Cabo San Lucas offers newlyweds a choice of luxury hotel accommodation and gorgeous beaches as well as a variety of activities for adventurous honeymoon couples.
Cabo’s golden beaches were featured in the Brad Pitt movie Troy, and the town, once legendary for big-game fishing, is now equally renowned for its world-class golfing fairways and for hosting some of Mexico's most elite resorts.
Or try San José del Cabo. Located just 34km east of Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo offers a quiet, old world Mexican town with narrow, tree-lined streets crowded with pastel-coloured houses, art galleries, charming cafés, restaurants and shops selling traditional Mexican handicrafts.
Stroll around the pretty main square, Plaza Mijares, relax on a tree-shaded bench to watch colourful Mexican life pass by or examine colourful mosaics inside the imposing Iglesia San José, a replica of the original mission church built in 1730.
From the famed Lover’s Beach at Land's End on the eastern tip of the peninsula at Cabo San Lucas to Playa Palmilla at San José del Cabo on the eastern side of the Corridor lie several stunning beaches of soft white-sand set between dramatic rocky headlands and edged by the clear turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortes.
A choice of great beaches lie along the Corridor between the two ‘Cabos’ including the following…
(Cabo San Lucas) Discover the breathtaking natural setting of one of Mexico’s most famous beaches.
Located at the extreme end of the Baja peninsula in a sheltered cove, the golden sands of Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) can only be reached from the sea, so if you time it right, you may end up being the only couple here!
Swim, snorkel or kayak beneath the towering white cliffs of Neptune's Finger and The Arch, which separate the calm waters of the Sea of Cortes from the raging surf of the Pacific Ocean. Come ashore onto this gorgeous small beach then stroll between the massive white rocks to admire the crashing Pacific surf on the ocean side beach, which is known locally as Divorce Beach.
Don’t think about swimming here however, as fierce waves and rip tides make Divorce Beach very dangerous. Instead, snorkel amid colourful tropical fish on the Sea of Cortez side only, from Lover’s Beach to the marina breakwater at Cabo San Lucas harbour.
There are no facilities on this beach, only Mother Nature’s beauty, so remember to pack a picnic lunch. You can hire a kayak or arrange a snorkelling tour from Playa Médano or take a water taxi from Cabo San Lucas Marina to Playa del Amor and return whenever you wish.
(Cabo San Lucas) – Relax on the golden sand of Los Cabo's main beach, which offers panoramic views across to the scenic Arch and Land's End rock formations.
Stretching for 3km along the bay, this popular swimming beach offers a variety of watersports including sailing catamarans, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing.
Have a game of beach volleyball, boogie board gentle waves, sign up for a snorkel and dive excursion or sip a favourite cocktail at one of the many beachside bars while people-watching local beachgoers. Facilities include showers, toilets, shade umbrellas and lifeguard services.
(Cabo San Lucas) – This long and flat golden-sand beach is renowned for whale watching and spectacular sunsets. An easy walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas, the beach stretches west from the rocks at Land's End to El Pedregal on the Pacific Ocean side of Baja Sur.
Between December and March, thousands of gray whales make their annual 9000km migration from the summer feeding grounds of Alaska to the calving grounds of the Baja peninsula and the Sea of Cortez.
Stroll along Playa Solmar and see grey whales breaching just offshore or join a whale watching cruise and get up close. With high waves and strong undertows, this is not a beach for swimming or surfing.
Facilities can be found at several resorts that line the beach. There are no lifeguards on duty here.
(Cabo San Lucas) – Framed by twin rocky headlands, Bahia Chileno offers a lovely, long, palm-fringed sugar-white beach that is rated by the locals as the best in Cabo San Lucas.
Located midway along the ‘Tourist Corridor’, Bahia Chileno offers great conditions for swimming, diving, kayaking and snorkelling, with arguably the best reef in the region.
