Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: travel guide
Land's End arch, sport fishing and resort beaches at Baja's tip
The glamorous tip of Baja California Sur, famous for the El Arco rock arch, sport fishing, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife at Land's End.
About Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas lies at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Desert and ocean come together here, and the rock arch at Land's End is the landmark that everyone comes to see.
Boat trips from the marina pass the arch and Playa del Amor, and snorkelling and sport fishing are among the most popular outings. Medano Beach is the main stretch for swimming and lively beach bars, while Playa Chileno is quieter. The nearby town of San José del Cabo has an art district and a more relaxed pace, and from December to April whales pass offshore.
Cabo suits couples, anglers and travellers who like resorts and nightlife. The weather is warm and dry through much of the year, with the cooler months from November to May being the most comfortable.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Mazatlan
- Nearest airport
- SJD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cabo San Lucas
El Arco (Land's End Arch)
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The iconic granite arch where Pacific meets Sea of Cortez — sea lions bask on nearby Playa del Amor, accessible only by boat. The symbol of Cabo.
Medano Beach & Marina
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Cabo's only swimmable in-town beach with beach clubs, plus the marina packed with sport-fishing boats, whale-watching tours, and charter yachts.
Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach)
beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin-sided beach at Land's End, Pacific on one side and calm Sea of Cortez on the other.
Land's End & Neptune's Finger
landmark · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Granite rock formations marking the tip of the Baja peninsula, reached by water taxi.
Playa Solmar
beach · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Dramatic Pacific-facing beach with powerful surf; for sunsets and strolls, not swimming.
Cabo San Lucas Marina
marina · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Horseshoe marina ringed by restaurants, bars and boat-tour docks.
Playa Chileno
beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Swimmable blue-flag beach on the Corridor with a rocky reef for snorkelling.
Sunset Monalisa Viewpoint
viewpoint · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cliffside viewpoint over the arch and marina, prized for sunset photos.
San José del Cabo Art District
neighbourhood · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Colonial old town with galleries, a mission church and a Thursday art walk.
Things to do
- Land's End Arch Boat & Snorkeling Water Sports · 3 h · from MXN 800 per person
- Cabo Whale Watching Tour · 3 h · from MXN 1,100 per person
- Sunset Sailing Cruise Tour · 2.5 h · from MXN 1,000 per person
- Chileno Bay Snorkel Tour Water Sports · 3 h · from MXN 950 per person
- Desert ATV & Camel Safari Adventure · 4 h · from MXN 1,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Cabo Whale Watching + Land's End Snorkel 5 h · from 1,800
Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas
- Marina District about MXN 3,500 per night
The action hub — all the restaurants, bars, whale-watching boats, and snorkel tours depart from here. Walking distance to everything.
- Pedregal about MXN 22,000 per night
Exclusive clifftop neighbourhood — stunning views, privacy, The Resort at Pedregal, gated residential streets.
Hotels
- The Resort at Pedregal 5-star · MXN 22,000 to MXN 55,000 per night
- Grand Solmar Land's End Resort 5-star
- Bahia Hotel & Beach House 4-star
- Cabo Inn Hotel 2-star
- Baja Cantina Hotel 2-star · MXN 1,200 to MXN 2,200 per night
- Comfort Inn Cabo San Lucas 3-star
Where to eat
- Mariscos El Toro Guero seafood, mexican · about MXN 200 per person
- La Casita mexican, traditional · about MXN 150 per person
- The Office on the Beach Seafood, Mexican · about MXN 600 per person
- Sunset Monalisa Mediterranean, International · about MXN 1,600 per person
- Los Tres Gallos Mexican · about MXN 450 per person
- Tacos Gardenias Mexican, Seafood · about MXN 180 per person
- Edith's Restaurant Mexican, Seafood · about MXN 1,300 per person
Getting to Cabo San Lucas
Airport: San Jose, Los Cabos (SJD)
How visitors arrive in Cabo San Lucas
- Flight into Los Cabos (SJD) By air from Los Cabos airport · common
Visitors land at the airport near San Jose del Cabo, the busiest in the region, then transfer by shuttle, taxi or private car. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise ship By ferry from Cruise itineraries · possible
Cruise ships call often and anchor offshore, with passengers ferried to land. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from La Paz By road from La Paz · possible
Regional buses link the town with La Paz and San Jose del Cabo; long-distance coaches run on the Baja peninsula. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Ruta del Desierto bus
Buses stop outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and run to Cabo San Lucas. Luggage space may be limited. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Shared or private shuttle van
Shared vans serve major hotels and private vans suit groups. Book private transfers ahead of arrival. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Licensed taxi
Taxis are available at the airport. Accept rides only from licensed drivers and agree the fare first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Touts inside the terminal offering transport in return for a timeshare presentation are best avoided; your real transfer waits outside. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Regional buses run to Cabo San Lucas from San José del Cabo, La Paz and other nearby cities.
- Taxi
Taxis are readily available in Cabo San Lucas, and fares are negotiable, so agree the rate before you ride.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Timeshare Hard-Sell
Cabo San Lucas Marina, Hotel Zone, airport arrivals
Staff at "tourist information" booths offer free breakfast, whale-watching trips, or cash in exchange for attending a resort presentation. Presentations last 4–6 hours with high-pressure tactics.
How to avoid it: Mexico has a 5-day cooling-off period (PROFECO) for timeshare contracts — you can cancel any purchase made under pressure. Never sign anything under duress. PROFECO hotline: 800-468-8722.
Best time to visit Cabo San Lucas
- Jan 27°C
- Feb 27°C
- Mar 29°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 32°C
- Jun 33°C
- Jul 34°C
- Aug 35°C
- Sep 34°C
- Oct 33°C
- Nov 30°C
- Dec 27°C
More in Mexico
Frequently asked questions about Cabo San Lucas
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cabo San Lucas?
- The highest-rated places in our Cabo San Lucas guide are El Arco (Land's End Arch), Medano Beach & Marina.
- Where should I stay in Cabo San Lucas?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cabo San Lucas: Marina District, Pedregal.
- How do I get around Cabo San Lucas?
- Ways to get around Cabo San Lucas covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Cabo San Lucas?
- Scams reported to us for Cabo San Lucas include Timeshare Hard-Sell. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Cabo San Lucas?
- Average daytime highs in Cabo San Lucas run from 27°C in Jan to 35°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to Cabo San Lucas?
- The nearest airport to Cabo San Lucas has the code SJD.