Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful, picturesque coastal resort town on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula in Mexico. It is one of the most visited resort towns in Mexico and a popular tourist destination that is the perfect blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and thrilling adventures. From its breathtaking beaches to its lively nightlife and everything in between, Cabo offers an array of unique experiences for you to enjoy. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a taste of local flavor, you will find that Cabo San Lucas is the perfect vacation destination. Keep reading to discover some of the many unique things to do in Cabo San Lucas:
Where is Cabo San Lucas Located?
Cabo San Lucas is located in the state of Baja California Sur in the Baja peninsula in Mexico. Two main towns make up the area that most people refer to as Cabo: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. However, these are two different towns. A few reasons tourists tend to view these towns as one large area is because both towns are next to each other, have similar-sounding names, and are connected by the tourist corridor of Highway 1. The tourist corridor is home to luxury resorts and affordable hotels and is where many tourists stay during their holiday in Cabo.
Amazing Things to Do and See in Cabo San Lucas
There are many activities to choose from in Cabo. You can fill your vacation itinerary with many adventures or decide to spend your days enjoying the warm sun and a few of the swimmable beaches in Baja. These are a few of the many amazing things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
Stroll Through the Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena
The Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena is dedicated to Amelia Wilkes, an educator who worked to improve the lives of the local people. The plaza is nicely landscaped, has beautiful gardens, and is a great place to enjoy a morning or afternoon walk. You can explore other sculptures and statues that are located in the plaza. You can also look for and photograph the popular KM0 sign. The plaza is centrally located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas and is surrounded by many shops and places to eat.
Visit The Museum of Natural History of Cabo San Lucas
The Museum of Natural History of Cabo San Lucas is located in the Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena. If you are enjoying a stroll at the plaza, you can also visit the museum and learn about the history of this incredible town.
Photograph the Kilometer 0 Sign at Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena
The Kilometer 0 sign (KM0) documents the original Kilometer 0 of the Transpeninsular Highway. The KM 0 sign is a large red sign located in the Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena. The red KM0 sign is located at the entrance of Plaza Amelia Wiles Cesena on Calle Miguel Hidalgo (Miguel Hidalgo Street).
Visit Land’s End
Land’s End is the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula. There are a few points of interest in Land’s End, the famous Arch, Lover’s Beach, and Divorce Beach. The best way to explore Land’s End is by boat tour. You can also kayak and paddleboard to Land’s End. Before venturing out on a kayak or a paddleboard, you should note the sea’s condition and make sure the ocean is calm. This area has a lot of boat traffic. You should go early in the morning when the ocean is calmer, and there is less boat traffic.
Divorce Beach is located in Land’s End on the opposite side of Lover’s Beach. You can reach Divorced Beach from Lover’s Beach by walking across the sand towards the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula. While you can easily get there, you should not swim at Divorce Beach. This beach is unsafe for swimming due to the strong waves and undercurrents.
Visit the Famous Arch in Cabo San Lucas.
One of the most recognizable and most photographed places in Cabo San Lucas is Cabo’s iconic Arch (El Arco). The arch is only accessible by boat. You can visit the iconic arch by hopping on a boat tour of the area or by taking a water taxi. One of the best ways to see the arch is by taking a kayak tour to the arch. This is a great way to get in a workout and get up close to the arch.
Visit the Cabo San Lucas Marina
The Marina in Cabo San Lucas is a vibrant area with lots to see. There are various places to shop, and many restaurants to eat at. Many ocean tours have their slips in the marina. If you are signed up for an excursion, you will more than likely start your day here. You can easily explore the area after your tour.
If you are looking for a place to eat, the popular Senor Frogs is located in the Marina. Senor Frogs is a great place to try a local Margarita and grab a bite to eat. You might also see a person or two walking around with an iguana. You can take a photograph with the iguana as a souvenir of your visit to the Cabo marina. Just note that it is customary to tip the iguana owner if you take a picture with their pet.
