Playa Los Frailes gallery 1

    Playa Los Frailes

    Sheltered cove at the south end of Cabo Pulmo park: sea lions, camping, park rules

    Playa Los Frailes
    Sheltered cove at the south end of Cabo Pulmo park: sea lions, camping, park rules

    About

    About Playa Los Frailes

    Playa Los Frailes is the last beach of Cabo Pulmo National Park: a wide crescent of pale sand tucked behind the Cabo Frailes headland, about 9 km south of Cabo Pulmo village and roughly two hours (98 km) from San José del Cabo. The final stretch is a dirt road of about 10 km that turns rough in the September rains, so come in a suitable vehicle with basic tools.

    The hills cut the wind, which is why divers and snorkelers move here when the afternoon breeze picks up in the main bay. Snorkeling happens among the boulders at the foot of the cape, and a small colony of California sea lions lives on the rocks of the point, the site the park map calls La Lobera. This is national park water: no fishing, guided snorkeling only, and swimming allowed only within 20 m of shore on the sandy stretch. The municipality closes the beach with a red flag when a ground swell rolls in, so look for the flag before you go in.

    Los Frailes is one of three camping beaches in the park, with a few palapas for shade and almost nothing else. Pay the park fee (125 pesos per person per day, 8:00 to 18:00), bring water, food and shade, and know that the nearest fuel and ATM are 27 km away in La Ribera. Sea turtles nest here from June to February, which brings extra restrictions on the sand, and humpback whales pass in winter.

    Sources: Visit Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo guide · CONANP management programme · CONANP, fees and hours · Los Cabos municipality · Ramsar information sheet · Moon Travel Guides · Swim Guide (ACCP) · Visit Los Cabos

    Best forDiving, Photography, Relaxing, Snorkeling, Swimming, Walking
    Crowd levelQuiet; busier when wind sends divers over from Cabo Pulmo, and at Semana Santa
    Best time to visitMorning, before the afternoon wind; summer and autumn for the clearest water
    AccessDirt-road beach at the southern end of Cabo Pulmo National Park

    Highlights

    Highlights

    Sheltered coveHills block the wind, so the water here stays calmer and clearer when the main bay at Cabo Pulmo gets choppy.
    The sea lion pointA small colony of California sea lions lives on the rocks of the cape; the park map calls the site La Lobera.
    Camp on the sandOne of three camping beaches in the park, with tent quotas by sector and fires only in designated spots.

    FAQs

    Yes, within the park rules: swimming is allowed up to 20 m from shore on the sandy area, and the cove is usually calm because the hills block the wind. The municipality raises a red flag during ground-swell events, so check it before entering.

    Yes. Cabo Pulmo National Park requires an accredited guide and a life jacket, with no more than eight people per guide and 30 minutes per site, between 6:00 and 18:59.

    Yes. It is one of the park's three camping beaches, with tent quotas of 23, 15 and 23 for the north, centre and south sectors. Camp only in the designated zones and light fires only where the park allows.

    Drive to Cabo Pulmo (about 98 km and two hours from San José del Cabo) and continue about 9 km south on the dirt road. The road is rough in the September rains, so use a suitable vehicle and carry basic tools.

    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
    1.6 m max 13 sec max period · peak waves from SSE
    Modeled wind today
    9 km/h max gusts up to 20 km/h · strongest wind from E

    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 7 minutes ago

    Location

    Location

    Playa Los Frailes, Cabo Pulmo National Park, East Cape

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended DurationHalf a day to overnight
    Best Time to VisitMorning, before the afternoon wind; summer and autumn for the clearest water

    Quick Tips

    Quick Tips

    Bring water, food, shade and cash: there is no ATM, no fuel and weak signal.
    Go in the morning, before the afternoon wind picks up.
    Skip the sunscreen and cover up; the park allows biodegradable sunscreen at most.
    In the rainy season use a suitable vehicle: the dirt road gets dangerous in September.

    Amenities

    Amenities

    A few palapasSome shade on the sand and very little else; bring everything you need for the day.
    Park wristband125 pesos per person per day, hours 8:00 to 18:00; residents and children under six are exempt.
    Supplies far awayNearest fuel, ATM and health centre are 27 km away in La Ribera; small stores in Cabo Pulmo village.
    Weak signalPhone coverage drops around Cabo Pulmo and the internet is slow; download maps before you leave.

    Things To Do

    Things To Do

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

    Snorkel at the pointWith an accredited guide and a life jacket: eight people per guide, 30 minutes per site, 6:00 to 18:59.
    DiveThe park reserves the Los Frailes reef unit for divers certified at three stars or more; book with an accredited operator.
    CampDesignated zones only, with a quota of 23, 15 and 23 tents for the north, centre and south sectors.
    Walk the beachA long, wide strand that is perfect for walking, with the headland at the north end.
    Watch for whalesHumpback whales breed in the area in winter, and mothers with calves are seen from the coast.

    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
    1.6 m max 13 sec max period · peak waves from SSE
    Modeled wind today
    9 km/h max gusts up to 20 km/h · strongest wind from E

    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 7 minutes ago

    Safety & Conditions

    Safety & Conditions

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

    Red flag on ground swellThe municipality has closed Los Frailes with a red flag during mar de fondo events; check the flag before entering.
    Deep water close inThe cove drops off quickly; park rules keep swimmers within 20 m of shore on the sandy stretch.
    Turtle nesting June to FebruaryNo swimming in nesting zones between 7 pm and 7 am, and extra restrictions on the sand.
    Sun and mosquitoesThe park asks for long sleeves and a hat instead of sunscreen; mosquitoes are abundant in the rainy season.

    Location

    Location

    Playa Los Frailes, Cabo Pulmo National Park, East Cape

    Get DirectionsOpen Map

    Plan Your Visit

    Plan Your Visit

    Recommended DurationHalf a day to overnight
    Best Time to VisitMorning, before the afternoon wind; summer and autumn for the clearest water

    Nearby You'll Love

    Nearby You'll Love

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, within the park rules: swimming is allowed up to 20 m from shore on the sandy area, and the cove is usually calm because the hills block the wind. The municipality raises a red flag during ground-swell events, so check it before entering.