The Mexican coastal town of Cabo San Lucas is a major draw with visitors thanks to its gorgeous beaches, world-class water sports and buzzing nightlife.
The instantly recognisable Cabo Arch seen across the water (Photo: Gary J. Wood via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Nestled on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, the resort town throngs with visitors during the peak months. Most of the activity takes place in the great outdoors, with the town’s natural attractions the focal point for most visitors. If you’re coming to Cabo San Lucas and would like to cram as many great things to see and do into your itinerary during your stay, we’ve helped get you started with our starter for 10.
Get up close to a natural wonder at sea
One of the area’s most recognisable landmarks, the Arch of Cabo San Lucas towers high into the air above the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes. Known to locals as “El Arco”, the eye-catching granite formation draws visitors from far and wide who pack glass-bottom boat rides, water taxis, private yachts, and sunset cruises to witness the natural wonder at close quarters for themselves. Accessible only by boat from Medano Beach or the Cabo San Lucas Marina, sightseers are also treated to an assortment of marine life along the way, including sea lions, dolphins and even migrating whales.
Traverse the wild desert terrain on an ATV tour
The desert landscape surrounding Cabo San Lucas makes for ideal terrain for an ATV adventure. Thrill-seekers can cross the wild desert scenery at break-neck speeds, looking out for wildlife as they ride along Los Cabos Beach and admiring the contrast between the relaxing white sand and the arid desert as you pass along the water’s edge. There are a number of guided ATV tours on offer, many of which include hotel pick-up and drop-off as well as a full safety orientation before you depart.
You can book a guided ATV tour at GetYourGuide
Thrill-seekers battle tricky terrain during an ATV tour (Photo: Eco Xperiences / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Admire the coastline from up high
Among the most thrilling adventure sports on offer in Cabo San Lucas, parasailing allows anyone to participate with only a quick safety briefing required. Harnessed into a parachute-like canopy connected to a speedboat, you’ll lift gently into the air as the wind catches the fabric. From there, you can simply kick back and enjoy the experience, with sensational views of the rocky shoreline and open ocean down below. You’ll normally spend around ten minutes in the air before the captain slows the boat down and has you gently freefall, dipping your feet in the water for a refreshing splash before landing you back safely on the boat deck with memories to last a lifetime.
Embark on a fishing adventure
The waters around Cabo San Lucas are among the finest you’ll find anywhere in the region for deep-sea fishing. Visitors keen to try their hand at angling out at sea can venture down to the local marina where numerous charter companies offer fully guided fishing excursions for everyone from first-timers to seasoned fishing enthusiasts. Tours can be tailored to your preferences, both in terms of duration and time of day, and you can usually take some of what you catch home with you.
Head to a picture-postcard beach
Of all the idyllic shorelines in Cabo San Lucas, Lover’s Beach – or Playa del Amor to make it sound extra romantic – routinely ranks as the most popular. Nestled between two prominent jagged granite and limestone rock formations on the Pacific Coast, the tiny stretch of golden sand combines breathtaking views with calm, turquoise waters that make for ideal swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and kayaking conditions. The beach can only be accessed by boat, though this does little to stem the crowds.
The golden sand of Lover’s Beach (Photo: Renee Silverman via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Take a hike
Best undertaken early morning or late afternoon to avoid the blistering heat, there are several hiking trails in and around Cabo San Lucas that offer stunning elevated vantage points from which to enjoy the magnificent scenery. Among the most popular is the walk to Mount Solmar, a rocky peak that rises around 135 metres above the Lands End peninsula. It takes around 30 minutes to ascend the peak and hikers are rewarded with priceless vistas on arrival. There is rocky terrain along several stretches, so sturdy covered shoes are highly recommended.
Browse a quirky open-air boutique
Tucked away on one of Cabo San Lucas’s s less visited streets, La Coyota is housed in an achingly pretty colonial-style hacienda where it draws a steady stream of visitors who come to peruse and purchase the boutique’s eclectic assortment of curated treasures. The open-air store offers a memorable shopping experience from the moment you arrive in its open-air courtyard, where you’re greeted by delicately arranged baskets, colourful blown glass hearts strung in the trees and punched tin lanterns hanging from thatched roof ceilings. Venture into its maze of rooms and you’ll discover everything from hand-painted pottery and hand-blown glass drinkware to table linens, embroidered clothing, tapestries and whimsical curiosities, making it the perfect place to pick up a unique gift or souvenir.
Av. Leona Vicario, Downtown, Ampliación Juárez / Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sun 9am-2pm Closed Sun
Artwork on display at La Coyota (Photo: La Coyota)
Set sail on a sunset cruise
At no time is Cabo San Lucas more pleasing to the eye than at sunset – and one of the best ways to see the majestic sun disappearing behind the horizon is from the water. There are a wide choice of sunset boat cruises available that invite guests to soak up the scenery while lounging comfortably aboard a high-spec vessel, usually equipped with open-air decks, shaded areas and an open bar. Tours can also include a fun-filled music playlist and plenty of photo opportunities of the sunset and local marine life along the way.
You can book a Cabo San Lucas sunset cruise at Viator
Test your mettle at an adventure park
Hair-raising bungee jumping and the region’s largest zipline course are just some of the attractions you’ll find at Wild Canyon Adventure Park. Set in a scenic canyon, the expansive theme park’s flagship activity is undoubtedly the large gondola suspended high above the canyon, from which bungee jumpers can stare 350 feet down through the glass floor before committing to the ultimate leap of faith. For more delicate types, the park also offers several more leisurely pursuits, including tours of the local flora and fauna and an animal sanctuary home to an array of tropical birds and reptiles.
Carretera Federal Libre Transpeninsular, Cabo San Lucas-San José del Cabo KM, Cabo, Real, 23405 San José del Cabo / Mon-Sun 9am-6pm
Visitors traverse a bridge at Wild Canyon Adventure Park (Photo: Wild Canyon Adventure Park)
Get a taste of the local food scene
Cabo San Lucas has a vibrant food scene and visitors can discover it for themselves by booking an organised food tour. As you walk through the city’s downtown district accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll make several stop-offs at street stalls and locally-owned family restaurants to sample a variety of dishes and delicacies that are ingrained in Mexican food culture including tacos, tamales, aguas frescas, and fresh spicy salsa. Along the way, your guide will regale you with fascinating facts and stories about the city and its rich culinary heritage.
You can book a Cabo San Lucas food tour at GetYourGuide