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Destinations / Mexico

Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas)

Los Cabos

Desert meets sea at the tip of Baja

beachesluxuryadventurecouples
Plan your trip to Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas)See the top 10
351,000Population
351,000Metro area
SpanishLanguage
MXNCurrency
5 daysIdeal stay
$220-380Typical day

Los Cabos covers Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of Baja California, plus the resort corridor between them. Desert hills meet the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. Sportfishing, whale watching, nightlife and luxury resorts define it.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. El Arco is a natural rock arch at Land's End, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. Sea lions often lounge on the rocks nearby.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $15-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Boat fee.

    Tip. See it on a short boat or water taxi trip from Medano Beach or the marina.
    See on the map

  2. Medano is the main swimmable beach in Cabo San Lucas, lined with resorts, beach clubs and water sports. It faces the bay and the arch.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Lively by day, calmer in the morning; vendors walk the sand constantly.
    See on the map

  3. The marina is a busy harbor of yachts, sportfishing boats, shops and restaurants. Most boat trips, including to the arch, depart from here.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Compare tour prices along the boardwalk before booking.
    See on the map

  4. Lovers Beach is a small strip of sand tucked against the arch, with a Sea of Cortez side and a Pacific side. It is reached only by boat or kayak.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $15-30Cost
    noBook ahead

    Boat fee.

    Tip. Swim only on the bay side; the Pacific side, called Divorce Beach, has dangerous surf.
    See on the map

  5. The art district of San Jose del Cabo hosts a weekly evening art walk from autumn to spring, with galleries open late. The old mission town is calmer than Cabo San Lucas.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Usually Thursday evenings from November to June; check the gallery association.
    See on the map

  6. Grey and humpback whales pass Los Cabos each winter, and boat tours often see them close to shore. It is one of the highlights of the season.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    about $60-100Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Tour.

    Tip. Season is roughly December to April; choose small boats from licensed operators.
    See on the map

  7. Todos Santos is a historic Pacific coast town with colonial buildings, galleries and surf beaches. It is a designated Pueblo Magico about an hour north.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go for a day and stay for sunset at Playa La Cachora; drive takes about 1 hour.
    See on the map

  8. Chileno Bay is a public beach on the tourist corridor with calm water and good snorkeling over reef. It has free parking and basic facilities.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Bring your own snorkel gear and shade; arrive early on weekends.
    See on the map

  9. Santa Maria Bay is a protected cove with clear water and colorful fish just off the sand. It is one of the best snorkeling spots on the corridor.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Facilities are minimal, so pack water and snacks.
    See on the map

  10. Desert tours run on camels, ATVs or buggies across the dunes and arroyos near the Pacific coast. Many combine a beach ride with a Mexican lunch.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $80-150Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Tour.

    Tip. Book with operators who include safety gear and hotel pickup.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
Not on this map: Camel and ATV tours. We could not find a position for these.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Cabo in three days

Add San Jose art walk and Todos Santos.

  1. El Arco2 hours · about $15-30
  2. Medano BeachHalf a day · Free
  3. Cabo Marina2 hours · Free
  4. Lovers Beach2 hours · about $15-30
  5. San Jose del Cabo Art Walk2 hours · Free
  6. Whale watching2 to 3 hours · about $60-100
  7. Todos SantosFull day · Free
  8. Chileno BayHalf a day · Free
  9. Santa Maria BayHalf a day · Free
  10. Camel and ATV toursHalf a day · about $80-150
Beyond the city

Day trips

Cabo Pulmo National Park

A thriving coral reef.

62 mi · Car about 2 hours

La Paz

Whale sharks and beaches.

130 mi · Car about 2.5 hours

Cerritos Beach

A surf beach with a laid back vibe and beach restaurants.

47 mi · Drive about 1h15 each way

Santiago and Cañon de la Zorra

A mountain village with a waterfall and canyon hike.

53 mi · Drive about 1h30 each way

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: November to May. Dry, sunny and whale season from December to April.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.9JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

75°F
Typical daily high
Average70°F
Rain0.4 in
About1 rainy days
Sun strength4.4 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Apr

Whale season

December to April

Gray and humpback whales gather offshore.

Apr

Whale watching season

December to April

Humpback whales visit the Sea of Cortez and Pacific waters.

Oct

Bisbee's Black and Blue Marlin Tournament

October

One of the biggest sport fishing events in the world.

Nov

Los Cabos International Film Festival

November

Screenings and industry events held in the region.

Nov

Day of the Dead

November 1 to 2

Altars and community events in San Jose del Cabo and nearby towns.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Mexico at Level 2 (increased caution) overall, with state level advice varying; Baja California Sur has Level 2 advice; resort areas are generally safe, but swim only at safe beaches.

2/5
Walkability

Downtown Cabo and San Jose are walkable, but the corridor needs a car.

2/5
Public transport

Local buses run along the corridor; most visitors use taxis or rental cars.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
1234

1. Cabo San Lucas

$$$

Best for: nightlife, first-timers

Marina and bars.

2. Tourist Corridor

$$$$

Best for: luxury, couples

Resorts on calm coves.

3. San Jose del Cabo

$$$

Best for: couples, foodies

Art district and quieter vibe.

4. East Cape and Palmilla

$$$

Best for: families, quiet beach stays

Quieter beaches with fewer crowds.

Getting there and around

Main airportLos Cabos International Airport (SJD), 30 mi from the center
To the centerShuttles take about 40 to 50 minutes to Cabo San Lucas.
Around townRent a car or use shuttles and Uber where allowed.
Ride appsUber, DiDi
Taste it

What to eat

Fish tacos

Baja style battered fish tacos.

Chocolate clams

Large clams grilled.

Damiana

A local herbal liqueur.

Aguachile

Raw shrimp in lime and chile.

Fresh grilled catch

Dorado or tuna cooked simply with lime.

Good to know

PlugsType A and B, 127 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingLeave 10 to 15 percent in restaurants and small tips for guides and hotel staff.
PaymentsCards are common in resort areas; carry pesos for taxis and small vendors.
EtiquetteCasual dress is fine, but cover up in town. Tipping is expected in restaurants and on boats, and haggling is normal with beach vendors.
  • Many Pacific beaches have strong currents and are unsafe for swimming; obey red flags.
  • Los Cabos covers two towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, about 30 km apart along the corridor.
  • Expect timeshare pitches at the airport; ignore offers of free tours.
  • Prices are often quoted in dollars, but paying in pesos is usually cheaper.
  • Swimming on Pacific side beaches can be dangerous because of strong currents, so look for flag warnings.
  • Timeshare presentations are pushed hard with free tours or drinks, so politely decline.
  • Hurricane season runs from roughly June to November, with the highest risk in September and October.
  • Boat tours to the Arch use water taxis from the marina, so negotiate or book ahead.

A short history

The Pericu people lived here before Spanish ships used the cape as a stop on the Manila galleon route. A mission was founded in San Jose del Cabo in 1730. The area stayed remote until the Transpeninsular Highway in 1973 and new airport. Tourism then boomed.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas)