27 Epic Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas (and Beyond)
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Beaches with buzz? Eye-popping resorts? Stunning coastal scenery? Check, check, check!
Welcome to Los Cabos, Mexico’s chic desert-meets-the-sea playground at the tip of Baja California Sur.
Celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber and George Clooney escape here – and so do we! We’ve visited Cabo umpteen times and explored nearly all the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas and nearby.
But with so much to see and do, planning can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. As seasoned travel writers, we’ve covered Cabo for top magazines, newspapers and our own Los Cabos travel guide and Cabo Visitor blog.
From whale watching to world-class sportfishing, sailing, scuba diving and even hiking, we’ve done it all – and loved every sun-drenched minute!
Here’s our ultimate list of 27 awesome things to do on your trip to Cabo.
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The area in brief
Los Cabos (“the capes”) includes the two main cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. People often say “Cabo” to mean the entire area, though sometimes they just mean Cabo San Lucas.
Here, we use “Cabo” to describe the whole fabulous destination.
The very best things to do in Cabo San Lucas (and Los Cabos)
Here’s a quick mini-guide to plan your perfect vacay!
When to visit
Winter is peak whale season – with sunshine galore. Summer brings fewer crowds and great deals. October and November are ideal for snorkeling and diving.
So there’s no real best time to visit Cabo.😎
🏨 Where to stay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One & Only Palmilla – Classic beachfront luxury
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Grand Velas Los Cabos – Ultra-deluxe all-inclusive
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hotel El Ganzo – Artsy boutique digs
➡️ Also see our full guides to Cabo’s best resorts and adults-only escapes – including fabulous ones with private pool suites.
Must-do Cabo activities
- Chill on Medano Beach
- Go whale watching
- See the Arch at Land’s End
- Sail and snorkel in style
- Join the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk
🍴 Places to eat
- Flora Farms – We adore this farm-to-table eatery!
- Tacos Gardenias – Delish shrimp tacos
- Salvatore G’s – Yummy Italian (and huge portions)
➡️ Also try a fun Mexican cooking class – cook, sip margaritas and feast!
1) Go whale watching
Every year between mid-December and early April, thousands of gray, humpback and other whales migrate from their Arctic feeding grounds to the warm waters off the Baja California Peninsula to mate and give birth.
You see mainly humpback whales
They’re the most active and acrobatic, and you often see them right from the shore as they spout and leap.
But to see them up close, take a whale watching boat tour – hands down one of the best things to do in Los Cabos in winter!
Whale tours
You’re almost guaranteed to spot whales on a tour. We’ve gone whale watching in Cabo at least eight times now and had fantastic sightings on all trips except one.
- Small boat with a marine biologist guide – On this top-rated, small-group boat trip (cap of 12 guests), there’s no elbowing for shade or a good view. Whale Watch Cabo (which runs this tour) keep things responsible. On our recent tour, our biologist guide shared tons of cool whale secrets! Bonus: You get all the guide’s photos free.
- Zodiac adventure – If you crave excitement, this thrilling small-group Zodiac tour with Cabo Expeditions is our pick. We’ve done it ourselves – it’s fast, fun and educational. Their expert guides are passionate about marine life, and the company is uniquely trained and authorized to rescue distressed whales.
- Luxury catamaran with mimosas – For a deluxe catamaran experience – complete with mimosas, delicious snacks and a hydrophone to hear the whales’ haunting songs – we love this option. When we cruised on this French-made catamaran, we were seriously impressed!
- Large stable catamaran – If you’re prone to seasickness or visiting with kids, go for this whale watching tour on the Sun Rider 100. It’s big, steady and comes with a buffet brunch and open bar. The company’s been around for ages in Cabo and has a good rep (though being a bigger boat, it can’t get quite as close to the whales).
Bonus
All tours sail past Land’s End. One of the most famous Cabo San Lucas attractions, these dramatic rock formations are home to the famous rock Arch at the tip of Baja.
2) Snorkel at Santa Maria Bay
Cradled by golden cliffs, Santa Maria Bay is one of the top snorkeling spots in Cabo. (And if you’re lucky, you might even see whales spouting offshore!)
Take a deluxe snorkeling boat tour
We had an absolute blast on this luxury 4-hour sailing-and-snorkeling cruise – starting with mimosas as we boarded the yacht to the snorkeling, swimming, seafood lunch (with specialty cocktails) and sailing with the wind on our return.
You’ll snorkel at either Santa Maria Beach or Chileno Bay, depending on the conditions. (Both are beautiful and teeming with fish.)
Kayak and snorkel
For a more active adventure, we’ve joined this kayaking and snorkeling trip with Cabo Outfitters – paddling from one bay to the other and snorkeling at both.
It’s a fun eco-friendly way to explore the coast!
Visit Santa Maria Bay independently
Prefer to explore on your own?
Bring your own snorkeling gear, and you can beat the crowds by driving (or taking the bus) to Santa Maria Beach first thing in the morning. You’ll pretty well have the beach and water all to yourself!
