Cabo San Lucas, or Cabo to many who visit, is one of Mexico’s most gorgeous cities to visit on the Pacific Coastline. Not only is the city so much fun, but there are heaps of the best things to do in Cabo that are dotted all across the city and the wider region.
Over the years, we’ve explored the top places in Tulum and the best experiences in Cancun. Plus, we’ve headed over to cities like Merida that are incredible to visit. That being said, these are all on the east coast of Mexico.
One thing that I love about Cabo is its westerly coastline. Like, it’s one of the best places in Mexico to visit for whale watching and they’re absolutely incredible to spot on a tour. Not only that, but the whole coastline is so stunning! Like, it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re heading to the west coast of Mexico.
So, to help you get the most out of your time in Cabo, we’ve popped some of our favourite spots you can’t miss. This way, you can focus on all that relaxing and exploring while visiting Cabo.
1.) Playa del Amor (Lovers Beach)
Lovers Beach, located south of Cabo’s downtown area near Land’s End, is one of the most popular beaches in Cabo San Lucas for its pristine natural beauty.
Now, what I would say is. Lovers Beach is pretty small and popular with visitors, so expect it to be pretty full at peak times. That being said, it’s well worth visiting, especially if you’re already exploring the wider area beyond the nearby harbour.
Best of all, you can explore a few little beach bays here. Firstly, you have Lovers Beach, aptly named because of its calmer, milder beaches in Cabo, in my opinion.
Secondly, on the other side, Playa del Divorcio is known for its huge waves and dangerous waters that aren’t ideal for swimming. Hence the name!
You can take a leisurely hike between the two beaches, but it can be pretty precarious and health and safety rules are few and far between here. To make things easier, book a short water taxi from the shorefront at Cabo San Lucas. They typically cost around $20-30 USD each.
Read more: Best things to do in Tulum
2.) Whale Watching
Whale watching is perhaps the best thing to experience in Mexico, and there’s nowhere better to do that than in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) and the Pacific coastline.
If this sounds like fun, then you’ll want to get over to Cabo San Lucas between December to April (when the whales are around). That being said, you can also book a whale-watching tour as early as November and be lucky with your sightings.
You see, the sea surrounding Cabo San Lucas is a popular migratory stop and breeding hotspot for humpback whales. Just make sure to book this whale-watching boat tour in advance. Spaces sell out fast at peak times and you don’t want to be left high and dry with no options.
Read more: Best things to do in Cancun
3.) Cabo Pulmo National Park
One of the things that makes the area around Cabo San Lucas so special is its natural environment. If you’re staying in Cabo for a few days, make sure to spend some time within Cabo Pulmo National Park.
Stretching the coastline between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape, Cabo Pulmo National Park is huge and something you can’t really ‘complete’ in a day. That being said, you can head to some nearby spots as you travel around.
There is as much marine life around this UNESCO-protected shoreline and you can easily explore it by booking this kayaking and snorkelling tour from Cabo itself. It’s incredible, especially as it’s 1 of only 3 living coral reefs in North America you can visit.
You’ll spend about 9 hours on the tour and stop off at the sea lion colony, and three snorkelling spots and take the most gorgeous drive from Cabo San Lucas. It’s so worth it.
Read more: Best things to do in Merida
4.) Lands End
Technically, Lovers Beach is part of Lands End in Cabo, so if you’re already visiting the shoreline, you can easily explore more of Lands End while you’re there.
Located in Cabo’s southern area, Land’s End is where Lovers Beach and Playa del Divorcio meet. You can go here any time of the day, but the most magical time is during sunset on this boat tour.
That being said, it’s also a great place to chill and explore as part of a longer day via a chartered boat, or a shared boat option which tends to be much cheaper.
Once here, make sure to see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and explore the tiny rocky islands (including Pelican Rock) that make this area so special.
