Reasons for visiting Los Cabos

Los Cabos offers the best of both worlds. You can relax and see historical sights in the yesteryear of San Jose, and then skip over to San Lucas for great nightlife and restaurants. Both have incredible beaches, top golf resorts, and excellent fishing.

There are also whale-watching excursions, dramatic rock formations, and the popular Lover's Beach, a remote cove with fantastic snorkeling and a tropical estuary.

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The coastal towns of Los Cabos (The Capes) and the touristic corridor that runs between them have evolved from sleepy villages into Mexico's most popular resort. Both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas offer a striking landscape of cinnamon-colored mountains and a sunny dry climate. Endless cactus deserts, white-sand beaches, and clear sapphire seas create a spectacular setting.

Los Cabos has special appeal for sports enthusiasts. The area is one of Mexico's top golf resorts, boasting some particularly beautiful championship courses, and has long been known for excellent sport fishing. Hiking, diving, and whale-watching are also popular. Add to that the world-famous rock formations, miles of deluxe hotels, and gorgeous beaches, and it's easy to see why Los Cabos is such a resort gem!

Approximate Air Travel Time

• New York City: 6.75 hrs
• Miami: 6 hrs
• Los Angeles: 2.5 hrs
• Chicago: 5.15 hrs
• Dallas-Forth Worth: 3 hrs
• San Francisco: 3 hrs

Please note that limited nonstop flights are available. All travel times are subject to change.

Areas within Los Cabos

San Jose del Cabo

The adobe houses and jacaranda trees that pepper downtown set the scene for this authentic Mexican village. A shady plaza, bandstand, and church speak of tranquil years gone by, while golf, surfing, shopping, and dining are also right at your fingertips. Right next to the town is an estuary harboring hundreds of bird species.

Cabo San Lucas

At the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, you'll find a more energetic party atmosphere than in San Jose del Cabo, with a wide variety of restaurants, nightlife, hotels, a marina, and shopping. Nearby Medano Beach is a heavenly stretch of calm water and white-sand beach. Just off shore are Lover’s Beach and El Arco, the rock arch that marks the extreme tip of California.

El Corredor Turistic

This beautiful 22-mile stretch of winding highway joins San Jose and San Lucas. There are lavish hotels, cliff-top vistas, and some of the area's best beaches and coves. This is also where the majority of golf courses are located.

La Paz

La Paz, 125 miles north of Los Cabos, is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur and well worth the excursion. The tranquil port lives up to its name, which means "peace", with a leisurely pace and friendly people. The palm-lined waterfront boardwalk is the center of attraction with bars, restaurants, and fun people-watching. The colonial architecture includes a 300-year-old cathedral downtown. La Paz was once a haven for marauding pirates, and the Anthropology Museum details the fascinating history of the area. Spectacular sunsets over the bay, needless to say, are a daily treat.

East Cape

In the very south of the Baja California Peninsula is the region known as East Cape, yet another gorgeous scene. Renowned for Cabo Pulmo, a marine park with the only living coral reef onMexico’s western coast, this area is rapidly becoming popular among surfers and sea kayakers. Beach lovers enjoy the wide and seemingly endless stretches of sand, and the traditional village remains virtually unchanged by modern development, despite its proximity to bustling Los Cabos. A visit to the town and park is a great way to experience the mysteries of unspoiled Mexico.

Todos Santos

Approximately 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, the oasis of Todos Santos was originally a Jesuit missionary farming colony. The location was chosen for its abundance of water and excellent soil, ideal for growing food to supply the main settlement in La Paz. Today, it is an artists’ colony that showcases regional arts and crafts and many art galleries. Todos Santos is a lovely destination for a daytrip in the southern tip of Baja California Sur, between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

Topography

Located on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is west of mainland Mexico, and just south of California. It's bordered by the Sea of Cortez on the east, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Unspoiled desert landscapes, white-sand beaches, and dramatic rock outcroppings make up the dynamic geography. A distinctive rock arch, El Arco, dips into the sea at exactly the spot where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. There are many beaches, but the undertow is strong and not conducive to swimming; with the exception of Playa Medano, which is one of the best swimming beaches in the destination.

Climate

Weather conditions are generally dry and pleasant all year. Winters tend to be sunny and mild, with daytime highs around 70°. Temperatures rise slightly during spring, which is the driest season. There is often no rainfall from March through June. Then, from June through September, most days are in the 90s and ocean temperatures average in the high 80s. Summer is the rainy season, although showers are usually brief and followed immediately by sunshine. In October, the trade winds reverse direction and temperatures cool down a bit. The heart of hurricane season lasts from early September to late October, though strikes are rare.

