For those looking to balance their tranquil Cabo escape with easy access to nightlife, it's hard to beat this resort's location right on Medano Beach -- one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos -- and a five-minute walk from San Lucas' bustling marina. The 109-apartment property is the only beachfront structure in the immediate area, so there are no bars or restaurants crowding this stretch of beach. For the most part, the luxury resort is pure serenity, with a lovely spa, gym, and a bi-level infinity pool with stunning Land's End views. And while the location on Medano Beach is spectacular, a bit of noise from party boats in the bay is inevitable. 

The all-inclusive, adults-only Pueblo Bonitio Pacifica Resort is a tranquil, upscale resort on a gorgeous beach. It feels removed and secluded from the Cabo nightlife, though it's only about a 10-minute drive away. Amenities are plentiful; there are two beautiful pools, tennis courts, five restaurants (including sushi and Italian options), five bars (no well liquor here; they serve Absolut, Bacardi, and Cuervo 1800, along with over 50 brands of liquor), a large gym, and a full-service spa with a meditation labyrinth. All 154 rooms feature understated, contemporary beach decor with dark woods, ocean-view balconies, and free Wi-Fi.

The Casa Dorada Resort & Spa has an excellent location on Medano Beach, offering the best swimming area in Cabo San Lucas. All 185 rooms are airy, sophisticated suites with spacious kitchenettes, large bathrooms with enormous showers and tubs, and balconies with ocean views. One outstanding feature is the big, beautiful pool with plush lounge chairs and poolside service. While other Cabo resorts can feel crowded, this pool maintains a peaceful quality, although some guests complain about music being a touch too loud. Hammocks by a cozy fire pit and free Wi-Fi are also positives. Fitness options include an 18-hole golf course, large fitness center, or morning yoga classes. The Casa Dorada is walking distance to Cabo's best restaurants and shopping, allowing visitors to skip expensive taxis.

The Hacienda del Mar has a beautiful location along a huge stretch of soft beige sand, with plenty of space to set up loungers and umbrellas. As is the case with other resorts in the area, swimming is not possible due to dangerous currents and riptides. That does not take away from the beauty, though; guests can enjoy long walks along the deep blue Sea of Cortez, relax under a palapa with a cocktail, or strike up a game at the volleyball net. A set of steps leads down to the sand from a few different areas -- one by the restaurant and one in the middle of the pool. Very few vendors (if any) find their way here since the resort is tucked away on its own cove. There are a few ruggedly attractive rocky patches, but more than enough soft sand. Be on the lookout for frequent whale sightings from December to April.

Location on Monuments Beach -- one of Cabo San Lucas’ best surf beaches -- the swanky, 161-room Cape has a dramatic cliffside setting. While the beach is beautiful and semi-private (it’s technically public but virtually impossible for non-guests to visit), it’s better suited for surfing than swimming. The water can be choppy and unswimmable, particularly during inclement weather. A short row of chairs overlooks the beach, however, there are few permanent facilities on the sand because of the extreme high-tide line.

Even though this section of sea is often too dangerous for swimming, the sprawling, pristine beach in front of the 250-room Sandos Finisterra is a beauty to behold. A wide stretch of light beige sand separates the shoreline from the pools, and there are plenty of chairs and palapas for everyone to spread out. Guests from Sandos and neighboring resorts may be found fishing, or simply going for a long stroll to the very end for views of the El Arco rock formation (especially beautiful at sunrise). Some stretches of sand within walking distance might have less of a current offshore. Keep an eye out for whale sightings, which occur from December through April, often signaled by the sounding of a bell. 

Many of this time-share property's 460 units have ocean views; all have understated decor, stocked kitchens, satellite TVs, and furnished balconies. The beach is, for the most part, a major highlight of the resort. It is a wide open space with clean white sand leading to the calm blue water (the water gets deep quickly, so it’s not great for toddlers, but rather adults and strong swimmers). The resort's lounge chairs are sectioned off from the public (in particular, vendors) but this does not stop salesmen for trying to get the attention of guests. The beach occasionally disappears during storms and high tides.

This 150-room Villa la Estancia -- the high-end hotel in a cluster of three sister resorts -- is situated along the edge of town on Medano Beach, one of the area’s most beautiful public beaches with lovely views to Land’s End. Villa la Estancia hotels offers a nice reprieve from the crazy, party hotels Cabo is known for -- the grounds are pristine, the pool's swim-up bar isn't teeming with underaged partiers, and the rooms are large. Decor is a bit bland and meals are expensive, but couples and families tend to enjoy the hotel's serene atmosphere, large suites, and location directly on a beach with calm waters (though the beach can quickly get crowded). Not only is Medano Beach one of the area's prettiest beaches, it’s also one of the only area beaches that’s calm enough for swimming. Most others nearby are exposed to the open Pacific Ocean, creating dangerous conditions. A sizable section of sand is cordoned off exclusively for hotel guests with a few dozen lounge chairs and umbrellas. However, the area’s hawkers hardly respect the space.

The Villa del Arco is a well-kept beachfront property featuring 222 spacious studios and suites with kitchenettes and balconies. The hotel has a massive pool (with a pirate ship), a solid spa, 24-hour room service, pristine grounds, and Zen-like vibe. The hotel’s stretch of Medano Beach is beautiful and mostly swimmable, however, the ocean water can get rough, bordering on dangerous.

This 635-suite Pueblo Bonito is an all-inclusive-optional mega-resort with direct access to a gorgeous beach. The beach is unswimmable (rip currents are common), but the hotel offers free shuttle service to Pueblo Bonito Rose, on swimmable Medano Beach. Pueblo Bonito's beach features an event space, a dozen outdoor beds, and a full-time security guard who ensures that guests stay out of the water. The family-friendly Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach has tons of kid-friendly amenities: a kids' club, six gorgeous pools, a playground, tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, and novelties such as flamingos roaming the property. The suites at the hotel are average, featuring simple Mexican-inspired decor and fully equipped kitchenettes. 

This upper-middle-range resort opened in the 1980s and sees a steady stream of regular time-share owners and families. It offers Mexican-style architecture, a location on Medano Beach, and two outdoor pools with pool bars. When not using their in-room kitchenettes, guests can snack on poolside sushi and enjoy nightly themed events at beachfront restaurant with their toes in the sand. The 113 villas have one to four bedrooms and are (purposefully) without phones and TVs. From the resort's beach, there are beautiful direct views of El Arco rock formation, an icon of Cabo San Lucas. Cruise ships often dock nearby and humpback whales might be spotted in the vicinity. This shoreline is open to the public and leads to a swimmable but deep area of water where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean (there are ropes for safety). Club Cascadas' beach is not as crowded as others closer to the marina and town -- both walking distance away -- but beach vendors can be a nuisance. 

Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa is set against the ethereal background of the Pacific Ocean and a massive natural rock formation that hugs the resort. The hotel lobby mirrors this formation with modern stone and dark wood flooring and high, beamed ceilings. The resort features a spa at Land's End Terrace (with beachside massage cabanas) that overlooks the ocean. Each suite is equipped with a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and the bathrooms are simple and sleek with Spanish tiling. Outside, the slender infinity pool with hot tub and swim-up bar commands views of the ocean. This beautiful all-inclusive-optional resort, located near the iconic El Arco, is inviting to all types of travelers, from families to couples