Go Shopping
Shopping in Cabo can be lots of fun. Whether you are looking for souvenirs or something special for yourself, you will find it in Cabo. There are a couple shopping areas near the marina that you should check out. Luxury Avenue is a high end shopping center located in the marina district. Here you will find many high-end name brand stores offering a variety of items for sale. Next to Luxury Avenue is Puerto Paraiso, another shopping area with many stores. Here you will find stores such as Forever 21, Sunglass Hut, Sketchers, a movie theatre, and many restaurants as well.
If you want to shop for souvenirs or artisan souvenirs, you will find many stores and vendors with many items available for sale throughout Cabo.
Visit the Glass Blowing Factory
The glass blowing factory is a great place to purchase a few locally made souvenirs. At the factory, you can watch a demonstration on the making of a glass artwork. After the demonstration, you can visit the store. The interior of the glass factory is very picturesque and designed with colorful windows and pieces of glass-based artwork. This is also a great opportunity to shop for handmade glass items. The prices at the Glass Factory are generally less than you will find in tourist areas such as the marina. The Glass Blowing Factory is located at Calle General Juan Álvarez between Capitán Manuel Pineda and 7th Avenida.
Ride a Camel in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo is the perfect place to see camels. Cabo is not only a coastal area, it is also a desert. There are a few eco farms throughout the Cabo area that have camels that you can ride. You can ride a camel in the desert part of Cabo or along the beach. Some camel tour operators also include a taco lunch as part of the excursion.
Ride an ATV in Cabo San Lucas
There is nothing more exhilarating than riding an ATV in Cabo San Lucas. You can ride an ATV in the sand dunes in the desert or along the beach, or you can do both. Several tour companies offer ATV tours in Cabo. There are a wide variety of tours to choose from. Some tours package several experiences together, such as taco lunches and Tequila tasting.
Go Horseback Riding on the Beach in Cabo San Lucas
Horseback riding along the Cabo coast is a great way to spend a morning or an afternoon. Horseback riding is a great way to get away from the crowds in Cabo. You can go on a leisurely horseback ride along the beach with an ecotourism ranch. It is better to be selective with the company that will provide your horseback riding adventure to ensure that the horses are properly cared for.
Go Zip Lining in Cabo San Lucas
There is nothing more exhilarating than a zip lining adventure. Cabo is the perfect place to go zip lining or to try it for the first time. A few tour companies offer this exhilarating excursion, such as Costa Azul Ziplines, Cabo Adventures, and Wild Canyon.
Try Other Adventures at Wild Canyon
If riding a camel, an ATV, going zip lining, or horseback riding sounds like an adventure you would like to try, you should consider visiting Wild Canyon. Wild Canyon is an all-encompassing park that offers many exhilarating adventures, including the ones I previously mentioned. They offer adventures from water park to bungee jumping. To simplify things, they have all-day and ultimate passes that give you access to several activities throughout the day.
Sail on a Pirate Ship in Cabo San Lucas
You can sail on a pirate ship with Buccaneer Los Cabos. Sailing on a pirate ship is a fun and unique thing to do in Cabo San Lucas. Buccaneer Los Cabos has two pirate ships available for their sailing tours. Buccaneer has several sailing tours to choose from, including whale-watching tours, snorkel tours, sunset tours, and night sailing parties. Most tours include a pirate show and either breakfast, lunch, dinner, or appetizers, depending on the time of sailing. Buccaneer is located near the Breathless Cabo Resort at the marina.
Enjoy a Romantic Evening on a Sunset Cruise
Sunsets in Cabo San Lucas are spectacular. A sunset cruise is the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful sunset on your vacation in Cabo. There are several tour operators that offer sunset cruises in Cabo. You will find tours that offer drinks during your sailing cruise and others that include dinner. A sunset cruise can be the perfect date night and a romantic thing to do in Cabo San Lucas.
Have Dinner at the Sunset Monalisa Restaurant
If you are looking for a land-based romantic thing to do in Cabo San Lucas, you should have dinner at the Sunset Monalisa restaurant. The Sunset Monalisa restaurant overlooks Cabo San Lucas Bay and it is one of the best things to do for couples in Cabo San Lucas. Having dinner here is a great romantic getaway. The ambiance is perfect, especially if you have an outdoor table. The ocean and coastal views from the Sunset Monalisa are spectacular, and the food is just as delicious. The Sunset Monalisa restaurant is located on the Transpeninsular Highway at Km 5.5.
Enjoy the Night Life in Cabo San Lucas
You can enjoy the many activities available in Cabo during the day, but when night falls, you will see that Cabo really comes alive at night. There are many night clubs and bars to choose from where you can have a great time. One of the most popular places is El Squid Roe. El Squid Roe is a three story nightclub and restaurant located in the heart of Cabo with a lighted dance floor that is just waiting for you to dance and enjoy the night away.
If a nightclub is not your speed, there are many other places where you can enjoy the nightlife, even if it is at a slower place. Many restaurants are open late and offer great food and drinks where you and your friends can enjoy a great night out in Cabo.
Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas
The best time to see whales in Cabo San Lucas is from December through March. Cabo San Lucas is a great place to go whale watching as several species of whales such as Humpback whales, migrate to the warmer waters of the Cabo peninsula. The whales also tend to be active in this area. You might even be able to capture the perfect photo of a whale breaching out of the ocean. Whale watching is a popular excursion in Cabo during this time of the year. You will find that there are several tour companies to choose from when planning your whale-watching tour.
Go Ocean Fishing
Cabo is a great place to go fishing. You can charter a fishing boat and try your luck at catching the perfect fish. Many boat owners prefer to charter to private individuals, which makes for a perfect customized fishing excursion. After your fishing excursion, your fresh catch can be cooked to order for you and your family at one of the local restaurants in the marina. Or if you prefer, you can cook your fish yourself if you have a kitchen in your accommodations.
Go Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
Cabo is a great place for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are vendors available at several of the swimmable beaches that offer kayaks and SUP for rent. There are also guided kayak tours available as well. A great place to kayak and SUP is along Land’s End. There are many sites and small beaches to visit along Land’s End. If you decide to rent equipment, make sure you are aware of ocean conditions as the water can get choppy.
Go on a Glass Bottom or Crystal Clear Boat Tour
One of the best ways to see the marine life in Cabo is by cruising on a glass bottom boat or a crystal clear boat. A glass bottom boat is great because you get a fantastic view of the fish below you. A crystal clear boat really enhances and takes your view to the next level. Most glass bottom boats have a glass (or plastic) pane down the center of the boat. This limits your view to the size of the panel. With a crystal clear boat there is no limit as the whole boat is see through. Which ever boat you decide to take, you will definitely have a wonderful time viewing the sea life underneath the boat.
Go Snorkeling
Cabo is a great spot for snorkeling. There are tours available that will take you to great snorkeling spots such as Pelican Rock and Playa Santa Maria. Pelican Rock is near Land’s end and has lots of marine life. The fish in this area are large and quite numerous. Playa Santa Maria is a great place for snorkeling. Many tour companies offer more than one tour a day and include lunch or a snack during your snorkel tour. There are several snorkeling tour companies to choose from, and some offer several tours throughout the day.
Go Golfing in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is a golfer’s paradise with several world-class golf courses. The golf courses cater to all levels of golfers, and many have spectacular ocean views. You can choose to find accommodations that have a golf course or purchase a day pass from a golf course or two during your stay in Cabo.
Go on a Cabo Taco Tour
If you love tacos, Cabo is the perfect place to enjoy your favorite Mexican dish. You can visit one of many restaurants in the area to try Cabo’s delicious tacos. There are many restaurants to choose from. You can also go on a Taco Tasting excursion. There are a variety of excursions to choose from, a few include tequila tasting as part of the experience. One thing is certain, you will be able to enjoy some very delicious tacos in Cabo San Lucas.
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Enjoy Wonderful Mexican Cuisine
Cabo San Lucas is the perfect place to try Mexican cuisine. Mexican cuisine is so much more than tacos. In Cabo San Lucas you can try delicious seafood, as well as many traditional Mexican dishes. Trying new dishes will make your visit more enjoyable especially if you pair your dinner with a delicious tasting Margarita.
Enjoy Tequila Tasting
Tequila and Mexico go hand in hand. If you would like to try some of the best tequila around, Mexico is the best place to try Tequila, as Mexico is where Tequila was developed. You can taste Tequila at Santos Destilados in Cabo San Lucas. Santos Destilados offers private tequila tastings as well as public tequila tasting. The private tasting includes six different types of tequila and three different types of Mezcal. Tastings are paired with a variety of foods to enhance the flavor. You can schedule a private tasting by contacting Santos Destilados and scheduling a time for your tasting. Public tastings are held at their location in Cabo every 30 minutes.
Santos Destilados is located on Calle Mariano Matamoros off of Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas.
Go on a Hike to Sol de Mayo Waterfall
Sol de Mayo Waterfall is located at the base of the Sierra de Laguna Mountain range. The waterfall is located past the town of Santiago off Highway 1. The Sierra de Laguna Mountain range is a 90-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas. After reaching Santiago, you will see signs for the waterfall which you can follow. The road will become a dead end at Ranchero La Zorra. The hike to Sol de Mayo Waterfall from the ranchero is a moderate half-mile hike. Follow the trail until you reach the Sol de Mayo Waterfall. As you get closer to the falls, the trail becomes rocky. Once you reach the waterfall, you can take a dip in the pool to cool off after your hike.
Visit the Town of San Jose del Cabo
San Jose del Cabo is about a 30-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas. You can reach San Jose del Cabo via the Transpeninsular Highway. San Jose del Cabo is the more quiet neighbor to Cabo San Lucas and is worth making the drive to visit the town.
Visit the Town Square in San Jose del Cabo
The town square in San Jose del Cabo is a vibrant area. There are several stores and places to eat in and around the town square. Many events are also held here, such as open-air markets. The town square is a central location near the Mision de San Jose del Cabo Anuiti and the Plaza Artesanos.
Visit the Mision de San Jose del Cabo Anuiti
The Mision de San Jose del Cabo Anuiti is a Catholic church near the town square in San Jose del Cabo. The original mission was the southernmost mission of Old California. The original church was built in 1730 and completely destroyed in 1822. The church that stands in this location was built in 1940.
Go Shopping at the Plaza Artesanos in San Jose del Cabo
The Plaza Artesanos is the perfect stop if you are looking for artisan souvenirs. The Plaza Artesanos is near the town square in San Jose del Cabo. You will find a wide variety of items such as tequila, silver, jewelry, hand-made artisan products, and clothes. Take a stroll in the Plaza Artesanos to look at the many items available for purchase. Chances are, you will find the perfect souvenir to take home.
Take a Day Trip from Cabo San Lucas
There are a couple of towns close to Cabo San Lucas worth exploring. Adding Todos Santos and La Paz to your Cabo itinerary is relatively easy, as both towns are a short drive from the Cabo area. Exploring either town makes for a great day trip from Cabo and a wonderful way to explore a different town on the Baja Peninsula.
Visit Todos Santos, One of the Best Day Trips From Cabo San Lucas
Todos Santos is a quaint town about an hour’s drive from Cabo San Lucas. The town is close to Cabo and a great place for a day trip. Todos Santos has colorful buildings and a much slower vibe than Cabo San Lucas. If you are looking for a break from the busier town of Cabo, Todos Santos is the place to be. It is also the perfect town to immerse yourself in Mexican culture. In Todos Santos, you will find the popular Hotel California. While the hotel has the name of the famous Eagle song, the hotel is unrelated to the song. Because of its name, it has become a popular stop for visitors to Todos Santos.
Visit La Paz – Another Awesome Day Trip From Cabo San Lucas
La Paz is a great town about a two-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas. There are many incredible things to do in La Paz. While it does take two hours to get to La Paz, I have to say that spending a day or more in La Paz is worth it. There are many water activities available in La Paz. A popular activity is swimming with Whale Sharks during Whale Shark season, which runs from October through February. Another popular water activity is snorkeling with the sea lions at Espiritu Santo Island. Walking the Malecon or boardwalk in La Paz is a great way to get to know the town. There are many restaurants, cafes, and shops to explore. If you cannot stay overnight in La Paz, then you can do a day trip to La Paz from Cabo.
