The Best Cabo Photo Ops: A Photographer’s Guide to Your Perfect Shots in Paradise

As professional photographers, we spend most of our time chasing light, natural smiles, and unforgettable backdrops. And let me tell you—Cabo San Lucas is a dream for anyone who values a good photo, whether you're capturing vacation memories, proposing at sunset, or just looking for the perfect social media content.

If you’re searching for the best Cabo photo ops, you won’t find another guide quite like this. Skip the tourist traps and head to these local-approved locations. These places aren’t just pretty—they tell a story. Here's where we recommend you go (camera or phone in hand), and why each one makes the cut:

1.Mt. Solmar Hike

Best for: Dramatic landscapes, wide shots, solo adventure portraits, influencers

If you’re willing to work a little for your photo, the Mt. Solmar hike offers one of the best panoramic views in Cabo. (It’s also consistently rated one of the best things to do in Cabo.) From the top, you can see both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean in one breathtaking vista. Plus, the hike itself is pretty short—about 30 minutes up if you’re in decent shape.

Here’s the catch: It’s on private property, so you have to go with the guide (look up “Enrique the dog trainer” in Facebook groups—yes, really!). He usually leads hikes every day at 8am (except Saturday). The meeting point is at the marina, across from the navy base. More information on Facebook.

📸 Photographer tip: Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone’s ultra-wide setting. The best shots are framed with your subject slightly off-center, to show off the epic background.

2. Solmar Beach (adjacent to Divorce/Lover’s Beach)

Best for: Beachy elopements, dramatic ocean shots, family portraits

best beach for photos in cabo

You can only reach Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach by boat, which makes them feel secluded and special. Lover’s Beach is calm and relaxed. Meanwhile, Divorce Beach has giant waves crashing against rocks and wide, open sands for more dramatic and adventurous vibes—and you can actually walk to a nearly identical beach right next to it. Access Solmar beach on foot near La Roca and Solmar Resort:

A lot of couples book photo sessions here for proposals or maternity shoots. It’s chill, beautiful, convenient and honestly has everything we need for a variety of shots. We never get tired of shooting here.

📸 Photographer tip: Bring water, and be prepared to get a little sandy. The lighting is best mid-morning or just before sunset.

3. The Cabo Marina

Best for: Golden hour reflections, local color, drinks, boats, Pancho the sea lion sightings, last-minute cheap souvenirs, and lifestyle shots.

The Cabo San Lucas Marina is more than a hub for tourists and fishermen—it is begging for your picture to be taken there. ☺️ And y’all—early in the morning or around golden hour, the marina just glows. You’ll see rows of moored boats, pelicans gliding by, and vendors selling affordable souvenirs and margs-to-go.

It’s ideal for candid lifestyle photography, like, “a day in the life of,” or couples walking hand-in-hand by the docks. We often take families here who want authentic vacation shots in classic Cabo.

📸 Photographer tip: Grab a coffee from The Cabo Coffee Company nearby and shoot along the boardwalk for relaxed, editorial-style photos.

4. Tres Sirenas

Best for: Boho-chic portraits, bachelorette parties, drinks with friends, elevated Instagram content.

tres sirenas cabo

If you’re looking for something with a little mermaid sparkle, Tres Sirenas is your place. This boutique bar is a dreamy Mediterranean hideaway, and she is full of twinkling lights, sea-inspired accents, rattan chairs, teal everything… and cocktsails to match.

I recommend coming here at sunset, ordering an artisinal drink, and snapping a few effortless glamour shots along the way.

📸 Photographer tip: Let the colorful lights and decor do what they gon’ do and tip a server a bit extra to take your group photo!

5. Playa el Suspiro

Best for: Sunset shoots, influencers, relaxing, golden hour magic, getting away from the tourist traps

moana themed beach photoshoot

We really shouldn’t tell you about this spot, because it’s one of our best kept secrets. Watching the sunset at the very not-touristy Playa el Suspiro feels like standing on the edge of the world—where the sky melts into the sea and everything else fades away. The warm breeze, the crashing waves, and the endless horizon gives us a sense of freedom we’ve never found anywhere else—like anything is possible. This beach doesn’t just stay with you; it changes you. We loved borrowing this breathtaking backdrop for this Moana-inspired photoshoot! It felt like we stepped into a storybook—wild, radiant, and completely untamed.

best beach for golden hour cabo
Playa el Suspiro

6. Private Boat Rental

Best for: Sunset photos, proposal shoots, friend group candids, total luxury vibes, birthday celebration

Want to feel like you’re in a movie? Rent a private boat. Seriously—it’s not as expensive or scary as you think. Whether you go boujee or budget-friendly, the views you’ll get from the water are unmatched—especially at sunset. You’ll get up-close shots of El Arco, Lovers Beach, and cliffs glowing in that last light of day.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make this happen. Here are three smart ways to find a boat:

  • Search Cabo Facebook groups (like Cabo Expats or Los Cabos Locals)

  • Use the Rent My Boat app

  • Walk directly down to the Cabo marina and chat with local captains for the best real-time deals

📸 Photographer tip: Wear light, flowing clothes and try to schedule your rental to include golden hour (typically 6–7 p.m. depending on the season). And contact us to join you and capture all the fun!

7. Puerta Vieja Boutique Hotel

Best for: Romantic couples' photos, food and drinks with a view, weddings, influencers

Puerta Vieja is a hidden gem. This boutique hotel and restaurant sits on a hill just outside of town and boasts one of the most gorgeous views of Cabo’s coastline. It’s especially magical at sunset, when the sky lights up behind the hills and silhouettes the Arch.

The interior design has a charming, hacienda-style aesthetic—colorful tiles, archways, fountains, and lush greenery everywhere. You can dine, drink, and then slip into the courtyard or up to the rooftop for golden-hour portraits that feel like they belong in a movie.

📸 Photographer tip: Book a table near the edge of the balcony and time it for about 45 minutes before sunset. The lighting and background are unmatched!

8. Your Balcony at Sunrise

Best for: Your travel journal, dreamy vacation content before coffee

Hear me out—some of the best Cabo photo ops are right outside your door. If your resort or Airbnb has a balcony with a view, wake up early and watch the sunrise spill across your room. The soft morning light is unbeatable, and there’s something intimate about catching that golden glow while the world is still quiet.

📸 Photographer tip: Use sheer curtains or stand by the sliding door for diffused light. Capture “getting ready” moments or your first coffee cup of the day for cozy, storytelling images.

Final Thoughts

Cabo is packed with photo-worthy moments—from wild desert hikes to quiet luxury corners and beachy sunsets. Whether you're planning a photoshoot, eloping in paradise, or just want to step up your Instagram game, these best Cabo photo ops offer more than just pretty backgrounds. They give you a piece of the Cabo story to take home with you.

If you’re here and thinking, “I wish someone could just take the pictures for me…”—you’re in luck. We offer golden hour mini sessions for just $100. Let us handle the angles, the light, and the editing—you just show up to one of these best photo spots in Cabo ready to look breathtaking!

👉 Book your shoot at cabofamilyphotos.com
📲 Follow along @cabofamilyphotos on Instagram for more photo inspiration