Playa Los Algodones
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Playa Los Algodones is the best known beach at San Carlos in Sonora, Mexico, named for white dunes of fine sand that look like cotton. The waves are gentle, so swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding are easy. A snorkeling zone nicknamed El Acuario often draws dolphins and sea lions. Restrooms and restaurants are nearby.
Gentle water, dunes and easy snorkeling make it the town's signature beach, though summer heat is intense.
How we score beachesSnorkel at El Acuario in the morning when the water is calmest. All San Carlos beaches are public by federal law.
Park near the beach access and nearby restaurants. Check current signage for any private lot fees.
The sand is a short walk from parking, soft and flat, with restrooms and restaurants close by.
Summers are very hot, with highs of 35 to 38 C from June through September, and the water warms to the high 20s Celsius. The comfortable beach season runs from early December to early March, and hurricane season can bring peripheral storms.
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