➡️ Get all the details in our DIY guide to snorkeling at Santa Maria Bay.
3) Visit Flora Farms
Flora Farms has been a favorite for years, constantly evolving and getting better.
Hidden away at the end of a bumpy sand road near San Jose del Cabo, this 25-acre organic farm grows a colorful array of flowers, veggies and herbs.
At its heart is its field kitchen and farm-to-table restaurant.
A great way to experience Flora Farms is to join a free walking farm tour (reserve here), then savor a leisurely lunch.
Dinner is just as enticing. Maybe lemon chicken, zucchini-and-fresh-herb pasta, wood-oven pizza or organic salad with home-made burrata cheese?
Better yet, share everything family-style for the maximum flavors.
Alternative farm-to-table restos in Cabo San Lucas
If you’re staying in Cabo San Lucas and don’t want to make the 30- to 40-minute drive to Flora Farms, try El Huerto.
Just outside town, this beautiful farm-to-table alternative is surrounded by orchards and fruit trees. It’s pricey (especially the wine), but worth it for a special night out.
Pssst! Order the El Camino cocktails, made with mezcal chili syrup, ginger, rosemary, grapefruit and lemon juice.
➡️ We also dined at Torote Restaurant recently – equally wonderful food, beautiful views of Cabo San Lucas and a little less expensive than El Huerto.
4) Have fun at Medano Beach
One of our favorite activities is totally free. We’re talking about hitting the beach!
Now, there are many fabulous beaches in Cabo. But Medano beach is the it beach.
Picture-perfect golden sand? Check. Calm waters? It’s one of the few beaches in the area where you can safely swim.
You can also enjoy lots of fun water activities like jet skiing and parasailing.
Enjoying Medano Beach
The bars and beach clubs are congregated around the stretch of sand closest to town.
The further you walk along Medano Beach away from town, the quieter it gets.
5) Hike up Mount Solmar
Looking for a great outdoor cardio workout? Try the Mt. Solmar hike – led by a local guide and accompanied by energetic rescue dogs.
We’ve done it and loved every sweaty minute. It definitely is a heart-pumping climb and involves some real rock scrambling!
The reward at the top is huge – sweeping views over Cabo San Lucas, the marina, Land’s End, and both the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez.
It takes most people about 2 hours roundtrip (including time to soak up the views at the top).
Mt. Solmar dog hike details
- Where – Meet at the Dog Training Camp near the west end of the Cabo San Lucas Marina
- When – Sunday to Friday at 8:00 am (no hike on Saturday); 6:00 am start time in summer
- Cost – Free, but leave a tip to help support the dogs
6) Chow down on seafood tacos
One of the funny quirks we’ve cottoned on to about Mexican food? Not all tacos are cut from the same tortilla. Some are ho-hum, while others are seriously scrumptious!
After trying many places, we’ve found some of Cabo’s best tacos are served at Tacos Gardenias.
Once a humble hole-in-the-wall, this taco joint has tidied itself up over the years. Even high-heeled, mini-skirted, 20-somethings spill out of taxis for a bite here before going clubbing.
But “Mama” (the founding grandma) still runs the kitchen and takes orders.
While we sometimes mix it up and order fish tacos, we love the fresh shrimp tacos the most.
With all the fixings on the side, and your choice of corn or flour tortillas, it’s taco perfection – all for a modest price. A strong margarita makes it even better.
We’ve also discovered a new taqueria, La Lupita Taco & Mezcal.
They take tacos to the next level with creative options like shrimp tempura with curry sauce (divine!) and pork pastor tacos with a cheesy crust, stuffed with onion, cilantro and pineapple.
Bonus: There’s rocking live music after 7:00 pm.
Tacos (and margaritas) will never taste the same back home. Sigh…
Cabo food tours
If you’ve got a real crush on tacos, this Cabo taco tasting tour might tempt you.
Or check out this award-winning food tour. You visit five different family-owned eateries in Cabo San Lucas on a food-focused walking tour (maximum group size of 15). Tasting tacos is, of course, part of the tour.
7) Swim with whale sharks
Whale sharks aren’t whales. They’re the largest sharks in the world, growing up to 40 feet long in size.
But don’t worry, these gentle giants feed only on plankton and krill, scooping them up with their cavernous mouths.
Between October and February, they gather in the Bay of La Paz, about a 2-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas – offering a once-in-lifetime opportunity to swim with them.
And take it from us… Swimming with whales sharks in La Paz is one of the most awesome bucket-list experiences in Mexico!
You can book an epic all-day adventure from Cabo (like this one) to swim alongside these magnificent creatures, while peering at them through your snorkel mask.
Whale sharks feed close to the surface, so what’s amazing is that you swim almost within arm’s reach. (But remember, no touching, as this can hurt their skin.)
8) Splash out on a splurgey hotel
Cabo is the place to pamper yourself silly at a seriously fabulous hotel. (One big difference between Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, for example, is that Cabo has way more uber-luxe resorts.)
