5 days in Cabo San Lucas

Day by day

1. Day 1: El Arco at Land's End and Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor)

   El Arco at Land's End, Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) and Diving and snorkelling at Pelican Rock, then Marina boardwalk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      El Arco at Land's End

      Go in the early morning when the light falls on the arch from the east and the bay is calmest, before the tour boats crowd the channel. (1 hour by boat, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor)

      Ask the water-taxi driver for a fixed pickup time before he leaves you, and bring water and shade: there are no facilities on the beach. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Baja-style fish tacos

      Taco stands and small taquerías in the downtown grid back from the marina, around Calle Morelos and Avenida Leona Vicario, are cheaper and better than the boardwalk.

   4. Afternoon

      Diving and snorkelling at Pelican Rock

      Book with a dive shop that runs short boat trips from the marina; water in winter is around 21–22 °C, so a wetsuit makes a big difference. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Marina boardwalk

      Come around mid-afternoon to watch the sportfishing boats return and fly their catch flags, then stay on for dinner as the lights come on.

2. Day 2: Glass-bottom boat to Land's End and Sportfishing charter

   Glass-bottom boat to Land's End, Sportfishing charter and Whale watching, then Sunset cruise around Land's End in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Glass-bottom boat to Land's End

      Agree the price and the return pickup before boarding; sellers on the marina boardwalk usually discount when several boats are waiting. (45 minutes–1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Sportfishing charter

      Most restaurants downtown will cook your catch for a small charge if you bring it in cleaned; ask the crew to fillet it at the dock. (4–8 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Smoked marlin tacos

      Seafood restaurants and taquerías in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo; it is often on the breakfast menu too.

   4. Afternoon

      Whale watching

      Choose a small group with a licensed operator; regulations require boats to keep their distance, and a hydrophone on board lets you hear the whales singing. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Sunset cruise around Land's End

      Ask whether the boat sails past the arch onto the Pacific side; the best sunset view is from beyond Land's End, not from inside the bay.

3. Day 3: Médano Beach and Santa María Bay

   Médano Beach, Santa María Bay and Chileno Bay, then San José del Cabo Art District in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Médano Beach

      Walk towards the eastern end of the beach for quieter sand and fewer vendors than the stretch in front of the clubs near the marina. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Santa María Bay

      Arrive early to get parking and shade, and bring your own snorkel gear and food; facilities at the beach are basic. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chocolate clams

      Seafood restaurants and marisquerías in downtown Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

   4. Afternoon

      Chileno Bay

      Swim to the rocks on the right-hand side as you face the sea for the best snorkelling, and watch for boat traffic near the reef. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      San José del Cabo Art District

      Go on a Thursday evening in the winter season for the Art Walk, then have dinner around Plaza Mijares.

4. Day 4: Day trip to San José del Cabo

   About 30–40 minutes by road each way. Getting there: Bus, taxi or car along Highway 1.

   1. Morning

      Travel to San José del Cabo

      About 30–40 minutes by road (Bus, taxi or car along Highway 1); about 32 km.

   2. Day

      San José del Cabo

      The older of the two Los Cabos towns has a shaded plaza, the mission church and an Art District of galleries, plus the estuary birding reserve at the edge of the hotel zone. Best for couples, culture and food lovers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Cabo San Lucas

      Dinner: try Ceviche and seafood tostadas.

5. Day 5: Playa Palmilla and Golf in the Tourist Corridor

   Playa Palmilla, Golf in the Tourist Corridor and Plaza Amelia Wilkes, then Downtown bar strip in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Palmilla

      Pair it with lunch in San José del Cabo, about ten minutes' drive away, rather than eating at the beach. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Golf in the Tourist Corridor

      Book a tee time early in the morning; by midday the desert heat is intense outside the winter months, and twilight rates are often lower. (4–5 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ceviche and seafood tostadas

      Marisquerías downtown and beach restaurants on Médano Beach; lunchtime is when seafood is freshest.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza Amelia Wilkes

      Use it as the start of a walk through the downtown grid's taco stands and craft shops, away from the marina's tourist prices. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Downtown bar strip

      The streets around Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas and Calle Vicente Guerrero hold long-running party bars and clubs such as El Squid Roe and Cabo Wabo Cantina, busiest after 11pm.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Whale watching, Sportfishing charter and Golf in the Tourist Corridor before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Marina and Downtown keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Médano Beach ($$$) suits beach, families, nightlife and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 33–47 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.7 hours in December to 13.5 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Cabo San Lucas
• 2 days in Cabo San Lucas
• 3 days in Cabo San Lucas

Questions travellers ask