Los Cabos Travelers Recommend

With three days in Los Cabos, you have time to enjoy some laid-back beach time and dive into the party scene, then throw in taco tastings, shopping, and adventure. The gorgeous coast offers many ways to get out on the water, whether you’re snorkeling coral reefs, sailing, or spotting humpback whales. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Explore the Coast

There’s a reason Los Cabos postcards are all about sun, sand, and salt water; with access to reefs, beaches, and rock formations, this is a fabulous place to enjoy the water. Take advantage of the sun to swim, snorkel, kayak, scuba dive, or cruise the reefs in a glass-bottom boat. That direct sun means the colors of the fish and coral appear extra bright, with sparkling beams dropping straight to the sea floor.  

After a relaxed afternoon on the shore, head back out for an entirely different look at the Los Cabos waterfront in the evening. Bring a camera, as early evening is among the best times to snap photos of El Arco, a natural arch that’s a popular backdrop for souvenir shots. Sunset cruises in Los Cabos range from floating parties to dinner cruises and kid-friendly shows, so choose what suits you best.

Day 2: Retail Therapy, Cuisine, and Nightlife

Devote your second day in Los Cabos to shopping, eating, and nightlife. If you’re searching for souvenirs, the shops overflow with colorful crafts from all over Baja. For a large collection of boutiques and brand names, head to the Puerto Paraiso Mall. To go straight to the best shopping spots with a vehicle to shuttle your finds, shopping tours are a convenient option.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head back downtown to enjoy the traditional recipes that make Los Cabos food memorable. Dine at a local restaurant, take a tour of small eateries, or join a cooking class to whip up lunch from scratch. When the sun goes down, enjoy a night on the town; clubs and bars line downtown streets and go until sunrise. If you’re looking for VIP perks such as skip-the-line access or comped drinks, consider a nightclub tour.

Day 3: Wildlife on the Waves

Los Cabos is a winter home to migratory gray whales and humpback whales, who hang out off the coast between mid-December and mid-April. If you’re visiting during that time, spend your last day taking in local wildlife. Don’t miss the chance to see the marine mammals as they swim and blow; you can even slip in the water to swim in an area known for whale sharks. During the rest of the year, animal-related opportunities in Los Cabos include helping with sea turtle release, spotting pods of dolphins, and even hopping a camel for a ride into the sand. 

Two days in Los Cabos let you go beyond the basics: See more of the underwater world, sink your toes in the sand, taco your way through downtown, even get out into the Baja desert. Whether you’re here to relax or let loose, Los Cabos has endless ways to soak up the sun. Here’s how to make the most of a 2-day trip to Los Cabos.

Day 1: Hit the Water (and the Town)

**Morning:**Slip into the sea in a kayak, using snorkeling gear, or in a sailboat for a salty start to your vacation. Mornings bring calmer waves and less wind, making this a great time to explore on the surface.

**Afternoon:**Dry off for an afternoon of shopping downtown, where you can find everything from chic threads to local crafts. The food scene is booming, too, with many restaurants putting locally sourced ingredients front and center. Explore on your own or join a guide for a tour of the best bites and bargains.

**Night:**Los Cabos cranks up the dial after dark, so head to the main party streets of Lázaro Cárdenas and Paseo de la Marina to join the fun. (With VIP perks and a crew to party with, nightclub tours are a fun choice, too.)

Day 2: Inland Adventures and a Los Cabos Sunset

**Morning:**Step away from the beach to see another side of Los Cabos when you head out to explore the desert and ride a zipline over a river canyon. If you’d rather wake up with salsa than sports, opt for a Mexican cooking class using market-fresh ingredients.

**Afternoon:**You might be ready for a nap in the sand, but if you’re visiting between mid-December and mid-April, don’t miss the chance to go whale watching; Los Cabos is home to migratory populations of gray and humpback whales, which you can spot just off the coast.

**Night:**Celebrate your last night in Los Cabos with a sunset cruise. These range from party boats to dinners at sea, but most depart in time to catch sunset at El Arco—it’s the perfect light for photographing Los Cabos’ most famous rock arch.

