Los Cabos Travel Guide

Los Cabos is the collective name for two distinct towns at the southern tip of Baja California: Cabo San Lucas (party resort, marina, arch) and San José del Cabo (calmer, more colonial, better food), connected by a 33-km hotel strip (the Corridor). They attract different visitors and have a very different atmosphere.

Cabo San Lucas

The El Arco rock formation at the very tip of the peninsula — where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez — is the defining image of Baja California. Water taxis from the marina reach the beach at El Arco; snorkelling around the rocks is good. The marina area is tourist-heavy, with bars and spring break crowds from January onwards. Playa El Médano is the main swimming beach (the water at El Arco itself has strong currents).

San José del Cabo

12 km northeast, San José has an 18th-century mission church, a historic art district (the Zona Hotelera arts district has galleries open Thursday evenings during the November–June season), and generally better restaurants than Cabo San Lucas. La Playita beach east of town is quieter. The estuary behind San José has a bird sanctuary and a mangrove zone worth a kayak trip.

Water activities

The Sea of Cortez — described by Jacques Cousteau as the “aquarium of the world” — has exceptional marine life. Whale sharks (October–February, La Paz and Los Cabos area) are the major draw: swimming with them is regulated, and operators follow guidelines to avoid harassment. Humpback whales pass through the area December–March. Sport fishing for marlin and dorado is a significant industry — the marina has dozens of fishing charter operators.

The Corridor beaches

Between the two towns, the Corridor has several beaches with dramatic desert-meets-ocean scenery. Most have strong currents and are not suitable for swimming — this is a Pacific ocean exposure. The hotel beaches (accessible to guests) and Playa Santa María and Playa Chileno are the safer swimming spots.

Getting there

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is between the two towns and has very good connections to US and Canadian gateways, plus Mexico City. The airport-to-Cabo taxis are expensive; book through your hotel or arrange transfer in advance.

When to go

October–June: dry, sunny, and increasingly busy toward December. July–September: hurricane risk and oppressive heat. October–December is the best compromise — marine life activity is at its peak and the extreme heat has passed.