Looking for fun and cool things to do in Cabo, Mexico? Cabo San Lucas in the Baja peninsula is world-renowned for its deep-sea fishing, swanky hotels, and sandy beaches. Although this reputation is well-deserved, there are many more adventures to experience in this beautiful Mexican resort town of Cabo. There are plenty of beaches for sunbathing, but the ocean here is notoriously choppy and not really good for casual swimmers; therefore, the pool culture is alive and well. When you get tired of the pool scene here are some Cabo activities to try…
Los Cabo is the region located on tip of Baja California Sur, it is a desert oasis with a mixed personality. Cabo San Lucas is party central, where every day feels like a holiday and popular with the younger crowd and spring breakers. While its mellower sister city, San José del Cabo, is popular with the Hollywood elite who come in their private planes for some rest and relaxation. Most top-tier hotels can be found in the Hotel Corridor between the two towns.
We were there a couple of years ago for a winter break, stayed at a family friendly resort by the beach, managed to leave our pool chairs to enjoy some cool Cabo attractions. There is more to do than lounging at the beach in Cabo, read on to discover family-friendly fun things to do in Cabo, Mexico.
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Things to do in Cabo, Mexico
If you are wondering what to do in Cabo, Mexico, here are some ideas. This list covers both things to do in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Go ahead and leave your beach lounger for a day and book a tour or two and add a little adventure to your Cabo trip.
1. Visit the Arch: Top thing to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, sits the rugged rock formation El Arco, which is a popular tourist attraction. It’s called Land’s End for a reason – as the crow flies, if you followed a line south from here, you would not touch land again until you reached the South Pole.
The number one attraction in Cabo is this Arch, as touristy it may be, it is a must-do! Sunsets are pretty nice too. There are two popular beaches here: Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach.
Playa del Amour (Lover’s Beach) at the base of the rock formations is a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, some sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, and a picnic. But the water currents are pretty rough at the Pacific side’s Playa Divorcio (Divorce Beach) and swimming is not advisable there.
After the boat tour, you can spend some time around the Marina Cabo San Lucas and then take a 5-minute cab ride to the Medano beach and have lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants there. The Office owned by Edith Jimenez seems like a popular one, where you can enjoy your meal with a view of the Cabo El Arco.
2. Go Fishing
With its great geographical conditions, Baja California Sur offers professionals and amateurs of this sport a long coastline with abundant fish during all seasons. There are experienced service providers with professional equipment for those on a budget as well as for those after luxury. Cabo is known as the Marlin Capital of the World where during peak fishing season of May, June, December and January — you can arrange a boat to take you fishing for Marlin and then take it to the restaurant to have it cooked to your taste.
3. Ride camels
One of the favorite kid-friendly activities to enjoy with the entire family in Cabo is to ride the camels. These gentle creatures will take you on a fun and unique ride across the desert and the golden sands of the beach. You can enjoy the unique and diverse terrain of Baja California while riding the camels.
4. Hike Fox Canyon and swim in a natural pool
For a totally off-the-beaten-track attraction and tour in Cabo, head north of Cabo San Lucas into the wilds of the Baja, with a naturalist guide to see the amazing desert landscape. In the autumn, you’ll see the desert flora in bloom, filling the valleys with color. Keep an eye out for lizards, roadrunners and maybe a coyote, along with many species of indigenous birds.
Once you reach the river and walk along the shimmering granite walls of Fox Canyon open up to reveal a magnificent 50-foot waterfall, cascading into the placid pools below. You can relax and swim in these refreshing pools, sliding on natural waterslides, jumping off the cliffs, and taking breathtaking photos of the waterfall. So refreshing!
5. See Baby Turtles
From July to October, some of the beaches in Los Cabos, provide perfect nesting grounds for the Sea turtles and you can watch them go to the sea for the first time. Speak with your concierge to learn about turtle release opportunities.
6. Explore the Desert on an ATV: Fun Cabo Activity for the kids/teenagers
Families will love exploring the natural beauties of Los Cabos on an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), which gives you access to places where only a few can go. The sound of the waves crashing while you witness one of the world’s most beautiful sunsets from a moving ATV is quite a unique experience.
