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Looking for the absolute best things to do in Cabo San Lucas? We’ve got them right here!
Cabo is known as a lively resort town, but you might be wondering what there is to do outside of your hotel. We’ve traveled here more times than I can count and have learned that there’s so much more to this city than beachside resorts.
To maximize your time, we’ve narrowed down the top experiences in Cabo. There are some truly unique activities, like a camel ride on the beach, and some classic Mexico ones like a snorkeling and tequila tour! All these activities are easy to book so you can dive right into the fun (and water)!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE experience in Cabo was this camel outback adventure! This unique tour showed us the best of Cabo San Lucas and was so much fun. Check out the 7,000+ positive reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is VERY popular. Reserve your spot in advance and get FREE cancellation options 24 hours before you go.
Things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
1. Ride on a camel
Riding a camel might not be one of the activities you’d expect to find in a Mexican resort town, but it’s something you can check off your bucket list in Cabo! I’ve ridden a camel in Australia before and it’s so cool that this experience is offered in Mexico! It’s a unique activity that will be one you’ll never forget.
On this camel outback adventure, you’ll head from Cabo along the Pacific coast to Rancho Tierra Sagrada – an oceanfront ranch. Then you’ll meet your camel and climb atop for a 20-minute beach safari. You’ll get to enjoy the scenery from a totally new vantage point (they are taller than you think!) as the camel walks through the soft sands. You’ll also have a guide who will help tell you all about this amazing area.
This tour is around 4 hours and really showcases the beauty of the Baja Peninsula. It includes a tasty traditional Mexican lunch, as well as a tequila tasting for $109 USD per person! The tour departs twice a day, so there’s an option for early risers as well as an afternoon option for those of us who stay up late enjoying the Cabo San Lucas nightlife and prefer to have a long and lazy morning at the beach.
Check out the 7,000+ glowing reviews and book this tour here with FREE cancellation.
2. Go on a sunset cruise
The sunsets in Cabo San Lucas are absolutely stunning with vibrant bursts of oranges and purples that take your breath away. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day. We really enjoy getting out on the water to enjoy the gorgeous views on a sunset cruise. You’ll not only have an unobstructed view of the pastel colors filling the sky but also a fun experience – a 2-for-1 deal!
There are plenty of fantastic sunset cruise tours available in Cabo with vibes ranging from casual partying to upscale and luxury.
We went on this 2-hour open bar sunset cruise and loved the fun and casual atmosphere. The trimaran boat will take you past the most popular Cabo San Lucas attractions like Lovers Beach and the sea lion colony on the rocks, as well as El Arco.
You’ll need to get yourself to the main marina about 20 minutes before the tour leaves at 5 pm. Once onboard, the open bar is a great touch with every cocktail option you could imagine and a variety of complimentary snacks. Listen to music on the deck with a drink in hand and the spectacular colors of the sun setting over the Pacific.
We thought this cruise was a great deal at $65 USD. It was luxurious, the crew was so fun, and we definitely drank our money’s worth! This is one of the top experiences in Cabo for a reason – check out the 1,000+ 5-star reviews here!
Reserve this tour today and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you depart.
3. Eat authentic Mexican on a food tour
No trip to Mexico is complete without sampling the country’s delicious cuisine. If even the thought of traditional Mexican food has your mouth watering, you should definitely experience a food tour in Cabo San Lucas. You and your stomach won’t regret it!
On a three-hour walking culinary tour of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll have the opportunity to see and taste every possible Mexican delight. With a local guide leading the way, you can discover authentic foodie favorites and hot spots all over the downtown district. You’ll have the chance to sample all kinds of tacos, including the traditional Baja-style fish and shrimp tacos!
The guide will teach you about Mexican culture, traditions, and even folklore during this fun and educationally immersive experience. The tour includes water and various food tastings around the city with plenty of opportunities to purchase alcohol for an additional fee. This tasty tour is $78 USD and trust me – you’ll eat enough to make the price worth it!
Don’t miss out on this top-rated food tour – secure your spot now and pay later!
4. Electric bike beach tour with tequila tasting
Looking for a unique way to explore Cabo? Try exploring on two wheels with this e-bike tour! If you travel like we do, we consumed a lot of tacos and tequila while in Cabo, so we were happy to balance it out with some easy exercise on this tour.
We also love that it’s an e-bike instead of a regular bicycle, as riding on sand is quite a challenge. An electric bike makes this tour doable for all ages and fitness levels, so everyone can enjoy Cabo’s outdoor beauty.
Transportation to the Tierra Sagrada ranch is included in the $109 USD price tag. Once you arrive, you’ll have the chance to ride around sandy bike baths on the private ranch and up into the cacti-covered hills. Then you’ll ride down to the beach for a tequila tasting and lunch – just don’t drink too much so you can ride back! It’s the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors without any difficult pedaling!
Book this tour with over 900 5-star reviews here.
