Are you looking for a vacation destination that has absolutely everything? If so, then Cabo San Lucas needs to be on your list. There are so many things to do in Cabo San Lucas that you’ll never be bored
Located on the tip of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is a favorite of many A-list stars. Nonetheless, it’s perfectly accessible to the average family.
From stunning beaches to jaw-dropping resorts, this is a fantastic place to spend a holiday.
Another reason to visit is that there are so many activities to do or visit in Cabo San Lucas. You’ll always have something to do thanks to the stunning terrain, the ocean and the many experienced tour operators. From mild to wild, there’s something for everyone to see in Cabo San Lucas.
Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas so that you can start planning your dream itinerary.
15 Best Things To Do in Cabo San Lucas
1. People Watch at Medano Beach
When many people talk about “the beach” in Cabo San Lucas, they often are referring to Medano Beach.
The waters are calm here, making this the ideal place to take a dip. The sand is perfect and golden, and you’ll find no end of activities in which to indulge.
From jet skiing to parasailing, thrill seekers will find plenty to entice them.
Perhaps the most popular thing to see in Cabo San Lucas, Medano Beach is located to the east side of the harbor and extends to Villa del Palmar along the length of Cabo San Lucas Bay.
Accordingly, you’ll find several miles of beach, all along which you’ll discover fantastic spots for swimming.
Where it is closest to the city, Medano Beach is packed, especially during Spring Break season.
This also is the area where you can find a wealth of restaurants, bars and hotels. Nightclubs abound here, and you’ll find an assortment of souvenir shops as well, making this a prime destination for tourists.
If you try to nap somewhere on this portion of the beach, you’ll probably be interrupted numerous times by various wandering vendors who sell everything from temporary tattoos and jewelry to blankets and sombreros.
Medano Beach is the place to see and be seen. With opportunities to rent banana boats and kayaks, play volleyball or join in a beach party, this is the place to be if you’re looking for excitement.
2. El Arco, a must-do in Cabo San Lucas
Let’s start with what is perhaps the most recognizable sight in Cabo: El Arco, also known as Land’s End. The only way to really see this natural rock arch is to get out on the water.
Several tour operators can get you there with ease via boat. If you want to go the ultra-luxurious route, charter your own yacht for a one-of-a-kind experience. Other available options include dinner cruises or glass bottom boat tours.
Some visitors prefer to get up-close-and-personal by using a stand-up paddle board or kayak while still others choose to snorkel. Check this Los Cabos Arch and Playa del Amor Tour by Glass Bottom Kayak.
In addition to the magnificent rock formations, these options give you the chance to view all sorts of colorful fish just beneath the surface of the water. If you’re lucky, you’ll see troupes of lazy sea lions basking on the sunny rocks too.
If you do snorkel or paddle at El Arco, you also have a chance to stretch out and relax on the beach, making the experience even more memorable.
You can book a tour to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas here.
3. Take a Hike and Enjoy the View from Pedregal
Pedregal is one of Cabo San Lucas’ most affluent, upscale neighborhoods. It’s quiet and reserved, but if you’re looking for an outstanding cardio workout, there’s none better to be found in the region.
Active visitors love to challenge themselves with a hike to Pedregal. The view is payment enough for the effort, but you also might enjoy seeing all of the exclusive, multi-million dollar luxury homes that dot the road.
The road itself is steep and makes frequent switchbacks, and considering the effort involved, it’s probably best to attempt this hike early in the day.
If you do make it to the top, the views are stunning. Below you lie the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Cabo San Lucas’ marina is in view as are the graceful cruise ships resting serenely at anchor. It just might be the best view to see in Cabo San Lucas.
If you want to attempt the hike yourself, travel west along Lazaro Cardenas, crossing Miguel Hidalgo. Go through the security gate into the gated community, after which the road begins to climb.
A white, round observatory is located at the top from which you can enjoy the awe-inspiring views. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
4. Take a Whale Watching Tour
If you are fortunate enough to visit between mid-December and the first days of April, then whale watching is one of the most memorable things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
From the comfort and safety of a large vessel with an expert captain, you’ll have a unique opportunity for viewing humpback, gray and a variety of other whales as they migrate from the feeding grounds in the Arctic to the warmer waters just off the Baja Peninsula.
