Beaches with buzz? Check.
Eye-popping resorts? Check.
Stunning coastal scenery? Check.
We’re talking about Los Cabos.
It’s the chic desert-meets-the-sea resort destination at the end of the Baja Peninsula – where Hollywood celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez and George Clooney holiday.
And we’ve pretty well tried out all the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!
To put the area in perspective, the two main cities in Los Cabos (“the capes”) are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
“Cabo” is often used to refer to the whole area, and sometimes just to Cabo San Lucas, but we use “Cabo” here to refer to the general destination.
We visit Cabo at least once or twice a year – it’s our family’s favorite go-to holiday place. (Most months, except for maybe August and September, are good times to visit Los Cabos.)
There’s whale watching between December and March, sailing, championship golf, sportfishing (Cabo hosts the richest marlin fishing tournament in the world), awesome scuba diving and so much more…
Things to do in Cabo San Lucas
Based on our umpteen visits, we’ve written lots of travel articles on Cabo (and Cabo activities) for top North American magazines and newspapers, as well as for our Los Cabos travel guide.
So what are the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas (and Los Cabos in general)?
Which are the best Cabo tours and tour operators?
Read on!
Whether it’s your first visit to this Mexican beach destination (or you’re a repeat Cabo visitor like us), check out these 27 wickedly fun things to do in Cabo from our epic list below.
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 Peninsula to mate and give birth.
In Cabo, you see mainly humpback whales. They’re the most active and fun to watch.
You often see them right from shore, spouting and jumping.
But to see whales up close, take a whale watching boat tour. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Los Cabos in winter!
You’re almost guaranteed to spot whales.
We’ve gone whale watching in Cabo at least six times now and had great sightings on all trips except one.
See this top-rated small-group tour on a Zodiac boat, with expert guides.
The last time we went whale watching was with this company (Cabo Expeditions). They’re very good and environmentally conscious.
There’s also this small-group whale watching tour on a luxury catamaran (with drinks and snacks).
Onboard this French-made catamaran, you can listen to the haunting sounds of the whales through its hydrophone system.
Or if you’d prefer to venture out on a larger catamaran – and enjoy a buffet brunch, with an open bar too! – see this whale watching tour on the Sun Rider 100.
They’ve been in business for a long time in Cabo and have a good rep.
If you happen to be unlucky and don’t spot a whale during the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season, tour operators usually give you another tour complimentary. (They don’t want you to be unhappy!)
What’s particularly great about going on a boat tour is that you get to sail by Land’s End on your way out to look for whales.
One of the most famous Cabo San Lucas attractions, Land’s End refers to the dramatic rock formations and iconic rock Arch at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
2) Snorkel at Santa Maria Bay
Santa Maria Bay is one of the three best places to snorkel in Cabo. And you might see whales too!
A popular way to get there is on a snorkeling boat tour, like this luxury 4-hour sailing-and-snorkeling cruise. You’ll snorkel at either Santa Maria Bay or Chileno Bay (which is similar), depending on the conditions.
We had an absolute blast on this adventure – starting with the mimosas as we boarded the yacht to the snorkeling, swimming, seafood lunch (with specialty cocktails) and sailing with the wind (thrilling!) on our return.
Or maybe you’d like to kayak there?
We’ve gone on this kayaking and snorkeling adventure with Cabo Outfitters, where you kayak to and snorkel at both Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay – excellent!
The kayaking adds to the fun.
But you can also do it yourself.
Beat the crowds and drive (or take the bus) to Santa Maria Beach first thing in the morning – and have the bay all to yourself.
Get the details: Find out everything you want to know about snorkeling at Santa Maria Beach in Cabo San Lucas!
3) Visit Flora Farms
Flora Farms has been around for several years now, and it just keeps on reinventing itself, getting bigger and better.
Hidden away at the end of a bumpy sand road near San Jose del Cabo, it’s a 25-acre organic farm growing all sorts of flowers, veggies and herbs.
Flora Farms also has a field kitchen and farm-to-table restaurant onsite.
One of the best ways to experience Flora Farms is to join a free walking farm tour (reserve here), followed by lunch.
Dinner is also excellent.
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.
Read more in our post: Flora Farms dishes up yummy farm-to-table eats
4) Have fun at Medano Beach
One of the best Cabo San Lucas activities is totally free. Hit the beach!
Now, there are many fabulous beaches in Cabo San Lucas.
But Medano beach is the beach in Cabo.
Think perfect golden sand.
Calm for swimming. (It’s one of the few beaches in Los Cabos where you can safely swim.)
And lots of fun water activities like jet skiing and parasailing.
Tip: Medano Beach
The bars are congregated around the area closest to town.