Over the years, we’ve stayed at many of the swankiest hotels in Cabo, including:
- One & Only Palmilla – Once the holiday getaway for a Mexican president’s son, this fabled hotel now spoils guests with Mexican-inspired beachfront suites, a drop-dead gorgeous (virtually private) swimmable beach and a restaurant run by a Michelin-star chef.
- Grand Velas Los Cabos – It’s hard to beat for a luxurious all-inclusive stay for families and couples. It blew us away with its stylish suites and foodie-worthy restaurants.
- The Cape, a Thompson Hotel – Think splendid views of Cabo’s 200-foot-high rock arch paired with a hip contemporary vibe. (It’s easily one of the coolest adults-leaning hotels in Cabo.)
Pssst! You don’t have to spend tons on a great hotel
Cabo also has excellent stays that won’t torch your travel budget.
Take Hotel El Ganzo. It’s an artsy boutique 4-star hotel in San Jose del Cabo, with a killer rooftop pool and its own beach club on a swimmable beach. And it’s surprisingly affordable!
We’ve stayed here many times for a few days before moving on to our timeshare club.
9) Go on an Art Walk
On Thursday evenings from November to June, San Jose del Cabo comes alive with its vibrant Art Walk.
The town’s art district buzzes as dozens of galleries stay open until 9:00 pm, inviting you to browse, enjoy wine tastings, attend talks and meet the artists behind the creations.
With downtown streets closed to cars, the evening transforms into a pedestrian-friendly cultural celebration. Live music fills the air, adding to the festive vibe.
Best of all? It’s free!
Over the years, the Art Walk has become one of the most popular events in Cabo – you won’t want to miss it.
Tip: Dining in San Jose del Cabo
Be sure to make restaurant reservations well in advance if you want dinner in town on Thursdays.
The restaurants are packed on Art Walk nights.
10) Ride a camel
Say what? Yep – camels in Cabo are a thing. And we can confirm it’s every bit as fun (and unexpected) as it sounds, because we’ve done it ourselves!
This popular camel safari adventure takes you to a desert ranch about a 45-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas.
After getting your photos taken with a camel (they have big personalities!), you set off on a 15-minute ride along the edge of the ocean – desert on one side, sea breeze on the other. Totally surreal. We joked it felt like Lawrence of Arabia, Part II.
When the ride wraps up, there’s a Mexican buffet lunch, a tortilla-making demo, and a mezcal and tequila tasting.
We loved how it’s not just a quick ride, but a full experience – and it ended up being one of the most unique excursions we’ve done in Cabo.
Want to double the adventure?
This camel ride and ATV combo lets you tick off two bucket-list experiences in one go. Start with the camel ride, then hop on an ATV with your guide to race through desert canyons and riverbeds.
11) Party at El Squid Roe
You haven’t experienced Cabo if you haven’t partied at El Squid Roe.
Clubbers rave about its three stories of throbbing energy with flashing neon lights and dance cages.
You can’t beat the people watching! Servers with tequila spray tanks roam the crowds, and revelers hang over railings above to watch dudes and divas shake it up on the dance floor below.
While El Squid Roe is open for meals during the day (try the guacamole made at your table), the real party heats up after 11:00 pm.
Some nights the non-stop fun continues long after official closing. (Is that the sun coming up?)
12) Learn to stand-up paddle board
The SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) craze has hit Cabo.
We love heading out early in the morning on a SUP board from Medano Beach and paddling to Land’s End and back!
Many rental shacks on Medano Beach rent out paddle boards.
The cost varies, depending on how busy they are (and how well you negotiate). But expect to pay about $25 USD for an hour.
It’s easy to learn how to SUP. But if you want a little help, check out Cabo SUP. They organize guided SUP tours early in the morning from 7:00 to 9:00 am.
Also look at Cabo Nature’s guided paddle boarding tours. They take you paddling along Land’s End, with a snorkel stop at Pelican Rock followed by a picnic at Lover’s Beach (see #16).
If you don’t have your own wheels and would like a ride from your hotel, you might like this guided 3-hour SUP tour.
It includes roundtrip transfers, along with instruction and either snorkeling at Pelican Rock or relaxing on the beach (your choice).
Tip: Stand-up paddle boarding in Cabo
If paddling to Land’s End on your own in winter, leave well before 8:00 am and return by 9:30 am (10:00 am at the absolute latest).
After that, it’s not safe, what with all the cruise ship tenders going back and forth and other boats departing from the marina.
Also, the wind often picks up around 10:00 am – and then it’s really hard to paddle back, as you’re usually paddling against the wind.
13) Jog or stroll around the marina
When it comes to places to visit in Cabo San Lucas, the marina is Cabo’s central hub.
Go for a stroll or jog on the waterfront promenade skirting the marina. Check out the luxury yachts moored in the water while you’re at it.
Maybe do some shopping too? Or kick back with a beer, ice cream or cappuccino and enjoy some people watching.
