Cabo San Lucas Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Cabo San Lucas
One of the most popular destinations for fun and sun is Cabo San Lucas. Located on the southernmost tip of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s biggest tourist draws for a few days of resorts and parties, and it is also one of the most popular spring break destinations.
The town stretches out along a small peninsula that divides the calm waters of the bay from the rough and icy waters of the Pacific Ocean. Home to at least two of the town’s top three locations, the peninsula symbolizes much of the draw of Cabo: the beach. So do not forget sun tan lotion and check out this guide to Cabo San Lucas.
Top Attractions in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas has more beaches than you can shake a stick at, so there is no surprise that you will not only see a beach as the top attraction, but a beach that is a two for one special (more on all that implies later). But the peninsula also offers a geological site of striking beauty.
But is it possible to catch any culture in Cabo? Well yes, but you have to leave the beach. And Cabo San Lucas. But as you will see, Cabo tends to refer not just to San Lucas, but the area of coast that stretches up to San Jose. So there is an elegant side to Cabo that you can have access to if you want a break from the party.
Playa del Amor and Playa del Divorcio
You do not have to know any Spanish to catch the irony here. The Beach of Divorce is just over the rocks from the Beach of Love. Literally. Playa del Amor is on the bay, or Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula and offers gentle seas and warm water for beautiful couples to frolic in.
Alas a short hike to the pacifc side shows the rough and cold seas of divorce. It is worth the hike, but Playa del Amor is the real draw (go figure). Accessible by water taxi from the Marina, Playa del Amor has a picturesque and iconic shoreline ripe for romantic encounters.
Everyone agrees, which is why some of Playa del Amor’s draw is diminished by the crowds as well as the lack of bars to fuel the perpetual party. Nevertheless, it remains one of the top attractions of Cabo San Lucas, if not for the object lesson it provides, then certainly for its beautiful shoreline.
Land’s End
As it turns out the end of the world that dumps you into the Pacific is not just in San Francisco, but in Cabo. Land’s End is literally at the end of the peninsula and celebrates this fact with a beautiful geological formation. Placed between the two beaches mentioned above, Land’s End makes an arch of rock over the waters of the Pacific.
It is a popular attraction and offers unparalleled views of the sunset and perfect selfie fodder for couples who are still on the idyllic side of the peninsula. Views from the water are even better. You take a sea tour of the arch from a water taxi to get views that are not possible from the peninsula itself.
San Jose del Cabo
Sometimes called “Old Town” as if it is the historic part of San Lucas, San Jose is actually a separate town but is considered part of the Cabo area, since it is just a twenty minute drive up an area called the Tourist Corridor. It is often listed as a top attraction and not without good reason.
San Jose has the charm and vibe that you might associate with traditional Mexican culture. It has weekly displays from street vendors and artisans selling their works. You can get souvenirs to bring home and also see in San Jose a different side of Mexico, which is to say the real Mexico that expresses a rich cultural heritage.
The Experience Flying into Cabo San Lucas
The international airport which sits just to the north of Cabo San Lucas is the sixth largest airport in Mexico and receives roughly 5 million visitors every year. The airport was improved on in 1997 to accommodate what has become a yearly increase in traffic. The airport has two terminals, one for domestic flights and one for international.
As such the airport is somewhat easy to navigate compared to some of the world’s larger airports. It also comes with amenities to make your time there, however long that may be, a little more agreeable. For example, you can do your currency exchange or get your first or last drink at a VIP lounge depending on which way you are heading.
But one of the biggest concerns about flying is always going to be the expense. So by now you may be wondering how you can fly cheaply into Cabo San Lucas.
Top Three Tips to Fly Cheap to Cabo San Lucas
It always helps to apply a little strategy to getting airplane tickets for your vacations. With some forethought and careful planning, and maybe a compromise or two, you can get cheap airfare into your favorite destination.
1. Book in Advance
Book your flight at least a week in advance and you are likely to get a price that is lower than you would otherwise get
2. Off-season
Consider scheduling your vacation to Cabo in the off-season, avoiding crowds and getting cheaper airfare with August traditionally being the cheapest month and September and July not far behind
3. Kayak or Expedia
Use online services like Kayak or Expedia to find good deals on airfare
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
El Medano Beach
When you think of Cabo San Lucas, you tend to think of the beach, so it is not surprising that a beach comes in as one of the best areas of Cabo in which to stay. El Medano Beach is one of the more popular beaches. It sits on the Sea of Cortez and offers sunbathing and the safest swimming as well as the beach party lifestyle.
The Marina
The Marina is another popular area in which to stay. Located further up from Medano Beach, but still very close to the water, the Marina offers shopping, eating, and plenty of views, including views of Land’s End.