This is where the whales mate and give birth, so you might even spot some juvenile whales during your adventure.
Humpback whales are the most plentiful species in the region. Fortunately, they also are among the most visible and active. You can watch them jumping and spouting, and it may even be possible to see them from shore.
However, the best way by far to get an up-close view is to take a boat tour. Whale sightings are virtually guaranteed, and there are so many tour operators that it’s usually pretty easy to find an available sailing that’s convenient for your itinerary.
Both large and small vessels make these voyages, so you can also make a choice based on your comfort level.
Read also: Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas
5. Go Snorkeling – Especially at Santa Maria Bay
Speaking of whale watching, Santa Maria Bay is another place where you could easily spot whales from the shore or in the water. Of course, most people come to this beach to snorkel.
In fact, Santa Maria Bay is widely considered to be one of the best places to snorkel in Cabo. You can get there with a snorkeling boat tour, but some companies offer a kayak and snorkel tour.
If you are an active traveler, this is an unbeatable experience. In fact, some tours take you to both Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Beach (Check this Beach Hopper Snorkeling Tour in Los Cabos).
If you don’t want to approach Santa Maria Bay from the water, you don’t have to. It’s easy to drive there or you can take a bus.
Those who want to have the beach and bay to themselves are encouraged to get there early in the morning. It’s one of the most beautiful and tranquil experiences that you may ever have on vacation.
The water in Santa Maria Bay is calm and incredibly clear. This is vital because it’s what makes viewing the tropical fish so easy and exciting.
Don’t neglect spending some time on Santa Maria Beach too. It’s absolutely pristine, and the coarse golden sand is lovely.
Palapas are scattered here and there on the beach, which are just another reason to arrive as early as possible. You’ll want the shade of a palapa when the sun gets higher.
With virtually new public beach facilities that include bathrooms and showers, Santa Maria Bay is a wonderful place to enjoy snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, giving you a fantastic thing to do in Cabo San Lucas.
6. Take a Dip with Whale Sharks
Neither a whale nor a shark, these enormous fish are simply gentle giants. Recognized as the world’s largest fish, some members of the species can grow to be 40 feet long.
Eating only plankton and krill just by opening their mouths wide as they swim, whale sharks gather in the Bay of La Paz between October and February.
The bay is reached after an approximately two-hour drive from Cabo, but the effort is definitely worthwhile.
If you like, you can join an all-day tour that departs from Cabo San Lucas in the morning.
Most of these are conducted on a boat, with the personnel working in conjunction with a spotter plane that swoops above your heads. The airplane captain lets the boat know when whale sharks are spotted.
The boat captain advises his passengers to “jump.” That’s your sign to hit the water so you can swim alongside the giant fish.
With your snorkel mask in place, it’s easy to get an up-close-and-personal look. You’ll be virtually within touching distance as you watch the fish feed.
7. Discover an Art Walk
In the neighboring city of San Jose del Cabo, visitors can join art walks on Thursday evenings from November to June.
Winter is the high season, so if you visit during these months, chances are good that you will find plenty of events and things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
One of the best of these is the free cultural art walks that are held each week in San Jose del Cabo. The city boasts literally dozens of art galleries within a sprawling arts district. All of them stay open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays during the winter.
Many hold special events on these nights, including lectures, wine tastings and opportunities to meet the artists that are represented in the galleries.
The streets in the art district frequently are closed to vehicular traffic during the Art Walks so that you can wander on foot to your heart’s content. These are seriously popular events that no art lover will want to miss.
Be sure to make a dinner reservation in advance so that you can dine and browse as much as you like.
8. Chileno Beach
Located on the bustling Tourist Corridor that runs between the neighboring city of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Chileno Beach, or Playa Chileno as you may hear it called, is one of the best stretches of coastline in the region.
It’s regularly named as one of Mexico’s cleanest beaches, and this is the sandy expanse where locals are most likely to go.