One side of the wide beach features a sandy bottom that reaches out to the reef, making it ideal for swimming, while the other side is crowded with rock formations along the bottom, making it ideal for snorkelling and diving. Here you can find colourful reef fish, sea turtles, squid, moray eels, sea urchins, gorgonians (sea fans), sea sponges and starfish.
Beach facilities include toilets, showers, a dive shop and shady palm trees.
(Cabo San Lucas) – Framed between two rocky bluffs, this beautiful wide crescent of golden-pink sand shelves into the protected aquamarine waters of a marine sanctuary, perfect for swimming and snorkelling in the morning before the afternoon swell sets in.
Float above gorgonians and coral teeming with colourful fish or relax on the beach. There are no facilities on this beach.
(San José del Cabo) – This gorgeous crescent of powder-white sand fronts the exclusive One and Only resort at Bahia Palmilla and the nearby Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
Unlike other Pacific-side beaches, Bahia Palmilla offers safe swimming in calm water. The bay is split into two by a rocky outcrop, providing safe swimming to one side and good snorkelling over a rocky bottom on the other.
Paddle a kayak around the sheltered bay or relax in the shade beneath thatch-covered beach huts. Apart from those if the resort, there are no facilities here.
(San José del Cabo) – This golden-sand beach is famous for the world-class breaks of Zippers and La Roca, which attract expert surfers from around the world.
Rent a board from the local surf shop and take on the big waves or brush up your style with a few lessons at a safe section of the beach.
In winter, when the surf is calmer, enjoy swimming and snorkelling the reef. Hiking, surf fishing and horse riding are excellent year round with trails running up into the nearby canyons.
Facilities include surf and snorkel rental shops, a couple of restaurants and a convenience store.
(San José del Cabo) – Although unsafe for swimming, this nearly 2km-long beach is a popular place for beach angling, walking, jogging, horse riding, playing beach volleyball or strolling along the Playa las Palmas, an easily accessed beach promenade with shade palapas.
Numerous resorts line the beach and you’ll also find a children’s playground, miniature golf course and a sea turtle nursery – located at the beach’s east end next to the Presidente Inter-Continental. Ask at the hotel if you can participate in the weekly turtle hatchling releases. Nearby sits San José estuary.
There are no facilities on the beach apart from a beachside Mega store and the facilities offered by the hotels; some hotels allow non-guests to use their pool and facilities on purchase of a day pass.
The Los Cabos region offers a range of adventure activities, from sea kayaking and cruising to mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and guided hiking and ATV tours through the arroyos (dry creek beds) of the Sierra de la Laguna.
Hook up a game fishing charter (legendary at Los Cabos), head off on a snorkelling or diving excursion, explore the arroyo and desert landscape beyond the coastline on an ATV or tee-off at a world-class golf course.
And the boisterous nightlife scene will keep you happily entertained until the early hours of the morning.
Game fishing – Legendary for sports fishing, Los Cabos offers up striped marlin, dorado and mahimahi all year round. At other times of the year you can catch: sailfish and wahoo, best from June through November; yellow fin tuna, best from May through December; yellowtail, best from January through April; and black and blue marlin, best July through December.
Pair up with another angler on a charter or hire a panga (a 7m skiff) and join the fishing fleet east of San José in La Playita or from Pueblo la Playa, near Puerto Los Cabos Marina.
Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged in Los Cabos, with fish tagged and released unharmed. If you need a certificate, that’s easily arranged back on shore.
Scuba diving – Choose from a range of dive sites off Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and La Paz.
Expert divers will probably want to head further north along the Baja Peninsula for some of the region’s best scuba diving at Gordo Banks and off Cabo Pulmo. Cabo Pulmo offers drift diving for all abilities within a protected marine park just 72km northeast of San José del Cabo.
While diving, look out for California sea lions, mobula rays, giant Pacific mantas, sea turtles, groper, yellow fin tuna, pargo, dolphins, giant schools of mackerel, jacks, numerous colourful fish and whale, hammerhead and reef sharks. See countless varieties of indigenous corals, sea fans and gorgonians.
Several local operators offer everything from advanced dive trips to PADI open-water diver certification. The best months to dive are between May and December.
Sea kayaking – Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of sea kayaking opportunities, including a paddle around the bay toward the Arch, with a break for snorkelling at Lover's Beach.
Snorkelling – Some of the best snorkelling at Los Cabos lies just off the beaches of Playa del Amor (beneath El Arco), Santa María, Chileno and Barco Varado.
Surfing – For the best wave breaks during spring and summer (May to October), head to the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula from Acapulquito Beach, the most popular surfing beach in Los Cabos, up the East Cape.
Playa Costa Azul, just south of San José del Cabo, offers some of the most popular surfing beaches in the area.
The Pacific Coast is best during autumn and winter (November to April), with the best spot around Los Cerritos Beach, south of Todos Santos, an hour’s drive west of Cabo San Lucas. Talk to the guys at the local surf shop for hot tips or to rent a board or brush up with a lesson.
Two local hotels, the Cabo Surf Hotel, 13km west of San José del Cabo on Playa Acapulquito, and the Pescadero Surf Camp near Todos Santos, offer facilities especially for surfers.
Whale watching – Witness one of Baja's most impressive spectacles, when migrating grey and humpback whales visit Los Cabos to breed and bear calves between the months of January and March.
Hook up with a tour for an hour or a day. Tours vary from glass-bottom boats and high-speed Zodiacs to cruising catamarans, each offering a range of onboard services.
Alternatively, spot whales from the shore along the beaches and cliffs of the Corridor.
Cruises – Enjoy underwater sights from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat around El Arco (the Rock Arch) at Land's End or head out into the Sea of Cortes on a day-long or sunset cruise. Several local operators offer a wide choice of cruising on the waters along Los Cabos.
Golf – Los Cabos has become one of the continent's leading golf destinations, with a collection of signature-designed courses available for your golfing pleasure.
Choose from several courses built around some of the resort hotels that line the 32km-long Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
Tee-off on the challenging 18-hole course at the Raven Golf Club, located east of Cabo San Lucas, overlooking the Sea of Cortéz with a view of Land's End.
Or enjoy the par-72, 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature design course at Palmilla Golf Club, located near San José del Cabo, featuring fairways rolling through a desert, mountain and ocean landscape.
The par-72, Robert Trent Jones II Championship golf course at Cabo Real is located near San José del Cabo, famous for more than 6400m of lush green landscape with rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers on narrow terrain and three ocean-front holes.
Driving tours – Discover the Baja outback from behind the wheel of a four-wheel drive Hummer on an off-road safari or hire a car to explore the back roads of the peninsula.
Try the Transpeninsular Highway, which snakes down the Baja Peninsula from Ensenada, south of the US – Mexican border, to Los Cabos. Pass traditional Mexican towns and stunning desert, mountain and ocean vistas en route. Turn off the main highway to discover isolated Indian villages, Mexican villages and secluded sun-kissed beaches.
Horseback riding – Enjoy a sunset ride along some of the best Sea of Cortez beaches or choose a combination desert, arroyo (dry creek bed) and beach trail ride.
Several equestrian centres along the Corridor offer a range of horseback riding tours and you can choose from English or Western saddles on well-trained horses to suit all abilities.
Eco – Just two hours north of Los Cabos, mountain bike or hike into the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, which reach heights of up to 2100m.
Explore a biosphere of oak and pine trees along a network of trails, looking out for wildlife such as doves, Monarch butterflies, deer and lizards, as golden eagles soar overhead.
The region around Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo offers a choice of sights, including…
(Cabo San Lucas) – Hire a panga (a fibreglass skiff) or sea kayak and head out to the towering white cliffs of El Arco (the Arch) then come ashore and walk the pristine sand of Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach).
Just offshore sit Los Frailes, two granite pinnacles that soar out of the Bay of Cortes and offer unique rock climbing for the adventure-minded. And the thin spire of Neptune's Finger soars 24m out of the water nearby.
