Stand on Playa del Amor at low tide and the rock formations of Land's End rise around you in shapes the wind and sea have carved over time. Look for the eroded passageway known as the Arch of Poseidon, and watch the islets called Los Frailes, where sea lions gather.
Cabo San Lucas suits travellers who want their days built around water and their evenings around the marina. Divers, snorkellers, sport fishers, surfers and golfers will all find something here, and the town works equally well for a short port call or a longer stay.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the destination is known for, with practical notes on when to go and what to pair each one with.
Top things to do in Cabo San Lucas
1. Land's End
This is the cluster of rock formations at the tip of the peninsula, carved into fantastic shapes by wind and sea, and it is the area's defining landmark. The views and the photo opportunities are the reason to come.
Go at low tide, when you can walk along Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) for a better view of the eroded passageway called the Arch of Poseidon. From the same spot you can observe Los Frailes, two rock islets frequented by sea lions.
2. Whale watching
From January to March, whales come to Cabo, and many boats can take you out to sea to watch them. They are particularly abundant in early March.
If your trip falls in that window, build a boat trip into your plans rather than leaving it to chance. The Reggae Jungle Cruise combines whale watching with snorkelling along two reefs, and the Jazz and Wine Tour aboard the Tropicat sails the Pacific on a catamaran for a sunset with music and wine.
3. Scuba diving and snorkelling
Scuba diving is especially good in Cabo because you can watch the sandfalls under the water, a spectacle provided by nature. If you want something more relaxed, head to Lover's Beach instead.
Chileno Bay in the Corridor is one of the most frequented beaches for snorkelling, home to tropical fish, sea turtles, invertebrates and sponges. Cabo Submarine, with its office in the marina, is an easy way to see the fish without getting wet; the semi-submersible is 18 m (60 feet) long and air conditioned.
4. Sport fishing
Cabo is known around the world as a top fishing destination. The meeting of the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez creates a nutrient-rich environment where sport fish thrive, with marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado and wahoo the most commonly targeted species.
Charters range from pangas and open skiffs to 18 m (60 feet) or more luxury yachts. Options include Minerva's Baja Tackle and Charters, Checkmate Sportfishing and Slippery Lizzard Sportfishing, all with English-speaking crews. The Bisbee's Los Cabos Offshore tournament takes place every year in October.
5. Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach)
This beach at Land's End is the place to combine a walk with a swim, and it is the starting point for the low-tide view of the Arch of Poseidon. It is also the relaxed alternative to a diving day.
Time your visit around low tide so you can walk the shoreline. JT Watersports, based on Playa Medano, runs a sunset cruise that takes you out to explore Lovers Beach and El Arco.
6. Golf in Los Cabos
Los Cabos is Mexico's top golfing destination, with courses famous for their spectacular views, most set in desert landscapes dotted with unique geologic formations and backed by ocean. Courses are located throughout the area, in both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
About half the courses are open to the public and about half are private, though privileges are typically offered to guests of certain upscale resorts. Cabo del Sol, designed by Tom Weiskopf, has dramatic ocean views from every hole. Cabo Real Golf is a Robert Trent Jones II course where whales are often spotted off its beaches. Palmilla, designed by Jack Nicklaus, keeps its Beach 9 open to the public.
7. Watersports at Playa Medano
JT Watersports offers parasailing, wave runners, kayaks and snorkelling, with new top-of-the-line equipment. They are completely mobile, so they can cater to your needs anywhere in the East Cape area of Baja California Sur.
They are based on Playa Medano in Cabo San Lucas, which makes them easy to combine with a beach afternoon in town.
8. Surfing
Cabo is a good surfing destination, since many of the beaches on the east cape road pick up the southern swells. The beaches are accessible through the coastal road on the way to Cabo Pulmo.
Shipwrecks Beach is a favourite spot during the summer months. Cabo Surf Safari arranges surf tours with hotel pick-up and lunch included, and lessons are available from professional surfing instructors.
9. Church of San Lucas (Iglesia de San Lucas)
This church, almost 300 years old, boasts many original features and has been well maintained. It is a quiet counterpoint to the water-based activities.
