5 Overrated Photo Spots in Los Cabos (And Where to Go Instead)

There’s a reason so many couples choose to get married in Los Cabos. It’s a place of dramatic beauty where the desert meets the sea, and the landscapes are simply breathtaking. Because it's so popular, there are a few "must-have" photos that everyone seems to get. And while these spots are famous for a reason, they’re often crowded, which can make getting an intimate, magical shot nearly impossible.

I always want my couples to have a unique experience that results in photos that are personal to them, not just a copy of a postcard. So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing some of my favorite local secrets. Here are five overrated photo spots in Los Cabos, and where I recommend we go instead to capture something truly special.

1. Overrated: The Crowds on Medano Beach

Medano Beach is the main swimming beach in Cabo San Lucas, and it is the heart of the party. It's vibrant and fun, with restaurants, bars, and vendors lining the sand. While it’s a great place to spend an afternoon, it’s a challenging spot for romantic wedding photos. Trying to capture a quiet moment between the two of you means dodging crowds of tourists, jet skis, and people trying to sell you souvenirs. It’s loud, chaotic, and the opposite of the intimate vibe most couples want for their photos.

Instead, we can head to a secluded stretch of Solmar Beach. Tucked away on the Pacific side near Land's End, this beach is a world apart. It’s not a swimming beach, which is precisely why it’s perfect for us—it’s nearly empty. Here, you’ll find raw, dramatic beauty with powerful waves crashing against incredible rock formations. The feeling is wild, private, and completely epic. The photos we take here will feel like you have the entire wild coast of Baja all to yourselves.

2. Overrated: A Quick Boat Pic of The Arch

Every visitor to Cabo wants a photo of El Arco, the iconic arch at Land's End. The standard way to get this is to hop on a crowded water taxi that rushes you out, circles the arch with a dozen other boats, and rushes you back. The whole experience takes about 60 minutes, the lighting is usually harsh, and the photo feels more like a generic tourist snapshot than a piece of art. It’s a box-ticking exercise that lacks any real romance or magic.

My favorite alternative is to charter a private sunset sail around Land's End. This transforms a frantic photo-op into a luxurious and unforgettable experience. For the hour leading up to sunset, we can sail peacefully around the entire rocky peninsula. With the private tours, you usually have 3-4 hours on the boat, which is plenty of time. You can relax with a drink, enjoy the moment, and I can capture stunning, candid photos of you both. We’ll get beautiful shots with the Arch in the background, all bathed in that perfect golden-hour light, creating images that are both epic and deeply romantic.

3. Overrated: Your Resort's Main Pool

Don't get me wrong, the resorts in Los Cabos have some of the most stunning pools in the world. They are beautifully designed, with infinity edges that seem to melt into the sea. The problem is they are also usually filled with other hotel guests, floaties, and kids splashing around. While we can sometimes find a quiet corner, the photos can end up looking like they were taken at any beautiful resort, anywhere in the world. It doesn't necessarily capture the unique soul of Cabo.

For a backdrop with more character and culture, I love taking my couples to the historic Art District in San José del Cabo. This charming area is filled with colorful colonial buildings, quaint cobblestone streets, and vibrant bougainvillea spilling over rustic doorways. Every corner offers a new texture and a pop of color. It allows us to create images with a rich, cultural feel that is completely unique to this region. It adds an entirely different, more artistic dimension to your wedding album.

4. Overrated: A Dusty Roadside Cactus Shot

Many couples love the desert landscape of Baja and want to incorporate that vibe into their photos. This often leads to the idea of pulling over on the side of the main highway to quickly pose next to a giant cardón cactus. While the intention is good, the execution can be a little underwhelming and even unsafe. It can feel random and lacks the true grandeur of the incredible desert ecosystem that surrounds you. You deserve more than a photo on the shoulder of a busy road.

For my truly adventurous couples, I suggest a real excursion into the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. A short drive out of town transports us to a different world. Here, we can find vast, untouched desert landscapes with breathtaking views and ancient cacti. It is a powerful and awe-inspiring environment. Making the extra effort to get off the beaten path results in magazine-worthy images that truly capture the majestic spirit of the Baja desert.

5. Overrated: The Masses on Lover's Beach

Lover’s Beach is another iconic spot, a beautiful strip of sand nestled between the rocks of Land’s End. The issue is that it's only accessible by boat, and because of its fame, it is almost always packed with people. The dream of having a deserted beach photo is quickly dashed when you arrive and find yourself sharing the small space with dozens of other tourists. It’s a beautiful place, but rarely a private one.

As a fantastic alternative, I love taking couples to the hidden coves of Playa las Viudas (Widow’s Beach). This local secret is located along the tourist corridor and is known for its incredible volcanic rock formations that create dozens of small, private inlets. We can explore the tide pools and find a little cove that feels like it’s completely our own. The scenery is far more dramatic and interesting than a plain stretch of sand, and it gives you the feeling of discovering a secret paradise together.

The Arch Wedding Studio Difference

Los Cabos is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Your wedding photos should be as unique and adventurous as your love story. It’s about finding a photographer who knows how to look beyond the obvious and create an experience that you'll remember forever.

If you’re dreaming of wedding photos that capture the real, wild beauty of Los Cabos, let’s talk. I’m Evan Whitney, and I’d love to help you plan your perfect photo adventure.