Downtown
Finally there is the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas, adjacent to the Marina and referred to as the real downtown. This area has a beach front but is not like being on the water at Medano, so it is a little cheaper. In exchange for life on Medano beach, you get the nightlife of downtown Cabo San Lucas.
Popular Hotels in those areas
There are many popular hotels and resorts to stay at in Cabo. It is a specialty of the area. Many of these hotels offer an all-inclusive experience. You can eat, sleep, swim, and party all on the hotel grounds.
El Medano Beach
The choices can be a little bewildering, so here are a few of them by area. In Medano Beach:
- Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa
- Pueblo Bonito Beach Resort
The Marina
In or near the Marina:
- Playa Grande Resort and Grand Spa
- Hotel Riu Santa Fe
Downtown
In Downtown Cabo:
- Hotel Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas
- Hotel Mar de Cortez
Popular VRBO Places in Those Areas
Spectacular Cliffside Villa
Experience the ultimate Cabo San Lucas getaway in this breathtaking cliffside villa, offering panoramic ocean views, a private infinity pool, and luxurious amenities. Ideal for a luxurious, tropical retreat.
Chic Marina Condo
Discover Cabo’s vibrant marina scene from this stylish condo, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary design, and a prime location near top dining and entertainment options. Perfect for urban adventurers and boating enthusiasts.
Serene Desert Oasis
Unwind in this tranquil desert oasis, featuring a private pool, outdoor kitchen, and stunning mountain views. Located minutes from Cabo’s top attractions, this peaceful rental offers the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement.
Beachfront Hacienda
Step onto the sands of Cabo’s pristine beaches from this charming beachfront hacienda. With traditional architecture, a private pool, and easy access to local attractions, this delightful rental offers an authentic, laid-back experience.
Top 3 Things to do in San Cabo Lucas
There is always plenty to do in Cabo San Lucas. You do not have to rely only on the places mentioned above or the proliferation of bars on the many beaches at Cabo.
There is another side to Cabo that offers things to do for vacationers of a calmer bent. Some of these activities can even be a focus for going to Cabo, but more likely they will provide a break from the action for a few restul moments.
1. Chileno Beach
Chileno Beach is a small stretch of coastline along the Corridor between San Lucas and San Jose. Being a little more secluded, Chileno Beach is known mostly for two things:
- The absence of bars
- The presence of good snorkeling
As such Chileno beach offers the chance to grab your gear and head to its relatively calm and definitely clear waters to catch a different kind of action, the color sea life.
2. Whale Watching at Cabo
Many visitors to Cabo have discovered that a must-do activity is whale watching. Many different kinds of whales visit the waters around the peninsula between December and April with January through March being a good time to see baby whales.
There are companies that offer boat tours to view the whales, with at least one company, Whale Watch Cabo, that drops a mic into the ocean so you can hear the whales singing. Do not miss out on this great opportunity.
3. Iglesia de San Lucas (Church of St. Luke)
No trip is complete without at least one historical place to visit. The Iglesia de San Lucas has a rich history with its plain Spanish style structure and two bells dating from the 18th century. You can walk to the church from the Marina in about 15 minutes.
The town has renovated the church to preserve the historical roots of the town and added a plaza adjacent to the church with places to eat and boutiques at which to shop. Also, if you feel like church on Sunday after revelry on Saturday, Iglesia de San Lucas offers bilingual mass on Sunday afternoons (and Saturday evenings for the absentious).
Coolest AirBNB experiences in Cabo San Lucas
As you might well imagine, Cabo offers some very cool AirBnB experiences ranging from intimate settings for a romantically inclined couple, to houses with multiple bedrooms suitable for groups who want to share the cost.
So without any further adieu, here are the coolest AirBnB experiences in Cabo San Lucas:
- Villa Turquesa – This villa is an amazing expanse of one jaw dropping view after another; with many walls being floor to ceiling windows, the villa offers incredible and uninhibited views of the ocean giving up to 20 occupants housed in 9 bedrooms an incredible experience
- Luxury Rooftop Penthouse – To the west of Medano Beach by about 5 miles, this rooftop penthouse in the gated community of Copala at Quivira is a fantasy of luxury with access to the community pool, gym, and bar and a private rooftop featuring a patio, jacuzzi and gas fireplace
- Authentic Mexican Villa – This AirBnB is a truly remarkable Mexican style villa that lays outside the tourist bedlam of the city (though still accessible by taxi) and has an isolated feel that is ideal for creating romantic memories
Final Thoughts
Cabo San Lucas has many possibilities. There is the popular conception of the area which involves parties on the beach and more parties on the beach. But there is more to Cabo than means the eye.
With the option of leaving the bars, you can watch whales, hike between the beaches of love and divorce, snorkel in pristine waters, and experience authentic examples of Mexican culture while staying in an exciting environment.
