Cabo San Lucas packs a surprising variety of activities into its desert-meets-ocean setting at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Beyond the resorts and beaches, you will find dramatic rock formations, world-class sport fishing, desert adventures, and marine life encounters that draw more than 3 million visitors per year. Here are the top things to do in Cabo San Lucas, organized by category with practical details on locations, costs, and timing.
Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: Iconic Landmarks
El Arco (The Arch)
El Arco is the postcard image of Cabo, a natural limestone arch carved by wind and waves at Land’s End where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. You can see it from a distance at Medano Beach, but the best approach is by water taxi from the marina (US$15-20 per person round trip, departing every 15-20 minutes from Dock 0). The taxi drops you at Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) on the Sea of Cortez side, where you can walk through to Divorce Beach on the Pacific side. Time your visit for low tide, when you can walk under the arch on the sandbar. Morning light (8-10 AM) hits the arch from the front for the best photos. Glass-bottom boat tours (US$12-15 per person) add views of tropical fish and the sea lion colony near the arch without getting wet.
Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach
Two beaches share the same stretch of sand at Land’s End but could not be more different. Lover’s Beach faces the calm Sea of Cortez and is safe for swimming and snorkeling; the water is shallow and clear, with small reef fish near the rocks. Divorce Beach faces the open Pacific and is dangerous for swimming due to powerful rip currents and shore breaks. Red-flag warnings are posted, but people drown here regularly, so keep to wading depth only. There are no facilities on either beach, so bring water, snacks, and sun protection. Access is by water taxi only (US$15-20 round trip from the marina). Arrive before 10 AM to beat the midday crowds; by 1 PM the beach can feel packed during high season.
Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: Water Activities and Marine Life
Whale Watching (December to April)
Cabo is one of the best places on the Pacific coast to see humpback and gray whales up close. The peak season runs January 15 through March 15, when mothers with calves are most active near the surface. Tours depart from the marina, and operators include Cabo Adventures (US$89 per person for 2 hours), Whale Watch Cabo (US$75 per person, smaller boats with 12-passenger max), and Cabo Sails (US$95 per person on a sailing catamaran). Photographers should book a panga (small open skiff) tour for lower sightlines and more maneuverability; these run US$60-75 per person. Book 2-3 days ahead in peak season. All operators are required to follow SEMARNAT whale-watching guidelines: no closer than 30 meters from whales, maximum 30 minutes with any group.
Snorkeling at Santa Maria Bay and Chileno Bay
These two protected coves along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo offer the best shore-accessible snorkeling in the area. Santa Maria Bay is a horseshoe-shaped beach with calm, clear water and a rocky reef on the left side that holds parrotfish, angelfish, and the occasional sea turtle. Chileno Bay is 3km further east with similar conditions and slightly better coral. Both are public beaches with free access and limited parking (arrive before 9 AM to get a spot). There are no rental facilities directly on the beaches, so rent gear in Cabo at Manta Scuba (US$15 per day for mask, snorkel, and fins) or through your hotel. Water visibility is best April through June at 15 to 25 meters. Bring your own food and water since there are no vendors at either beach. See our where to stay in Cabo San Lucas for more details.
Sport Fishing
Cabo’s nickname as the Marlin Capital of the World is well-earned. The deep water of the San Lucas Trench starts within 3 miles of shore, meaning you can be trolling for 300-pound blue marlin 20 minutes after leaving the marina. Charter operators crowd the marina docks: Pisces Sportfishing, RedRum Sportfishing, and Minerva’s are among the most established. A half-day trip (5 hours) on a 28-31 foot boat runs US$375-500 for up to 4 anglers. Full-day trips (8 hours) run US$550-850 and are recommended for targeting marlin. Most boats include tackle, bait, licenses, drinks, and lunch on full-day trips. The crew cleans and bags your catch; several marina restaurants including Solomon’s Landing and Alexander’s will cook your catch for US$10-15 per person. Book 1-2 weeks ahead during October tournaments.
Scuba Diving and the Sand Falls
The Sand Falls, discovered by Jacques Cousteau, are a unique dive site where sand cascades down a submarine canyon wall like an underwater waterfall. The site sits at 30-40 meter depth in the San Lucas Canyon, requiring Advanced Open Water certification. Manta Scuba and Dive Cabo are the two main operators (US$130-160 for a 2-tank dive trip, including gear). Other popular dive sites include the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site 100km northeast with the oldest coral reef on North America’s west coast. Day trips to Cabo Pulmo run US$180-220 including 2 tanks and transport. Sea lion colonies at Land’s End offer shallower dives (12-18 meters) suitable for Open Water divers, with playful juveniles often approaching within arm’s reach.
Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: Land Adventures
ATV and UTV Desert Tours
The Baja desert surrounding Cabo is a network of dusty trails, dry arroyos, and cactus-studded hills that make for excellent off-road riding. Cactus Tours and G-Force Adventures operate out of bases 15-20 minutes north of Cabo on Highway 1. A 2-hour single ATV tour runs US$85-95, while a 3-hour tour with a beach stop runs US$110-130. UTVs (side-by-side vehicles seating 2 people) run US$150-180 for 2 hours. Most tours include hotel pickup, helmets, and a guide. Go in the morning (8-10 AM departure) to beat the midday heat, and wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty. The trails are beginner-friendly with some technical options for experienced riders. Avoid ATV tours in August-September when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F).
Camel Ride on the Beach
Yes, there are camels in Baja. Rancho Carisuva operates a working ranch 30 minutes north of Cabo where you can ride camels on a trail that ends at the Pacific beach. The 2.5-hour experience runs US$105 per person and includes the camel ride, a tequila tasting, and a Mexican buffet lunch. Camels were originally imported to Baja in the 1850s by the US Army for desert transport; the ranch maintains a small herd of about 20 animals. The beach section of the ride produces excellent photos with the ocean in the background. Book online directly through the ranch website at least 2 days ahead during high season. The experience is more about the novelty than the ride itself, so set expectations accordingly.
Hiking Mount Solmar
Mount Solmar is the granite peak at Land’s End that gives you a bird’s-eye view of El Arco, the marina, and both the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. The trailhead starts near the dog kennels at the north end of the marina parking lot, and the hike is a steep 45-60 minute scramble gaining about 150 meters of elevation. This is not an official trail and there are no signs or facilities; the route follows a well-worn path up loose rock and scree. Wear hiking shoes or sturdy trainers, bring at least 1 liter of water per person, and go early (start by 7 AM) to finish before the sun hits the exposed rock face. Enrique of Cabo Hiking Tours leads guided sunrise hikes (US$45 per person including water and granola bars, 3 hours total) and the dogs from his kennel often accompany hikers. Do not attempt this hike in August or September due to extreme heat. For more, check our Cabo San Lucas travel tips.
Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: Day Trips
San José del Cabo Art Walk
San José del Cabo, 32km northeast via Highway 1 (a 30-minute drive or US$30-35 taxi), is Cabo’s quieter, colonial cousin. The Gallery District in the historic center holds an Art Walk every Thursday evening from 5-9 PM between November and June. About 20 galleries participate, pouring complimentary wine and showcasing Mexican and international artists. Galleries worth visiting include Patricia Mendoza (contemporary Mexican painting), Galeria Corsica (fine art and sculpture), and Casa Dahlia (mixed media and ceramics). After the walk, dinner at La Lupita (tacos and mezcal, US$10-15 per person) or Flora’s Field Kitchen (farm-to-table, US$30-50 per person, reservations essential) rounds out the evening. The Thursday Art Walk is free, open to all, and requires no reservation. For more, check our Cabo San Lucas events and festivals. For more, check our best neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas.
Todos Santos Day Trip
Todos Santos is a Pueblo Mágico (Magic Town) 75km north of Cabo on Highway 19 (a 1-hour drive). The town is known for the Hotel California, which may or may not be the inspiration for the Eagles song (the owners capitalize on the association regardless), and a growing community of surfers, artists, and organic farmers. The drive itself passes through dramatic desert scenery with the Pacific on your left. In Todos Santos, visit the Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (founded 1724), browse the artisan shops on Calle Juárez, and have lunch at La Coronela or Jazamango (US$15-30 per person). Surfers can rent boards at Mario’s Surf School (US$20 per day) and head to Playa Los Cerritos, 15 minutes south of town, where consistent waist-to-shoulder-high waves roll in year-round. Rental car recommended; buses also run from the Cabo bus terminal on Calle 16 de Septiembre (US$8-10 each way, about 90 minutes). For more, check our Cabo San Lucas weather by month. For more, check our best time to visit Cabo San Lucas.