The further you walk along Medano Beach away from town, the quieter it gets.
5) Hike up the Pedregal
That rocky mountain (hill?) you see rising just behind Cabo San Lucas is Pedregal, which means “rocky ground.”
It’s home to uber-swank, multi-million-dollar luxury villas (Sylvester Stallone is said to be a home-owner) – all clinging to the mountainside within a private gated community, where the roads are made of rock and stone slabs.
And one of the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas for a great outdoor cardio workout is to walk up the steep switchback roads in Pedregal.
The walk offers awesome views too.
Up top, you can see the marina way down below on the Sea of Cortez side plus the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean on the other side.
To get there from town, walk west along Lazaro Cardenas and cross Miguel Hidalgo. You pass through a security gate and guard to get into the Pedregal gated community.
The road starts to climb soon after that. You’re aiming to make it to the top near the white round observatory.
(Last time, this access was restricted. The security guard redirected us to another entrance, and we ended up taking a new route up Pedregal to a different viewpoint.)
Tip: Walking or hiking in Cabo San Lucas
Go first thing in the morning before it gets hot (you want to be back down before 9:30 am).
And take water.
6) Chow down on seafood tacos
One of the funny facts about Mexican food we’ve discovered is that there are ho-hum tacos.
And then there are seriously mouth-watering tacos!
After trying various places, we’ve found some of the best tacos in Cabo San Lucas are to be had at Tacos Gardenias.
Once a true hole-in-the-wall, this taco joint has tidied itself up over the years.
It now even attracts taxis spilling out high-heeled, mini-skirted, 20-something tourists who come for a bite before going clubbing.
But “Mama” (the founding grandma) still works in the kitchen and takes taco orders.
We sometimes mix it up and order the fish tacos. The fresh shrimp tacos are still our favorite though.
The tacos come with all the fixings on the side, and you can specify corn or flour tortillas.
Oh, and they’re so inexpensive too. Some are a mere $2 or $3 USD each, depending on what you get.
Wash that down with a good strong margarita.
On a more recent visit to Cabo San Lucas, we discovered a new taqueria, La Lupita Taco & Mezcal.
They specialize in all sorts of creative tacos – from shrimp tempura tacos with curry sauce to marinated pork pastor tacos with a cheesy crust, cilantro, onion and pineapple (mouthwateringly delicious!).
Bonus: There’s 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 – or sharks. They’re actually the largest fish in the world, growing up to 40 feet long in size.
They’re also very gentle creatures. They eat only plankton and krill, by opening their cavernous mouths very wide.
Between October and February, whale sharks gather to feed in the Bay of La Paz, about a 2-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas.
And you can snorkel with this wondrous endangered species in La Paz on an all-day tour from Cabo. (It’s actually one of the most awesome things to do in all of Mexico!)
A spotter plane looks for the whale sharks from above, communicating their location to your boat captain.
When your guide yells “Jump!,” you leap into the water and swim alongside a giant whale shark, while peering down at it through your snorkel mask.
Whale sharks feed close to the surface, so what’s amazing is that you swim almost within touching distance of them. (But don’t – touching them can hurt their skin.)
Read all about it: Swimming with whales sharks in La Paz is a bucket-list experience!
8) Splash out on a splurgey hotel
Cabo is the place to go to pamper yourself silly at a fabulous hotel.
(One of the differences 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.
There’s the fabled One & Only Palmilla.
Once the holiday getaway for a Mexican president’s son, it now spoils privileged guests with Mexican-inspired beachfront suites, a drop-dead gorgeous (virtually private) swimmable beach and a restaurant run by a Michelin-star chef.
We also love The Cape, a Thompson Hotel. Think splendid views of Cabo’s 200-foot-high rock Arch and a hip contemporary vibe. It’s one of the coolest hotels in Cabo for adults.
For an all-inclusive hotel (for families and couples), you can’t beat the luxurious Grand Velas Los Cabos. It blew us away with its stylish suites and foodie-worthy restaurants.
See our reviews of 23+ Cabo hotels! These are the best luxury hotels in Los Cabos
9) Go on an Art Walk
On Thursday evenings in the winter season and spring (November to June), you can go on an Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo.
Dozens of art galleries in the town’s art district stay open until 9:00 pm. Some organize lectures and wine tastings, and you can meet the artists too.
Downtown streets are closed to cars during this weekly evening event. And live music is played at various blocks.
The Art Walk is free and has become very popular over the years. It’s a buzzing cultural event and something you absolutely must do in Cabo!
Tip: Dining in San Jose del Cabo
Be sure to make restaurant reservations in advance if you want to have dinner in town on Thursdays.
The restaurants are packed on Art Walk nights.
