20 of the Best Things to Do in Los Cabos

Go on a whale-watching tour.

Los Cabos is considered one of the world’s top spots for whale watching. Between mid-December and April, you can often spot humpback and gray whales “on standard snorkeling or diving excursions, or even from the balcony of your hotel,” says Sandra de la Garza from Visit Los Cabos. Whale-watching tours in the area are safeguarded to be as eco-friendly as possible and fill up fast, so book ahead.

Sail to Land’s End at sunset.

The dramatic, sea-carved arch at Land’s End, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, is the prevailing symbol of Los Cabos. “With several tour options available, ranging from cozy small boats to elegant luxury sailboats, visitors can experience El Arco in a way that suits their preferences,” says Flavio Rojas Negretti, marketing manager at Hilton Los Cabos. “Experiencing this site at sunset is a sight to behold and one that will etch an indelible memory in your mind.”

Hit the beach.

Caribbean destinations like Cancun may have Baja beat with their serene, white-sand beaches perfect for swimming, but the golden sands in Los Cabos are nothing to scoff at. Los Cabos boasts more than 20 Blue Flag beaches, the most of any location in North America; this special designation identifies beaches with the highest safety, water quality, and environmental standards. Playa de Santa Maria is a popular one, but you can escape the crowds at Playa La Gaviota in Los Barriles.

Playa de Los Amantes (Lovers Beach) and Playa del Divorcio (Divorce Beach) may not have Blue Flag status, but they are two of the most impressive beaches in Los Cabos. The only way to reach them is by boat, and the names tell you a bit about the wave conditions: Lovers Beach is calm and tranquil while Divorce Beach is more turbulent with powerful waves.

Drive over desert sand dunes.

Los Cabos isn’t just about relaxation and restoration. “A tour of Migriño beach and the surrounding desert on ATVs is a must for adventure enthusiasts,” says Alejandro Bravo, former chief concierge at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. These popular half-day excursions usually include transportation from area hotels—and some even end with tequila tastings.

Take a dip in the hot springs at Sierra de la Laguna.

“For travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences in Los Cabos, I suggest exploring the Sierra de la Laguna for hiking and off-road adventures,” says Bravo. Take a dip in the hot springs that pop out like miniature oases among desert dunes and cacti. The mountains can be visited as a day trip—popular stops like Santa Rita Hot Springs are between one and two hours from Los Cabos.

Get out on the water.

“Getting out on the water is central to basking in the Baja lifestyle that every visitor is looking for when they come to Los Cabos,” says Marc Rodriguez, general manager of Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection. Whether you’re longing for a lazy afternoon sampling appetizers aboard a yacht or you prefer slightly more adrenaline-pumping water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, or Jet Skiing, Cabo Adventures can set up just about any activity.

Los Cabos is also famous for its surfing, with championship waves and more beginner-friendly swells. Book a local lesson or travel about one hour to Los Cerritos Beach, a renowned surfing destination with laid-back beach town vibes.

Enjoy farm-to-table dining.

Los Cabos may be surrounded by desert, but its thriving dining scene is known for spots focused on fresh, ultra-local ingredients. Add Acre, Flora Farms, and Los Tamarindos to your itinerary if you’d like to try a few of the area’s top farm-to-table restaurants and agricultural experiences. After a meal at Acre, you can even stick around and spend the night in the unique treehouse accommodations offered at this alternative boutique resort.

Take a cooking class at Monte Cardón.

Foodies will love cooking classes at Monte Cardón where “chef Ubaldo Martínez offers an off-road adventure at a ranch outside of San José del Cabo,” says de la Garza. “Guests pick seasonal vegetables and fruits before preparing their own menu,” she continues. “It’s a special local experience and a way to take Baja cuisine home with you.”

Try a temazcal ceremony.

Visitors can ground and restore themselves with the ancient tradition of a temazcal ceremony. These Mesoamerican sweat lodge sessions tout both health and therapeutic benefits. Book a session led by a trained master in the ritual at the JW Marriott Los Cabos Resort & Spa for an experience that incorporates healing local herbs like aloe, rosemary, and sage.

Experience a world-class spa.

Ramp up your relaxation levels with a visit to one of the incredible Los Cabos spas. Many resorts, such as the Viceroy Los Cabos with its spacious 11,000 square-foot facility, go all out with their spa programs. Unwind in a series of hydrotherapy pools or book a holistic treatment like the cacao-based body exfoliation and massage. Sol, The Spa at Chileno Bay—the on-site wellness haven at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection—offers an East-meets-West methodology that connects with traditional local practices. Treatments range from lymph drainage and deep tissue massage to celestial bathing, immersive healing, and attunement sessions in the destination’s Bath House.

