Cabo San Lucas sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific. It is a resort city known for its beaches, its diving, the sea arch at Lands End, and the marine life in the surrounding waters. Along with neighbouring San José del Cabo it forms the Los Cabos area, and the coast between the two — the Corridor — is lined with resorts and timeshares.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself. The main choices are the town itself, the El Medano beach and marina area, the Corridor stretching north toward San José del Cabo, and the gated Pedregal district on the Pacific side. This guide covers those areas, what kind of traveller each suits, and how each connects to the beaches, the marina and the downtown. It does not recommend individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Cabo San Lucas
1. Downtown Cabo San Lucas
The compact centre is where the town's daily life and much of its nightlife are concentrated. Puerto Paraíso, a mall in downtown Cabo San Lucas, has a bowling alley and a movie theatre, and the bars and clubs — including the Cabo Wabo Cantina and the Baja Brewing Company — are here. Accommodation ranges from budget rooms and hostels to small hotels, and several sit within a few blocks of the beach, the marina and the drinking establishments.
This is the best base for first-time visitors who want to walk to dinner and nightlife, and for budget travellers who would rather not rely on taxis. It is also the most practical area if you plan to use the local bus system, which is cheaper than taxis and mainly used by locals but available to tourists. Expect noise around the bar streets at night.
2. El Medano and the Marina
El Medano is the beach-and-marina district, with Paseo de la Marina running along the waterfront and Medano Beach within a block or two of the properties here. The marina is also where boats leave for diving, fishing and trips out to the Arco de Cabo San Lucas at Lands End. Lodging is mostly mid-range and upscale resorts and condominium-style properties, many of them family oriented.
Choose this area if you want the beach and the marina on your doorstep and a short walk into downtown — it is roughly two blocks from the centre. It suits families and travellers who prefer to organise activities from their doorstep rather than travel to them.
3. The Corridor (between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo)
The Los Cabos Corridor is the stretch of coast between the two towns, and it has become a heavily trafficked vacation destination with numerous resorts and timeshares along it. Properties here are set along the Carretera Transpeninsular at various kilometre markers, and the area includes Chileno Bay, one of the most frequented beaches in the Corridor, where snorkellers come to see tropical fish, sea turtles, invertebrates and sponges. The Corridor also holds several championship golf courses.
This area suits travellers who want a self-contained resort stay with golf, snorkelling and quiet, and who do not mind being outside the town. It is the least walkable option: you will depend on taxis, the bus, or a rental car, since the Corridor and the airport are served by local taxis and Uber is available in the Los Cabos area. It also suits those flying in or out of Los Cabos International Airport, which serves both towns.
4. Pedregal
Pedregal is a district on the Pacific side of Cabo, set on a rugged stretch of sand beach. It is a quieter, more enclosed base than downtown or El Medano, and the accommodation here is at the upper end. It is close enough to the town to reach the downtown retail district, but removed from the bar streets.
This suits travellers who want privacy and a beach setting while still being near town, and who are willing to pay for it. Because it sits on the Pacific side, be aware that the sea here is not the calm swimming water of the Cortés side.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: rooms in and around downtown Cabo San Lucas, including hostels with dorm beds and private rooms, and simple hotels within a few blocks of the beach, the marina and the bars. Some accept cash only, and some accept US dollars.
- Mid-range: resorts and condominium-style properties in El Medano and along the marina, many of them family oriented, with one- to five-bedroom condos and all-inclusive options. Larger hacienda-style resorts with multiple pools, restaurants and kids' facilities also fall in this band.
- Splurge: oceanfront resorts in El Medano, the Corridor and Pedregal, including all-inclusive properties, adults-only resorts, golf and spa resorts, and boutique eco-resorts focused on yoga and wellness retreats. At the top end are five-star resorts with private plunge pools, casitas and suites.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Cabo San Lucas is the best base for a first visit. It puts you within walking distance of the beach, the marina, the mall and the main bars and clubs, so you can get oriented without depending on taxis. It is also the cheapest area to reach by bus and the easiest place to arrange diving, fishing or a trip to the Arco de Cabo San Lucas.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get around Cabo San Lucas without a car?
Local taxis serve the primary parts of Cabo, the Corridor and the airport. The bus system is less expensive than taxis and is mainly used by locals but is available to tourists. Uber is also available in the Los Cabos area.
Which area is best if I want to be close to the nightlife?
Downtown Cabo San Lucas. The clubs, including the Cabo Wabo Cantina and the Baja Brewing Company, are here, and budget hotels in the centre are within a few blocks of the drinking establishments.
Where should I stay if I want to snorkel or dive?
Base yourself in El Medano and the Marina, where boats leave for the water, or in the Corridor, where Chileno Bay is one of the most frequented beaches and is visited by snorkellers for its underwater sea life.
When is the best time to visit for wildlife?
In the winter, pods of whales can be observed in the area, having travelled from Alaska and Siberia to bear their calves in the warm waters of the Gulf of California. The sea temperature is at its lowest then, around 21–22 °C.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page.