The Best Things to See and Do in Los Cabos, Mexico

Sunbathing is a serious pastime in Los Cabos, and there are some spectacular beaches. Playa El Medano is the safest for swimming and has stunning views of El Arco rock formation, aka The Arch. Playa del Amor, or Love Beach, is a more secluded spot, with turquoise waters and golden sand.

The most photographed sight in Los Cabos, El Arco is part of a rare rock formation that forms the southernmost point of the peninsula. The rock marks the meeting point of the calm Sea of Cortez and the wild, choppy waters of the Pacific Ocean. If you keep a close eye on your surroundings, you will be able to see a community of sea lions.

Surfers in search of great waves and excitement will love San José del Cabo, 20mi (32km) from Cabo San Lucas. The town is home to Playa Costa Azul, where you’ll find the world-famous Roca and Zippers surf breaks. If you’re of a less adventurous bent, surfing competitions take place here every year and are great fun for spectators.

About two hours northeast of Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo National Park is an incredible place for diving and snorkeling. The oldest coral reef in North America, it is teeming with all manner of flora and fauna. Fishing in the area was banned in 1995, having been overexploited throughout the 20th century, and the fish population has expanded massively since.

Ziplining has exploded in popularity throughout Baja in recent years. Cabo Adventures Zipline Company, based in Los Cabos, boasts the longest zipline route in the country, taking thrill-seeking adventurers on a journey through the air above the Boca de la Sierra forest. As well as providing an adrenaline rush, it is an excellent way to get close to the local wildlife at this Unesco-protected biosphere reserve.

Every winter, approximately 25,000 gray whales swim to the Cabo area to mate and give birth. Their annual round trip of 10,000mi-14,000mi (16,000km-22,000km) is the longest migration of any mammal in the world. In February and March each year, whale-watchers from around the world descend on Los Cabos to see these incredible creatures. The best way to catch a glimpse of them yourself is by joining an organization such as Whale Watch Cabo on a marine safari expedition.

Baja is famous for its seafood, which is some of the freshest and most delicious you’ll find anywhere in the world. There are two dishes you simply have to try – fish tacos and clams. Batter-fried fish tacos originate from the peninsula’s large Japanese immigrant population, while juicy smoked clams often come served with garlic and tomato.

It’s not just the beaches that bring in the tourists, the nightlife is a big draw, too. The Cabo Wabo Cantina is the city’s most legendary venue. Owned by rock singer Sammy Hagar, the massive complex boasts numerous bars and stages. Since opening in 1990, the cantina has hosted rock legends such as Alice Cooper, Bob Weir and Slash.