10) Fly on a zipline
One of the most adrenalin-charged activities in Cabo San Lucas (and the surrounding area) 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 another side of Los Cabos away from the beach – the stark dramatic beauty of its desert mountains and canyons.
You can choose from three different Cabo ziplining operations:
Ziplining and UTVs with Cabo Adventures
Three generations in our family enjoyed this fun ziplining eco-tour in rugged desert mountains and forest in a biosphere reserve.
The course features a series of exhilarating ziplines, including one of the longest in Cabo at over 1,800 feet. Oh, you also climb up a Via Ferrata, rappel down rock walls and brave a “commando bridge.”
The fun doesn’t stop there. This tour then includes driving your own 4 x 4 UTV on a specially designed course through the Baja desert.
Home-made quesadillas and a fresh salad bar are offered at the end.
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.
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.
We love 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.
And one of our favorite early morning Cabo activities is to head out on a SUP board from Medano Beach and paddle 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.
See this guided paddle boarding tour with Cabo Nature as well.
It takes 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 one of 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 especially love the fettuccine with strips of rib eye in a creamy cherry tomato sauce, as well as the four cheese gnocchi with shrimp and asparagus.
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Salvatore G’s
The portions are enormous, the prices are affordable 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 is one of the prettiest beaches in Cabo.
Also called Playa del Amor, it’s a gorgeous patch of sand nestled between two soaring cliffs at Land’s End.
The water is usually calm and 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.
There are no roads to Lover’s Beach, however. 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
If you’d feel more comfortable going with an experienced guide, this guided kayaking tour by Cabo Outfitters takes you to see the Arch and to Lover’s Beach. You also have the chance to snorkel from Lover’s Beach.
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, which is 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:
Cabo Sails
Gather a group of up to 4 friends and family for a private charter aboard a power cruiser. The 42-foot-long boat can be yours for a relaxing 3-hour sunset cruise at sunset, with an expert crew to serve you.
Or go on a shared sunset sailing cruise with others (small group). Appies, wine and drinks are included, of course!
We’ve gone with Cabo Sails and it was a lovely experience.
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 lounge around on the rocks at Land’s End, barking loudly? Don’t worry. 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 by going on a unique all-glass boat tour, where you can see fish through the boat’s glass bottom and sides.
19) Explore Todos Santos
Ahhh… Todos Santos… It’s one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos or “magic towns.”
Visiting Todos Santos is one of the nicest day trips you can take from Cabo San Lucas.
The sugar mills that once supported the town’s colonial buildings in the 19th century are long gone.
But the surrounding green oasis of palm groves and fertile land – for mangos, avocados, oranges and papayas – remains.
And since the mid-1980s, when the paved highway from Cabo to Todos Santos arrived, American artists have set up shop to paint and live in what is now an utterly idyllic, quaint community in Baja California.
(A recent highway upgrade means you can now zip up to Todos from Cabo in about an hour.)
What to do?
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.
Tip for this scenic drive
The 50-mile drive to Todos Santos winds north along the Pacific coast, passing through rolling scrubland desert.
On the way, be sure to stop at Los Cerritos Beach to watch surfers shoot in on the waves.
Discover more! See our in-depth guide on Todos Santos on our other Cabo Visitor blog.
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.
No question.
You’ll be stoked teeing off on one of these Cabo golf courses!
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
One of the most fun things to do in Los Cabos? Hiking to the Sol de Mayo Waterfall in the Canyon of the Fox.
The waterfall is located in the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, a protected biosphere reserve.
Few visitors venture out here. (Good! It remains more of a secret for the rest of us.) Mind you, each year, more and more people are discovering this hike.
We love this hike partly because the mountain scenery is so vastly different from being by the ocean.
And the scenic 90-minute drive to get there is an adventure in itself.
It’s past Santiago, a quaint little town built within an oasis, with a hibiscus-lined boulevard and gardens nurturing mango, orange and banana trees.
And beyond Santiago, the road continues as a bumpy pot-holed strip of red earth – requiring dusty gear-grinding maneuvers past giant 300-year old Cardon cacti and detours around the occasional cow.
The area known as the Canyon of the Fox is home to lush riverbeds, swimming holes, canyons, granite boulders, natural hot springs and waterfalls.
The pièce de résistance is the 45-foot-high Sol de Mayo Waterfall.
After a sweaty up-and-down hike, swimming in the cool water pool at the waterfall’s base is a very welcome reward!
There are other freshwater pools in the river canyon that are also perfect for swimming and cliff jumping.
Some people do try to find their own way to the Rancho Ecologica Sol de Mayo. It’s where you park and set off on the hike. (Bring some pesos for the small entry fee.)
