Curator’s statement
Cabo San Lucas — located in Baja Sur, Mexico — is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife and outdoor activities like snorkeling, fishing and whale watching. While Cabo is known for its party vibes, this guide will focus more on San Jose Del Cabo, the smaller city to the north, known for its relaxed atmosphere, beachside resorts and artsy vibes. Spend a week soaking up the sun, eating at amazing farm-to-table restaurants and enjoying a few outdoor adventures.
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Where to stay in Cabo
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Things to do in Cabo
Beaches
Let me be clear, Cabo is a place I go for more poolside vibes rather than beach vibes, and that is because of the dangerous currents between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. The rip tides are very strong, so many of the beaches ban swimming. However, about halfway between Cabo and San Jose are two amazing beaches with options for snorkeling, too. You can rent gear at Playa Chileno, but not at Playa Santa Maria. The snorkeling at both beaches is great, but be sure to bring plenty of food and drink as there are no restaurants nearby. You can easily taxi to both locations from San Jose.
ATVing & Zip-lining
I can’t speak to this excursion personally, however I have had a few friends that have zip-lined through the Costa Azul Canyon and have loved it. There are plenty of tours to choose from.
Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing is one of the main attractions that brings people to Cabo. Whether you are staying in San Jose or Cabo San Lucas, there are plenty of options to take a boat out in the early morning and try to catch fish. If you are planning on bringing some home, be sure to ask if they will cut, wrap and freeze it for you. Always be sure to offer some of your catch (on top of a tip) to the captain and his crew as a thank you.
Sailing Trip to the Arch
When I’m island-bound, I always try to book some sort of sunset sailing adventure. The Arch in Cabo is the most famous tourist attraction in the area. The two-hour boat ride takes you past Lovers Beach around the arch and over to Divorce Beach. I generally opt for a catamaran and usually a booze cruise because, well, it's vacay. All trips will leave out of Cabo harbor and if you are without a car, Uber can get you there from San Jose.
Camel Riding & Side-by-Sides
A short trip up the Pacific coast will land you at the amazing Cactus Tours. When booking the tour, transport is generally included from Cabo. There are a lot of options to choose from, including ATV tours, side-by-side only, camel riding or horseback riding or a combo tour. I recommend the camel rides and side-by-side tours, which allow you at least an hour of driving through the sand dunes and about an hour ride down the beach on a camel. No phones are allowed (safety reasons) and I did invest in the photo package.
Art Walk in San Jose
If you have the chance, head down to the small town of San Jose for some shopping and dining. On Thursday between 5 and 9 pm, November through June, there is an art walk in the town square with a lot of vendors and music. You can visit art galleries, sip on wine, shop at boutiques and explore local restaurants.
Day trips
Cabo Pulmo National Park: A UNESCO heritage site, this area is about 2.5 hours from Cabo and a full day trip, but it is the best snorkeling that the entire Baja Sur offers. You can opt for a tour, which offers transportation, but it is a bit on the pricey side, however well worth the money if under-sea adventures are calling your name. If you have a car, you don’t need to book a tour, just pay the entry fee when you arrive. The East Cape is an up-and-coming area, with great surfing and many beaches to make your trip complete.
Espiritu Santo Island: A very long (about 3 hours of driving each way) and full day, this trip will take you up to La Paz and around another UNESCO site. You will have an opportunity to see whales, dolphins, swim with seals and circumvent the entire non-inhabited island by boat. Depending on your tour, you may perhaps stop at Balandra Beach and its famous mushroom rock. La Paz is another great area of the Baja Sur peninsula that is worth a stay on its own.
Todos Santos: If you have a car, Todos Santos is about a two-hour drive on the toll road from San Jose. This cute little town is best known for Hotel California, the famous song written by the Eagles. Unlike the eastern side, you can swim and surf here and I recommend heading to Playa Cerritos, which is only ten minutes from Todos. There are food and drink stalls, surfboard rentals, restaurants and a very long beach to spread out. I loved the town of Todos Santos because it offers tons of shopping, art and great food. To make the most of this area, I would plan to stay a few days.
Places to eat & drink in Cabo
All-inclusive hotels are very popular here, but I’m always up for a visit or two to other local gems and popular restaurants. San Jose del Cabo is known for a few amazing places and farm-to-table dining options.
La Lupita: My FAVORITE taco place in Baja Sur and probably one of my top 5 ever. With locations in both Cabo and San Jose, La Lupita is worth a visit, whether it is for lunch or dinner. If you are heading for dinner, reservations are highly recommended, especially in San Jose because the restaurant is very small. Ok let’s talk tacos. There are so many options and they are street size, so I recommend a flight. My favorites are El Takeshi, Pibil Suckling Pig, Pork Belly, Duck with Mole and Cheese Crusted Pastor. I always start with an Esquite, and if you are a first timer, the Taste of La Lupita is great.
Flora Farms: One of the most popular restaurants in San Jose, especially for brunch is Flora Farms. It is a farm-to-table restaurant that also offers vacation rentals, a spa, activities like cooking and art classes, live music and farm tours. If you are looking to dine only, a reservation is recommended. The menu is seasonal, the ice cream cart is a must-stop at and the Farmarita (basically a margarita featuring an heirloom carrot infusion) is one of the best drinks I have ever had!
Arce Restaurant and Cocktail Bar: Another popular farm-to-table restaurant and resort is Acre. This restaurant is open all day, but is best for dinner. It is on the higher end and perfect for a celebration or special night. The menu is seasonal so I recommend contacting them if you have any questions.
Need to know
My favorite time to visit is in May and June, not only because June is my birthday month, but because the weather is beautiful and the snowbirds have left. These are the driest months and it is not as hot (like July-November). The prices are lower and you don’t necessarily need to plan ahead for tours. It is also a great time for fishing.
High season is December through March. The weather is a bit cooler, so better for hiking and outdoor activities, but the prices are much higher because of spring break, ski week and the holidays. The spring is also an excellent time to visit if you are interested in seeing humpback whales, as this is their birthing time before they start their migration back to Alaska.
The airport is small and a private taxi isn’t necessarily something you need to get upon arrival. I have always taken the colectivo (shared van transport) to my hotel in San Jose. Once you arrive and clear customs, you can book you shared van at the airport. It is extremely safe and easy and MUCH cheaper than a taxi (about $10 to San Jose hotels). Each van holds about 10 people and they leave fairly quickly after the flights land so wait time is short.
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Cabo. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Two Week Ultimate Adventure Guide to the Central Visayas, Philippines.