Cabo San Lucas

At the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf of California, and right there stands a rock arch that has become the symbol of an entire region. A vacation in Cabo San Lucas combines desert, sea, and one of Mexico's liveliest party strips with whale watching and sportfishing.

From Fishing Village to Resort Town

In colonial times, English pirates lay in wait in the bays around the cape for the Manila galleons that sailed past on their way to Acapulco. Until the 1970s, Cabo San Lucas remained a small fishing village with a tuna cannery. With the construction of the Transpeninsular Highway in 1973 and the airport, its rise as a vacation destination began. Today Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo make up the municipality of Los Cabos, one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Mexico. Neighborhoods such as El Médano Ejidal and Mariano Matamoros are the residential areas for the many people who work in tourism.

Sights in Cabo San Lucas

The landmark is El Arco, a natural rock arch at the end of the cape, best visited by boat or water taxi from the marina. Nearby are Playa del Amor, a beach that opens onto both the Pacific and the Gulf, and a sea lion colony on the rocks. Playa El Médano is the busiest city beach, with water sports and beach bars. The marina, with its yachts and promenade, is the center of town. Between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo runs the Tourist Corridor (Corredor Turístico), with bays such as Santa María and Chileno that are good for snorkeling. Many beaches in town itself are not suitable for swimming because of strong currents, such as Playa del Divorcio on the Pacific side; take red flags seriously.

Eating and Going Out

In the evening, Cabo turns into a party town: bars and clubs at the marina and on Playa El Médano stay open late, and many visitors come specifically to party. In the side streets of the Centro and along Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas you'll find taquerías serving fish tacos, ceviche, and seafood tostadas. Fresh tuna, marlin, and dorado often come straight from the sportfishing boats. To drink, try damiana, an herbal liqueur from Baja California Sur. Wines from the Valle de Guadalupe in the north appear on many menus. An evening in San José del Cabo is an experience in itself, where galleries in the art district stay open late on Thursdays during the season.

Getting Around, When to Go, and Excursions

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is near San José del Cabo, about 28 miles (45 km) to the northeast, with flights from North America and Mexico City. Buses and taxis connect the towns along the corridor. The best time to visit is between November and May; from December to March, humpback and gray whales pass along the coast. August through October is hurricane season. Excursions lead to Todos Santos, a Pueblo Mágico with galleries, to San José del Cabo with its art district, and to Cabo Pulmo, a marine national park with one of the few coral reefs in the Gulf of California. Los Cabos is considered comparatively safe for tourists, but it's still wise to be careful with drinks and at night.