Medano Beach is more centrally located and is a particular hotspot during Spring Break season, but Chileno Beach is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Chileno Beach is easy to reach from the highway, especially since its entrance is well-marked with a highly visible sign.
The unpaved parking lot is just a short walk from the beach itself where you will find basic amenities like portable toilets, garbage cans and a lifeguard stand.
People come here to swim or snorkel in the calm waters, especially thanks to the beach’s Blue Flag safety rating. The tide pools offer excellent opportunities to view aquatic wildlife.
If you’re looking for a quieter stretch of coastline that isn’t quite as frantic as some of Cabo’s other beaches, this is the place to be.
9. Test Your Mettle on a Zipline
Have you tried ziplining yet? As in other vacation destinations around the world, these attractions have become immensely popular in Cabo San Lucas. Several operators offer these adrenaline-charged activities that let you see the terrain from a bird’s eye view.
If you’re not familiar with ziplines, then you’ll want to know that a zipline is simply a cable that is strung between two sturdy platforms. The platforms may be placed on a cliff high off the ground with the next platform being some 100 to 200 feet distant.
As a participant, you are strapped into a safety harness that hangs from a robust pulley that is directly attached to the zipline. All you have to do is step off the platform to send yourself hurtling gracefully through space to the next platform.
It’s a singularly exhilarating experience, and it also provides you with a chance to gain a whole new perspective on Cabo’s gorgeous scenery.
Rather than seeing the famous beaches, this is a chance to see the canyons and the mountain desert in a unique manner.
The various zipline tour operators in Cabo San Lucas promise adventures that range from family-friendly to thrilling and extreme. Which is the right one for your vacation?
You can book a Outdoor Ziplining and UTV Adventure from Los Cabos here.
10. Belly Up to the Bar at El Squid Roe
Without a doubt, thousands of visitors arrive in Cabo each year with just one goal in mind: Partying. For them, one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas is to spend at least one evening at El Squid Roe.
This place is so famous that you might hear people saying that you haven’t really been to Cabo until you’ve partied here. Three stories of pulsing music, moving bodies and flashing neon lights make this the place to spend a night to remember.
Even if you aren’t into the party scene, the people watching at El Squid Roe is phenomenal. Servers roam through the throng with tequila spray tanks at night.
If you want to say that you’ve been there but also want to avoid the late-night revelry, visit during the day when meals are served. The vibe is much quieter, and you can have guacamole made at your table.
Once the clock hits 11:00 pm, the wild nightlife kicks into high gear. It usually doesn’t stop until several hours after the posted closing time. You might see the sun coming up before you head back to your resort.
11. Sample the Amenities at Your Resort
With all of the snorkeling, shopping, clubbing and ziplining to be done, it can be easy to overlook all of the fun and relaxing possibilities that are awaiting you at your resort.
Cabo does have a few no-frills hotels for the especially budget-conscious traveler, but the vast majority of properties that cater to tourists are distinctly upscale and luxurious.
Many of the best resorts are located right on the beach, giving them an exclusive stretch of coastline with available amenities like rentals for water sports and cabanas to keep you out of the hot sun.
Of course, you also will discover that your resort probably has a stunning pool complex. Resorts with multiple pools are common, which means that there may be a pool for the family, one that’s just for kids and another that is reserved exclusively for adults.
Expect amenities like water slides and lazy rivers as well as numerous hot tubs.
Thanks to numerous lounge chairs and private cabanas, there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy a good book or a nap.
It’s not at all unusual for resorts in Cabo San Lucas to have state-of-the-art fitness facilities where group classes may be offered. Spas and salons may be located onsite so that you can have a massage or a blowout without leaving the property.
Game rooms, movie rentals and many other thoughtful amenities make it easy for travelers to unwind in the manner that best suits their mood.
When you are looking for things to do in Cabo San Lucas, don’t overlook the delightful amenities that can be found at your hotel.