(Cabo San Lucas) – Hike through sand dunes up to Cabo San Lucas' historic lighthouse, Faro Viejo, for 360-degree panoramic vistas. Perched high above Cabo Falso, the lighthouse served as the beacon to many a ship from 1895 to 1961, when it was replaced by a newer version.
(Cabo San Lucas) – Discover unique fossils from the local Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, as well as a fascinating collection of historical artifacts, including maps, tools and journals dating back to the 16th century expeditions of the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.
(San José del Cabo) – Once home to local Indian tribes, this freshwater estuary boasts more than 270 species of birdlife that can be spotted from a palm-lined pedestrian trail. The trail, known as the Paseo del Estero, runs from the Presidente Inter-Continental in the zona hotelera to downtown San José.
You can also explore this lush estuary by kayak, mountain bike, horse back or ATV. Look out for frigate birds, sparrow hawks, white herons and red-tailed hawks along the way, just some of the many bird species that inhabit the estuary.
Take a local panga from the beach of the tiny fishing village Cabo Pulmo out to the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park in the Sea of Cortes. Choose from several dive sites with visibility of up to 40m in water that ranges up to 32°C.
Dive among huge schools of eagle rays as well as whale, nurse and tiger sharks. Dive through El Cantil’s system of underwater canyons and crevices teeming with colourful tropical fish and schools of groper, goat fish and sturgeon.
Linking the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is a 29km-long corridor that boasts some of Mexico's most exclusive resorts.
Here, you can find an excellent choice of accommodation to suit all budgets, including the luxurious and internationally acclaimed One & Only Palmilla at San Jose Del Cabo.
The region's top resorts include the following…
The Resort at Pedregal
Location: Camino del Mar, Cabo San Lucas
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD1208 per room
Description: This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. The Resort at Pedregal offers private pools in the rooms, has its own private beach area, and state-of-the art fitness centre. Guests are welcomed with a free margarita cocktail. Free WiFi, an ocean view, and complimentary tequila bottle are standard in each room at the Resort at Pedregal. Extras include a Nespresso® coffee machine and 24-hour room services for a fee. The Resort at Pedregal has 3 restaurants offering contemporary Mexican cuisine and seafood specialities. The rooms have fresh fruit service, noon snacks, and drinks provided everyday. A sauna, massage services, and spa as well as hot tubs are among the Resort at Pedregal amenities. Guests can enjoy nearby activities such as snorkelling, diving, and fishing. Los Cabos International Airport is 45 km away, which guests can reach by arranged airport transfer service for a fee. The resort is also only 2 km from Central Cabo San Lucas.
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort
Location: The Corridor, San Jose Del Cabo
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD1130 per room
Description: Facing the Sea of Cortez, Las Ventanas Al Paraiso is a luxurious property that features a telescope on each suite, wine cellars, hot tubs and private infinity pools in some accommodations and stunning views of the local landscape. The suites provide Bvlgari bath amenities, unique welcome Tequila bottle in-room, marbled bathrooms and adobe fireplaces. If there is an en-suite kitchen, it is fully equipped with state of the art appliances. Spacious seating areas and terraces are also part of these suites and villas. This AAA Five Diamond Award winner has 3 on-site restaurants and a beach bar. The Restaurant serves Mexican dishes, La Cava may create a special menu just for the guest, and The Sea Grill’s is specialized in grilled food. Tequila & Ceviche Bar has a wide variety of beverages and typical Baja California dishes. Concierge service is provided per room. The resort has fresh fruit replenishment each day, a fitness centre and access to the spa las Ventanas. Both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo can be reached in a 15-minute drive. Los cabos International Airport is 26 minutes’ drive away.
