The Best Things to Do in Los Cabos

This slip of sand connecting the Pacific to the Sea of Cortez (so named for the way the two bodies of water kiss during a storm) is perfect for an afternoon picnic and swim: Sea lions yap nearby and play around in the water; the currents are gentle enough for wading; and the pristine sands sit in the shadows of El Arco. Pick up takeout sandwiches at Señor Sweets, then book a water taxi ($25 USD/person) to the beach; you'll find local vendors available at the marina. You can arrange a ride back with the same driver, or book a panga-style glass-bottomed boat for $25/person round-trip. Just don’t toy with the rough waters on the Pacific Side, where the beach is named Playa de los Divorciados—Divorce Beach—because the currents could quickly separate a couple. 

Schools of pork fish (so named for their snout-like mouths), angel fish, and clown fish ripple around swimmers—sometimes even grazing their legs—at this quiet and calm blue flag beach along the tourist corridor. The best way to get to the protected marine sanctuary is via a small charter boat, like that offered by Cabo Sailing. For three hours, you’ll sail from the Cabo San Lucas marina, around El Arco, and finally northeast to the calm inlet; drinks (beer, margaritas, sodas, and water) and lunch are provided ($280 USD for up to four people with Cabo Sailing; $45 for all additional passengers). To save money, consider renting or buying snorkel gear in town, packing a picnic, and visiting the public beach by car or taxi.

San Jose del Cabo’s colonial architecture and quiet side streets stand in stark contrast to Cabo San Lucas’s rowdy nightclubs—even more so when the small town hosts its weekly art walks. On Thursday evenings (November through June), the many galleries in the 300-year-old town’s Distrito del Arte open their doors to visitors, often serving small glasses of wine or mescal for the walk. Browse crafts at spots like Indian Hands, where artists’ kiosks showcase carved-leather handbags, embroidered table linens, and plenty of breezy peasant dresses. Visiting in the off season? The galleries still warrant an evening stroll, but you’ll have to bring your own vino. 

If you visit Los Cabos between November and March, you shouldn't miss the chance to go on a whale watching excursion. The humpback whales swim to the region's warm and salty waters each winter to give birth, then swim back up north to Alaska for the summer. In some seasons, the whales are so plentiful you'll spot them spouting from your hotel room window—but you should still get up close and personal to see these friendly, giant marine mammals in action. Book an excursion on a zodiac, a small inflatable boat, to get within arm's reach of the spectacular animals ($89 per person with Cabo Expeditions).

Spend an afternoon sipping and sampling made-in-Mexico wines. The vino scene in Mexico was long overpowered by tequila, mescal and beer, but grapes are having a moment, particularly in the Baja. The Cape hotel offers wine-tasting classes every Friday (though you can also book a private group tasting) in the hotel’s stunning Glass Box, a bar that cantilevers over the beach with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. Sample a chardonnay blend from Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the Americas and the sixth-oldest in the world, or sip on a light grenache from Valle de Guadalupe ($75 for a three-pour flight with light bites; $110 with a full meal).  

Underground aquifers supply the Baja Peninsula with fresh water —and with soothing hot springs. Book a day trip to Santiago (about 30 minutes north of the San Jose del Cabo airport) to hike in the Biosphere Sierra de la Laguna, a desert oasis complete with freshwater pools and small cascades. The day trip includes round-trip transportation from your hotel to the springs, a tour of historic Santiago, time to hike around and dip in the swimming holes, and lunch at an organic farm ($450 for a private, four-person tour booked through InCabo Travel). 

UNESCO named Mexican cuisine to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, thanks both to the food’s complexity and sense of tradition. Learn to recreate the treasure yourself at one of Cabo’s many cooking classes. Two that are of particular interest:

Manta: Learn to cook the lighter side of Mexican cuisine at Enrique Olvera’s Cabo San Lucas outpost. Open group classes are offered every Tuesday at 1 p.m. ($42 per person). The menu is chef’s choice—though you can almost always expect a ceviche or seafood dish—and include a welcome cocktail and soft drinks (additional beer, wine and cocktails cost extra). To investigate more specific techniques or to replicate specific menu items, arrange a private class ($65 per person; booked through the hotel concierge or restaurant).

Edith’s: Arrange a cooking class for up to 20 people at Edith’s, the legendary Cabo restaurant. You can customize the menu to meet your group’s needs, though anticipate Mexican classics. Favorites on the restaurant...MORE menu include tortilla soup, freshly fried fish, and sizzling steaks. Margaritas and mescal are included in the price, as are aguas frescas—refreshing horchata (rice milk), tamarind and jamaica juices. ($75-$125 per person, booked through InCabo).

Riding a camel is likely not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what to do in Los Cabos, but the desert climate here is perfect for the animals—in fact, these camels descend from the U.S. Camel Corps, a 19th century experiment that had the army using camels as pack animals to cross the Southwest's rough terrain. Today, you can ride over the sand dunes and along the beach, before dismounting and taking a short nature walk. 

This quiet town has several art galleries and quaint souvenir shops. Take a trip here and stop for lunch at the famous Hotel California or visit the beach at Los Cerritos, which is perfect for swimming, surfing or just taking a long leisurely stroll along the beach.

Go on an excursion to Cabo Pulmo, a national marine park that has had great success in ocean conservancy. Here you can go scuba diving, snorkeling, and sport fishing (just outside the boundaries of the reserve) or swim with friendly sea lions. 

The Tortuga ziplines at Wild Canyon offer a speedy overview of beautiful canyons and the wild desert. This series of 8 ziplines is sure to leave you feeling pumped up and exhilarated. There are a lot of other fun activities to do here too. Wild Canyon Eco Park is located along the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. 

Hold on tight and get ready for a wild ride as you navigate trails through the desert and along the beach. Several companies offer ATV adventures, including G-Force Adventures, Cactus ATV Tours and Wild Canyon.