dirt roads you will understand why. But be patient, for you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful untouched beaches in Baja.

If you don’t want to take a guided dive tour, Playa El Arbolito is the perfect place to enjoy this national park. A mix of rocks and white sand make up the shoreline of this beach where you can dive right into the water with your own snorkeling gear and be instantly transported into an underwater wonderland.

A hippie surfer paradise, the low-key beach town of Los Cerritos has one of the best beaches in Baja California. This long stretch of beach outside of Todos Santos has consistently great waves with surf shops and schools ready to get you out on the water. After a day of hitting the waves, take in a stunning sunset at one of the beach bars or seafood restaurants. 

What makes all the beaches of Baja California so beautiful is the stunning desert landscape juxtaposed with the water. A road trip down the peninsula is the adventure of a lifetime and visiting its many beaches a must. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path to discover the best beaches of Baja!