Help your kids become environmental stewards.

Would you believe that Los Cabos, once synonymous with party-hungry Californians, is an increasingly popular destination for families? Ideal for travelers exploring the region with kids in tow, the Ambassadors of the Environment program at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers immersive experiences in Baja’s most diverse ecosystems. Groups can enjoy activities together, including gardening, snorkeling, hikes, and storytelling. The program was designed in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau with the whole family in mind.

Visit Cabo Pulmo for snorkeling and diving.

Oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez the “aquarium of the world” for its incredible diversity, meaning that Los Cabos is a supreme destination for exploring beneath the waves. Located an hour and a half north of San José del Cabo, “Cabo Pulmo is known for its great temperatures and crystal-clear waters,” says Bravo. It’s one of the best spots in the region for dive and snorkel excursions.

Party in Cabo San Lucas.

These days, Los Cabos has much more to offer than just its party scene, though if you’re looking for it, it’s certainly still here. Downtown Cabo San Lucas is home to famous nightlife spots like rock star Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina. Even if spring breaks in Cabo are far in your past, downtown offers plenty of destinations for live music any night of the week, such as Jungle Bar for casual vibes or Jazz on the Rocks, which hosts performances with an incredible ocean backdrop.

Sip local spirits.

“It’s a really exciting moment for Mexican spirits,” says Rodriguez, who worked with Esperanza’s head mixologist to craft a mezcal unique to the resort. “Tequila and mezcal are king, but even new Mexican whiskies and botanical gins make mixology in Los Cabos more exciting than ever.” 

Visitors can taste local spirits in Los Cabos alongside experts, but sipping ultra-rare tequilas—accompanied by local bites and sunset views over the water at Agave Study at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal—is a true highlight. 

Go shopping in Cabo San Lucas.

Everything from designer outposts to tiny markets makes Los Cabos an alluring destination for shopping. Visit the boutique mall Luxury Avenue Los Cabos at the marina for high-end brands, or stop by J&J La Casa del Habano Los Cabos for a whiff of the world’s best cigars. For a more local experience, Rojas Negretti recommends the San José del Cabo organic market as “a vibrant meeting point for local farmers and producers. They come together to sell sustainable and eco-friendly products, offering visitors a chance to delve into local culture, taste the region’s culinary delights, and bring home unique souvenirs.”

Try deep-sea fishing.

Prime deep-sea fishing draws anglers to Los Cabos year-round, but especially in October, when the area hosts Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the world’s most important fishing tournaments. Even if you can’t compete with the sport’s big fish, hit the water with Cabo Magic Sportfishing to try your hand at catching marlin, dorado, and massive yellowfin tuna.

Explore the towns and villages of Baja California Sur.

Los Cabos is just the tip—literally and figuratively—of all that Baja California Sur has to offer. Rent a car in Los Cabos to explore nearby towns and seaside villages that give you an even better taste of local life. Rojas Negretti recommends checking out the small village of Santiago near the ecological park of Sol de Mayo, while de la Garza recommends a pit stop for authentic tacos and empanadas at Loncheria La Garita, which is located near the charming beach town of Todos Santos.

Sample fusion favorites at Nozomi.

Some of Latin America’s best chefs now call Los Cabos home, and they’ve brought with them an incredible diversity of flavors and cooking traditions that help make the area a culinary capital. The Nozomi series at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, is just one example of Los Cabos’ unique dining offerings; the experience marries Japanese cooking techniques with local ingredients, resulting in a new fusion of flavors.

Enjoy the San José del Cabo Art Walk.

Locals and visitors alike rave about the San José del Cabo Art Walk. During this Thursday evening tradition, gallery owners and local artists open their doors and connect with guests over small bites and beverages along the town’s cobblestone streets. It’s the perfect chance for visitors to explore the charming and historic village of San José del Cabo, including its original mission church and town square.

Tee off by the sea.

Los Cabos is one of Latin America’s premier golfing destinations, with courses built by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Enjoy the area’s best courses at the award-winning One&Only Palmilla, or stay at the family-friendly Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All-Inclusive Golf and Spa to play at Cabo del Sol, which has been rated among the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest.