El Tesoro Beach gallery 2

    El Tesoro Beach

    A small cove of shallow, calm water at km 13.6, one kilometre before Pichilingue port

    El Tesoro Beach
    A small cove of shallow, calm water at km 13.6, one kilometre before Pichilingue port

    About

    About El Tesoro Beach

    Playa El Tesoro is a small cove at km 13.6 of the La Paz to El Tecolote road, one kilometre before the Pichilingue ferry port, close enough to the city to catch the sunset without going far. It is known for shallow water with little wave action, which is why families with small children come: an easy place to wade and paddle. Restaurants serve local dishes, palapas can be rented for shade, there are restrooms, parking and mobile signal, and the beach opens from 8:00 to 20:00 with free access. The Playa Bus from the malecón stops here (55 pesos in 2025).

    Kayaks and paddleboards are the thing to rent, and the calm, clear water makes for easy snorkeling close to shore. The name has a date: a treasure was found here while a road was being built in 1965. The legend behind it is older. The Dutch pirates called Pichilingues, based on the island opposite today's ferry terminal, are said to have buried chests of pearls in the white sand of a small cove when they heard Francis Drake was near, and an earthquake and a cyclone hid the spot. Pichilingue itself takes its name from Vlissingen, the Dutch port those pirates sailed from.

    Water monitoring found bacteria here and at El Tecolote in June 2024 and the local paper advised against swimming for a time, so look for current notices in summer. Dogs are allowed on a leash; use biodegradable sunscreen, take your trash out and leave shells and sand on the beach.

    Sources: La Paz tourism office · POSTA BCS, the legend · POSTA BCS, Playa Bus · El Sudcaliforniano (2024) · Go La Paz, beaches · La Paz tourism office, Pichilingue · Names, journal of onomastics (1992) · Go La Paz, ferries

    Best forFamilies, Relaxing, Snorkeling, Sunsets, Swimming
    Crowd levelLittle known; families and locals
    Best time to visitLate afternoon for the sunset; mornings for the calmest water
    AccessPublic cove with restaurants, paved-road access, open 8:00 to 20:00

    Highlights

    Highlights

    Shallow and calmLittle wave action and water children can stand in; the reason families come.
    The treasure of 1965Named for a treasure found while a road was being built, with a pirate legend behind it.
    Palapas and local dishesRestaurants on the sand and palapas for rent, with restrooms and parking behind.
    Sunsets close to the cityNear enough to La Paz to catch the evening colours and drive back for dinner.

    FAQs

    On the road from La Paz to El Tecolote, at km 13.6, one kilometre before the Pichilingue ferry port; about 20 minutes from the city by car, or on the Playa Bus from the malecón for 55 pesos (2025).

    Yes. The municipality describes it as a small beach of shallow water with little wave action, ideal for families with small children, with palapas, restaurants, restrooms and parking.

    For a treasure found here while a road was being built in 1965. The older legend says Dutch pirates buried chests of pearls in the sand of a cove when Francis Drake approached, and an earthquake and a cyclone hid the spot.

    The municipality lists free access from 8:00 to 20:00.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Depends on the day

    Sometimes swimmable, sometimes not — it depends on the surf that day. Check the flag posted on the sand, and stay out of the water where no flag is posted.

    Modeled waves today
    0.2 m max 5 sec max period · peak waves from W
    Modeled wind today
    23 km/h max gusts up to 28 km/h · strongest wind from WSW

    This rating is our editorial classification of the beach itself, not a reading of today’s water. The numbers above are modeled estimates. For today, the authority is the flag flown on the sand by ZOFEMAT Los Cabos: red means stay out, yellow means extreme caution, black means the beach is closed.

    Open-Meteo public model data · Checked

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory. Always follow posted flags and lifeguard instructions.

    Data sources

    The approved editorial profile allows a model verdict; a conditional profile can never display green.

    Open-Meteo Marine: modeled wave height, period, and direction.

    Open-Meteo Weather: modeled 10 m wind and gusts.

    Jellyfish Watch

    Marine Life Watch

    Jellyfish Watch

    Elevated activity

    Recent nearby sightings suggest extra caution before entering the water.

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory.

    Data sources

    Sources: iNaturalist public observations and Open-Meteo Marine - refreshed 1 second ago

    Location

    Location

    Playa El Tesoro, km 13.6 carretera La Paz–El Tecolote, La Paz, Baja California Sur

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration2-4 hours
    Best Time to VisitLate afternoon for the sunset; mornings for the calmest water

    Quick Tips

    Quick Tips

    Best for small children: shallow, calm and close to town.
    Rent a palapa early; it is a small beach.
    Combine it with Pichilingue, one kilometre on, for chocolate clams.

    Amenities

    Amenities

    RestaurantsLocal dishes served on the beach.
    Palapas for rentShade by the hour or the day.
    Restrooms and parkingBoth listed by the municipality; access is free.
    Mobile signalCoverage here, unlike the far end of the road.

    Things To Do

    Things To Do

    Simple beach-day activities that fit the setting and conditions.

    Wade with the kidsShallow, calm water over fine sand.
    Kayak or paddleboardRentals on the beach for a paddle along the coast.
    Snorkel close to shoreCalm, clear water for an easy look at the marine life.
    Stay for sunsetThe cove faces the evening light.

    Beach Conditions

    Beach Safety

    Swimming at this beach

    Depends on the day

    Sometimes swimmable, sometimes not — it depends on the surf that day. Check the flag posted on the sand, and stay out of the water where no flag is posted.

    Modeled waves today
    0.2 m max 5 sec max period · peak waves from W
    Modeled wind today
    23 km/h max gusts up to 28 km/h · strongest wind from WSW

    This rating is our editorial classification of the beach itself, not a reading of today’s water. The numbers above are modeled estimates. For today, the authority is the flag flown on the sand by ZOFEMAT Los Cabos: red means stay out, yellow means extreme caution, black means the beach is closed.

    Open-Meteo public model data · Checked

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory. Always follow posted flags and lifeguard instructions.

    Data sources

    The approved editorial profile allows a model verdict; a conditional profile can never display green.

    Open-Meteo Marine: modeled wave height, period, and direction.

    Open-Meteo Weather: modeled 10 m wind and gusts.

    Jellyfish Watch

    Marine Life Watch

    Jellyfish Watch

    Elevated activity

    Recent nearby sightings suggest extra caution before entering the water.

    Estimated from public data, not an official safety advisory.

    Data sources

    Sources: iNaturalist public observations and Open-Meteo Marine - refreshed 1 second ago

    Safety & Conditions

    Safety & Conditions

    Quick read before you go. Conditions can change by day, so check local flags before entering the water.

    Check water advisoriesBacteria were detected in monitoring in June 2024 and swimming was advised against for a time.
    Set hoursThe beach opens 8:00 to 20:00.
    Beach rulesDogs on a leash, biodegradable sunscreen, no shells, stones or sand taken, trash goes with you.

    Location

    Location

    Playa El Tesoro, km 13.6 carretera La Paz–El Tecolote, La Paz, Baja California Sur

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended Duration2-4 hours
    Best Time to VisitLate afternoon for the sunset; mornings for the calmest water

    Nearby You'll Love

    Nearby You'll Love

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    On the road from La Paz to El Tecolote, at km 13.6, one kilometre before the Pichilingue ferry port; about 20 minutes from the city by car, or on the Playa Bus from the malecón for 55 pesos (2025).