Los Cabos
Everything you need to know before you go.
Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula where the desert meets the sea. It consists of two main towns, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, connected by a thirty-two kilometer stretch known as the Resort Corridor. The vibe depends on where you stay. Cabo San Lucas is the more famous resort area focused on sport fishing, golf, and large resorts. If you want something quieter, head to the center of San José del Cabo. It still has cobblestone streets, adobe houses, and an 18th century church with a central square where locals gather in the evenings.
This destination is great for people who enjoy high end art or outdoor sports. In San José del Cabo, many 19th century houses have been turned into galleries and shops selling silver, local gemstones, and sculptures from international and Mexican artists. These galleries stay open late during the high season from October to May. Since the town has avoided large shopping malls and chain stores, it feels more authentic than a typical tourist hub.
For food, you should try traditional Mexican dishes like fish tacos or ceviche, which are staples of the Baja region. While prices vary, street tacos usually cost between 2 and 5 USD each, while dinner at the converted historic houses in San José can range from 30 to 100 USD per person. Visit the southern beaches for sun and sand or spend your time exploring the art scene in the municipal seat.
Sightseeing El Arco - Take a water taxi from the Marina to see this rock formation at Land's End. $20, 2h.
Food & Drink Tacos Guss - Order the fish tacos in downtown Cabo San Lucas for a cheap and authentic meal. $15, 1h. Flora Farms - Eat farm to table dishes in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. $80, 3h.
Outdoor Nature Playa El Chilamartis - Visit this beach for swimming and snorkeling away from the main resort crowds. Free, 4h.
Nightlife The Cabo Wabo Cantina - Grab a drink at this legendary rock and roll spot in downtown Cabo San Lucas. $40, 3h.
Cultural Galería La Lupa - Check out local art and photography in the downtown gallery district. Free, 2h.
Shopping Luxury Avenue - Browse high end designer brands along the Marina waterfront. Variable, 2h.
Day Trips Todos Santos - Drive to this quiet town to see the Hotel California and local craft markets. $60, 8h. La Paz - Visit the Malecón and swim with whale sharks in the Gulf of California. $150, 10h.
Here is the lowdown on where to stay and eat in Los Cabos.
Budget
- Casa Cabo - San Jose del Cabo. $60 to $110/night. Great for solo travelers who want a social vibe near the art district.
- Hotel Flora Cabo - Cabo San Lucas. $80 to $130/night. Simple and clean, located within walking distance of the marina.
Mid-range
- Hotel Flora Cabo (Wait, let's go with The Cape Hotel if you catch a deal, but for true mid-range): Pueblo Bonito Solmar - Cabo San Lucas. $250 to $450/night. You get a private beach area and a better view of the Arch than most resorts.
- Hotel Boutique Villa Cabo - San Jose del Cabo. $180 to $300/night. Quiet spot that feels more like a home than a hotel.
Luxury
- Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal - Pedregal. $900 to $2,500/night. The entrance is a private tunnel through the mountain.
- One&Only Palmilla - Palmilla. $1,200 to $3,000/night. Huge suites and one of the best swimmable beaches in the area.
Where to Eat
- Tacos Guss (Mexican) - San Jose del Cabo. $10 to $20 per person. Get the al pastor tacos here.
- Flora's Field Kitchen (Farm-to-Table) - San Jose del Cabo. $60 to $120 per person. It is located on a working farm; try the seasonal vegetable plates.
- El Farallon (Seafood) - Pedregal. $150 to $300 per person. The tables are built into the cliffs over the ocean. Order the fresh catch of the day.
- Los Claros (Mexican/Fusion) - Cabo San Lucas. $30 to $60 per person. Great for a relaxed lunch away from the main tourist strip.
- Sunset Monalisa (International) - Cabo San Lucas. $100 to $250 per person. Go for the view of the Arch at sunset, though it is pricey.
Fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). It is about 20 minutes outside San José del Cabo and 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas.
Flight costs vary by season. From LA or Phoenix, expect $200 to $400 round trip. From New York or Chicago, it usually runs between $450 and $800.
Avoid taking a random taxi at the curb because they overcharge tourists. Pre-book a private shuttle for about $60 to $100 each way. If you use a taxi, expect to pay $70 to $120 depending on your destination. Uber exists but often only works for short trips within town or from specific pickup zones. Public transit is basically just the "pulmones" (small open-air buses) which cost a few dollars, but they are not practical with luggage.
You cannot take a train here. If you drive from Mazatlán or La Paz, be careful on the highways due to potholes and livestock. From La Paz, it is a 2 hour drive on Highway 1.
Stay in San José del Cabo if you want art galleries and quieter streets. Stay in Cabo San Lucas near the Marina for nightlife and shopping.
Eat fish tacos at a local spot like Tacos Guss. A plate of three tacos usually costs $5 to $8. Try aguachile, which is raw shrimp cured in lime and chili. For dinner, a mid-range meal with drinks will cost $30 to $50 per person.
Visit El Arco at the tip of the peninsula. Take a water taxi for about $20 to $30 per person. Walk along the Malecón in San José for a cheap way to see the town. Budget around $100 to $200 per day for food and activities if you avoid the high-end luxury resorts.
Skip the brochures. Los Cabos is basically two different worlds: the luxury strip of Cabo San Lucas and the quieter, artsier San José del Cabo. Timing your trip depends on if you want to party or actually relax.
Peak Season: December to April This is when everyone goes because the weather is perfect. It is dry, sunny, and mid 70s to low 80s. You will see huge crowds at Land's End and long waits for dinner in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Prices spike here. A decent hotel room that costs $200 in October might jump to $450 in January.
- Why go: Whale watching is the big draw. Gray whales migrate here from December through March.
- Major Event: New Year's Eve is huge, but expect overpriced parties and packed beaches.
The Sweet Spot: May, June, and October to early November These are your best bets for value. The weather is warmer, usually mid 80s to low 90s, but it is still manageable. You will find better deals on flights and resorts.
- Why go: You get the sunshine without the winter rush. It is a great time to wander the art galleries in San José del Cabo or eat fish tacos at a local spot like Tacos Guss for about $3 to $5 per taco.
- Tip: If you visit in November, you might catch the start of the whale season without the December price hikes.
The Risk Zone: July to September This is hurricane season and it is brutally hot. Temperatures often hit 90s with oppressive humidity. Many locals actually leave during these months because the heat is too much.
- Why avoid: High risk of storms. Also, the water can get very warm, which sometimes leads to sargassum seaweed piling up on the beaches.
- The upside: This is when you find the steepest discounts. You can snag luxury villas for a fraction of the winter cost.
Practical Advice If you want a quiet vibe, stay in San José del Cabo. If you want nightlife and shopping, stick to Cabo San Lucas. For food, avoid the tourist traps on the main strip. Look for shrimp ceviche or aguachile at smaller kiosks where locals eat. Expect to spend $20 to $40 per person for a nice dinner, unless you go to high end spots like Flora where it can easily hit $150.
For activities, take a water taxi to El Arco. It costs about $15 to $25 depending on the boat. Just be careful with the swimming; many beaches in Cabo have strong undertows and are not safe for swimming. Stick to the designated swimmable beaches like Playa El Chilamate.