Our handy guide to this North American vacation hotspot will help you plan what to do in Los Cabos.
If you’re travelling the US West Coast or simply seeking a sun-soaked vacation spot, Los Cabos, Mexico, is not to be missed.
Getting here is easy: direct flights depart regularly from Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and New York. If you’re travelling from outside America, Los Cabos is the perfect place to spend a few days, or a week, before heading home via one of the major US airports.
No matter your preferred vacation style, this Mexican resort city (often referred to as ‘Cabo’) has something for you. From world-class dining to exciting adventures and luxurious hotels – we explore exactly what to do in Los Cabos.
Eat & Drink
For a taste of Los Cabos, tantalisingly infused with global influences, try Acre Baja. Seasonal, local ingredients are utilised to create dishes with multicultural flare, served in a setting equal parts relaxed and refined. Experience an array of flavours with dishes like duck croquettes with almond mole, butternut squash tamal, and curried cauliflower Thai curry. It helps that the staff know how to mix a mean cocktail, too – the clamato (made with clams and tomato) is not to be missed.
If you’re after dinner with a view, head to Agave. Set on a rooftop overlooking the Gallery District in San José del Cabo, the restaurant serves artisanal farm-to-table cuisine fired in a custom wood oven. Award-winning Chef Guillermo J. Gómez is the man behind the menu of sustainably sourced seafood and organic produce from nearby farms. Standout dishes include the suckling pig and baked oysters – washed down with a mezcal-infused cocktail, of course. When in Mexico...
Healthy, soulful dishes with a great choice for vegetarians and vegans await at Yumana Kitchen. This is traditional farm-to-table Mexican fare with a creative twist. The inventive menu includes raw tuna tostada with avocado mousse or lemon-cooked shrimp ceviche. Come on weekends and try the brunch, which ranges all the way from a Yumanos Benedict with chipotle hollandaise to oyster and shrimp tacos, and even good old French toast.
Forget everything you thought you knew about Mexican food: Chefs Edgar Roman and Tadd Chapman at Don Sanchez are here to introduce you to a whole new world of flavours. You won’t find a single fajita here – instead, it’s all about fresh octopus ceviche, suckling pig tacos and the finest Wagyu beef tamale. It’s not just food this restaurant takes seriously; an onsite wine room and first-class mixology mean your drinks order is in safe hands.
The clue is in the name at La Lupita Taco & Mezcal. This joyously colourful cantina will keep you fed and watered with cheekily named tacos like La Gringa (featuring marinated pork and pineapple) and Crunchy Volcano (offering a fiery chorizo hit), alongside an impressive selection of mezcal. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some live music to accompany your Mexican feast.
Take in a dazzling view of Cabo’s skyline at Rooftop 360, part of Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa. The highest bar in Los Cabos, this buzzing venue makes it easy to while away a whole evening sipping craft cocktails and listening to live DJ sets. Sneak in just before sunset to catch a stunning display of colours as day fades to night.
Stay
A soaring vision in white at the tip of Baja California Sur, Marquis Los Cabos is the desert mirage dreams are made of, positioned on Mexico's sparkling oceanfront. Luckily, you only need to travel 15 minutes outside of San José del Cabo to discover this five-star, all-suite, adults-only oasis, where you’ll be greeted by scenic Sea of Cortez views and a 40-foot cascading waterfall. Part of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World collection, Marquis Los Cabos hits the right balance between sophistication and cool. Enjoy daily tequila tastings and mixology lessons onsite, dine across the resort’s five signature restaurants, dive into one of three swimming pools, visit the holistic spa and putt at one of five 18-hole golf courses surrounding this multi-award-winning retreat.
With a private beach, five swimming pools and a sumptuous spa, all in a postcard-perfect whale-watching spot (seasonal), it's no wonder Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is ranked on Tripadvisor among the top 25 in Mexico and the top 1% worldwide. This five-star, award-winning resort is the epitome of elegant extravagance. Stay in one of just 57 luxurious casitas, villas and suites; dine across six onsite restaurants, try the dynamic yoga classes, take the plunge into the bi-level infinity pool or head straight to the spa for tension-melting massages and energising body scrubs. Get the heart racing with horseback rides along the sand or sailing along the Sea of Cortez, before taking it down a notch and sinking into the white sands of the resort’s private beach (the only in Los Cabos).
Immerse yourself in a Mexican dreamscape at the luxurious Viceroy Los Cabos on the Sea of Cortés in Baja California. Rising above Los Cabos’ pristine peninsular beachfront, this breathtaking resort has striking architecture and first-class facilities, including five lavish swimming pools, an exceptional spa and a high-tech gym.
Drink and dine across a selection of exquisite onsite restaurants and bars: pop a bottle of champagne at Cielomar Rooftop restaurant and bar, enjoy luxe cocktails at Casero Restaurant or enter Nido's wicker cocoon to dine on fresh ceviche and sushi.
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Get the heart pumping on a thrilling private jeep safari and snorkelling session with High Tide tours. The adventure begins with a scenic 4WD ride offering Sea of Cortez views, before heading off-road on mountain trails. Take a snack break in Cabo Pulmo National Park and fuel up for your snorkelling session. Described by world-renowned marine biologist Jacques Cousteau as the ‘Aquarium of the World’, Cabo Pulmo is a protected area home to unique coral, reefs and marine life. Grab lunch at a local restaurant before hitting Highway 1 back to Cabo with views of the mountain and desert for company.
Take a day trip to Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, where an incredible natural waterfall awaits. Despite Baja California Sur being the driest state in Mexico, this breathtaking oasis offers a five-metre waterfall and refreshing swimming ponds (don’t forget your bathing suit). Splash in shallow waters with the resident fish or take the leap from the top of the waterfall – not for the faint of heart!
Whether you’re an experienced biker or a bit of a beginner, a mountain bike tour with Cabo Adventures is not to be missed. Spend half a day cycling the Baja Peninsula, ticking off its highlights along the way. Guided by experts, you’ll traverse the sandy trails and rolling hills of the Mexican outback, stopping to take in the desert landscape and fascinating flora and fauna as you go. Your pedalling is rewarded with a traditional Mexican buffet lunch, mezcal and tequila tasting, and an unforgettable EcoFarm visit offering insights into sustainability.
Of course, if you're truly coming to experience the spirit of Los Cabos, plan your stay to coincide with the annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), honouring the dead, between 1 and 2 November.
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