We also love the pelicans that hang out at the Cabo San Lucas Marina.
14) Shop on the beach
Every time we visit Cabo, we inevitably end up buying something from one of the beach vendors.
Dressed in white, the vendors stroll up and down Medano Beach – hawking silver jewelry, sun hats, ceramic plates, beach wraps, Mexican blankets, children’s toys and more.
We once even bought a pair of polished wood grizzly bears. (Go figure! It must be because we’re Canadians.)
Of course, you have to haggle. But that’s part of the good-natured fun. (Here’s how to bargain in Mexico!)
And (most of the time) you end up with a nice Mexican souvenir to take home as a little Cabo memento.
15) Eat at an Italian restaurant (really!)
Okay, you’re in Mexico.
But in Cabo, the Italian food is really good. Don’t ask why!
Chances are you won’t want to eat guacamole and enchiladas every night. So treat your taste buds to a change, and check out Cabo’s great Italian restaurants. Three of our favorite ones are:
La Dolce
Tuck into wickedly yummy home-made pasta and wood-oven pizzas, served in a cheerfully busy and family-friendly place. That’s La Dolce!
Il Forno
Il Forno is an authentic trattoria boasting an extensive wine list and fresh Italian food.
We’re fans of their fettuccine with rib eye strips in a creamy cherry tomato sauce, as well as the four-cheese gnocchi with shrimp and asparagus. (But watch their wine prices – they’re a bit high.)
Salvatore G’s
The portions are enormous, the prices are affordable (wines too!) and the food is lip-smacking delish at this legendary Italian restaurant. Be sure to make reservations at Salvatore G’s!
16) Visit Lover’s Beach
Lover’s Beach, or Playa del Amor, is one of the prettiest beaches in Cabo.
Tucked between soaring cliffs at Land’s End, this golden patch of sand offers calm waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling – especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Naturally, chilling out at Lover’s Beach is one of the top things to do in Cabo!
The only way to reach it is by sea. Most people jump on a water taxi to get there (see #18 below).
Or you can rent a kayak or SUP board from Medano Beach and paddle over there.
Kayaking to Lover’s Beach
For a guided experience, consider a kayaking tour to Lover’s Beach and the nearby arch with Cabo Outfitters. The fact that it gets a 5-star rating probably says it all. But we’ll add our two cents worth too.
We have gone on other tours with Cabo Outfitters and are always highly impressed with their guides and how they organize everything. Plus, it’s interesting to learn about the sea life and area from a local!
Glass-bottom kayak to Lover’s Beach
For a different experience, you can even paddle a glass-bottom kayak to Lover’s Beach!
Be careful
Lover’s Beach (on the Sea of Cortez side) is connected to Divorce Beach (on the Pacific Ocean side).
While Lover’s Beach is safe, don’t go into the water on Divorce Beach, which has dangerous rip currents.
17) Take a sunset cruise
One of the most romantic things to do in Cabo San Lucas for couples is to set sail on a sunset cruise.
You’ll see the last of the sun seekers linger on Lover’s Beach, sail around Land’s End and watch the sky turn neon pink and fiery orange.
And you’ll glide silently back through the sea as night weaves its starry magic.
You can even book a private sailboat charter for two – it’s a very special way to propose…
Romantic sailing cruises are only one type of sunset cruise, though.
Other sunset cruises in Cabo run the gamut from classy dinner cruises to party booze cruises. Check these out:
Sailing trips
Gather a group of up to 6 friends or family for a private 2½-hour sunset cruise aboard a 33-foot sailboat.
With an expert crew handling everything, all you have to do is relax, sip your drinks and watch the sun dip behind Land’s End. We’ve done this with Cabo Sails (who offer these trips), and it was a truly lovely experience.
Or join a shared sunset sailing cruise with others (small group). Appies, wine and drinks are included, of course!
Rissalena
This custom-designed catamaran takes a maximum of 24 guests for a classy dinner cruise.
It’s not a party boat, and it offers some of the best Cabo San Lucas sunset cruises with dinner.
See the Rissalena website to book.
PezGato
PezGato runs a variety of different sunset cruises.
You want the party cruise? PezGato offers Cabo’s original sunset party cruise with an open bar, dancing and a boatload of fun.
Or go for their fun Mexican flavors cruise with dancing, unlimited premium drinks and a Mexican taco buffet on the CaboMar catamaran.
Alternatively, consider their sunset jazz-and-wine tour with appetizers. This cruise on PezGato’s stable 65-foot Tropicat suits couples and families (it’s not a booze cruise).
Sun Rider 100
For a sunset dinner cruise on a large double-deck catamaran, the Sun Rider 100 offers a dance floor and 360-degree views throughout.
Just before sunset, enjoy the fresh Mexican buffet.
Cabo Blue
We have to include this popular sunset trimaran cruise on the Cabo Blue here. It’s reasonably priced, the music playlist is fun and it gets tons of great reviews!
18) See Land’s End by water taxi
If you want to set foot on Lover’s Beach (#16 above), the easiest way is to hop aboard a water taxi.
