I recently took my first trip to Los Cabos, in Mexico’s Baja California Sur region. I’d previously visited a number of resort towns along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but my trip to Cabo San Lucas was surprising in many ways.
I’m not the kind of traveler who wants to sit by the pool in her resort all day, so it was important to me to find some great things to do in Cabo San Lucas during my trip. I knew that Cabo San Lucas was surrounded by beautiful natural areas, both on land and at sea, and I also knew that it was a popular destination for adventure travelers. I hoped that once I arrived, I’d be able to get out of my hotel and explore everything that makes Los Cabos so popular with travelers from the USA and Canada.
I need to preface this list by being direct: as it turns out, there are not very many things to do in Cabo San Lucas, especially if you’re an independent traveler.
While Mexico’s Baja California Sur has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years, the area that is now Cabo San Lucas was barely developed until the 1920s. The first major employer here was a fish factory, but tourism became the main economic driver only in the 1970s. Over the next thirty years resorts were constructed with little regard for their environmental and cultural impact, and that becomes very clear when you are searching for things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
Many travelers who come to Cabo San Lucas will travel directly from the airport to their resort and back, and never visit the (newly-developed) city center or even take an organized excursion. The insular nature of the resorts in Cabo San Lucas has created a thriving marketplace for organized excursions and tours, which are advertised as being “safe” and “convenient” (compared to independent travel). At the same time, the city is lacking the museums, galleries, historical monuments and cultural experiences that are attractive to most independent travelers.
What does this mean for you when you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas?
Honestly, it means that unless you want to stay in your resort the whole time, you’ll probably want to sign up for a few excursions or activities. Many of the most popular things to do in Cabo San Lucas simply can’t be done independently, and the alternative (staying in your resort for an entire week or longer!) is rather dull.
(By the way, if that doesn’t sound appealing to you, I have a list of the best hotels and hostels in downtown Cabo, for people who don’t want to be trapped at an out-of-the-way resort.)
So let’s talk about the activities and excursions in Cabo San Lucas that I would actually recommend!
#1 – Swim with Whale Sharks in La Paz
Swimming with whale sharks had always been a dream of mine, and while I’d tried a few times before I had never had any luck. I actually hold the record for doing the most amount of dive trips in Utila, Honduras during whale shark season without ever seeing a whale shark! Fortunately, I was able to break the curse on my trip to Cabo San Lucas!
The tour that I took was exactly like this one. We had an early start in Cabo San Lucas and then drove by van to La Paz, with a breakfast stop on the way. Once the port in La Paz opens they will call your guide and let them know your group’s entry window for swimming with the whale sharks – you might get assigned a morning time or an afternoon time, and the rest of the day will be organized around that.
My group was assigned an afternoon window, so once we reached La Paz we went out on the boat and snorkeled with sea lions, which was amazing. A sea lion pooped right in front of my face, under the water, and I still consider it one of the best snorkeling experiences of my life! We then sailed to an isolated island where we had lunch on the beach before sailing over to the whale shark area.
Once our boat was allowed to enter the whale shark area, it only took about ten minutes before we spotted one whale shark, then another, then another! There were so many, and they were swimming right at the surface and right by our boat.
We split our group into three groups of five swimmers so that we wouldn’t overwhelm the whale sharks by all being in the water at once. Each group got to go into the water three times, and to be honest, swimming with an animal that big and large was exhausting, so I welcomed the breaks where I could return to the boat to catch my breath.
You need to be a strong swimmer to do this excursion, as the water can be rough, the water will be cold, and the whale sharks can be fast swimmers. I also appreciate that this is a really expensive excursion, but I felt like it was worth it for me.
If you want to know more about this particular Cabo San Lucas excursion, let me know in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer your questions!
(Unfortunately my camera died when I jumped into the water with the sea lions so I don’t have any photos from the day, but the memories are probably even better!)
#2 – Swim and Sunbathe on the Beaches of Cabo San Lucas
Most people know that Mexico’s West Coast isn’t the same as its Caribbean coast, but in case you’re at the early stages of your Cabo San Lucas trip planning, take note: Cabo San Lucas does not have the white sand beaches with turquoise water that you might imagine when you think of a Mexican beach. This is the Pacific Ocean, and the ocean is wild.
- Lover’s Beach – Accessible via water taxi (expect to pay about $10 each way), Lover’s Beach is one of the few swimmable beaches near Cabo San Lucas, as it faces the Sea of Cortez rather than the ocean. It’s over by the arch shown in the photo at the top of this article.
- Playa del Divorcio – “Divorce Beach” is attached to Lover’s Beach, but as its name suggests it’s not nearly as pleasant. Facing the Pacific Ocean, it has a dangerous undertow and can be enjoyed for sunbathing, but not swimming.
