Cabo San Lucas doesn’t belong to the top five destinations in Mexico for no reason. Although this resort city sits on the southernmost end of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, it remains one of the country’s most visited areas because of the activities and sceneries it offers.
Now, if you’re wondering what to do in Cabo San Lucas, this article is for you. Here, we’ll cover the top 10 things to do in the area. This way, you can have a general idea of what you can enjoy if you visit Cabo San Lucas.
This information also includes the cost of each activity (if they aren’t free) and the recommended time to enjoy each. This way, you can plan, prioritize what you like best, and leave other activities if you only have a limited time.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
1. Explore Land’s End or the El Arco
El Arco is the most popular place to explore in Cabo San Lucas. In general, it’s one of the city’s most iconic and must-visit spots.
You can easily find and reach this area since it sits between the popular beach areas of Playa del Amor and Playa del Divorcio.
El Arco is the rock formations naturally made by rough winds and waves of the South Baja California Peninsula. You can see plenty of sea lions here, especially along Los Frailes.
This spot is excellent for couples enjoying the sunset in a romantic atmosphere.
The best way to see this area is by water taxi or boat tour, which is particularly scenic and makes for great photo ops. In some boat tours, you can see sea life through glass-bottom boats.
There are, however, some drawbacks to the area. A few vendors and facilities are available, making it perfect for travelers seeking a peaceful, relaxing setting.
Swimmers are particularly cautioned not to swim on the Pacific Ocean side of El Arco because the waves can become rough, pulling them out of the shore.
Overall, it’s a must-visit spot when you visit Cabo San Lucas, and it will be worth your time, no matter how long you stay around.
- Cost of Activity: Free (except the cost of travel)
- Location: Medano Beach
- Type of Activity: Sightseeing and Exploration
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 4 to 5 hours
2. Enjoy the Popular Spots in San Jose del Cabo
While Cabo San Lucas is luxurious on its own, the neighboring area of San Jose del Cabo is known for being more elegant with more touch of Mexican culture.
This area is also known by the term Old Town, and it’s a favorite place to explore by tourists in Cabo San Lucas because of the rich Mexican touch and new luxury establishments.
For a break from the party scene in Cabo San Lucas, try San Jose del Cabo for a walk around the plaza, a visit to the church, a feast, or shopping.
You should also visit Plaza Mijares, which boasts several restaurants, charming shops, and the town’s mission church.
Swimmers and snorkelers will enjoy the waters and wildlife nearby Playa Palmilla and Playa Santa Maria.
San Jose del Cabo boasts excellent golf courses, and travelers recommend the Palmilla Golf Club. Further, the eateries in San José del Cabo are also some of the best in the region, so plan to explore them.
While San Jose del Cabo isn’t literally within Cabo San Lucas, the short trip to this area will always be enjoyable, and it’s a must-do when you’re in the area.
- Cost of Activity: Free (except the cost of travel)
- Location: San Jose del Cabo
- Type of Activity: Sightseeing and Exploration
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: around 1-2 hours
3. Relax at Playa del Amor
Cabo San Lucas is known for housing several excellent beach areas, and one of the most popular and favorite spots is the Playa del Amor, also known as Lover’s Beach.
Playa del Amor is a beach area in Cabo San Lucas that boasts its beautiful stretch of beach near the famous El Arco.
You can find the area south of Cabo San Lucas Downtown. However, you can reach it by riding a water taxi if you’re coming from the marina.
Most of its visitors recommend the beach for offering a relaxing vibe amidst a beautiful coast. It boasts the blue waters and lovely beach that sunbathers love.
The place may lose the romantic appeal of Lover’s Beach due to its popularity. In addition, the area lacks bathrooms and beach bars, and some travelers reported encountering pesky flies. The beach can be bug-ridden if you don’t bring bug spray.
Despite its downsides, Playa del Amor remains a must-visit place to enjoy the beauty of Cabo San Lucas, and it’s worth spending a few hours or even a whole day in this area.
- Cost of Activity: Free (except the cost of travel)
- Location: Cabo San Lucas Coast
- Type of Activity: Exploration and Relaxation
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 4-5 hours
4. Chileno Beach
While you’ll find plenty of beach spots in Cabo San Lucas, many prefer Chileno Beach for its relaxing vibe and calm waters.
Because of the calm and shallow coast, snorkelers and divers love to spend their time at this beach.
Besides snorkelers, travelers who enjoy a nice spot away from noisy restaurants and bars go to this area. Unlike other beach areas of Cabo San Lucas, Chileno beach is quieter.
Of course, a beach area away from the noise also means a need for more facilities and establishments that offer convenience.
Thus, if you want to spend some time on this beach, you’ll need to bring your food and expect more public facilities.
Despite these minor inconveniences, most travelers say that the impressive snorkeling makes it a worthwhile visit.
An easy and affordable bus connection from Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo takes you to Chileno Beach.
If you want to spend less time walking and waiting in the heat, travelers recommend arriving by car. However, if you decide to take the bus, the wait time will be around 20 to 30 minutes.
If you’re traveling via car, you’ll find plenty of parking areas nearby. The beach is free; travelers recommend going before 10 AM to beat the crowds. No set hours of operation apply.
- Cost of Activity: Free (except the cost of travel)
- Location: Route 1 Cabo San Lucas
- Type of Activity: Recreation and Exploration
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 2-4 hours
5. Watch Whales at the beach
Several species of whales visit Cabo San Lucas every year, making whale watching a popular activity in the area. As such, it’s one of the must-try activities when you’re visiting this area.