12. Visit the Marina and shop in the Golden Zone
Even if you aren’t interested in a sunset cruise or chartering a fishing boat, the marina is one of the top things to see in Cabo San Lucas. It functions as a central hub for tourism as well as being a popular place to enjoy a stroll or a jog.
As you walk, be certain to check out all of the luxury yachts at anchor, and set aside some time to visit the upscale shops. Known as the Golden Zone, this stretch of high-end stores is irresistible to most tourists.
There are even a few more casual shops thrown in for good measure. In addition to stores, the marina boasts numerous bars and restaurants. Various eateries in the neighborhood will cook the fish you caught on your morning’s fishing expedition.
There’s even a Cultural Pavilion where you can catch a dance or theater performance.
If you love the vibe around the marina, you might select one of the hotels in the area. Some of them are among the best in the city.
Also clustered in the area are many tour operators where you can reserve whale watching excursions, fishing adventures and much more.
13. Take a Tour and Dine at Flora Farms
Tourists who feel the allure of seasonal, field-to-table meals will love a visit to Flora Farms. Located just north of San Jose del Cabo, Flora Farms is tucked in the shadow of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains.
It’s a 25-acre organic farm that offers guided walking tours. Additionally, you can dine in impeccable style at Flora’s Field Kitchen and enjoy fantastic libations at The Farm Bar.
If you want to take home some produce, schedule a stop at the onsite Flora Farms Grocery.
The Shoppes at Flora Farms promise a unique experience as does The Farm Spa where you can indulge in luxurious personal services like facials and massages.
Those who want to spend additional time here are encouraged to reserve one of the Culinary Cottages or The Hayloft, luxury accommodations that are tailor-made for foodies.
Among the available activities are art and cooking classes, plant identification walks, movie nights, sunset yoga and live music sessions. Be certain to check out the schedule well before your arrival so that you can make the most of your visit.
While this is a working farm, you’ll likely be impressed by just how luxurious and well-appointed all of the facilities at Flora Farms are.
More info: Flora Farms
14. Escape to Cabo Pulmo for Scuba Diving
Many spots in Cabo San Lucas promise world-class scuba diving. However, Cabo Pulmo is considered to be the absolute best by many experienced divers. If you visit in October or November, chances are very good that you’ll enjoy warm water and incredible visibility.
Cabo Pulmo is one of the best places in the region to scuba dive with sharks. Tiger sharks and bull sharks frequently are seen in the area. You’re also likely to encounter octopus, moray eels, sea turtles and porkfish among hundreds of others.
You can reach Cabo Pulmo by driving two hours to the northeast of Cabo San Lucas. Located on the Baja California Peninsula’s East Cape, Cabo Pulmo is unspoiled and uncrowded. That means you have plenty of license to explore the sea and the desert.
Cabo Pulmo also is a national park that features a living coral reef that is approximately 20,000 years old. No wonder scuba diving is so incredible here!
If you love scuba diving and want to take full advantage of Cabo Pulmo, consider spending at least one night in a local hotel.
You can book a Cabo Pulmo National Park Snorkel Expedition from Cabo San Lucas here.
15. Take a Day Trip to Todos Santos
This charming small city might be the best-kept secret on the Baja Peninsula. The government has designated Todos Santos as a magical town, a moniker that it certainly deserves.
Because it showcases Mexican culture, Todos Santos is your opportunity to enjoy an authentic taste of the region.
Established as a Spanish mission back in 1724, Todos Santos was long known as a center for the production of sugarcane.
With cobblestone streets, traditional festivals and many museums, it’s easy for visitors to feel like they have stepped back in time when they venture here.
Of course, sometimes the more modern world does intrude. Legend has it that the Eagles got the inspiration for their hit song Hotel California from a Todos Santos hotel.
You’ll find Todos Santos about one hour north of Cabo San Lucas, and it promises a charming change from the bustle of Cabo.
Quiet boutiques and art galleries are the perfect places to find a memorable souvenir. Admire colonial architecture, enjoy an ice cream treat or relax on the beach.
Sometimes the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas involve getting out of the city altogether!
You can book a Todos Santos Day Trip from Cabo San Lucas here.