What To Do & See in Los Cabos

Land's End Tour

Discover the hidden wonders of Cabo as you glide through the Sea of Cortez on a glass-bottom boat, making stops at the bird sanctuary, historic San Jose, and a glass-blowing workshop.

ATV Tours

The desert and nearby mountains combine to offer great rides within a short distance of town. Organized tours are offered to El Faro Viejo, the old lighthouse on the Pacific, with its great sand dunes. Another great tour is the half-day trip up to the mountain village of Candelaria, where it is rumored that some of the locals still practice witchcraft. You can also rent motorcycles and scooters.

Horseback Riding

Just as adventurous as riding an ATV through the desert, horseback riding is another great way to take in the Old Baja California ambiance. People who’ve never had the pleasure of riding a horse along a deserted beach shouldn’t wait a minute longer! All skill levels are cateredto at several stables in the Los Cabos area, and guided tours are available with mountain and beach trail rides.

Sunset Cruise

Watch the brilliant sunset as you sail to Land's End across the Sea of Cortez into the Pacific. The cruise includes a Mexican buffet and unlimited drinks!

Day Trip to La Paz

This is the eco-tourism capital of North America, surrounded by deserted beaches, pristine bays, and offshore islands. For many years it was famous for pearls found in its vicinity. The ride is beautiful, and in addition to the natural wonders, you can visit the weaving shops of Fortunato Silva, who spins his own cotton and weaves it into terrifically textured rugs and textiles.

Fishing

Sport fishing is fantastic in Los Cabos, and there are several ways to enjoy it. The most popular outings are on the small traditional panga boats and the deep-sea charter vessels, both of which provide gear and bait. The fishing definitely lives up to its reputation, and reeling in a 100-pound marlin is quite common. A "catch and release" practice is strongly encouraged.

Whale-Watching

From January through March, whales congregate offshore, and local fishermen at Pueblo la Playa take small groups out to see them on 4-hour trips.

Estero San Jose

This nature reserve harbors more than 270 species of birds. Explore the grounds on foot and take time to visit the cultural center to see exhibits on Baja's indigenous people.

Golf

Los Cabos is known as Latin America's premier golf destination, and hosts tournaments such as the PGA Senior Grand Slam. There are 6 courses, with more being built, and the best are on the Corridor, usually the centerpiece for super-resort developments. The Palmilla Golf Club has 27 holes and was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The 18-hole Cabo de Sol is another Nicklaus course. The Cabo Real Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones, has 36 holes.

Iglesia de San Lucas

You'll find a wonderful bit of history at this church right off San Lucas' main plaza, established in 1730 by a Spanish missionary. A large bell in a stone archway commemorates the completion of the church in 1746. Take a walk up to the front to see the interesting tile mural of Indians dragging a captured priest toward a fire.

La Candelaria

Twenty-five miles north of San Lucas, this isolated and ancient Indian village is known for the traditional ritual magic that is still practiced. The settlement, watered by an underground river, is lush with plants, mango trees, and bamboo.

Shopping

The municipal market in San Jose features decorative accessories, clothing, edibles, and household tools. In San Lucas, bargain at the open-air market for everything from blankets and jewelry to onyx objects and crafts. At Cuca's Blanket Factory, design your own blanket and pick it up the next day. At El Rancho, browse through pottery and furniture made by Baja farmers. The shop is decorated like a Baja ranch house, and features lidded casseroles, pitchers, and jars, and branch chairs with rush seats. For variety, stop in to Mamma Eli's 3 levels of folk art, crafts, clothing, and furniture, and at Plaza Bonita, a large terra cotta-colored mall on the marina.

Dining in Los Cabos

The dining in Los Cabos covers a wide range of styles, from white-tablecloth restaurants and sidewalk bistros to hacienda restaurants with dancing and live music. The food itself incorporates flavors from Italy, France, Mexico and the rest of the Americas. Local seafood appears on virtually every menu, and most dishes are bold, although not necessarily hot. Keep in mind that Mexicans eat their largest meal of the day in the afternoon between 2:00pm - 4:00pm, and the evening meal usually starts with appetizers and drinks around 8:00pm, followed by dinner an hour or two later.

Nightlife in Los Cabos

The nightlife in Los Cabos is all about variety - and endurance, since San Lucas is known as the nightlife capital of Baja. If you want a roaring party, head for the strips of lively bars and clubs. If you want a lower-key evening, head to San Jose, which is less rowdy, but still a lot of fun. But no matter which way you turn, your evening will start with a glorious sunset - and there are many oceanfront bars and restaurants with perfect views of it!

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