Free things to do · Cabo San Lucas · Mexico
9 free things to do in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Cabo San Lucas without paying an entry fee: Médano Beach, Marina boardwalk, Santa María Bay and Chileno Bay are all free. Pay in pesos where possible; places that quote in dollars often use an unfavourable rate.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Beach · Médano Beach
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
- Free
Waterfront · Marina and Downtown
2.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.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Shopping
Beach · Tourist Corridor
3.Santa María Bay
Arrive early to get parking and shade, and bring your own snorkel gear and food; facilities at the beach are basic.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
- Free
Beach · Tourist Corridor
4.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Free
- Nature
Beach · Tourist Corridor
5.Playa Palmilla
Pair it with lunch in San José del Cabo, about ten minutes' drive away, rather than eating at the beach.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Free
Landmark · Marina and Downtown
6.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.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Neighbourhood · San José del Cabo Centro
7.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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Shopping
- Couples
- Free
Religious site · San José del Cabo Centro
8.Mission San José del Cabo
Look up at the mosaic over the main door before going in, then cross Plaza Mijares for an ice cream in the shade.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Nature · San José del Cabo
9.Estero de San José
Go in the early morning, when birds are most active and it is still cool; binoculars help, and the path is flat enough for children.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Médano Beach | Médano Beach | Half a day |
| Marina and Downtown | Marina boardwalk and Plaza Amelia Wilkes | 1–2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Tourist Corridor | Santa María Bay, Chileno Bay and Playa Palmilla | Half a day + Half a day + 2–3 hours |
| San José del Cabo Centro | San José del Cabo Art District and Mission San José del Cabo | 2–3 hours + 30 minutes |
| San José del Cabo | Estero de San José | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Landmark · Land's End
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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour by boat
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Beach · Land's End
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Experience · Marina
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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Nature
- Iconic
More ways to save
- Pay in pesos where possible; places that quote in dollars often use an unfavourable rate.
- Book airport transfers in advance; the arrival-hall rates are higher and come with sales pitches.
- Eat in the downtown grid rather than on the marina, where the same tacos cost two or three times as much.
- Snorkelling at Santa María and Chileno is free if you bring your own mask and fins.
- Use the corridor bus to reach beaches and San José del Cabo instead of taxis.
- Visit from May to early July for lower hotel rates with dry weather.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cabo San Lucas expensive to visit?
Cabo San Lucas is expensive for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Cabo San Lucas?
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.