One of the two resort towns that make up Los Cabos—the other is San José del Cabo—Cabo San Lucas is a never-ending party with a picture-postcard setting. If you have one day in Cabo San Lucas, you can wake up to coral reefs, hidden beaches, and bright blue water, then roll right into a night of tequila and dancing. Here’s where to start.

Morning: Saltwater Sightseeing

Start the day by getting out on the water, checking out Cabo San Lucas from above or below the waves. If you’re looking for the biggest things afloat, humpback whales luxuriate in these coastal waters from November through April, and relatively calm water makes the morning a great time for a whale-watching cruise. To take in Cabo’s undersea treasure trove, options include snorkeling trips, scuba diving outings, and cruises by glass-bottom boat that let you peek at the reefs without getting wet.

Afternoon: Cabo San Lucas Sunset

Late-afternoon light is the perfect time to see—and photograph—Cabo San Lucas’ rock formations, which turn rosy when the sun gets low. It’s a great excuse for a stroll on the beach, but sunset cruises ensure unobstructed views of the coast. If you’re heading out on the water, choose between basic, budget-friendly boat trips and luxurious cruises that feature premium drinks and snacks. You can also make a night of it by booking a sunset dinner cruise with included entertainment—these can be a fun way to enjoy an evening with kids.

Night: Paint the Town

With everything from laid-back beach bars to all-night parties, Cabo San Lucas nightlife is anything but one-size-fits-all. Take it in on the two main bar streets, Lázaro Cárdenas and Paseo de la Marina, ducking into venues to sip fresh margaritas or check out the dance floor. To experience the scene with a ready-made party crew and an insider guide, nightclub tours are a fun way to ensure you find the most happening spots, and some include VIP perks such as free drinks and priority entry.

Tequila-fueled parties meet gorgeous nature in Los Cabos, where you can begin the day with humpback whales and end it on the dance floor. If you have one day in Los Cabos, make the most of your time with a little bit of everything: Peek beneath the waves, explore the taco scene, and kick up your heels in a nightclub. Here’s where to start.

Morning: Undersea Exploring

Since morning often means lighter winds and calmer water, it’s the perfect time to see the world beneath the Sea of Cortez. Options for getting out on the water include snorkeling tours, kayak tours, sailing cruises, and more. Whatever you choose, you’re likely to make a stop near El Arco, the natural rock arch that’s the classic Los Cabos souvenir shot and a great backdrop for selfies. The humpback and gray whales that make Los Cabos their winter home are here between mid-December and mid-April; for the best chance of spotting them, opt for a whale-specific boat tour.  

Afternoon: Shopping and Los Cabos Cuisine

Head back to dry land to sample two more Los Cabos specialties: shopping and food. Explore  crafty souvenir shops, high-end boutiques, and vintage stores on your own, or choose a shopping tour that visits a curated list of shops. If you prefer tacos to textiles, spend the afternoon exploring the local food scene. Visit one of the trendy restaurants serving locavore cuisine, or, if you can’t commit to filling up in one location, join a food tour to nibble your way through the best of the city.

Night: Join the Party

Now that you’ve soaked up the scenery and culture, dive into the salsa-dancing, tequila-drinking, all-night party scene. Many of the main nightclubs and bars line two downtown streets—Lázaro Cárdenas Avenue and Paseo de la Marina—so you can spend the evening strolling from place to place. Nightclub tours and pub crawls are a fun option if you’re looking for a ready-made party crew or just want the perks that some tours offer, such as skip-the-line entry, VIP admission, and free shots.

The laid-back half of the two resort towns that make up Los Cabos—the other is Cabo San Lucas—San José del Cabo blends beautiful beaches with great food, shopping, and dining. With one day in San José del Cabo, combine saltwater exploring with a colorful introduction to  local culture. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Morning: Head for the Water

Dip your toes in the Sea of Cortez for a salty introduction to San José del Cabo’s gorgeous coastline, which goes from surf beaches to whale habitat. Options for exploring from San José del Cabo include surf lessons, whale-watching cruises, snorkeling trips, flyboarding, scuba diving, and more. If you’re hoping to spend time beneath the surface and you’re not a certified scuba diver, you can even join a beginner-friendly scuba trip that’s designed to get you in the water without days of classroom time.