Read more: Best things to do in Puerto Vallarta
5.) Marina Cabo San Lucas
Visiting the marina is easily one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas when you visit. You see, it’s just shy of Lands End and there are heaps of boat tours, shops and restaurants here.
It’s the perfect place to stroll along the harbour and grab a bite to eat in the early evening. The views are gorgeous at sunset from here.
We love Hacienda Cocina y Cantina which has some stunning views across the bay, especially at sunset. Though, make sure to book a table in advance, as tables fill up fast. Oh, and be sure to try their octopus with red onions and red onion, zucchini squash. It’s delicious.
Read more: Best things to do in Mexico City
6.) San Jose del Cabo
If you’ve had enough of the beaches and the sea, a trip to San Jose del Cabo, the Old Town, is much needed. The taxi ride takes only about 20 minutes from the city centre and there’s no real need to prebook.
We love it here and it’s easily one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas if you fancy a little day trip. You see, San Jose del Cabo is the best place to go if you’d like to get a glimpse of the culture and history of Mexico.
Once here, you can walk along the plaza and discover local restaurants that will give you a culinary treat of Mexican food. On Thursdays, the place hosts a fair, where local vendors and artisans sell goods, crafts, and souvenirs.
Alternatively, head for a beach day at Playa Hotelera, which is totally beautiful.
Read more: How to get to Isla Holbox
7.) Playa Santa Maria
Around 10 miles from the centre of Cabo San Lucas is Playa Santa Maria. This gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bay is part of the protected marine sanctuary around the coastline here and is beautiful.
Now, it’s nowhere near as popular as the beaches in Cabo San Lucas, but it’s worth a trip if you’re already heading east down the coastline.
That being said, you can also book this all-inclusive boat tour that has a totally free bar and stops at Paya Santa Maria for snorkelling. Once onboard, you’ll get the chance to swim with schools of fish and see the vibrant marine life up close and personal. It’s so incredible.
8.) Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a must-visit spot and one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas if you fancy a day trip.
Featuring a different sight and experience than the sun-kissed beaches of Cabo, Todos Santos is nestled at the foot of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. This alone makes it incredible to visit and it’s one of our favourite towns close to Cabo to visit.
Did you know? The original Hotel California, which inspired the famous Eagles song of the same name, can be found at Todos Santos. Yup, it’s that place!
Now, Todos Santos is around a 55-minute car ride from Cabo, so make sure to plan your time well. Leave earlier in the morning and head straight for Playa La Cachora. The beach is gorgeous and totally unspoilt. Though, a heads up, make sure to take snacks, drinks and sunblock with you; there is little in terms of facilities on the beach itself.
Afterwards, head over to La Esquina for their yummy brunch menu. Their Mexican eggs (served with beans and avocado) are so good.
9.) El Squid Roe
In Cabo San Lucas, the day doesn’t end with the sun going down. You can easily spend all night out in the town and there’s heaps of bars and restaurants to choose from.
El Squid Roe is at the forefront of Cabo’s night scene, offering tall cocktails, overflowing drinks, lively music, and dance raves that will keep you on your toes. It’s lively, over-the-top and great fun if you’re looking for a party atmosphere.
Plus, you can easily visit El Squid Roe when visiting the Marina in Cabo, too. It’s just shy of the shoreline and will take you no time to visit.
10.) Medano Beach
Stretching the length of Cabo San Lucas, Medano Beach, is easily one of the region’s most popular beaches to visit.
It’s a two-mile-long shoreline peppered with rental facilities, bars, restaurants, and a few beach clubs thrown in. Best of all, the waters are mild and calm here, which is perfect for a lot of water-based activities or just lounging on the sand. Though you should always be cautious of riptides when swimming, the Pacific Ocean can be fierce.
Once here, head over to The Office on the Beach for lunch and cocktails. It’s a pretty lively spot and well worth going for a few hours of fun.
That being said, if you fancy a more chilled-out day at Medano Beach, then head further east. The further you stroll, the less developed the beach area becomes.
Read more: How to get to Isla Holbox
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