Like the celebrities who visit this seaside town, Cabo San Lucas achieved sufficient notoriety to be called by a single name: Cabo. Perched at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo boasts beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez—and some of the best tequila around. Whether you are seeking reclusive luxury or inclusive fun, it’s a destination that’s easy to reach and rewarding once there.
1 Fly Me
One of the best things about Cabo is how easy it is to reach. The modern airport in neighboring San José del Cabo is served by nearly 20 airlines that provide non-stop service from more than 30 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A half-hour taxi ride from the airport to downtown Cabo, less time to the various coastal resorts that are scattered in between, puts you in vacation mode quicker than you think.
2 Sunny, but Mild
The lower Baja peninsula is a desert surrounded by water. Cabo averages around 350 days of sunshine each year, and the cool waters of the Pacific mitigate temperatures without raising the humidity. Daytime highs stay in the 70s in winter and climb into the 90s come summer, and nights cool off slightly. With such an agreeable weather forecast, almost any time of day or night in Cabo is refreshingly pleasant.
3 Appealing Growth
Cabo is firmly on the vacation radar. Yet despite its soaring popularity, the town has not succumbed to urban sprawl, and many of the upscale resorts added in recent years were built on picturesque sites along the coast, a few miles to the north. Visitors find the best of both worlds: uncrowded stretches of beach for recreation and a lively central district for shopping and celebration.
4 Night Moves
When the sun goes down, the music begins, the tequila flows and inhibitions are forgotten. Cabo has earned a reputation as one of the hottest party towns in the hemisphere, and the vibe is inclusive. Backpackers and coeds share the dance floors with incognito celebs and day traders on a weekend fun pass. Action centers around the marina district, where famous/infamous watering holes such as El Squid Roe, Giggling Marlin and Cabo Wabo anchor a downtown collection of more than two dozen bars and dance clubs.
5 The End
Cabo is perched on the southern tip of the thousand-mile-long Baja peninsula. The dramatic rock formation El Arco de Poseidon (Poseidon’s Arch), carved by wind and waves, is one of the most photographed natural places in Mexico. The adjacent sands of Lover’s Beach provide a scenic respite from the bustling downtown, but are just a short water-taxi ride away.
6 Reel Fun
Cabo was once a sleepy fishing village, which then became an international destination for big game fishermen. Today, the harbor is home to one of the best charter boat fleets in Mexico. Just minutes from shore, anglers can begin the hunt for coastal species such as roosterfish, or venture a bit farther into blue water to hook up with sailfish, tuna, mahimahi or a prized marlin.
7 Rooms for All
The Los Cabos area offers accommodations at all points in the price spectrum. High rollers can check into five-star digs such as the Experanza or Capella Pedregal for north of a thousand a night, while budget-conscious travelers can score local lodgings for a few hundred pesos, about $30. In between is a wide range of two-to-four star offerings, which provide downtown convenience or beachfront solitude.
8 The Water Way
Kayak tours along the rocky coastlines on the calmer east side contrast with surfing on the wave-washed Pacific. Factor in the mild water temperatures—70s in winter and 80s in summer—and you have an aquatic playground for every manner of driven, ridden and towed water toy, plus an environment where snorkeling and diving are equally popular. Those who enjoy sightseeing voyages can book a whale-watching tour or trips to Land’s End to see the sea lions.
9 Gaining Altitude
The south Baja peninsula is overlooked by the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, which rise to heights of 6,000 feet. Here, boulder-strewn canyons and pine-clad heights provide a cool respite and a chance to exchange beach time for an active alpine adventure. Hiking, horseback riding and four-wheel-drive tours are among the ways to discover the higher, drier side of the Cabo area.
10 Ocean’s Bounty
Given the town’s fishing heritage, it should come as no surprise to learn that Cabo is a great place for seafood. What does impress is the variety of ways in which the catch of the day is served up. Menus run the gamut from the just-caught simplicity of fish tacos and ceviches sold by street vendors, to authentic sushi and inspired fusions, such as Baja-Mediterranean cuisine, served with a commanding waterfront view.