- Playa Medano – The safest and most popular beach in Cabo, the beach shown in my photo above is a ten-minute walk from the marina. The beach is lined with bars, restaurants and clubs, and there are lots of places to rent a sun chair and umbrella.
There are also a number of beaches along the Tourist Corridor (between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo) – some are easily accessible, others are not. Some are safe for swimming, others are not. One popular option is Playa Chileno, which has public parking, washrooms and waters that are usually sheltered enough for swimming and snorkeling (check the flags for guidance).
#3 – Take a Day Trip to San Jose del Cabo
Speaking of the Tourist Corridor, one of the most interesting activities in Los Cabos is taking a day trip to San Jose del Cabo. The cheapest way to get there and back is on the Ruta del Desierto bus, a comfortable coach that runs between the two cities about every thirty minutes. A ticket costs about 40 pesos (pay in cash as you board).
San Jose del Cabo is a lot more charming than Cabo San Lucas. A mission was established here in the early 1730s, so it has a more colonial and historical feel than Cabo San Lucas. In some ways, San Jose del Cabo reminds me of Sayulita or even San Pancho, in that it has a vibrant community of artists, designers and restauranteurs who are doing their best to preserve a unique culture while avoiding many of the pitfalls of overtourism.
The best day to visit San Jose del Cabo is Thursday, when the town holds their weekly San Jose Art Walk. Come in the mid-afternoon and start your visit with a walk in the oceanfront estuary, which is an easy walk from the city center. Make sure to bring mosquito spray, as the wetlands that attract migratory birds also attract mosquitos! Then, stroll around the historic center and stop for an ice cream cone (or a margarita!).
From November to June, on Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, Calle Obregon in the Gallery District is closed to vehicles and opened to pedestrians. Art galleries, boutiques and market vendors open their doors and put on special exhibits and displays for those who attend the weekly Art Walk. You’ll also find artisans selling their wares in the main plaza, and street food vendors join in the fun and keep you fueled for all that strolling and shopping!
#4 – Don’t Miss a Whale Watching Tour!
Cabo San Lucas is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. I’ve heard that it’s possible to see whales from the beach every now and then, but I personally didn’t see any from the shore during my stay.
Peak whale watching season runs from about mid-December until April, and during these months you have excellent chances of seeing humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, sperm whales, minke whales, pilot whales and even orcas (killer whales) if you take a whale-watching excursion from Cabo San Lucas:
- Whale Watching on a Catamaran – This morning or afternoon catamaran tour sails past Los Arcos to the Pacific ocean. Enjoy a light breakfast or lunch, including beverages, as you scan the horizon looking for whales!
- Two-Hour Whale Watching Tour with Marine Biologists – Run by a team of female marine biologists, this excursion will go to either the Pacific Ocean side or the Sea of Cortez side so you can get the best views of the whales. Their small boat is equipped with a hydrophone, allowing you to hear the whales’ calls under the water.
- Whale Watching on a Pirate Ship – If you’re traveling in Los Cabos with kids, this will be their most memorable experience! Set sail on a “real” 😉 pirate ship, past some of the region’s waterfront landmarks, to search for whales. En route, you’ll enjoy a Mexican breakfast and learn the secret signs that reveal when whales are nearby. I took a similar trip to this when I was eleven, and twenty years later I still remember it!
If no trips are available, it’s probably not whale-watching season. I guess you’ll have to come back to Cabo San Lucas next winter!
#5 – Visit an Iconic Cabo San Lucas Bar
Maybe it’s because I’m from Canada (?) or maybe it’s just my age, but I didn’t realize that Cabo San Lucas had something of a famous rock-and-roll history! Sammy Hagar, of Van Halen fame, opened his own bar in Cabo San Lucas back in 1990 – Cabo Wabo. Today there are also locations in Hollywood and Las Vegas, and a namesake line of tequilas, but this is the original! It’s located a few blocks inland from the marina and I’d highly recommend making a reservation if you’re planning to visit on a day when there are cruise ships in port, as this place gets busy!
If there isn’t room at Cabo Wabo, you can walk a few blocks back toward the marina and see if you can squeeze into Slim’s, which is believed to be the world’s smallest bar. With four seats inside and room for two to stand at the counter on the sidewalk, the drink selection here is limited by the available space, but you can always count on interesting conversations with the bartender and other customers.
#6 – Explore the Cabo San Lucas Marina
I was really glad that I stayed at one of the hotels in the center of Cabo San Lucas, as I would have been super-bored if I’d been at a remote resort. The hotel I stayed at, Hotel Tesoro, was right on the waterfront in the middle of Cabo’s marina, within easy walking distance of the entire city center.
Cabo’s marina is lined with a pedestrian promenade that is perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. The south end of the marina is the cruise port, where smaller boats take passengers to and from their larger cruise shops. There are several scuba diving shops, and an iconic Senor Frogs nightclub, also at this end.
