Playa Los Cerritos Surf Spot Guide, Mexico

Playa Los Cerritos stands as one of Baja California Sur's most consistent and accessible surf destinations, located just outside the artistic village of Todos Santos on the Pacific coast. This sandy beach break delivers reliable waves year-round with a welcoming vibe that attracts surfers of every ability level. The combination of consistent swell, warm water, and a relaxed atmosphere makes it a premier choice for anyone exploring Mexico's surf scene.

Geography and Nature

Positioned approximately 65 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas and 45 minutes south of Todos Santos, Playa Los Cerritos stretches along a wide, pristine sandy beach backed by dramatic coastal cliffs. The beach features a notable rocky point at one end with a beautiful colonial-era hotel perched on the clifftop, creating a striking visual landmark. The surrounding landscape remains relatively undeveloped compared to nearby resort areas, preserving the natural beauty of this stretch of Pacific coastline. An outer reef provides natural protection, creating safer conditions for surfers of all levels.

Surf Setup

The main break at Playa Los Cerritos is a sandy beach break that produces both left and right-hand waves, with occasional A-frame peaks that allow multiple surfers to enjoy the same set. The best swell directions come from the northwest and west-northwest, with offshore winds from the east and northeast helping to groom the faces and maintain clean conditions. The break works well at all tidal stages, though high tide tends to produce the most mellow, beginner-friendly waves while mid to low tide can bring slightly more shape and definition to the faces. A typical session sees waist-high to chest-high waves on smaller days, with occasional larger sets reaching up to 2 meters during winter swells, and the sandy bottom means soft landings when you inevitably fall.

Consistency and Best Time

Winter months from November through March deliver the most consistent and largest swells, with waves regularly reaching 1 to 2 meters and occasionally pushing higher during strong swell events. Summer from June through August brings smaller, gentler waves perfect for progression and learning, with water temperatures climbing to their warmest. The shoulder seasons of September, October, April, and May offer moderate conditions, though September and October can bring unpredictable weather from tropical systems. Year-round consistency means you'll find rideable waves on most days regardless of when you visit.

Crowd Levels

Playa Los Cerritos attracts a moderate number of surfers, particularly on weekends and during peak tourist seasons, but the beach stretches wide enough that crowds rarely feel overwhelming. The break naturally separates beginners near the beach from more experienced surfers working the point, allowing different skill levels to coexist comfortably in the same lineup.

Who It's For

This spot welcomes surfers of all abilities. Beginners find ideal conditions on the mellow beach break with its sandy bottom and forgiving wave shape, while intermediate and advanced surfers can challenge themselves on the point break or during larger winter swells. The natural separation between peak zones means everyone finds their appropriate challenge level.

Hazards to Respect

Watch for rocks along the point break area and be mindful of the current that runs alongside the rocky section. The outer reef provides protection but requires awareness of its location. Always wear a leash to prevent your board from drifting away in the current.

Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Summer months from June through October bring water temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius, making boardshorts or a light summer wetsuit sufficient for comfort. Winter from December through March cools to between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius, requiring a steamer or full wetsuit for extended sessions. Spring and fall months sit between these ranges at approximately 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, where a light wetsuit top or spring suit works well.

How to Get There

Los Cabos International Airport sits approximately 65 kilometers south and serves as the primary entry point, with a 90-minute drive north along Highway 1 to reach Playa Los Cerritos. The beach offers free parking right at the sand with good vehicle access via a wide dirt road. From Todos Santos village, the beach lies just 15 kilometers south. Public transportation options are limited, so renting a vehicle provides the most practical access to this location.

Playa Los Cerritos Surf Spot Guide, Mexico

Playa Los Cerritos stands as one of Baja California Sur's most consistent and accessible surf destinations, located just outside the artistic village of Todos Santos on the Pacific coast. This sandy beach break delivers reliable waves year-round with a welcoming vibe that attracts surfers of every ability level. The combination of consistent swell, warm water, and a relaxed atmosphere makes it a premier choice for anyone exploring Mexico's surf scene.

Geography and Nature

Positioned approximately 65 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas and 45 minutes south of Todos Santos, Playa Los Cerritos stretches along a wide, pristine sandy beach backed by dramatic coastal cliffs. The beach features a notable rocky point at one end with a beautiful colonial-era hotel perched on the clifftop, creating a striking visual landmark. The surrounding landscape remains relatively undeveloped compared to nearby resort areas, preserving the natural beauty of this stretch of Pacific coastline. An outer reef provides natural protection, creating safer conditions for surfers of all levels.

Surf Setup

The main break at Playa Los Cerritos is a sandy beach break that produces both left and right-hand waves, with occasional A-frame peaks that allow multiple surfers to enjoy the same set. The best swell directions come from the northwest and west-northwest, with offshore winds from the east and northeast helping to groom the faces and maintain clean conditions. The break works well at all tidal stages, though high tide tends to produce the most mellow, beginner-friendly waves while mid to low tide can bring slightly more shape and definition to the faces. A typical session sees waist-high to chest-high waves on smaller days, with occasional larger sets reaching up to 2 meters during winter swells, and the sandy bottom means soft landings when you inevitably fall.

Consistency and Best Time

Winter months from November through March deliver the most consistent and largest swells, with waves regularly reaching 1 to 2 meters and occasionally pushing higher during strong swell events. Summer from June through August brings smaller, gentler waves perfect for progression and learning, with water temperatures climbing to their warmest. The shoulder seasons of September, October, April, and May offer moderate conditions, though September and October can bring unpredictable weather from tropical systems. Year-round consistency means you'll find rideable waves on most days regardless of when you visit.

Crowd Levels

Playa Los Cerritos attracts a moderate number of surfers, particularly on weekends and during peak tourist seasons, but the beach stretches wide enough that crowds rarely feel overwhelming. The break naturally separates beginners near the beach from more experienced surfers working the point, allowing different skill levels to coexist comfortably in the same lineup.

Who It's For

This spot welcomes surfers of all abilities. Beginners find ideal conditions on the mellow beach break with its sandy bottom and forgiving wave shape, while intermediate and advanced surfers can challenge themselves on the point break or during larger winter swells. The natural separation between peak zones means everyone finds their appropriate challenge level.

Hazards to Respect

Watch for rocks along the point break area and be mindful of the current that runs alongside the rocky section. The outer reef provides protection but requires awareness of its location. Always wear a leash to prevent your board from drifting away in the current.

Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

Summer months from June through October bring water temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius, making boardshorts or a light summer wetsuit sufficient for comfort. Winter from December through March cools to between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius, requiring a steamer or full wetsuit for extended sessions. Spring and fall months sit between these ranges at approximately 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, where a light wetsuit top or spring suit works well.

How to Get There

Los Cabos International Airport sits approximately 65 kilometers south and serves as the primary entry point, with a 90-minute drive north along Highway 1 to reach Playa Los Cerritos. The beach offers free parking right at the sand with good vehicle access via a wide dirt road. From Todos Santos village, the beach lies just 15 kilometers south. Public transportation options are limited, so renting a vehicle provides the most practical access to this location.