Playa Los Cerritos, Baja: Complete Guide to a Secret Coastal Gem
want to explore some of Baja’s secret magical towns? Look no further than Los Cerritos!
Los Cerritos, or Playa Los Cerritos, is one of those secret spots in Mexico you visit “just for the day” and suddenly find yourself staying all week.
Just south of Todos Santos, this stretch of Pacific Coastline is known for one thing – surfing!
If you’re looking to learn to surf, or are exploring the best of Baja Sur, this guide covers everything you need to know: how to get there, where to stay, surf tips, food, safety, and what not to miss!
Why Visit Los Cerritos?
Normally, I’d come up with a list for all the things a place offers. But in the case of Cerritos, if you’re not interested in surfing, I recommend spending your time in one of Baja’s other beautiful towns (like Cabo Pulmo).
The reason to visit Playa Los Cerritos is to learn, practice, or watch surfing. Think long beach, powdersoft golden sand, and rolling Pacific waves.
Cerritos is special because is also is one of the few beaches on this coast that’s generally safe for swimming. So you’ll see families, locals, and dogs hanging out on the beach. Especially at sunset!
Where Is Los Cerritos?
Playa Los Cerritos sits in the tiny community of El Pescadero, about 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas and 15 minutes south of Todos Santos. It’s one of the most accessible beaches on the Pacific side of Baja Sur.
The road is paved the entire way until the final dirt track that leads to the sand. And it’s kept in good condition! You can easily make it with a small rental car. I have many times!
Photo: Shev
Surfing in Cerritos
Cerritos is truly the ideal place to learn to surf. It’s a sandy-bottom beach break with consistent waves and tons of instructors lining the shore.
The break is perfectly staged, allowing for separation between the learners and the experienced riders. The beach is also huge, so you can always find space without crowding the waves!
Surfing in Los Cerritos is great year-round, but the beach changes a lot! The tide is much lower in the winter, which I found easier to learn compared to the deeper water in summer.
At the far north (right) side of the beach you’ll find rocks that form a small pool area that can be great for swimming, when it gets deep enough.
Winter (November–March) = the most consistent surf and cleanest waves. The tide is very low, making the water shallower.
Summer (June-Aug) = smaller, gentler waves that are great for total beginners. The tide is higher cutting the beach size in half compared to winter!
Shoulder (September/October) – be very aware of the weather in these months. In 2025, there were so many hurricanes and tropical storms that it was almost impossible to surf.
If you’re more experienced, winter swells can bring some surprisingly punchy sets and fun shoulders.
Photo: Shev
Surf Lessons & Rentals
There are some great surf schools in Cerritos! They offer great lessons, as well as board rentals of all kinds. Here are the top few:
Get Stoked
This is where I did my lessons, you can read my full review here.
Get Stoked is Mexican-owned by local Jibran who has been surfing, competing, and teaching for more than 20 years! He has a great team of actual surfers who love what they do and the community of Cerritos.
I also spent a day in November doing lessons with Siempre Mar
Shev’s Tips for Booking
You can walk up for lessons, but during high season (December to March) it’s worth booking ahead to make sure you get in. Most schools accept cash or card, but I always bring a little extra cash because cell service and wifi are temperamental in these small towns.
Photo: Shev
Parking & Beach Access
Parking in Cerritos is easy on weekdays and chaotic on holiday weekends or high season. So far, I have had the best luck parking at the far north end of the beach.
If you are ok with a short walk, you can park pretty much anywhere! There are no curbs or “no parking” signs anywhere (yet).
There is a paid lot right on the beach behind Cerritos Beach Club. It’s a camping lot for RVs or tents, but they also have a day-use rate of just $5! This can be a great option for families as they also have washroom facilities.
I have yet to find a public restroom at Cerritos. But the beach clubs and restaurants have them for clients. It’s common to still pay 10 pesos for bathroom access.
Photo: Shev
Where to Stay Near Cerritos
When choosing accomodations in Cerritos, you’ve got three main vibes to choose from:
1. Beachfront Villas & Boutique Hotels
For the surfer who doesn’t compromise on comfort. All the amenities, walk out your door, touch the sand. This is the most convenient area for surfers and families.
Cerritos Beach Hotel
Photo: Shev
2. Glamping
There are some great “rustic yet comfortable” glamping-type accommodations. They have comfortable rooms, but the bathroom and kitchen will be outside. This is more my style.
Libra Hostal – my favourite place I’ve stayed in Cerritos. Beautifully put together, but also for the vibes! I like the hostal vibes and meeting people.
Villas Scarlet Cardones – I stayed in a gorgeous studio here. Great midway between glamping and and a hotel.
3. Nearby towns
El Pescadero and Todos Santos have a mix of casitas, small boutique stays, cactus gardens, and farm-to-table restaurants. While slightly inland, both towns are still very close to the beach.
This is the best option if not everyone in your group is surfing or wants to be on the beach all day. Todos Santos especially has things to offer non-beachers!
Tips from a Pro – book early! In the winter things book up fast.
Photo: Shev
Where to Eat & Drink
It’s a very small town so the options are limited, but there are some surprisingly good eats in Cerritos!
The beach is lined with beach clubs offering typical beach fare. Seafood, fried food, and tropical drinks of course. The great thing about using a beach club in Cerritos is that it comes with access to umbrellas and lounge chairs, and a bathroom.
In town, you’ll find local watering hole Shaka’s Cantina. This is the biggest restaurant in Cerritos and has a full food and drink menu.