5. Visit El Arco
El Arco, or “the Arch”, is one of our favorite places to visit near Cabo San Lucas. The iconic landmark is a giant rock formation in the sea near the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, right where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
El Arco is also known as Land’s End, and when you arrive, you’ll see why. It feels as though you’ve arrived at the very tip of the earth where the rugged Baja California coastline meets the sea.
You can’t reach El Arco by land, so the only way to see this spectacular natural wonder is to embark on a boat tour or a kayak expedition. If you’re feeling adventurous, a kayak trip is by far the most amazing way to experience the natural beauty and wildlife this destination has to offer.
This 3-hour kayak tour with a knowledgeable guide will take you through all of the famous rock formations. You’ll have the opportunity to view wildlife like sea lions lounging on the huge rocks as you pass by. Admire all kinds of tropical fish darting through the water from your glass-bottomed kayak before jumping into the pristine waters to enjoy snorkeling at Pelican Rock. The tour includes round-trip transportation and is $95 USD per person.
After kayaking through this area for ourselves, we can attest to how awesome this tour is! The scenery is amazing and experiencing it on a kayak makes it even more immersive.
Check out the 800+ 5-star reviews and book this kayak tour here, before it sells out.
Don’t worry if kayaking isn’t your thing! You can still experience the beauty of El Arco from the comfort of a boat tour like this one. The large boat on this tour has a glass bottom, so you can admire the ocean life without getting wet. The bilingual guides will take you to the most popular attractions including El Arco, Pirate’s Cave, and Pelican Rock before taking a break to swim at some of the pristine nearby beaches.
We love how this tour is a quick 45 minutes and budget-friendly, so you can fit into your busy travel itinerary! This tour leaves from the Marina in Cabo and is only $35 USD per person.
Book this tour with 450+ 5-star reviews here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Whale watching
If you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas between December and mid-March you’ll have the opportunity to witness some of the planet’s most magnificent creatures. Humpback whales pass through Cabo yearly as the conditions are perfect for whale breeding. In fact, many travelers book their trips precisely to correspond with the whale migration – some even plan weekend trips to Cabo just to whale watch!
Our most recent visit to Cabo was in February, so it was perfectly timed to see the whales! We jumped on this top-rated humpback whale-watching tour and were blown away by what we saw (spoiler: it was a lot of whales!).
During whale-watching season, you can take a humpback whale-watching tour with knowledgeable guides who will take you to some of the best spots. The 2.5-hour tour starts at $99 USD per person, which we felt was well worth the cost for how incredible the sights were.
We also appreciated that the groups were small, so when we did spot a whale we didn’t have to fight a large crowd to see. A marine biologist guide will take you to iconic locations like El Arco and the sea lion colony while you cruise the ocean in search of giant whales. The seas are calmest in the morning, but there are a variety of departures throughout the day to fit your schedule.
Check availability and book this top Cabo experience here.
7. ATV tour
I love off-roading on an ATV in Mexico! It’s an exhilarating way to cover a lot of ground and see some pretty scenic spots. It’s also easy to do and super fun once you get the hang of it.
Take your own ride on the wild side with an off-road beach and desert ATV adventure. This 2-hour ATV tour is perfect for thrill-seekers and will take you deep into the desert through sand creeks, canyons, and narrow riverbeds before arriving on the white sand beaches of Margaritas Beach.
The ATVs on this tour are state-of-the-art and fully automatic with hydraulic brakes. You’ll also get all the gear you need including a helmet and goggles. The guides are especially good at making sure you’re comfortable and know what you’re doing before you hit the road. Once you’re off, make sure you take the time to enjoy the incredible view of the ocean and keep an eye out for whales! This exciting tour is $80 USD per person.
Book this tour now and get FREE cancellation options!
8. Swim with whale sharks
Feeling brave? If you’ve ever fancied yourself a marine explorer, then we’ve got the experience for you! This all-day tour takes you deep into the Sea of Cortez for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with the world’s largest fish – whale sharks!
Fear not, because whale sharks are completely harmless – unless you’re plankton. Their teeth are actually so tiny that they can only eat the smallest of sea creatures like shrimp, tiny fish, and plankton. They’re completely harmless to humans. In fact, they rarely even notice people at all.
Swimming with whale sharks around Cabo is one of the top activities to try while you’re here. If you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas between October and April, you’re almost certain to see them as they like to hang out in the water near Cabo during these months.
If you happen to be here in prime whale shark season, then this whale shark snorkeling tour is a fun way to spend a day. The tour shuttle will pick you up right from your hotel before dropping you off at the boat. You’ll cruise through the Baja California Sur desert before arriving at La Paz and hopping on the boat.
Then you’re off to sea for hours of swimming and snorkeling alongside the magnificent whale sharks! Afterward, you can enjoy an included lunch of Mexican tacos on the boardwalk and visit the iconic Hotel California before heading back home. The entire experience takes about 10 hours and is $259 USD per person.
