Los Cabos: A practical guide to the Baja peninsula

Geography

Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. This is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. The region sits just over 1,000 miles south of San Diego and the U.S./Mexico border. It consists of Cabo San Lucas, the smaller town of San Jose del Cabo, and a 30 km Tourist Corridor (Highway 1) that connects them.

Arrival and logistics

You will arrive via Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which is the sixth busiest airport in Mexico. Direct flights are available from more than 40 U.S. and Canadian cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Chicago, Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. Airlines serving this route include Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, WestJet, and Air Canada.

The official currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). There are approximately 20 pesos to every U.S. dollar. While USD is accepted in most tourist areas, you save money by using pesos. Citizens of the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, EU, and New Zealand do not need a visa for Mexico, but you must have a passport valid for at least six months.

Spanish is the main language. However, English is spoken extensively by staff in hotels, restaurants, and bars within tourist hot spots, as well as by tour guides. The region uses UTC-7 (Mountain Standard Time) and observes DST to move to UTC-6 in the summer. Electric plugs are the same as those used in the U.S. with two flat pins.

For transport, Uber operates within Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo and is cheaper than taxis, though taxi services are also plentiful. Both towns are walkable. Keep in mind that Los Cabos is the most expensive destination in Mexico.

Exploring Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a lively resort city with a population of approximately 85,000. It is known for its marina, sportfishing, and nightlife where bars stay open until 4 AM. One of the most photographed landmarks in Baja is El Arco at Land's End. You can visit it using these options:

• Water taxi from Medano Beach: 150-200 MXN round trip for a 20 minute ride.
• Glass bottom boat tour: 200-300 MXN.
• Kayak rental: 300-400 MXN for 2 hours.
• Half day sailing and snorkeling cruises: 800-1,500 MXN.

The culture of San Jose del Cabo

Located 30 km east of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo is a quiet colonial town with a population of approximately 180,000. You can visit the Jesuit mission from 1730 or explore the art district centered around Obregón and Guerrero streets, which features more than 30 galleries and studios. If you are there between November and June, you can attend the Thursday Art Walk between 5 PM and 9 PM. You should also visit the estero (estuary), a mixing zone for fresh and saltwater that attracts herons, ospreys, and migratory birds.

Swimming safety and beaches

You must be careful when choosing a beach. Most beaches in Los Cabos are too dangerous for swimming due to hidden rip currents and powerful Pacific currents. You should not swim at Divorce Beach on the Pacific side because of dramatic waves and powerful currents, as several tourists drown there each year.

For safe water, use these locations:

• Medano Beach: The only swimming beach in Cabo San Lucas proper, which is protected from the Pacific current.
• Lover's Beach: Located on the Sea of Cortez side, where the water is calm and swimmable.
• Santa Maria Bay: A protected cove at Km 12 of the Corridor noted for snorkeling and high fish density.
• Chileno Bay: A public beach with a marine sanctuary and a protected bay at Km 15 of the Corridor.

Regional excursions

If you plan to drive from Cabo San Lucas, these are the road distances to other regional destinations:

• To San Jose del Cabo: 20 miles.
• To Todos Santos: 47 miles.
• To Los Barriles: 70 miles.
• To Cabo Pulmo: 87 miles.
• To La Paz: 98 miles.

Timing your visit

The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to May. If you want to see humpback and grey whales, the whale watching window is from December to April. Sportfishing is available year round, though marlin fishing peaks from July to November. Be cautious of hurricane risks in September and October.

Sources

[S1] https://www.spanishdict.com/translate/los, https://www.spanishdict.com/translate/los [S2] https://cabovisitor.com/cabo-travel-guide/, https://cabovisitor.com/cabo-travel-guide/ [S3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles [S4] https://www.mexicotravelandleisure.com/blog/los-cabos-travel-guide/, https://www.mexicotravelandleisure.com/blog/los-cabos-travel-guide/