Visit the Swimmable Beaches in Cabo San Lucas
The coast along the Baja California peninsula is known for its strong currents and undertows. Thus, while you can visit the majority of the beaches, many beaches in Cabo are dangerous for swimming. These beaches are best enjoyed from the shore. While you should avoid swimming in the majority of beaches in and around Cabo, there are a few beaches in Cabo that are safe and great for swimming.
Playa Medano / Medano Beach
Medano is located in downtown Cabo San Lucas and starts near the marina. Medano Beach is a 2-mile long beach with soft sand that hugs the Sea of Cortez. It is a great beach to visit if you have arrived in Cabo San Lucas from a cruise ship, as it is within walking distance from the cruise port. Due to its location, Medano Beach can get busy.
A large part of Medano Beach is safe for swimming. The calmest and safest part of the beach is the area closest to the marina. Once you get to the RIU Hotels, the waves begin to pick up, making the beach unsafe for swimming.
Playa del Amor and Playa del Divorcio / Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach
Both Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach are located at Land’s End. Both beaches are close to each other on opposite sides of the bay. Since they are close and both beaches are accessible to each other they both merit a mention.
Playa del Amor / Lovers Beach
Lover’s Beach is located close to the arch on the marina side of the peninsula and only accessible by boat. Lover’s Beach is calm and is a safe beach to swim, snorkel, and enjoy. An easy way to get to Lover’s Beach is by taking a water taxi. There are no facilities on Lover’s Beach, so you should come prepared with snacks, water, and any items you will need, such as sunblock.
Playa del Divorcio / Divorce Beach
Divorce Beach is on the opposite side of Lover’s Beach. If you are already at Lover’s Beach, Divorce Beach is accessible by walking across the sand to the opposite side. Divorce Beach is beautiful, but it is best observed from a boat or the sand. The waves are strong at this beach. There are strong undertows and rip currents. The drop-off is very close to the shoreline. All of these characteristics make Divorce Beach a dangerous beach to swim in. Do not swim at Divorce Beach.
Playa Empacadora / Cannery Beach
Playa Empacadora, or Cannery Beach, Is located at the tip of the Baja California peninsula at the west end of the marina. It is named after a tuna and fish canning plant that was in this area. There are portable toilets available at this beach. Parking can be challenging as parking is mostly on the street. There is a small store however, that offers parking for 40 Pesos an hour. The parking lot is very small but convenient if there is a spot available.
Cannery Beach is calm and safe for swimming. You will see many locals enjoying a beach outing here. Along the wall there is a long mural which depicts sea life of Cabo San Lucas.
Playa Pelicanos / Pelican Beach
Playa Pelicanos, or Pelican Beach is only accessible by boat, kayak, or SUP, but it is worth a mention. This is a great spot for snorkeling. You will see a lot of sea life here. The fish in this area are numerous and range in various sizes. Many are a good size and just great to observe in the water. There is a small soft sand beach where you can enjoy the sun and rest in between snorkel trips.
Playa Pelicanos, or Pelican Beach is a popular snorkel spot. You will more than likely see a few snorkel tours off shore so it can get busy, especially if a cruise ship is in town. This spot is not too far from Land’s End and although conditions can change, the best time to snorkel here is in the morning hours when the water tends to be the calmest. There are no facilities on this beach at all. You will need to bring snacks and water with you.
Beaches Located Along the Tourist Corridor
Most of the beaches along the tourist corridor are not suitable for swimming. There are a few gems along this corridor where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. These are a few beaches along the tourist corridor that you should visit.
Playa Santa Maria / Santa Maria Beach
Santa Maria Beach is located along the tourist corridor off Highway 1 and it is a recognized Blue Flag beach. The Blue Flag designation means that a beach has a high quality in implementing sustainable actions. Santa Maria Beach is an accessible beach, has lifeguards available, and an information booth. It is one of the most popular beaches along the corridor. There is ample parking at the beach as well as restroom and shower facilities. There are no food vendors at this beach, so pack some water and snacks to enjoy during your visit to Santa Maria Beach.
