With kids · Cabo San Lucas · Mexico
Cabo San Lucas with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Cabo works well for families who choose a hotel on a swimmable beach, such as Médano or the protected corridor bays. Boat trips to the arch, whale watching in winter and shore snorkelling are the highlights for children; many Pacific-facing beaches are too dangerous for swimming. Top picks: Glass-bottom boat to Land's End, Médano Beach and Whale watching. Families usually base themselves in Médano Beach.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Médano Beach
- Rainy-day options
- 0
- Busiest months
- March and December
Best things to do with kids
Experience · Marina
1.Glass-bottom boat to Land's End
The classic 45-minute loop leaves from the marina and Médano Beach, passing Pelican Rock, the sea lions basking on the rocks below the headland and El Arco, with fish visible through the hull on calmer days. Most boats will drop you at Lover's Beach and collect you later at no extra charge.
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
Beach · Médano Beach
2.Médano Beach
Cabo's main town beach is the stretch where locals and visitors swim close to downtown, with gentle water facing El Arco. Beach clubs rent loungers and umbrellas, and paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis and parasailing are all on offer along the shoreline.
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
Experience · Cabo San Lucas Bay
3.Whale watching
Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off Los Cabos to breed and calve, and they are often seen breaching and tail-slapping within a few kilometres of shore. Trips run on everything from small inflatable boats, which get lower to the water, to larger catamarans that suit families.
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- In February and March, the busiest months, book a day or two ahead, especially for small-boat tours.
- Nature
- Kids
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Beach · Tourist Corridor
4.Chileno Bay
A wide, sandy public beach roughly halfway along the corridor with restrooms, palapa shade and lifeguards on many days. The sea is usually calm, and a reef at the eastern end of the bay is good for snorkelling among schools of sergeant majors and parrotfish.
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.Santa María Bay
A horseshoe cove framed by cliffs about 12 km east of Cabo San Lucas, protected as part of an underwater reserve. Its calm water and rocky edges are among the best spots in Los Cabos for snorkelling from shore, with tropical fish, rays and corals along both sides of the 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
6.Playa Palmilla
Close to San José del Cabo, Palmilla is a sheltered beach where local fishermen launch their pangas, with gentle water that suits young children and paddleboarding. It is one of the few corridor beaches with easy public access and calm conditions most of the year.
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
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for beach, families, nightlife and first-timers
Médano Beach
Playa El Médano curves for about three kilometres along the Sea of Cortez side of the bay, facing El Arco. Its calm water suits swimming, paddleboarding and jet skis, and resorts and beach restaurants run the length of the sand. Downtown and the marina are a 10–20 minute walk away.
- Good
- Calm, swimmable sea in front of the hotels; Views of El Arco; Water-taxi pickups from the sand
- Watch out
- Busy with vendors and boats; Loud music from beach clubs in high season
- Nearby
- El Arco, Marina boardwalk, Downtown bars
Family travel tips
- Check whether your hotel's beach is swimmable before booking; red flags and Pacific-facing beaches mean pool only.
- Midday sun is strong year-round; plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon.
- Larger catamarans are steadier than small boats for young children on whale-watching trips.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen and rash vests for snorkelling.
- Bring or rent a car seat for transfers; taxis rarely provide them.
Day trips for families
- La Paz and Espíritu Santo (About 2–2.5 hours by car) — The state capital has a long malecón and is the base for boat trips to Espíritu Santo island, where you can snorkel with a sea lion colony at Los Islotes.
When to go with children
The best months overall are November–April. March and December are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cabo San Lucas good for kids?
Cabo works well for families who choose a hotel on a swimmable beach, such as Médano or the protected corridor bays. Boat trips to the arch, whale watching in winter and shore snorkelling are the highlights for children; many Pacific-facing beaches are too dangerous for swimming.
+What can kids do in Cabo San Lucas?
Glass-bottom boat to Land's End, Médano Beach, Whale watching, Chileno Bay and Santa María Bay.
+Where should families stay in Cabo San Lucas?
Médano Beach: The town's swimmable beach, lined with resorts and beach clubs.