9. Join a cooking class
Another fun activity for culinary lovers to enjoy in Cabo San Lucas is a cooking class. Once you’ve tasted the food here, you’re going to want to bring it home to your kitchen. We really like all the tips and tricks in local cooking classes, plus the best part is eating everything you make!
Learn how to prepare amazing traditional Mexican cuisine on this tour of the local markets and cooking class. The class takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes and will teach how to prepare an authentic Mexican meal from beginning to end. There are rotating menus each day of the week so that you can choose the option that suits your tastes, but I’d expect tacos of some kind!
The class takes place in the home of a local chef and while the menu changes, tortillas are a staple. You’ll not only pick up fresh corn dough to make tortillas by hand but then get to eat them fresh from the grill! We’ve taken cooking classes all over the world and this one was one of the most fun and tastiest.
The small classes allow you to have personal instruction from a professional chef who will teach you techniques and recipes that are traditional to this region of Mexico. Lunch is included (of course!) and the class costs $119 USD per person.
Book this tour with over 650 5-star reviews here before it sells out.
10. Snorkeling boat tour
The snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas is incredible! The waters of the Sea of Cortez around Cabo have even been called “The World’s Aquarium” by the famous oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. You’ll see why as soon you enter this undersea paradise with your snorkel. Colorful fish will surround you and you’ll feel like you’re in a different world. It’s one of those must-do activities in Cabo!
The key here is finding the best spots to view all kinds of ocean life in the beautiful clear water. I suggest looking for a local tour like this half-day snorkeling adventure. You’ll board a luxury catamaran at the local marina and take a cruise to your first snorkeling spot – a secluded bay. You’ll have time to swim here and can even use state-of-the-art sea scooters to propel you around the ocean. After that, you’ll head to another incredible snorkeling location to see what other creatures you can find!
What’s great about tours like this one is all the extras! It also includes stops at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and a sea lion colony. Transportation, all the snorkeling gear, lunch, and an open bar are provided, so this is a steal of a deal at $139 USD per person.
Snorkeling is one of my favorite ways to explore Cabo and see the amazing underwater creatures. It’s also good for kids and families as you don’t need a lot of equipment or experience. It’s easy to do and you’ll catch on quickly, even if you’ve never been snorkeling before.
Book this top-rated tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
Where to Stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo has lodging options galore! From hostels to swanky resorts, and everything in between, you can find the perfect place to rest your head after a day of epic diving. If you’re watching your pesos, no worries, I’ve included some of my favorite budget options below. Or if you’re splurging for that special celebración, I’ve also included some great luxury options too!
Grand Velas Los Cabos Luxury All Inclusive – $$$
Looking to go all-out on accommodation? One of the most luxurious resorts in Cabo San Lucas is Grand Velas, which even has its own private beach. This all-inclusive property also features three infinity pools, and a spa, and every room has a view of the sea. There are also five restaurants on-site including Mexican, Italian, and French cuisine, so you’ll never get tired of the selection!
This is an upscale property, so rooms start at around $1,500 USD per night. You can check availability online here.
Playa Grande Resort – $$
Located on a private beach in Cabo and close to the marina, you’ll love the feel of Playa Grande Resort. There’s a spa, three outdoor pools, and beautiful Mexican décor and tiled floors. You’ll also have a kitchen or kitchenette and a balcony. This resort has the option to be all-inclusive if you want meals taken care of, or you can enjoy all the local food in the area.
Rooms here are around $200-300 USD a night for just the room and $400-500 USD a night for the all-inclusive package. Check prices and book Playa Grande Resort online here.
Mayan Monkey Hostel Los Cabos – $
Located in downtown Cabo, Mayan Monkey Hostel keeps you in the action and party atmosphere Cabo is famous for while being easy on the wallet. It’s only five minutes from the beach or there’s an outdoor swimming pool to cool off in. There’s entertainment and activities like DJs in the evenings or ping-pong tables, and it’s a fun place to meet new people.
If you’re okay with sharing a room, you can stay here for SUPER cheap. You can find a bed in a dorm-style room with 6 to 12 beds for around $20-30 USD a night, or there are private rooms in the $100 USD range. You can grab your spot on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com.
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
With so many incredible things to do in Cabo, the hardest part will be deciding what you want to do once you arrive. It’s a destination that has all you could want for a dream vacation from stunning beaches to fun party spots and some truly unique activities – like riding a camel or swimming with whale sharks!
If you found this guide to Cabo helpful, take a look around at our other travel blogs. We have tons of guides to places all around the world full of helpful tips and ideas for your travels. If Mexico is on your next boarding pass, check out some of our other Mexico blogs like:
50+ EPIC Things to do in Sayulita, Mexico
22 BEST Places to Visit in Mexico in 2024: From Hidden Gems to Top Attractions
12 Things to KNOW Before Going Scuba Diving in Cabo San Lucas