The verdict on Monuments Beach
- Who it suitsExperienced surfers, snorkellers and photographers who want the closest wave to town and a dramatic rocky point rather than a soft swimming beach.
- Best spotThe point itself when a summer south swell is running, or a sunset table above the break at Sunset Monalisa for the view without the water.
- One thing to knowThis is a rocky surf beach with no facilities and no lifeguard, so it is for confident water users and not a calm family swim.
Published 5 February 2026. Last reviewed 9 May 2026
Monuments is the most dramatic patch of shore near Cabo San Lucas, and it earns its name. It sits at the east end of the bay below Sunset Point, a rocky headland studded with the pale stone monoliths that give it its title, and it holds the closest surf break to town. To an eye that likes structure and contrast it is a striking scene, dark rock against bright water, spray off the point and the cliffs of The Cape hotel and Sunset Monalisa rising straight above. This is a beach you come to for the shape of the place and the wave, not for a long soft stretch of sand.
For surfers it is the local prize. Monuments is a left point break over rock that comes alive on summer south swells and can carry a wave when everything else in the area has gone flat, and it draws a confident crowd who know how to read it. On a calm day the same rocky reef gives some of the closest snorkelling to town, and even without getting wet it is a fine spot to watch the sets roll in with a coffee. The quiet luxury move here is to skip the sand entirely at day's end and take a table above the break at Sunset Monalisa, the famous cliffside restaurant, where the light over the bay and the arch does the work.
The honest notes are firm. This is not a swimming beach in the easy sense. The shore is rocky in places, the break brings surf and current, and there is no lifeguard anywhere, so calm days aside it suits experienced surfers and strong swimmers rather than families or waders. There are no facilities on the sand at all, no club, kiosk or toilet, so bring water, sun cover and reef shoes and carry it back out. Access is a short walk in from the Misiones del Cabo entrance with parking above, so wear real shoes for the path, and check the swell and the tide before you plan to get in the water.
Come to Monuments for the closest wave to town, a rocky point of real character and a sunset table on the cliffs above. For easy warm swimming and snorkelling go to Chileno Beach or Santa Maria Beach, and for the famous rocks at the arch see Lovers Beach. For the full picture start at the best beaches in Los Cabos, and to plan your timing see when to go to Los Cabos.
Dining above Monuments Beach
There is no beach club on the sand at Monuments, and we will not invent one. The venues here sit on the cliffs above the break rather than on the beach, and we list only what we can confirm and never invent prices or status. Anything we cannot confirm we list as to be confirmed. For loungers and daybeds elsewhere in Los Cabos, use the beach clubs directory.
Photo: Sunset Monalisa via GoogleSunset Monalisa
The famous cliffside restaurant set on the point above the break, known for fine dining and one of the best sunset views in Cabo over the bay and the arch. It is a table above the beach rather than a club on the sand, and it books up for the sunset hour. Reserve well ahead, and confirm the menu and any minimum with the venue.
Monuments Beach, Los Cabos
Monuments Beach is on the east end of Bahia San Lucas below Sunset Point, a few minutes along the corridor from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Reach it by turning off the road at the Misiones del Cabo entrance, parking near the top and walking down the path to the sand. It is a short cab ride from town and has no beach car park of its own.
Because it is an undeveloped surf beach, bring water, sun cover and reef shoes and carry everything back out. The shore is rocky and the break brings surf and current with no lifeguard, so enter only if you are a confident water user and skip the water in any real swell. Check the swell and tide before you plan to get in. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed.
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Book a sunset table or a Los Cabos club
Monuments has no club on the sand, so send your details and we will help arrange a sunset table above the break at Sunset Monalisa, or a daybed at a beach club elsewhere in Los Cabos. We confirm current rates and availability with the venue before you commit. Nothing is charged here.
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Monuments Beach FAQ
Is Monuments Beach good for surfing?
Yes, for experienced surfers. Monuments is the closest surf break to Cabo San Lucas, a left point break over rock that works best on summer south swells and can hold a wave when the rest of the area is flat. It suits confident and expert surfers rather than beginners, and it is a watching beach as much as a riding one when the swell is up.
Can you swim at Monuments Beach?
Sometimes, with care. On a calm day you can swim and snorkel the rocky reef here, but the shore is rocky in places and the break can bring surf and current, so it is not a reliable calm swimming beach. There is no lifeguard, so swim only within your depth and skip the water when there is any real swell. For easy swimming choose Chileno or Santa Maria instead.
How do you get to Monuments Beach?
By a short walk in. Monuments sits on the east end of Cabo San Lucas bay below Sunset Point, and you reach it by turning off the corridor road at the Misiones del Cabo entrance, parking near the top and walking down the path to the sand. It is a short cab ride from downtown Cabo San Lucas, and it has no beach car park of its own.
Are there facilities at Monuments Beach?
Not on the sand. Monuments is an undeveloped surf beach with no club, kiosk or toilet on the beach itself, so bring water, sun cover and reef shoes. The dining is above rather than on the sand, with the well known Sunset Monalisa restaurant and the rooms and bars of The Cape hotel overlooking the break. Bring what you need down with you.
Where is Monuments Beach in Los Cabos?
Monuments Beach is on the east end of Bahia San Lucas, just a few minutes along the corridor from downtown Cabo San Lucas, below Sunset Point and the Misiones del Cabo area. It is named for the rock monoliths at the point, and The Cape hotel and Sunset Monalisa sit on the cliffs directly above it.