For a more local vibe, check out Don Nacho
Safety Tips: Rips, Wildlife, and Common Sense
Playa los Cerritos is generally very safe. I have been here many times on my own, and love the small-town community vibe. People take care of each other!
Still practice common sense, but I leave my bag unattended on the beach when swimming or surfing. I usually rent a beach chair and umbrella and the staff keep an eye on things. Theft is very rare.
🌊Water Safety:
Cerritos is a pretty mild beach for the Pacific. There are only rocks on the edges of the beach, but not in the main surfing area.
The beach changes drastically throughout the year. There was about 24m more beach in November than in July. So the water is a little deeper in July.
In the summer there can be a strong current running parallel to the beach. This made it challenging when trying to swim past the surf.
There isn’t always a lifeguard on duty. And if there is, the beach is huge and they can’t be everywhere. Don’t take risks!
On windy days the shorebreak gets heavy.
☀️There is no shade, make sure you bring or rent an umbrella. Use reefsafe sunscreen and protection like rashguards.
🐡Water Wildlife:
🐋In the winter, you can see whales from the beach! Keep an eye on the horizon for whales breaching, or even mobulas.
Stingrays are rare but possible. Do the stingray shuffle when entering the water in summer.
🦈Shark encounters here are extremely rare.
Photo: Shev
Practical Tips Before Arriving
Bring cash for bathrooms, rentals, or beach chairs. Some places take card, but it can be inconsistent and always takes longer.
Cell service is inconsistent in the town and on the beach. Closer to the restaurants there is some, but the closer to the water or further down the beach its verys spotty. Most restaurants have Starlink or wifi.
Water: its the Pacific! Its warm in the summer, but you will want a wetsuit in the winter. The weather isn’t very hot in the winter so you don’t warm up quickly.
Watch for uneven sand when driving. It’s easy to get stuck in a soft patch.
Photo: Shev
Things to Do Near Cerritos (Besides Surfing)
If you’re not a surfer, you can still enjoy being on the water in Cerritos, but here are some other things to do!
🖼️Visit Todos Santos.
This is a charming mexican town and has galleries, great restaurants, shopping, street food, and often has a festival or event of some kind. You can take a guided tour here.
🐋Go whale watching!
You can find a local boat, or head to Cabo San Lucas for the day. I recommend this tour in Cabo San Lucas, or this one in La Paz.
🌵Visit the Cactus Sanctuary:
a beautiful, community run exhibit of Baja’s incredible cactus species. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk through. But great for pictures!
Shev’s Summary – Is Cerritos Worth Visitng?
If you are happy surfing and immersing yourself in nature then Playa Los Cerritos is 100% worth the stop on your Baja vacation! There is great waves, safe area to swim, and extra outdoor activities to do on your dry time.
But if you are not interested in the small town stuff, check out my other Baja recommendations to get the most out of your holiday.
Is Cerritos Good for Beginner Surfers?
YES – the surf break at Cerritos is perfectly staged to accommodate newbies and experienced surfers alike. You will see people just learning, and then big competitions hosted during the year!
Can you swim at Cerritos?
YES – there is an area at the north end of the beach you can swim safely.
What is Cerritos Mexico known for?
Playa Cerritos is mostly known for its great surf conditions year-round.
What is the best time of year to visit Cerritos Beach?
You can enjoy surfing in Cerritos year-round, that’s why it’s so popular. But the surf is best in the dry season (November -April). Beware of hurricane season in September and October.
Baja California Sur Travel Planning Guide
🚑Do I need Travel Insurance to visit Baja?
Absolutely, yes, 1000x yes! If there is anything we have learned from the last few years it’s that life is unpredictable and plans can always change.
At just a few dollars per day, it’s worth getting travel insurance just for the peace of mind. I have my travel health insurance through Safety Wing and my travel insurance through Travel Insurance Master.
💦 Can I drink the water in Baja?
No, the water in Mexico from the taps is not genearlly safe to drink. Restaurants and street vendors use purified water distributed in large jugs.
You can get these “garafons” delivered to your accommodations to reduce plastic waste, or I use a LifeStraw to have clean water anywhere you travel!
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in Baja?
Yes! It’s totally safe to rent a car in Baja, and I always do so that I can adventure to all the cool towns! I recommend comparing prices and booking in advance with Discover Cars.
🗣️Do I need to speak Spanish in Baja?
Maybe
You can get by with Google Translate, and many tours are offered in both English and Spanish. In Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo you can find everything in English. In the smaller towns there is less.
Most serving staff and store owners in Baja speak a little English. But learning the basics like how to order or read a menu will really help you out!
I used Pimsleur to learn Spanish and it was extremely effective! I highly recommend the app to anyone who wants to become comfortable navigating Mexico.
📲 Will my phone work in Baja?
Yes, your phone will most likely work, but it will be expensive. It’s best to order a Telcel SIM Card to your home so you are connected and ready to go when you reach Mexico!
I also use JetPack eSim for easily getting data while I’m traveling.
🏨How do I book a place to stay in Baja?
For Baja, and Mexico in general, the best site to book accommodations is Booking.com.
They have access to hotels, vacation rentals, and even short-term apartment rentals there and is usually cheaper than Airbnb.
For travellers on a budget, I like to book hostels through HostelWorld.
🛂Do I need a visa for Baja?
Probably not, most tourists are granted a 180-day tourist visa upon arrival at the airport. This is now done with a stamp in your passport, as of 2023 Mexico is phasing out the paper forms – yay!