But it’s easy to get lost if you’re not familiar with the area. Plus, you ideally want a 4-wheel drive to navigate that bumpy dirt road.
So for a stress-free excursion, you’d be wise to go with a guide. Cabo Outfitters is a great choice.
High Tide Los Cabos also gets top reviews for its full-day Fox Canyon hiking trips.
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) 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.
25) Ride a camel
Say what?
For something quite different, you can make like Lawrence of Arabia and ride a camel in the desert!
This popular camel safari adventure takes you to a ranch about a 45-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas.
You’ll meet your camel then ride for 15 minutes or so along the edge of the ocean.
After, you’ll learn how to make Mexican tortillas (which you get to eat, of course!) and enjoy a mezcal and tequila tasting.
It’s definitely one of the most unique Cabo excursions!
The tour is run by Cabo Adventures.
We’ve mentioned them before.
In biz for more than 10 years, they’re one of Cabo’s premier adventure tour operators – probably the biggest too.
(Most of their tours are great. The only tour we personally now avoid is their dolphin swim program, like all dolphin swim programs – see #26 below.)
If you’d like a longer camel ride, this combo camel ride and UTV adventure starts off with an hour of camel riding.
It’s followed by an hour of big-thrills fun on a UTV, where you drive off-road through mountain trails, ending up at Migrino Beach.
26) Swim with dolphins in Cabo
Want to hug, kiss and swim with dolphins?
Cabo Dolphins operates two dolphin centers where playful Pacific bottlenose dolphins live.
One “dolphinarium” is at the Cabo San Lucas Marina, where the dolphins live in a large aquarium-like tank or pool. The other is at their new location in San Jose del Cabo’s hotel zone.
Operated by Cabo Adventures, the dolphin center is Humane Conservation certified by American Humane – so American standards of animal care are met or exceeded.
Several years ago, we had fun making out like “Superman” as two dolphins pushed each of us up out of the water in the “foot push.”
You can also go for a “belly ride,” where you hold on to a dolphin’s fins as it swims on its back.
Should you swim with dolphins in Cabo?
Our views about interacting with wild creatures have changed over the years. So we personally wouldn’t swim with dolphins now.
But we understand the desire to learn more about them and spend some special time with dolphins.
We also know that after interacting with dolphins up close, you’re very likely to be moved to do more to protect them, e.g., by reducing your use of plastic (so it doesn’t go into the oceans).
For more information, you can read our post on what’s it like to swim with dolphins in Cabo.
27) Take a Mexican cooking class
We prefer eating to cooking. But this Mexican cooking class combines both. And it gets rave reviews.
First, you shop for various ingredients with your master chef guide. Then you go to your chef’s home to learn how to make tortillas, salsa, chicken mole, guacamole, tacos, chili rellenos and more.
The best part? Sipping on bougainvillea-infused margaritas as you tuck into the feast you learned to make.
If you’re a foodie and/or love to cook, this is something you must do in Cabo San Lucas!
That’s it for our guide on things to do in Cabo, Mexico!
We love Cabo San Lucas. You’re sure to 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 to do in Cabo San Lucas – more than enough to turn your Cabo visit into one of the best trips ever!
(Oh, and if you don’t already know, check out our other Cabo Visitor blog – it’s all about Los Cabos and has tons more information.)
If you love Cabo, pin this to Pinterest!
Discover more of Mexico!
Mexico City: For an awesome three days in Mexico City, this itinerary introduces you to the best cultural attractions, museums, cafés and restaurants.
Puerto Vallarta: From food as art to yummy shrimp tacos, PV is a culinary hotbed! See the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.
Riviera Maya: Itching to swim with turtles? Love to see a magical Cirque du Soleil show? Check out these great things to do in the Mayan Riviera.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
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 is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best 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 great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
Photo Credits: 2, 6 to 9, 11, 15 to 17, 19 to 23, 33, 39 to 41, 44, 48 to 50, 55, 58 to 60, 65 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Arianne T.
Saturday 31st of August 2024
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!
Janice and George
Monday 2nd of September 2024
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!
Hokan L.
Saturday 13th of January 2024
This is a great guide! I will be using this for my trip to Cabo in the next month.
Janice and George
Saturday 13th of January 2024
We're happy you found our Cabo article helpful! Thanks for letting us know...
India
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
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.
Janice and George
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
There's a surprising number of things you can do in Cabo. We're always delighted when we discover a new tour or adventure :-).
Megan
Monday 25th of September 2023
You mentioned that August and September are not great times. Can I ask why? We are planning to visit Cabo next September.
Janice and George
Sunday 15th of October 2023
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.
Jennifer Marietta
Sunday 9th of July 2023
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!
Janice and George
Thursday 13th of July 2023
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!