The water at Santa Maria Beach is in a protected cove and is a beautiful turquoise color. Santa Maria Beach is a great spot for snorkeling and is safe for swimming. There are vendors on the beach that offer umbrellas, chairs, and other equipment for rent. The sand is made up of small pebbles so having a pair of water shoes is a great idea. Santa Maria Beach is a great beach to visit and spend some time swimming.
Playa Chileno / Chileno Beach
Chileno Beach is another beach along the tourist corridor that is a designated Blue Flag Beach and is safe for swimming. There is a shaded boardwalk that takes you from the parking lot to the beach area. The beach is in a cove, which helps keep the water calm. Although, you can experience larger waves when the weather is bad. Chileno Beach is quieter, with fewer crowds than Medano Beach or Santa Maria Beach. The beach is great for snorkeling as well as swimming. Ample parking is available at Chileno Beach if you are driving to the beach. There are bathroom facilities available and an outdoor shower for rinsing off after spending time in the ocean. You will find a few vendors that offer umbrellas, chairs, and other items for rent. There is no food available. You should pack snacks or a picnic lunch and water.
Playa Bledito / Tequila Cove
Playa Bledito or Tequila Cove, is the beach in front of the Hilton Los Cabos. There is an artificial breakwater, which makes this beach safe to swim. You should stay in the cove by the breakwater. As you venture away from the breakwater, the waves pick up. There is a beach access pathway that leads to the beach. Hilton Los Cabos offers day passes for their Enclave Beach Club, allowing you to enjoy their facilities.
Beaches in San Jose del Cabo
San Jose del Cabo is about 30 minutes away from Cabo San Lucas. There are a couple of beaches worth mentioning in this area.
Playa Palmilla / Palmilla Beach
Palmilla Beach, located in San Jose del Cabo, is a soft sand beach protected by a rocky cove that keeps the water calm. There is a sand parking lot available for parking. Palmilla Beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. There are no facilities at this beach. However, its location near town means there are several places to grab a bite to eat.
Playa Costa Azul / Costa Azul Beach
Playa Costa Azul is not a swimmable beach. It is a great beach for surfing. The waves tend to be calmer during the winter months. This is a great beach for the rest of the year to watch surfers in action, go for a walk, or lounge on the sand.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about visiting Cabo San Lucas, I have included some information about the best time to visit, how long you should stay, getting to Cabo, and transportation in Cabo San Lucas. I hope this information helps you plan a great getaway to Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo San Lucas is a great place to visit year-round as it has great weather year-round. It is significantly hotter during the summer months of June through September. The average temperature during this time is 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C).
The rainy season in Cabo San Lucas is between July and October, with the peak rainy month being September. However, Cabo is a destination that is sunny the majority of the year. The average rainfall in Cabo San Lucas is under 4 inches, which is very low.
The weather becomes milder during the winter months beginning in October. The rainy season is over and milder temperatures begin. The average temperature during this time is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 C). This is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the hotter months in Cabo San Lucas.
One important time of the year to keep in mind is hurricane season. Hurricane season in Baja California starts in June and goes through November. It is a good idea to be aware of hurricane season as your vacation plans will change if a hurricane happens to occur during the time you plan to visit.
Another time of the year you should keep in mind is the whale-watching season, which peaks in June and July. You will have a great opportunity to see whales during this time of the year.
Cabo San Lucas is a great destination with great weather for the majority of the year. Aside from the remote possibility of a hurricane making landfall during hurricane season, any time is a good time to travel to Cabo San Lucas. The best time to travel to Cabo San Lucas, though, depends on what you would like to experience during your trip to Cabo.
The number of days you decide to stay in Cabo depends on what you would like to do. There are so many tours and activities to choose from that I suggest staying for a week. If you live closer to the West Coast and your travel time to Cabo San Lucas is short, you could stay for as little as five days. However, there are so many wonderful things to do that you should spend a week in Cabo San Lucas.
