Los Cabos
Los Cabos sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula where the desert meets the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. It's actually two towns connected by a 32-km tourist corridor: party-loud Cabo San Lucas with the iconic El Arco rock arch, and quieter, art-walking colonial San José del Cabo. World-class sport fishing, whale watching and luxury resorts are the headline draws.
The Cabo San Lucas marina is the action hub — fishing charters, sunset cruises, beach clubs, nightclubs. The 32-km Tourist Corridor between the two towns has the headline luxury resorts and most beaches. San José del Cabo is the slower, prettier town with art galleries, an organic market, and Thursday night Art Walks. Outside Los Cabos itself, the East Cape and Todos Santos surf scene make great day trips.
Top Attractions
El Arco of Cabo San Lucas
The iconic granite arch where Pacific meets Sea of Cortez. Reached by water taxi or panga from the marina.
IconMédano Beach
The only safe-swimming beach in Cabo San Lucas. Beach clubs, banana boats, beachfront bars.
Beach Read guide →Cabo Pulmo National Park
A 90-min drive north — protected reef, sea lions, snorkeling/diving in the world's northernmost living coral.
NatureSan José del Cabo Art Walk
Thursday-night gallery stroll through the colonial center — open studios, mezcal stops, live music.
Culture Read guide →Neighbourhoods
Cabo San Lucas Marina
Action & nightlife
Sport-fishing fleet, Médano Beach, Cabo Wabo, El Squid Roe. Where the cruise crowd parties.
Read full guide →Tourist Corridor
Resort row
The 32 km between the two towns — Chileno, Santa María, Palmilla beaches and the headline resorts.
Read full guide →San José del Cabo
Colonial & chill
Art galleries, organic market, pretty plaza, Thursday Art Walk. Pick this side for calm.
Read full guide →East Cape & Todos Santos
Off-grid & surf
East Cape: empty beaches, fly fishing, snorkeling. Todos Santos: surf town with Hotel California.
Read full guide →Safety
✅ Cabo safety: Both towns are tourist-dependent and well-policed. Resorts and the corridor are very safe. The cartel violence that hit Mexican headlines in earlier years did not affect tourist zones. Petty theft on beaches is the main concern.🌊 Beach warning: Most Cabo beaches have dangerous Pacific currents and are NOT safe for swimming. Médano Beach (Cabo San Lucas), Chileno and Santa María are the swimming-approved beaches. Watch for the red/black warning flags.
Costs
| Hostel dorm | $25–$35/night |
| Mid-range hotel | $140–$280/night |
| Luxury resort | $450–$1,500/night |
| Sport fishing charter | $650–$1,400 (4–8 hr boat) |
| Restaurant meal | $18–$45 |
| Glass-bottom boat to El Arco | $15–$25 |
| Whale watching (Dec–Apr) | $80–$130 |
Getting Around
- 🚌 Local buses — Run between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo for ~$2. Slower but cheap.
- 🚕 Uber — Available but limited; taxis form a strong cartel and Uber pickup is regulated.
- 🚗 Rental car — Best for exploring East Cape, Todos Santos and Cabo Pulmo. Fuel up in town.
- ✈️ Airport — San José del Cabo International (SJD), 30 min from Cabo San Lucas.
Food & Drink
🐟 Catch & cook: Most Cabo restaurants will cook the fish you caught on a charter for free or a small fee. Ask before you book the trip.
- Fish tacos — battered and fried local catch with cabbage and chipotle mayo.
- Chocolata clams — Baja's prized clam, served raw with lime and salsa.
- Birria de res — slow-cooked beef in chile broth with tortillas.
- Damiana liqueur — local Baja herbal liqueur, often shaken into margaritas.
Quick Facts
- Population
- ~350,000 (combined Los Cabos)
- Language
- Spanish, English widely spoken
- Airport
- Los Cabos International (SJD)
- Best months
- November–May (dry, mild)
- Budget/day
- $60–$220
- Known for
- El Arco, sport fishing, whale watching, luxury resorts, desert-meets-ocean