Los Cabos, meaning “the Capes,” isn’t really a city. It’s the name Mexican tourism officials bestowed on the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as the 20-mile stretch of coast known as the Tourist Corridor that connects them. Located at the southernmost tip of Baja California Sur, these once remote fishing communities exploded in growth since the 1970s when tourism discovered their local charms, beaches, and most importantly sport fishing.

Los Cabos Activities 

Los Cabos is considered one of the world’s top sportfishing destinations. The Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sea of Cortez to the east boast over 800 species of fish. Marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, tuna and yellowtail are some of the favorites of anglers. Charter boats are plentiful and most are moored at the Cabo San Lucas Marina. They range from two- to three-person uncovered pangas to full board cruisers for six or more fishermen. Catch-and-release is popular – and mandatory for the endangered marlin – but if you want to eat your catch for dinner, several restaurants will cook it up for you.

Another major aquatic draw to Los Cabos is whale watching. Gray whales arrive each winter from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and winter in warmer waters. From mid-December to March –with a peak in February – Los Cabos has some of the best whale watching in the world. Many boat tour options are available or you can even see whales spouting from high land perches.

Activities in Los Cabos are nearly endless. You can see the gorgeous sunsets over the iconic El Arco rock at Land’s End from a romantic dinner cruise or a boisterous party cruise. Swim with dolphins, zip line over canyons, or take a camel safari in the desert. Go off-road by ATV or mountain bike, get an aerial view while hang gliding or parasailing, and tee it up at breath-taking golf courses. Of course, swimming, surfing, and kayaking are perennial favorites. With activities to please everyone, Los Cabos is a popular destination for business meetings and group incentive trips, as well as individual vacations. 

Where to stay in Los Cabos

Where to stay in Los Cabos really depends on your interests. Cabo San Lucas is party central with many restaurants, lively bars, and nightclubs that stay open until the last patrons leave. Shoppers can find everything from fine leather and silver to cheap souvenir trinkets. At the Marina, touts sell tours and restauranteurs hawk their menu to every passerby, giving it a carnival-like atmosphere. It’s even more frenetic when cruise lines call on Cabo San Lucas, shuttling masses of people to the marina via tenders.

At the other end of the Corridor, San Jose del Cabo is a quieter town with a more historic Mexican feel. A mission church dating to the early 1700s faces a pleasant central plaza that anchors a four-block Arts District. On Thursday nights, dozens of galleries bring their art outside for the weekly Art Walk where it’s fashionable to enjoy a glass of wine, stroll, view, and shop. Several fine dining restaurants are also in the heart of the old town.

Los Cabos Beaches

A couple of fine beaches are near Cabo San Lucas. Playa Medano is a long wide beach within walking distance of the marina with a perfect view of Land’s End. It’s the party beach with restaurants serving tables right on the sand, every kind of water toy for rent, and calm water for family-friendly swimming. Or you can take an inexpensive water taxi to Lover’s Beach for a quieter, more romantic beach carved out between the cliffs of Land’s End. There are no services there at all, so plan to take what you’ll need.

Large resorts have sprung up along the long stretches of white sand and secluded coves of blue water along the Tourist Corridor.  Santa Maria and Chileno beaches are good for snorkeling, diving and kayaking, but transportation is required to get there. At many beaches, especially on the Pacific side, dangerous undertow makes it unsafe for swimming, so always check before jumping in.

Favorite day trips from Los Cabos include the charming artist colony of Todos Santos (about an hour away) and the beaches of La Paz (about two hours drive). A drive along the dirt roads of the East Cape gives visitors a taste of what Baja California Sur was like before the boom of development.

From active adventure to romantic sunsets, party city to magical villages, Los Cabos truly has something for everyone. To find out more about planning a vacation or incentive trip to Los Cabos, contact Covington Travel.