There are several ways to get to Cabo San Lucas. The three most common ways include flying, arriving by cruise ship, and even driving.
Flying to Cabo is relatively easy, you will likely fly into the main airport, San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD). Many airlines fly to SJD, each with a large number of options. Your flight time will depend on your location and whether you have connecting flights. If you are flying from the West Coast, such as Los Angeles, the flight time is very short, only about two hours.
Most cruise lines that offer cruises along the West Coast include Mexico as part of their cruise itinerary. Many of their Mexican itineraries include Cabo San Lucas as one of the stops. Arriving by cruise ship is one of the best ways to get to Cabo as you are already on vacation and have the pleasure of having Cabo San Lucas as a port of call. The only drawback is the limited time that you can spend in Cabo, as normally you will be limited to 8 hours during your stop in Cabo.
Yes, you can drive to Cabo San Lucas if you want to explore the Baja California Peninsula in more detail, have more time, and are looking for more adventure. The drive from the border crossing in San Diego into Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas will take about 18 or so hours, depending on the traffic. This would be without stopping anywhere, which is not reasonable, and I am not suggesting you do this.
If you are up for a road trip and decide to drive to Cabo San Lucas, you should stay on the Transpeninsular Highway, which is the main highway and safer than other highways. You will pass by many popular towns, such as the popular beach towns in the Baja California Peninsula, that many Californians visit regularly, such as Rosarito and Ensenada. You will also drive by Valle de Guadalupe, which is popular for wine tasting. These towns are on the western side of the peninsula. On the eastern side of the peninsula, you will drive by Loreto, a great place for golfing, La Paz, the perfect place for whale watching and fishing. You will then make your way to the western part of the peninsula and pass by Todos Santos until you reach the end of the peninsula, where you will find Cabo San Lucas.
If you do decide to take the road trip, make sure you have your travel documents, such as your passport or passport card and car insurance.
Yes, renting a car is easy and the best way to get around in Cabo San Lucas. You can easily rent a car when you arrive in Cabo San Lucas. You do have to meet the requirements of being 25 years old, having a valid driver’s license, and having a credit card. Having a reservation made before arriving in Cabo San Lucas is also ideal. The rental car agency is close to the airport, and shuttles are available to take you to the car rental facility. Once you arrive at the facility, they will process your paperwork and give you your car. The only issue you will have is deciding what level of Mexican car insurance to purchase. We were given the choice of three different levels, with the most expensive choice offering the most protection. A word of caution: the insurance is costly and can only be purchased in Mexico.
Public transportation is a convenient way to get around in Cabo San Lucas. Subur Cabos is the bus line that services the Los Cabo area. The bus line runs every 15 minutes between Cabo San Lucas and Santa Anita, which is a town located north of the airport. The Subur Cabos bus line makes several stops along the tourist corridor. The bus fare is about $2.50.
Taxis are widely available in Cabo San Lucas. You will find taxis at taxi stands, or you can also flag them down if you see one on the street. Taxis in Cabo San Lucas can be pretty expensive. A taxi ride between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas can easily cost you about $70.00. You should ask the driver what the cost will be for your ride before starting your trip. If you feel the cost is too high, you can negotiate the cost of your taxi ride to try to get a better price. You should also be prepared with cash as taxis do not take credit cards.
Yes, Uber is available – for the most part. Taxis are the dominant form of transportation in Cabo San Lucas due to their Taxi Mafia-style hold on the business. According to a recent court ruling in Mexico, Uber operates legally in Los Cabos. Due to the dominance of the taxi business though, you could see issues between taxi drivers and Uber drivers. Uber is more common in the center of town, and this is where I prefer to use Uber. Even with the court ruling, you cannot take an Uber to and from the airport.
Conclusion
Cabo San Lucas is a great destination to visit. You will fall in love with the people, the weather, the beautiful coastal views, and the food. There are many wonderful and unique things to do in Cabo San Lucas that will keep you returning time and time again!