It’s also an easy way to see Land’s End up close during the daylight hours.
And what about those humongous sea lions that often lounge around on the rocks at Land’s End, barking loudly? Chances are you’ll get to see (and hear!) them too.
Cabo’s water taxis are small wooden boats that putter back and forth all day long between the marina, Land’s End and Medano Beach.
The ride costs about $20 to $25 USD roundtrip from Medano Beach to Land’s End.
It should be about the same price going from the marina, but you might pay more when cruise ships are in port.
This is the cheapest water taxi ride from the marina (just under $20 USD p.p.) that we’ve found. It’s a shared ride (about an hour long) on a 30-foot boat.
Elevate the experience!
Go on a unique, completely transparent boat, and enjoy wrap-around views of fish and marine life through the boat’s glass bottom and clear sides.
19) Explore Todos Santos
Ahhh… Todos Santos – a true gem among Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos or “magic towns.”
Visiting this small colonial town is one of the nicest day trips you can take from Cabo San Lucas.
Surrounded by a lush oasis of palm groves and fertile land producing mangos, avocados, oranges, and papayas, it was once a thriving hub of sugar mills in the 19th century.
Then when the paved highway from Cabo arrived in the mid-1980s, American artists flocked here, transforming it into a quaint and idyllic Baja community.
What’s there to experience in Todos Santos?
Wander art galleries, craft studios and jewelry shops, scattered higgledy-piggledy among cute coffee bars and garden courtyard restaurants.
Perhaps pick up some fine hand-crafted beaten silver earrings or a unique bronze sculpture or oil painting.
Tips for the scenic drive to Todos Santos
Thanks to a recent highway upgrade, you can now zip up to Todos Santos from Cabo San Lucas in about an hour. The 50-mile journey winds north along the Pacific coast, passing through rolling scrubland desert.
On your way, take a break at Los Cerritos Beach to watch surfers shoot in on the waves.
On your return, stop at Agricole for their famous strawberries, coconut and cream take-out dessert – a sweet ending to a great day of exploring!
20) Play golf in Cabo
Are you a golfer? Well then, planning what to do in Cabo San Lucas is easy for you! With more than a dozen championship golf courses, Los Cabos is a golf paradise.
Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Tiger Woods have all designed spectacular courses here. Several consistently rank among the 100 best courses in the world, according to Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
These 5 top Cabo golf courses are open to the public to play:
Puerto Los Cabos
Puerto Los Cabos is a 27-hole golf resort on the East Cape (near San Jose del Cabo).
It features three separate 9-hole courses by Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. Each has its own “culinary palapa” with a bartender and chef.
Cabo Real Golf Club
During the PGA Senior Grand Slam tournament in 1996, whales breaching just a few yards offshore almost stole the show from the golf action taking place on the greens.
Today, Cabo Real, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is on every golfer’s must-do play list when visiting Cabo.
The first 9 holes are spectacular – and relatively gentle. Broad fairways offer mesmerizing ocean views as they wind along the coastline (keep an eye out for those whales!).
The tougher back 9 requires real skill. Fairways snake through the desert around canyons and arroyos.
The elevated green for the 14th hole is 500 feet above sea level.
Teaser: Every hole boasts ocean views.
Diamante’s Dunes
Diamante’s Dunes is a private course, designed by Davis Love III. Giant dunes, winds, jaw-dropping ocean views and split fairways make it a stunner!
Occasional tee times are offered for non-Diamante-hotel visitors (especially if you’re looking to buy a home).
Cabo Del Sol Cove Club Golf Course
Hugging the Sea of Cortez, this renowned Nicklaus course (formerly known as the Cabo Del Sol Ocean Course) has a 3-hole finish guaranteed to have you gawking at the views.
Take pictures? Or swing? Tough choice at the Cabo Del Sol Cove Club Golf Course.
Palmilla Golf Club
Wide fairways. Bunkers galore – over 80! Tees on their own little grassy islands, surrounded by desert brush and cacti, forcing you to execute shots with precision.
It’s signature Jack Nicklaus, and the first Nicklaus layout in Mexico.
On this 27-hole course, start with the Arroyo front-9 (with its fearsome doglegs) and choose from two back-9 options (pick the Mountain).
The Mountain’s 5th hole is awesome, but will have you trembling in your cleats.
You have to shoot over not one, but two super wide canyons. And if that’s not enough, there’s also a water reservoir to distract you. There’s no other par-4 like it anywhere.
Service is outstanding at the Palmilla Golf Cub, and there are lots of scenic photo opps.
No doubt about it, Palmilla is one of the best golf courses in Cabo.
21) Try deep sea sportfishing
Hook up with one of Cabo’s premier fishing charters for a “reel” experience of a lifetime!
The waters off Cabo – known as the “Marlin Capital of the World” – teem with magnificent marlin, swordfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, snapper, wahoo and more.
So fertile are the waters that some 12,000 marlin are caught annually (most fishing is catch-and-release).