Whales are most likely to be seen between December and April, with babies most likely to be seen between January and March.
You’ll find plenty of whale-watching tour companies that offer whale-watching excursions. As such, you don’t have to do it on your own.
We suggest checking out the Whale Watch Cabo if you need some recommendations. It is a famous boat tour company with expert marine biologists guiding the tours.
You can listen to whales singing when a marine hydrophone is dropped into the water when they are spotted. In addition, all tours include professional photographs taken on the trip by the guides, ensuring you have a memorable photo with you afterward.
Another famous company to reach out to regarding this activity is CaboTrek. Besides offering various tours, the company also offers narrating and photography services.
- Cost of Activity: Tour Packages are around 90 to 100 USD per person
- Location: Cabo San Lucas
- Type of Activity: Tour
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 2 to 4 hours
6. Try Some Golfing at Cabo San Lucas’ Golf Courses
As you can imagine, Los Cabos boasts some of the best golf courses in the world because of the quantity and quality of the greens.
San Jose del Cabo has two famous golf courses that attract professionals and enthusiasts: Palmilla Golf Club and Club Campestre San Jose.
Tourists who try these gold courses always give positive remarks, saying the terrain is varied, the layouts are impressive, and the scenery is stunning at both places.
You’ll also find excellent golf courses if you want to stay in Cabo San Lucas.
The most famous golf courses within Cabo San Lucas are Diamante Cabo San Lucas, El Dorado Golf Course, and the Cabo del Sol Desert Course and Ocean Course.
Several recent travelers described these golf courses as having pristine greens, incredible views, and challenging water hazards.
With plenty of golf courses, Cabo San Lucas remains a haven for golf enthusiasts and even for newbies who wish to try the sport for the first time.
- Cost of Activity: 100 to 300 USD, depending on your preferred golf course
- Location: Cabo San Lucas’ Highway 1
- Type of Activity: Sports
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 4-5 hours
7. Visit the Iglesia de San Lucas and Town Square
The Iglesia de San Lucas is a short stroll from the marina, a great place to visit if you’re tired of beaches and margaritas. In addition, the main church of Cabo San Lucas is a great place to observe the architecture and culture of the area.
Many visitors recommend a quick visit to the church, and it doesn’t take as much time, even for a traveler with limited vacation.
A Spanish missionary built the Catholic church in 1730, surrounded by a new plaza with shops and restaurants.
Although the church has been renovated since the 19th century, the building remains relatively unchanged, providing a glimpse of the city’s past.
If you want to attend a service while in the city, you can do so on a Saturday evening and Sunday at noon. You’ll also find bilingual services on both days.
- Cost of Activity: Free (except for travel)
- Location: Zapata Street and Avenida Cabo San Lucas
- Type of Activity: Sightseeing and Exploration
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 1 to 2 hours
8. Swim at Playa El Médano
With its crystal blue waters and many beachside watering holes, Playa El Médano is the most crowded beach in Cabo San Lucas.
Besides relaxing with a drink, Playa El Médano offers a variety of active activities, including beach volleyball, jet skis, kayaks, boogie boards, and parasailing activities.
You’ll also find a nearby boat port where you can take a tour, panga, or boat ride to the famous El Arco.
Playa El Médano is a pristine beach, despite the crowds. Travelers appreciated the sand and water here because it was soft and transparent.
You can find plenty of nearby eateries and bars if you get hungry or crave a drink. If there’s one downside when visiting the area, it would be the constant attempts by vendors to sell souvenirs.
- Cost of Activity: Free
- Location: Cabo San Lucas Coast
- Type of Activity: Swimming and relaxing
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 2 to 4 hours
9. Ride a Camel on the Beaches
A camel ride on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas is one of the unique activities to do in the area. As such, it’s a must-try if you want to do something special.
Although camels aren’t generally associated with Mexico, Cabo San Lucas consists of a beach and a desert, making it a perfect spot for these animals to thrive.
Cabo’s eco farms offer visitors the chance to see these unique animals and allow them to ride as well. As such, camel rides in Cabo San Lucas have become popular among visitors of all ages in recent years.
Overall, it’s an experience you’ll only find around this area. The only thing to do is book your camel ride in Cabo early, as they sell out fast.
- Cost of Activity: Around 170 USD for two adults
- Location: Cabo San Lucas Beach
- Type of Activity: Camel Riding
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 20 minutes
10. Eat at a Sunset Dinner Cruise
If you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas, nothing beats the end of a day more than enjoying a sunset view on the beach. However, enjoying the view on a cruise while enjoying a sumptuous dinner will be much better.
In Cabo San Lucas, watching the sunset is best done on a boat, accompanied by an excellent and fancy gourmet dinner.
The best things to do on a cruise aren’t just for couples; some take groups. As such, this one is an excellent activity for solo travelers, small groups, and even families.
- Cost of Activity: around 129 USD per person
- Location: Cabo San Lucas Coast
- Type of Activity: Dinner and Sightseeing
- Recommended Time to Enjoy the Activity: 3 hours
Cabo San Lucas offers plenty of activities, and these ten activities are only a few. As such, if you’re still deciding whether this city is worth a visit, these popular activities will tell you more about it. If you want to know where Cabo San Lucas is, read our article: Discover the Magic of Cabo San Lucas: Where to Find It.