Our kids love riding ATVs and this is one of their favorite Cabo activities! We have enjoyed riding ATV on the Agafay desert near Marrakech and Moorea and riding the ATV by the beach is a whole other experience.
7. Go Whale Watching
Experience one of the world’s most memorable wildlife adventures. Around nine species of whales visit Baja California Sur every year, they return to their place of birth, to bring their own calves into this world. Remember Mother Nature works at her own pace, although the season regularly starts in November, viewing is best between January and March when the massive mammals give birth and rear their calves. We saw a couple of whales when we went on our boat tour to see The Arch.
8. Gallery Hopping & Art Walk: One of my Favorite things to do in Cabo
On Thursday evenings during the high season which runs from November to June, you can stroll the streets of San Jose del Cabo on a free cultural Art Walk. Many of the streets in the Art District are car-free during this evening event. The Art Walk has become very popular over the years and an event you won’t want to miss when visiting Cabo!
Behind the historic main square and church in San José del Cabo is where you will find the ever-growing Art District. You will find many fine art galleries displaying original paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and jewelry by local, national and international contemporary artists.
It is the cultural center of Los Cabo, Mexico and my favorite place to wander after a dinner in town. Dozens of art galleries in the town’s art district stay open until 9:00 pm. Some organize lectures and wine evenings, and you even can meet the artists too.
In November, the Los Cabos International Film Festival takes over the town, another great time to visit.
If you love Gallery Strolling, you might like this artist enclave in New Mexico
Indulge in some local cuisine when visiting Cabo, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo have started to draw more and more acclaimed chefs, some popular spots to try are Suviche Restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten who prepares an outstanding menu of fresh sushi together with a striking selection of Mexican ceviches, located within the One&Only Palmilla Resort, Flora’s Field Kitchen, which offers farm-to-table meals and Tadd Chapman’s Don Sanchez, which dishes out traditional Mexican fare with innovative flair.
You can visit Flora Farms as a day trip from the resort corridor in Cabo.
What (and Where) to Eat in Los Cabos
Vegetarian dishes in Cabo are easy to find in all the restaurants. If you’re looking for a more casual but still tasty authentic Mexican meal, head to one of Cabo’s smaller hot spots like such as Mi Casa or The office. You will get to indulge in some local cuisine in colorful and vibrant chairs at hacienda-style residences without breaking your bank.
Cabo San Lucas is famous for its seafood, but restaurants featuring European and North American cuisines also attract travelers. Dining is generally expensive, but you can find cheaper eats if you ask around and try some of the hole-in-the-wall taco joints (taquerias) located downtown or along the hotel corridor.
We loved the farm-to-table experience at Flora’s Field Kitchen, and spend an entire morning there. When we went to visit the El Arco we stopped at a taco place before heading for some Haagen Dazs ice cream at Puerto Paradiso Mall by the Marina Cabo San Lucas.
We heard some great things about The Office owned by Edith Jimenez but didn’t make it there. Regardless of where you dine, don’t forget to try the guacamole made at your table and served in a molcajete (stone mortar and pestle).
How to get to Cabos San Lucas
Los Cabos International Airport is the primary airport for the Los Cabos area and serves approximately 3.35 million passengers annually, making it Mexico’s seventh busiest airport. It hosts about 22 international and domestic carriers and more private jets than we have seen anywhere else. The international airport has made it easier for travelers from all over to hop a nonstop flight to the “Los Cabos” area.
You can arrange for a shuttle to pick up and take you to the resort corridor area, Cabos San Lucas, where all the major resorts are located.
Best Time to go to Los Cabos
While we enjoyed the pleasant 70 degrees in Cabo for Christmas last year, the best time to visit Cabo is from May to June, when the wintertime crowds have gone home. October and November are also nice months for a vacation.
Cabo for the December holidays is perfect — but you’ll need to begin your hotel search early if you want to save money. If you would like to go whale-watching, plan a visit between December and March. We saw a couple of whales during our boat trip out in the Pacific ocean when we went to see the famous Arch of Cabo and visit the Land’s end.
You might also like:
Lunch at Flora Farms, an organic farm in Los Cabos
Visiting El Arco
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