And every October, Cabo hosts the world’s richest fishing tournament, the Bisbee’s Black & Blue.
If you want to head out for a morning or day, more than 500 fishing vessels – from 21-ft budget boats to luxury 100-ft yachts – can help you test your mettle against these trophy-sized fish.
The average marlin caught weighs between 100 and 500 lbs, but lucky sport fishers have fought with beauties weighing up to 900 lbs or more.
Most of the best fishing grounds, including Gordo Banks, the Golden Gate Bank and Jaime Bank, are found within 40 miles of the Cabo San Lucas marina.
The fish bite year-round.
But marlin fishing is best between May and November. Cabo in summer is particularly hot for marlin fishing (yep, pun intended!), especially August to October.
April to December is good for dorado.
You need a fishing license, which can be bought the day of your trip at the marina.
Daily fishing charters cost anywhere from $350 to upwards of $9,500 USD.
22) Hike to a canyon waterfall and pools
Tucked away in the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, the Canyon of the Fox is a lush oasis with a boulder-strewn river, natural freshwater pools, towering cacti and a gorgeous 45-foot-high waterfall (Sol de Mayo).
When we want a break from Cabo’s usual buzz, hiking and swimming here is the perfect off-the-grid adventure.
A 90-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas leads to the Rancho Ecologica Sol de Mayo, a privately-owned ranch where the waterfall is found. From there, it’s a short scramble to the waterfall – or do as we do, and extend your hike to hidden pools upstream.
A guide is wise for safety on the longer hike, and a 4WD helps on the last stretch of rugged sandy road leading to the ranch.
Guided Fox Canyon hikes
We’ve gone a couple of times with Cabo Outfitters – they’re a fantastic choice.
We’ve also enjoyed a waterfall hiking day trip with High Tide Los Cabos, another company we recommend.
➡️ When booking, ask to do the longer hike to fully appreciate the wilderness setting and enjoy a satisfying workout along the way!
23) Watch a blockbuster at Puerto Paraiso Mall
Catch the latest Hollywood flicks at the multiplex cinema in the Puerto Paraiso Mall.
Ten air-conditioned theaters show first-run films; many are in English (with Spanish sub-titles).
Get tickets for the VIP theaters if you can.
For a few pesos more than the regular theaters, you sink into big reclining leather seats, lie back and watch Bradley Cooper or Scarlett Johansson in cushy comfort.
24) Taste different tequilas
Tequila tasting? Sign us up!
Did you know that tequila is made solely from blue agave grown in specific Mexican states like Jalisco?
Mezcal, on the other hand, is any agave spirit grown outside these regions. It has a distinct smoky flavor, thanks to the agave being cooked in underground pits. We now prefer mezcalitas to traditional tequila-based margs.
Go on this private guided tequila-and-mezcal tasting at Tequilera Santos Destilados in downtown Cabo San Lucas, and you’ll discover all kinds of fun facts and secrets about Mexico’s iconic spirits.
In their cool tasting room, you’ll try six handcrafted tequilas and three artisanal mezcals.
No throwing back shots! This 90-minute experience is about appreciating the nuances of tequilas (from Blanco to Extra Anejo) and mezcal. Sips are paired with bites like agave hearts, dark chocolate, cheese – and even grasshoppers!
By the end, you’ll be a total pro on these legendary drinks, with a whole new love for their complex flavors and fascinating backstories.
25) Scuba dive in Cabo Pulmo
If you’re still wondering what to do in Los Cabos, how about scuba diving?
We’ve gone scuba diving in Cabo several times at different spots. But Cabo Pulmo was the most memorable dive site. (We went with Manta – highly recommended!)
October and November are two of the best months in Cabo for warm water and clear viz. And the weather is lovely and warm on land for other holiday activities too.
What will you see diving in Cabo Pulmo? Sharks are almost guaranteed.
We saw bull sharks and a tiger shark. Thrilling!
Porkfish, moray eels, octopus, sea turtles and moray eels are also commonly sighted.
26) Fly on a zipline
For thrill-seekers, one of the most fun things to do in Cabo is to whizz through the air like a bird on a wire – aka ziplining.
A zipline is a cable strung between two platforms standing on a cliff high off the ground some 100 to 200 feet or more apart.
You’re strapped into a harness that hangs from a pulley, attached to the zipline. Step off the platform and you speed down the cable to the next elevated platform.
Not only is ziplining in Los Cabos exhilarating, you get to see Cabo’s dramatic desert landscapes and rugged canyons.
You can choose from three different ziplining operations:
Ziplining and UTVs with Cabo Adventures
Three generations in our family enjoyed this fun ziplining eco-tour in a mountainous biosphere reserve.
The course includes one of the longest ziplines in Cabo at over 1,800 feet.
The fun doesn’t stop there. You also climb up a Via Ferrata, rappel down rock walls and brave a “commando bridge.” And you get to drive your own 4×4 UTV on a specially designed course through the Baja desert.