Afternoon: Culture or Cuisine

Cabo San Lucas has the parties, but San José del Cabo keeps up with a vibrant art scene, diverse dining culture, and some of the best shopping around. Spend the afternoon exploring the town’s shopping options, which include upscale boutiques, elegant jewelry shops, and handmade-craft shops, while galleries feature work by both local and international artists. Alternatively, if you’re craving a delicious introduction to the superfresh cuisine of Baja California Sur—which places locally caught seafood front and center—check out a few local restaurants, take a foodie tour of downtown, or sign up for a cooking class. Classes can be a great opportunity to learn the building blocks of local foods, and you’ll finish with recipes that you can reproduce at home.

Night: Sunset Cruising

Catch sunset light as you set sail for an evening boat trip from San José del Cabo, sipping a tropical drink and watching the sun dip over Baja California. Since many sunset cruises include snacks or even a full dinner, it’s a fun start to the evening that saves you a second restaurant booking; choose between options such as laid-back sailing trips and party cruises fueled by dances and drinking.

From kayaking past a colony of sea lions to zipping through gentle waves on a WaveRunner, Los Cabos is a paradise for water sports. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie looking for an active adventure or in the mood to kick back and relax on the water, these top five water activities have you covered.

There are few places on the planet where you can explore a reef by glass-bottom kayak one day and glide through a jungle canopy on a zipline the next, or start a day having breakfast with gray whales and end it with tequila tasting at sunset. Los Cabos is one of those places. See below for our top 10 picks to help you design your perfect trip.

Los Cabos may be known for its water sports and vibrant nightlife, but its Pacific sunsets, Latin American culture, and secluded beach spots offer plenty of opportunity for romance too. Here are a few suggestions for your romantic visit to Cabo, at the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula.

• Admire the atmospheric glow of dusk on the water with a sunset cruise.

• Gain unique memories horseback riding together across coastal and desert landscapes.

• Hear live music and salsa dance the night away together in one of downtown Cabo’s lively bars or restaurants.

• Absorb the city’s culture on a walking tour through the Gallery District.

• Enjoy private time away from the crowds on quiet Costa Azul.

• Take a cooking class to hone your culinary skills and learn a new recipe to take home.

• After a week of activities, visit a spa to unwind with a couple’s massage.

Los Cabos, a seaside destination on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, is home to some of the best golf courses in Mexico, especially for players looking for picturesque holes and tropical temperatures. There are more than a dozen championship courses to choose from. Here are some options for teeing off in Los Cabos.

Cabo del Sol

Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus design, ranks among the best in the area, especially for experienced players. Ocean views abound, particularly along the closing stretch along the Sea of Cortez. The Tom Weiskopf-designed Desert Course shows off the natural beauty of Baja through dramatic bunkering and undulating greens.

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Glub

One of the closest courses to San Jose del Cabo, Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club features 27 holes: a new 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course and the nine-hole Greg Norman Signature Mission Course. Some 70 percent of holes afford views of the Sea of Cortez, and comfort stations on each nine serve tacos and margaritas.

Cabo Real Golf Club

This Robert Trent Jones, Jr. target-style course has hosted two PGA Senior Slam events. The front nine features broad fairways that tumble down toward the Sea of Cortez; the longer and more challenging back nine takes golfers through the desert foothills with hazards like free-form bunkers and elevated greens.

Club Campestre San Jose

This Jack Nicklaus-designed course on the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains is a favorite among Los Cabos locals. Each of the 18 holes boasts ocean views; the double-dogleg seventh hole, a par-five, ends in a well-bunkered peninsula green.

Diamante

Ranked among the best courses in the world, the Dunes Course at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, designed by David Love III, offers a classic links course with stellar views of the beach and ocean from every hole. Tiger Woods designed his first-ever course at Diamante, as well, a strategy-driven California-inspired course named El Cardonal.