All Beaches in Los Cabos Are Public
All Beaches in Los Cabos Are Public
All beaches in Los Cabos are public, and that is not a opinion. It is the law. Under the Mexican Constitution, the 20 meters from the high-water mark on every beach in the country form a federal zone that belongs to everyone. No resort, developer, or beach club can change that.
The Longest Coastline in Mexico
Baja California Sur has approximately 3,000 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, the longest of any Mexican state. That is an enormous stretch of sand and sea, and every meter of that federal zone is legally protected public territory.
There Is No Such Thing as a Private Beach
High-end real estate brochures love the phrase “private beach club.” It is marketing, not law. A developer can hold a federal concession to operate chairs, umbrellas, and food service on the sand. Places like Mango Deck and The Office at Médano Beach operate exactly this way. But a concession grants the right to do business, it never transfers ownership of the shoreline. The sand itself stays public.
Enforcement Is Getting Serious
A recent case in La Paz showed exactly where this is heading. At BahÃa Turquesa, someone blocked beach access with fences, logs, and road closed signs. Residents reported it on social media. Municipal authorities responded quickly, tore down the barriers, and restored public access. Council member José Ibarra confirmed an active investigation into those responsible.
All beaches in Los Cabos are public, and the authorities are now matching the public’s energy to keep it that way.
How to Access Any Beach
If a resort or development appears to block your path, walk up to the entrance and state your right clearly. Do not phrase it as a question. Say: “Quiero acceso a la playa pública.” Resorts are legally required to provide access, and fines for blocking it are now significant and actively enforced.
What This Means for Los Cabos Real Estate
Understanding beach access law matters whether you are visiting or buying property here. Owning land near the coast in Los Cabos is a genuine privilege, but the 20-meter federal zone always remains public. The best properties respect that boundary and still deliver extraordinary ocean living.