Home-made quesadillas and a fresh salad bar await at the finish line.
Canopy Costa Azul
Canopy Costa Azul is another place to check out for family-friendly ziplining in Cabo.
They’re located in a desert canyon setting near San Jose del Cabo.
Wild Canyon Adventures
Get psyched! You’re in for extreme thrills with a Wild Canyon park pass.
On a 1-day park pass, enjoy camel rides, horseback riding, off-road UTVs, bungee jumping (or a swing from 300 feet high) and unlimited ziplining.
Plus, you can drive a UTV over the Los Cabos Canyon Bridge (one of the longest hanging wooden bridges in the world). At more than 1,000 feet long, it’s one of the coolest things to see in Cabo San Lucas!
Transfers are included to and from this canyon adventure park, which is located just 20 minutes away from both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Tip: Ziplining in Cabo San Lucas
Wear long cool pants and closed-toe shoes like runners.
27) Take a Mexican cooking class
We prefer eating to cooking. But this fun Mexican cooking class totally won us over! It gets rave reviews for a reason.
First, you swing by a teeny tortilla factory to pick up just-made dough, then shop (with your chef/guide) for fresh ingredients at a local market.
Then it’s off to Cookin’ Cabo’s headquarters in Cabo San Lucas (sometimes even the chef’s own home), where you learn how to make classic Mexican specialties. Think mole poblano, tamales, beef birria in adobo sauce, Baja-style seafood, pork tacos, chiles rellenos and more. The menu changes daily.
The best part? Sipping margaritas as you cook – and again when you tuck into the feast you created. We had such a good time, we even wrote all about it.)
Now you’re set to experience the best of Cabo!
We love Cabo, Mexico. And we’re pretty sure you’ll love it too!
The weather is great, the beaches are super clean, the resorts are cushy and the people are friendly.
And as you can see, there are scores of fun and unique things you can do – more than enough to turn your Cabo visit into one of the best trips ever!
(Oh, you can also see comments and reader questions at the end of this post. And if you don’t already know, check out our Cabo Visitor blog too – it’s all about Los Cabos and has tons more information.)
More Cabo activity guides
- What a Fluke! Whale Watching in Cabo
- Snorkeling at Santa Maria Beach: All You Need to Know
- Flora Farms Dishes Up Yummy Farm-to-Table Eats
- Swim With Whale Sharks in La Paz: Best Tours
- Explore Beyond Cabo: 10 Cool Day Trips
Like this travel guide on Cabo? Then pin it!
💡Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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About the authors
Hi there!
This is great information. How long is the Flora Farms farm tour? How much time would you recommend there, separate from the time for a meal? Thanks!
The farm tour isn’t very long, maybe 30 minutes or so?
They’re conveniently scheduled for late afternoon, so you can do the tour, then have dinner afterwards. In October, for example, tours are offered at 4:30 and 5:00 pm. (There’s also a 10:30 am tour.)
An hour is ample to do the tour and to also browse the gift shops.
Have fun and enjoy Flora Farms!
This is a great guide! I will be using this for my trip to Cabo in the next month.
We’re happy you found our Cabo article helpful! Thanks for letting us know…
This is a super helpful list, even for those of us who’ve visited Cabo numerous time! I’m looking forward to my next trip in a few months and will definitely check off a few of these items while there.
There’s a surprising number of things you can do in Cabo. We’re always delighted when we discover a new tour or adventure :-).
You mentioned that August and September are not great times. Can I ask why? We are planning to visit Cabo next September.
August are September are particularly hot and humid months in Cabo. September, in particular, also falls smack in the rainy hurricane season (but Cabo usually isn’t hit by major hurricanes).
With the heat and humidity (and perhaps a little rain too), you might not feel like doing more than sitting in the pool, sipping on a cool one.
On the other hand, rates are cheaper and crowds will be fewer these months! And September is a good fishing month if you like sportfishing.
So the best time to go to Cabo all depends on what you want to do. If you want to golf, for example, you won’t like September :-).
Check out our other blog, Cabo Visitor. You’ll find posts there on what Cabo is like in specific months, e.g., January, October, November and so on.
Hi!
I love all of your suggestions and keep coming back to your site for excursion ideas.
When I look up Dolphin Discovery, it says it is currently closed. Any idea why and when/if it will reopen?
Also, are there places to rent snorkel gear if we just want to go to a beach and snorkel ourselves without a tour (e.g., Chileno Beach)?
Would you suggest booking excursions prior to leaving home? Or should we wait until we get there and book them through our resort or look for deals around the marina? I noticed Cabo Adventures had great deals around the 4th. Are there certain days to look for deals through them?
I appreciate all of your help! I’m looking to do a lot of fun things with my kids while getting the best deals. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
Glad you’ve found our site helpful!
Dolphin Discovery: We too found it closed the last time we were there but we couldn’t find any information as to what’s going on there. (We’ll add a note about this on the blog.)