One and Only Palmilla Resort
Location: Punta Palmilla, San José del Cabo
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD1110 per room
Description: This property is 2 minutes walk from the beach. This oceanfront hotel features spa treatments in 13 private villas. A 27-hole golf course and rooms with views of the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez are available. Guest rooms and suites at the One & Only Palmilla boast Mexican designs. Each includes a patio or a balcony. They are equipped with a flat-screen TV and iPod docking station. This hotel ranked among the top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World. Dining options at Palmilla One & Only include ‘Mexiterranean’ and Euro Asian cuisines along with fresh sushi. Tequila tastings are also available at Agua and the resort features over 1,500 international wines. Guests can relax in the 2 outdoor pools or play a game of tennis. One & Only Palmilla in San Jose Del Cabo offers private beach access and a state-of-the-art gym. Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and shopping are minutes from the One & Only Palmilla. Cabo San Lucas is a 20-minute drive away.
The Cape - a Thompson Hotel
Location: Misiones del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD852 per room
Description: Offering two swimming pools and an outdoor spa, this beachfront all inclusive hotel offers accommodation in San José del Cabo. Guests can enjoy a tasty meal at one of the 3 restaurants available on-site. Free WiFi access is available in this resort. Each hotel room features a private balcony, a gourmet mini bar, concierge services and views of the ocean. Other facilities at The Cape – a Thompson Hotel include a hot tub, fitness centre and a bar. A tour desk and luggage storage are offered for guests' convenience, and venues, rooms for weddings, celebrations, conferences, events and meetings are also available. Club Campestre San José golf course is 3.1 km away. and San José Estuary is located 4.7 km from the resort.
Breathless Cabo San Lucas All Inclusive- Adults Only
Location: Paseo de la Marina, Cabo San Lucas
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD653per room
Description: Located in front of El Medano Beach, just next to the Marina Los Cabos, Breathless Cabo San Lucas All Inclusive- Adults Only features a swimming pool, theme parties and free WiFi throughout. The luxury suite offer coffee maker and flat-screen TV. The bathroom comes with hot tub, bathrobes and shower. Slippers and hairdryer are included, and the minibar refreshed daily with soft drinks, bottled water and beer. Guests can enjoy full breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks every day. There is unlimited juices and soft drinks as well as unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits. 24-hour room service is available. Breathless Cabo San Lucas All Inclusive- Adults Only is only few steps away from Los Cabos nightlife, the city centre, fine restaurants and shopping areas. The nearest airport is Los Cabos International Airport 50 km away.
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Location: Cabo San Lucas
Rating: 5-star
Prices: from AUD476 per room
Description: Nestled along one of the area's only swimmable beaches on the Sea of Cortez, this luxury resort and spa features state-of-the-art amenities along with family-friendly activities and facilities. With a full-service spa, a children's club and water sport activities, guests of all ages are sure to have an unforgettable stay at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort. The resort also boasts a spacious infinity pool overlooking the water, and complete with a swim-up bar. There are also several on-site restaurants available. The Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort Hilton is only minutes from top-rated golf courses. Nearby San Jose del Cabo offers charming shops along with a variety of historical sites. Recreational activities, including scuba diving, horseback riding and fishing are also easily accessible.
The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is from early-November through May, to avoid the high heat of summer.
Cabo San Lucas experiences a hot and arid tropical desert climate, with a pleasantly warm winter from December to March, and a hot summer from May to October, during which time there is some rainfall from July to September.
More about Cabo San Lucas weather…
Cabo San Lucas, or simply Cabo, is located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Cabo San Lucas is located 32km (20mi) southwest of San José del Cabo; and together are known as Los Cabos.
The most convenient route to Cabo San Lucas (and San José del Cabo) is by air to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), located about 11km (6.8mi) north of San José del Cabo, and about 44km (27mi) from Cabo San Lucas.
By shuttle bus or taxi, the airport is around 34 minutes from Cabo San Lucas.
Alternatively, Cabo San Lucas also has a small international airfield, Cabo San Lucas International Airport (MMSL), located about 7km (4.5mi) northwest of Cabo San Lucas, which handles general aviation flights and air taxi services.
It’s also possibly to drive from Los Angeles, San Diego or Tijuana; Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas is around 1900km (1180mi), roughly a 24-hour drive.
Find out how to get to Cabo San Lucas…
Latest update: Cabo San Lucas: 24 August, 2022
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