Cabo San Lucas: 8 Amazing Things to Do

With so much sea life in the Gulf of Mexico, it would be rude not to take a boat trip – and Cabo Blue Boat has been leading groups for decades, so the staff knows all the best spots to stop and explore the reefs and coral. Whether you fancy a day out cruising the crystal-clear seas for a special occasion, a snorkeling experience or a romantic sunset cruise, the crew will be happy to accommodate. With meals and drinks included, you will definitely make some memories.

Sharks are perceived as intimidating creatures, but it’s not impossible to get up close to see these intriguing beasts in their natural habitat. Cabo San Lucas has a variety of marine life including sharks, whales, manta rays, mobula rays and dolphins, and Cabo Shark Dive has been providing open-water dives for more than 16 years. With a professional, certified team consisting of marine biologists, underwater photographers, PADI divemasters and shark behavioral experts, you can enjoy a safe and monitored experience.

You can see the iconic Mount Solmar from the sandy Médano Beach, and, although it may look like a challenging hike, it’s worth it for the views. Be sure to wear covered shoes, as the trail can get quite rocky, but, as you ascend, the stunning vista of the ocean and landscape unfold beneath you. The trail isn’t officially marked, but the route is well worn, should you want to do it alone – or you can join an organized guide.

Whale-watching on the Baja Peninsula is an experience like no other. Every December, thousands of whales make their annual migration from the cold waters of the Arctic to the warm, calm ocean around Cabo to give birth and raise their young, where they remain until March or early April. Join a boat trip with Cabo Whale Watching, and you will have the chance to see pods of whales and their young, as well as dolphins, manta rays, sea lions and whale sharks in their natural habitat.

If you want to see the coastline of Cabo from the skies, Cabo Sky Tours offer a unique, adrenaline-busting hang-gliding experience. All tours are chaperoned by the expert, licensed pilot Ernesto Magaña, who has more than 7,800 hours of flight time and promises a safe, fun and exciting flight. Trips take in the rocky formations called the “end of the earth”, where the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean meet, “divorce beach”, “pirate’s cave”, “lover’s beach” and the famous “arch”, with its sea lions and seals. You can even get a bird’s-eye view of the dunes where Brad Pitt’s 2004 movie Troy was filmed.

Starting as a small project in 2006, the Baja Brewery has developed into an international beer company, creating a unique selection of seven craft IPA beers. There is now a permanent bar and rooftop restaurant at the Cabo Villas Beach Resort & Spa in downtown Cabo San Lucas, which offers an eclectic menu of delicious pub and international fare, as well as live music and sports events, while the original restaurant is adjacent to the brewery in the Art District.

Sea turtles are the animals that best represent Los Cabos, and you cannot visit the area without finding out more about these beautiful animals. They choose the warm seas of the Yucatán Peninsula to lay their eggs, and Cabo Baja Tours organizes snorkeling trips that stop at sites of specific interest, where guests have the chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions, loggerheads and schools of bright, tropical fish. Don’t forget your underwater camera so you can document this unmissable experience.

If you need a shopping fix and to see some real stores in a mall, you will love the Centro Comercial Puerto Paraíso. At two stories, this is the largest complex on the peninsula and is on the marina, with plenty of parking. Expect all kinds of stores, ranging from swimwear outlets and shoe stores to souvenir stalls and luxury brands. There’s also an outside play area for kids and a few sit-down restaurants.