How many days · Cabo San Lucas · Mexico
How many days do you need in Cabo San Lucas?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Cabo San Lucas, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers a boat trip to El Arco, a beach day at Médano and a snorkelling cove in the corridor. Five days adds San José del Cabo, a sunset cruise and a day trip to Todos Santos or Cabo Pulmo; a week suits divers, anglers and golfers.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 10.7 h (Dec) to 13.5 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | El Arco at Land's End, Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor), Glass-bottom boat to Land's End and Whale watching |
| 2 days | Rushed | Whale watching, Sportfishing charter and Médano Beach |
| 3 days | Good | Marina boardwalk, Sunset cruise around Land's End and Santa María Bay |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to San José del Cabo |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as San José del Cabo and Todos Santos and Cerritos |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Cabo San Lucas add up to roughly 26–39 hours of visiting time — about 4–6 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Sportfishing charter (4–8 hours), Médano Beach (Half a day) and Santa María Bay (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| El Arco at Land's End | 1 hour by boat | Land's End |
| Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) | 2–3 hours | Land's End |
| Glass-bottom boat to Land's End | 45 minutes–1 hour | Marina |
| Whale watching | 2–3 hours | Cabo San Lucas Bay |
| Sportfishing charter | 4–8 hours | Marina |
| Médano Beach | Half a day | Médano Beach |
| Marina boardwalk | 1–2 hours | Marina and Downtown |
| Sunset cruise around Land's End | 2–2.5 hours | Marina |
| Santa María Bay | Half a day | Tourist Corridor |
| Chileno Bay | Half a day | Tourist Corridor |
| Playa Palmilla | 2–3 hours | Tourist Corridor |
| Diving and snorkelling at Pelican Rock | 2–3 hours | Land's End |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on El Arco at Land's End and Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Glass-bottom boat to Land's End |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add San José del Cabo and Todos Santos and Cerritos |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.7 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.5 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Cabo San Lucas with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Vallarta | About 545 km | 6 days |
| Mexico City | About 1,182 km | 5 days |
| San Diego | About 1,303 km | 5 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Cabo San Lucas?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers a boat trip to El Arco, a beach day at Médano and a snorkelling cove in the corridor. Five days adds San José del Cabo, a sunset cruise and a day trip to Todos Santos or Cabo Pulmo; a week suits divers, anglers and golfers.
+Is a week too long in Cabo San Lucas?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as San José del Cabo and Todos Santos and Cerritos.