Rental gear: We haven’t found places that rent snorkel gear. All the snorkeling tours will have gear. But for DIYers, your best bet is probably to buy gear from Walmart or Costco while down there (or buy before you leave and pack it with you).
Tours: That depends. If you’re traveling in high season, you might want to book your absolute preferred tour(s) in advance so you’re guaranteed to get the day(s)/time(s) you want. Some people also like to book in advance so they’ve done all their planning beforehand and can just enjoy when on their vacation. But you don’t have to worry that all the tours will sell out – you can certainly book while on location. For water taxi rides, in particular, you can often get good deals when you’re at the marina (except if a cruise ship is in port and you’re competing with a lot of cruise ship passengers who also want tours).
We hope this helps, and have a wonderful family vacation!
Hello!
My sister and I are vacationing in Cabo for one week, staying at One and Only Palmilla.
What recommendations do you have for transportation from the airport? We are looking at a shuttle or semi-private transfer. We were supposed to have visited pre-Covid and I did book with a transportation company then. But when I tried to cancel the booking, they kept ignoring me. Now, I am fearful to book with a company that’s unreliable.
Also, what tours would you recommend? We are coming from Alberta.
Thanks for the feedback!
You’ve picked a lovely hotel for your vacation!
Have you seen our post on the best Cabo San Lucas airport transfers? We found all the transfer companies we’ve used (covered in that post) totally reliable and responsive to emails.
The tours you can do will depend on the time of year that you’re going.
For example, definitely go whale watching if you’re visiting Cabo in winter! If you like hiking, you’ll love hiking to the Sol de Mayo waterfall. We’d also recommend swimming with the whale sharks in La Paz and going on a sunset cruise.
And don’t miss the Thursday night Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo!
I just want to thank you so much for your blog. I have been to a friend’s timeshare at the Westin (about half-way between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas) two years in a row now, and your blog has helped us plan both trips.
– We swam with whale sharks, which I never would have known about had it not been for your blog.
– We went to the Thursday night art walk in San Jose del Cabo. Not only did I not know about the art walk, I had never been to San Jose. I typically go to Cabo.
– Flora farms
– Zodiac whale watching
– The transportation company from the airport you recommended
The list goes on.
Thank you thank you thank you. There are people out there reading, and you literally changed my entire Cabo experience.
Warmest wishes,
Natalie
Oh, wow, thank you!
It’s so nice to hear that our information helped you with your Cabo trip planning! Thanks for taking the time to let us know :-).
How many nights would you recommend to get it all in?
If you have 1 week of vacation time, go for the full week. The time of year will dictate the activities – golf and whale watching in winter, for example. There’s certainly enough to do in Los Cabos that you won’t get bored. Plus you’ll want some downtime, just kicking back in your pool or beach chair.
If you’re from the west coast (e.g., L.A. or San Francisco), the flight time is short, so you can go for just 4 or 5 nights. And 4 nights in Cabo is better than no nights in Cabo :-).
25 things to do and one of them is not taking an ultralight flight? Should easily be in the top 10. And at least in a list of top 25…
Hi Sean,
Thanks for alerting us :-). We’ve seen the ultralights buzzing overhead. And we have family members who are pilots and have taken a spin in the plane and enjoyed the ride. It’s something we’ll just have to cover when we do an update…
Best!
You have so many great tips and my head is just swimming with all of the information that you’ve shared! I’m glad that we’re not leaving for a couple of months so I can digest more:)
I’ve been reading about the Passport Card for Cabo. Do you think it’s a good investment? We are new, new, new to everything. Using my dad’s timeshare and new to Mexico.
Glad you like all the tips we’ve shared! Yes, there’s lots of information. We’ve visited Los Cabos many, many times and have written lots about Cabo.
As for the Passport Card, we don’t have any personal experience with it, so we can’t really answer your question on that one, sorry :-). Just check the details as to what it covers, discounts on what restaurants (and if those would be the restaurants you’d want to go to), etc.
Have fun on your trip! You’re sure to love Cabo :-).
We are staying here for a honeymoon in June. Can’t wait!
Hi Pamela,
Lucky girl :-). You’ll love Cabo – it shines even better since resorts have been busy renovating and fixing things since Hurricane Odile last year.
Make sure you hit San Jose del Cabo for an evening – the historic center is very pretty at night, with many great restaurants.
When we were at Punta de Mita, a couple was raving about Cabos and insisting that we visit it on our next trip to Mexico. These things to do definitely make it seem like a fun and luxurious place to relax for a bit!
Cabo is definitely the high-end beach resort destination in Mexico – and the most expensive – with plenty of luxury resorts to kick back in and soak up the sun…
I love that whale shark…beautiful all around.
We visited Los Cabos for the first time in November and loved it. We’ll be sure to check out some of these places on our next visit.
These are great finds! Always something new to see or savor in Los Cabos!
Those hotels look like the ultimate in luxury! And snorkelling with gentle whale sharks?? I’d be scared but I’d give it a go! Los Cabos is one of those places I’m desperate to go to but just quite far from England so will start saving!