Pair it with a walk through the downtown area, where you will also find Puerto Paraíso, the mall with a bowling alley and a movie theater.
10. Cultural Center (Casa de la Cultura)
The Cultural Center features a tall mirador tower and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It overlooks all of Cabo, which makes the tower the draw.
Combine it with the Church of San Lucas for a half-day away from the beach.
11. Museo de Historia Natural de Cabo San Lucas
The city has a natural history museum, the Museo de Historia Natural de Cabo San Lucas. It is a useful stop for context on the region's marine life and desert environment.
It fits neatly into a downtown day alongside the Church of San Lucas and the Cultural Center.
12. ATV and buggy adventures
ATV offroad adventures are one of the more popular ways to see and explore Cabo. Guided tours run through sand dunes, desert, mountain and beach, and a half-day trip includes an ATV or mountain bike, rappelling gear, an expert tour guide, a rappel instructor, energy bars, all beverages and round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van.
Sierra Buggies runs its Road Runner Tour at 09:00 and 14:00, with buggy rides in the Boca de la Sierra mountain range along trails lined with cacti and rocky dry river beds, on to one of the few UNESCO protected biosphere reserves in México and a swim in one of the Sierra's hidden freshwater pools.
13. The Cabo San Lucas Glass Factory
This is a place for the entire family to visit. Touring the glass factory gives you a first-hand glimpse into the centuries-old art of glass blowing.
It works well as a change of pace on a day when the water is rough or you want time off the beach.
14. Nightlife
Clubs in Cabo include the Cabo Wabo Cantina, a nightclub owned by rock singer Sammy Hagar, founded originally by him with other members of Van Halen and named after their hit single "Cabo Wabo". There is also the Baja Brewing Company.
Both are in the downtown area, so you can pair an evening out with dinner near Puerto Paraíso.
15. Cruises from the marina
The Reggae Jungle Cruise includes a continental breakfast, snorkelling, lunch and whale watching while cruising along two different reefs that are astoundingly beautiful, and children under 10 go free. The Jazz and Wine Tour aboard the Tropicat sails the Pacific on a large sailing catamaran with a sunset, contemporary jazz, and an international bar serving premium wines and hors d'ouvres.
Both depart from the marina area, which is also where you will find the Cabo Submarine office and the sport fishing charters.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Land's End at low tide, walking along Playa del Amor for the view of the Arch of Poseidon and the sea lions at Los Frailes. If you are travelling between January and March, take a whale watching boat from the marina instead, or add it on if time allows.
Afternoon: Head to Playa Medano for watersports with JT Watersports, or to Chileno Bay in the Corridor if you would rather snorkel among tropical fish and sea turtles. If you prefer to stay dry, the Cabo Submarine semi-submersible leaves from the marina.
Evening: Walk through downtown to the Church of San Lucas and the Cultural Center and its mirador tower, then finish at the marina for a sunset cruise, or at the Cabo Wabo Cantina or the Baja Brewing Company for the evening.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see whales in Cabo San Lucas?
Whales come to Cabo from January to March, and they are particularly abundant in early March. Many boats can take you out to sea to watch them during that period.
Do I need to book a fishing charter in advance?
Cabo has one of the largest sport fishing charter fleets in Mexico, with boats ranging from pangas and open skiffs to 18 m (60 feet) or more luxury yachts. Charter operators such as Minerva's Baja Tackle and Charters, Checkmate Sportfishing and Slippery Lizzard Sportfishing can be contacted directly, and several offer toll-free numbers from the US and Canada.
Can I snorkel without booking a diving trip?
Yes. Chileno Bay in the Corridor is one of the most frequented beaches for snorkelling, and JT Watersports on Playa Medano offers snorkelling along with kayaks, wave runners and parasailing.
How do I get around Cabo San Lucas?
Many tourists get around through the numerous local taxis that service the primary parts of Cabo, as well as the corridor and the airport. The bus system is less expensive than taxis, costs several pesos and is mainly used by locals but is also available to tourists. Uber is available as a means of transportation in the Los Cabos area.
Decide whether your trip is built around the water or the desert, check whether your dates fall in whale season, and start planning from there.