Walking north along the water you’ll pass the huge Cultural Pavilion of the Republic, an event venue that holds concerts, dance performances and other special events.
After this, you hit one of the busiest stretches of the marina, in front of Hotel Tesoro. This stretch of promenade is lined with shops and restaurants – I definitely recommend the taco salad at Sancho’s Bar!
The marina juts even further inland here, although the next stretch is fairly unexciting as the waterfront retail area is under construction. However, if you turn your eyes to the water, this is where you’re most likely to see pelicans and even sea lions, as they like to try their luck with the fishermen who bring in their daily catch here.
The marina ends at Plaza Puerto Paradiso, a rather sad shopping center that you’ll probably only want to visit if your luggage didn’t make it to Cabo with you. At the back of the shopping center there is a large supermarket that is perfect for stocking up on snacks for your trip and culinary souvenirs to bring home (I always bring shelf-stable mole sauces, salsas and vanilla extract back).
The far north side of the marina is mostly resorts, but you can loop around them (follow the waterfront) to reach Medano Beach (shown earlier) and the “End of the Pier” lookout point in about ten minutes.
#7 – Take a Sunset Cruise
While you can sail the waters around Cabo San Lucas during the daylight hours, I think one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas is to take an evening sunset cruise. With the sun a little lower and the temperatures a little cooler, early evening is the perfect time to take in views of the coastline and city from one of Cabo’s famous sunset cruises.
- Sunset Party Cruise with Open Bar 🎉- If you came to Cabo with your crew to have a good time, this party boat is the sunset cruise for you. Have a margarita (or two) and get to know the other passengers on board – maybe you’ll find a group to hit up Cabo Wabo later!
- Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Sailboat 🌇 – This tour travels past Lovers’ Beach, Land’s End and the Arch before turning off the boat engines and switching over to the serenity of the ship’s sails. Past travelers call this sunset cruise “magical”, noting that the boats aren’t overcrowded and the food and drinks on board feel luxurious.
- Sunset Catamaran Tour with Mexican Dinner 🌮 – Personally, I love catamarans, and I love them even more when there’s good music, an open bar and lots of Mexican food! This tour begins with an open-bar cruise past some of the coastal highlights, then returns to the marina and docks for dinner: assorted tacos (including vegetarian options), homemade salsas, dessert and even more drinks.
- Sunset Cruise with Wine and Jazz 🎷 – If you’re on your honeymoon (or any romantic trip) you might not want to be cruising to the sounds of Pitbull (“Mr. Worldwide!”). This relaxed cruise is set on a luxury catamaran and includes appetizers, brand name drinks, wine and a chilled-out jazz soundtrack. As a more luxurious experience, this cruise includes return transportation in town or along the Tourist Corridor.
#8 – Ride an ATV Through the Desert in Baja California Sur
Have you ever ridden an ATV through the desert? Once you get the hang of it, it’s such an exhilarating feeling! I first tried ATVing in Peru, and I was so excited to see it is possible in Los Cabos too!
An ATV excursion in Cabo San Lucas takes about three hours. You’ll start with a transfer from your hotel to the eco-park, where you’ll be greeted and given a safety orientation. Once you know how to safely drive the ATV you’ll head out into the desert, passing over sand dunes and past cactii until you reach the beach. Once you reach the shore keep an eye on the waters, as you can often spot whales breaching just off the beach!
Some tours combine ATVing with a camel ride through the desert, but I don’t recommend that option as I don’t support animal tourism. If you’re looking for a longer day of adventuring, this family-friendly tour combines an ATV ride with a zipline course.
Other Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas
Obviously this isn’t a complete list of every single thing you could possibly do in Cabo San Lucas, but it is a reflection of the things I did, and noticed, on my own seven-day trip to Cabo San Lucas. I was in Cabo San Lucas over Christmas, from December 24th until January 1st, so the availability of some activities was limited due to staff (rightfully!) spending the holidays with their families.
A couple things that caught my attention, but that I couldn’t squeeze into my itinerary, included:
- A visit to Flora Farms, near San Jose del Cabo. They were already fully booked for the week when I got into town!
- A taco tasting street food tour in Cabo San Lucas.
- A day trip to Todos Santos, to visit the famous Hotel California. It’s possible to go by bus, but renting a car is preferable.
I think it’s really important to understand that the actual city center of Cabo San Lucas doesn’t have much to offer tourists, so most of the attractions will either be based in your resort or something you organize through a tour operator. If you want to “do” things every single day of your trip, Los Cabos might not be right for you. However, if you want to relax by the pool for most of your trip and spend just a few days doing activities, Cabo San Lucas could be a good option.
Have you been to Los Cabos, Mexico? What was your favorite thing to do in the region? Let me know in the comments!
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