Made up of two towns, San Lucas and San Jose, Cabo San Lucas is considered the world’s marlin sport fishing capital and one of Mexico’s top vacation destinations. Located at the southern tip of Baja California Sur, you’ll find lots of luxuries here, including high-end resorts and upscale eateries. It’s also famous for its endless nightlife, including renowned clubs like Cabo Wabo, The Office and the Mango Deck. While that may be enough for many, it offers all that and then some when it comes to things to see and do.
Catch a Beautiful Sunrise and Sunset
Depending on where you’re at in Cabo, you’ll be able to catch especially colorful sunrises or sunsets. From the east side of the southern tip of the peninsula, glorious sunrises await. It’s worth waking just before dawn to catch one while sipping your morning coffee. Along the west side, those sunsets are to-die-for. You’re sure to come home with lots of postcard-perfect shots.
Snorkel in the World's Aquarium
Along the eastern side of Cabo, the Sea of Cortez has been called the “World’s Aquarium” due to its incredible biodiversity, supporting over 800 species of fish and thousands of invertebrate species, like octopus and shellfish. Many are endemic, which means they’re only found here. Just keep in mind that not all beaches are good for snorkeling as not all have reefs, like Medano Beach, which is popular for swimming but not a good place to snorkel as reefs offer habitat, food and cover for fish and other marine life. Stretches with clear, calm water and rocky reefs can be ideal, such as out near Lovers and Divorce beaches adjacent to the famous Arch, Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Cove.
Sign Up for Deep-Sea Fishing
As the marlin fishing capital of the world, avid anglers won’t want to miss the chance to embark on a deep-sea fishing excursion. Many resorts and outfitters offer the opportunity, catering to everyone from beginners to experts with a myriad of price levels and boat options. Larger party boats that accommodate dozens of passengers for a day of fishing are very common, but you can also charter a smaller boat for a longer period of time. No matter which you choose, just getting out on the water is fabulous, but odds are, you’ll bring back a catch too.
Go Horseback Riding
While there are many horseback riding outfitters throughout the area, it’s important to choose one that not only offers a fun experience, but treats the horses humanely, like Cuadra San Francisco. This local, family-owned business makes sure its horses are well-fed and maintained and provides incredibly scenic rides, on the beach and in the desert. You might want to do one of each, or a mixed ride, for a different perspective of Cabo, as it’s a whole lot more than beautiful stretches of sand. You can choose from the one hour desert ride or two hour canyon ride to marvel at the plants and animals that make Baja different from anywhere else on Earth, take the one hour beach ride on the white beaches of Cabo Real, or a two hour mixed ride, one hour to the hills and one hour to the beach.
Enjoy Whale Watching
A whale watching boat tour is always a highlight when you’re visiting Cabo in the winter months, though the whale season is officially from December through April. Baja’s coastline, including Cabo San Lucas offers a front-row seat to the annual migration of hundreds of whales that arrive during this time. The majestic creatures head south to leave frigid Alaskan waters and take advantage of the sunny climate, wealth of marine life and shallow waters in the bays and lagoons north of Los Cabos. Eight of the 11 known whale species make this annual migration, which means you may be able to see gray, humpback, minke, Bryde, fin, blue and sei whales while getting an education about what you’re witnessing at the same time. In some seasons, the whales are so abundant you can see them right from your hotel room window, but being out on the water, up close, makes for the very best experience.
Get your Heart Pumping While ATVing
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) adventures are another one of the most popular activities in Baja, including Cabo. You’re guaranteed a thrilling ride while navigating trails through the desert and along the beach. There are multiple outfitters and ride options, enough to fill a book. If you’ve never ridden one, many include expert guides that will provide instruction as well as safety equipment for a ride that’s as fun and safe as possible, preparing you for a beach or desert adventure you’ll never forget, including rolling to the tops of mesas to take in both the Pacific and cactus-filled desert.
Play a Round or Two of Golf
Cabo is renowned for its scenic golf courses too, including some of the most stunning oceanfront holes on the planet, like the Puerto Los Cabos course just north of San Jose, designed by Nicklaus and Norman. Cabo ranks as the second most popular golf vacation destination for American golfers, trailing only behind Hawaii. Most of the courses are located in what’s referred to as the “Tourist Corridor,” between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo along the Sea of Cortez. On the Pacific side of the peninsula is the Diamante Dunes Course which was ranked No. 1 in Mexico by Golf Digest.
Admire the Views on a Lovers Arch Tour
Cabo is perhaps most famous for its “Arch,” one of many unique rock formations along the coast that are surrounded by remarkably clear azure waters. This is the extraordinary spot you’ve probably seen many times as it’s depicted on countless Baja postcards and brochures. Boat tours are available from the marina and nearby Medano Beach, with some including the option to snorkel or take part in other activities.
Shop, People Watch and More at the Marina
The Marina is a great place to be for shopping, dining, people watching and more. It’s filled with unique shops, a wide range of eateries serving very high quality, fresh local cuisine (including lots of mouthwatering seafood). Enjoy relaxing and taking in the scene from one of the many bars, or check out the various wares the vendors are selling – just be sure to bargain a little, the asking price is usually negotiable.
