Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: A First-Timer's Guide

Top things to do in Cabo

See El Arco & Land's End

The natural rock arch where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific is Cabo's signature sight, and you can only reach it by water. Grab a glass-bottom water taxi from the marina or Médano Beach — most trips loop past the arch, the sea lion colony and Neptune's Finger, then drop you at Lover's Beach, a slip of sand tucked between the rocks. Swim only on the calm Sea of Cortez side; the Pacific side (fittingly nicknamed Divorce Beach) has dangerous surf and no swimming.

Relax at Playa El Médano

Médano is Cabo's main beach and its social heart — a long, gently sloping stretch that's one of the few genuinely swimmable beaches in town. Expect beach clubs, palapa restaurants, vendors, and a full menu of water toys, from paddleboards to jet skis. It's the easy default for a beach day with kids or a lazy afternoon with a view of the arch.

Wander the Marina & downtown

The Cabo San Lucas Marina is where the town comes alive: fishing boats unloading the day's catch, sunset cruises boarding, and a boardwalk lined with restaurants, bars and shops. It's walkable, lively and the launch point for most boat tours — a good place to end a day and plan the next one.

Snorkel Santa María & Chileno bays

For clear water and reef fish, head to the protected coves along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José. Santa María and Chileno are both designated marine sanctuaries with calm, shallow water — the two best swimmable, snorkel-friendly beaches in the area. Bring your own gear or join a snorkeling tour that includes it.

Sail into the sunset

A sunset sail or dinner cruise out of the marina is the quintessential Cabo evening — you glide past the arch as the light turns gold, usually with drinks, music and dinner aboard. Options range from lively catamaran party boats to quiet, small-group sailboats, so pick the vibe that fits your group.

Get into the desert: ATV & camel tours

Cabo's backdrop is Sonoran Desert, and the classic way to explore it is on an ATV or UTV tour through the dunes and dry riverbeds, often paired with a beach stop. Many outfitters also run camel rides along the Pacific coast — a surprisingly popular half-day outing that's a hit with families.

Whale watching (seasonal)

From roughly mid-December through mid-April, grey and humpback whales pass right offshore, and boat tours from the marina get you close. It's one of the most memorable things you can do here — if you're visiting in that window, don't skip it. See our full whale-watching guide →

World-class sportfishing

Cabo bills itself as the Marlin Capital of the World, and the fishing genuinely is world-class — striped marlin year-round, with dorado, tuna and blue and black marlin in the warmer months. You can charter a boat for a half or full day whether you're a serious angler or a first-timer. More in our sportfishing guide →

A day in San José del Cabo

Cabo San Lucas's quieter sister town, about 30 minutes east, trades party energy for cobblestone charm. The Gallery District around the historic center is full of art galleries, boutiques and courtyard restaurants. In season (roughly November through June), the Thursday-evening Art Walk turns the district into an open-air party, with galleries pouring wine and streets full of music.

Day trip to Cabo Pulmo

About two hours up the East Cape, Cabo Pulmo is a national marine park protecting one of the oldest coral reefs in North America — and one of the great conservation success stories in the Sea of Cortez. It's a bucket-list snorkeling and diving spot with schools of fish, rays and sea turtles. It's a long day and the last stretch of road is rough, but for underwater lovers it's worth every minute.

Family-friendly options

Traveling with kids? The calm water at Médano, Santa María and Chileno is ideal for young swimmers, and glass-bottom boat rides to the arch, camel encounters and gentle desert tours all land well with families. Cabo Pulmo and the sheltered snorkel bays make easy, low-stress outings for older kids too.

Suggested 4-day itinerary

Have a fifth day? Trade it for the long haul out to Cabo Pulmo, or a slow beach day. Swap the seasonal activities (whales Dec–Apr, peak fishing summer–fall) to match your dates.

Local tip

Book the water taxi to the arch for early morning. By mid-day the marina fills up, the light is harsh for photos, and the water around Lover's Beach gets crowded. Go at 8 or 9am and you'll often have the arch nearly to yourself — and the sea is usually calmest then, too.

A note on Cabo's beaches

Not every beach here is for swimming. Cabo sits where the calm Sea of Cortez meets the powerful open Pacific, and many of the west-facing Pacific beaches — including gorgeous stretches like Playa Solmar — have strong currents, shore break and no lifeguards, so they're for sunbathing and photos only. Stick to the sheltered spots (Médano, Santa María, Chileno, Lover's Beach on the bay side) for getting in the water, and always check the flags. We cover the details in our Cabo beach-safety guide.