Making Memories

Known for some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, spas, restaurants, outstanding golf courses and amazing activities and nightlife, there’s another part of Mexico besides the popular Cancun. Come with me to Los Cabos!

Los Cabos in Spanish means “the capes“, and refers to the two sister cities, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, that make up the region. The cities are located on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, about 20 miles apart and connected by a coastal highway.

How to get there?

You can reach Cabo San Lucas by sea, land or air. By sea, there many cruise lines from Los Angeles that have a stop in Los Cabos. By land, driving along Highway 1, which runs the entire length of Baja California from the U.S. border, will get you to Cabo. Greyhound Bus also offers service from Los Angeles to Tijuana via San Diego. By air, there are many direct flights from the U.S. to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). There is also another airport, Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL), which serves as the basis for a regional airline; it has air taxi service and general aviation services and the only international private airport in Mexico.

Where to stay?

Cabo San Lucas is usually referred to simply as “Cabo“, which is different than San Jose del Cabo. The two Cabos are very different and appeal to different types of visitors. Cabo San Lucas is known as a party town with lots of resorts and bars catering to the late-night crowds. If you want to let loose and dance until your feet hurt, Cabo San Lucas is your spot! This is where you’ll find the all-inclusive resorts.

In San José del Cabo, you’ll find a quaint, traditional Mexican town with architecture reflecting the Spanish colonial era, family-owned restaurants and art galleries. San José del Cabo is more suitable for culture-enthusiasts or those who seek for more quite getaway.

We visited Los Cabos twice and stayed in Cabo both times since we like the convenience of all-inclusive resorts. It’s just easier with kids! However, staying in one town doesn’t mean you can’t visit the other! Pick the side that is more suitable for your taste as your base, then spend day-trips on the other side during your visit.

Side note: Would you be interested in hotel reviews or resort recommendations as well? Not only for this article, but in general? Please share in the comment if interested.

When to visit?

Rain season lasts from July to October (coincides with Mexico’s hurricane season), with September being the wettest month. However, even during rainy season, it doesn’t rain every day. Other than that, Los Cabos is blessed with beautiful sunshine the rest of the year, and the temperatures even in the winter (lower 70s) is comfortable.

Cabo is a popular spot for Spring-breakers, so if you don’t mind (or like) the crowd then it’s the perfect time to visit. In the Summer, the temperatures could go as high as the 90s, but that would not be a problem to hit the beach! The temperatures in late Fall and Winter are in the 70s, which is ideal as it would be cold or freezing in other parts of the world during those seasons.

Both times, we visited during the U.S. Thanksgiving week.

Attractions

Situated at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos is a beautiful region offering desert and sea all in one space. Besides the main beach at Playa El Médano, past the marina is Land’s End which is famous for Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) and El Arco (natural archway in the sea cliffs). Additionally, you can go hiking in the canyons.

Land’s End

Most people would agree that visiting the Land’s End in Los Cabos is a must-do experience. Land’s End is accessible only by boat from Médano Beach or the Cabo San Lucas Marina. You can either book a boat tour with the hotel’s concierge, or you can rent a boat at the marina yourself. I would inquire about the boat tour at the beginning of the trip since the boat can only go out if the weather is agreeable. Therefore, your itinerary may shift a bit, depending on when you can make the trip to Land’s End. Sometimes the tide changes throughout the day, so if not in the morning, then maybe an afternoon ride may be possible. You just need to keep checking, or have the company contact you.

It would be best to start your day early so you can cruise around to admiree El Arco and then spend some time at beaches there. There’s no amenities, so bring along what you need for however long you intend to stay.

El Arco – The Arch of Cabo San Lucas

El Arco is a natural granite rock formation, a whale-watching site and snorkeling spot, and one of the most recognizable symbols of Los Cabos.  The Arch towers three stories above the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.

There are different tours: some may just be like a water taxi ride for you to see the arches, some offer whale-watching or snorkeling or scuba diving activities. Some even stop at Lover’s Beach and then pick you up a few hours later. There are also guided kayak tours.

Playa del Amor – Playa de los Amantes

Also known as Lover’s Beach, this pristine beach is the only beach in the Cabo Land’s End area that is safe for swimming, and also ideal for snorkeling.

There are a few stories as to how the beach got its name. Some say this was a pirate hideaway and a secret rendezvous spot for prohibited love affairs. Some tales told of a story about a sailor who was shipwreck in the 18th century and fell in love with a local girl. Whatever tale you believe in, the “attitude” is in the sand and the water: the beach here is tranquil and inviting, an ideal spot to spend the afternoon picnicking, swimming and sunbathing.

Pirate’s Cave

Adjacent to the Arch and located on the Pacific Ocean side of Land’s End is Pirate’s Cave. Large rocks frame a passageway, which was believed to hold long-buried pirate treasures. Whether the tale about the buried treasures is a legend or not, the passageway opens up to a different kind treasure, the beautiful Divorce Beach.

Playa del Divorcio

Also known as Divorce Beach, this beach is not safe for swimming. However, it is known for dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. It is a scenic, secluded & undeveloped stretch of sand backed by rocky cliffs on the Pacific Ocean side, and is a popular sunbathing spot. It is 5 times larger than Lover’s Beach and is more wide open.

How does the beach get its name? The jagged rocks evoke imagery of a lovers’ quarrel; hence, the divorce!! Coincidentally, the strong shore break and dangerous rip currents here perfectly add to the roughness of the “divorce”!

Now, looking at the map above, you’ll naturally question whether you could walk to Lover’s Beach or Divorce Beach (funny how I write in that order…)? It is possible to hike from the Grand Solmar Land’s End hotel, but it is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that is considered to be challenging. Most people would describe it to be terrifying and would be impossible to do during high tide.

Land’s End is the most iconic landmark of Los Cabos, and for obvious reasons. I personally think that if you don’t visit Land’s End at least once during your visit to Los Cabos, then your trip has been wasted!! OK, that’s a strong statement, since I understand everyone has their own taste. Some people may visit for some quiet time or partying at the resorts and uninterested in sightseeing; that’s understandable. However, I also feel that most people come here for the beach, and if so, why not explore the “secret” beaches at Land’s End?!

Playa El Médano

Other than Lover’s Beach, Playa El Médano is the only other swimmable beach. It is nearest to town, therefore is also the prime sales territory for vendors. With that in mind, be mindful that you will be interrupted with offerings of everything from jewelry, blankets, hair braiding, etc. Being near town, this is where all the action is; it is the place to see and be seen, where the party continues all day and into the night.

Other beaches in Cabo

Most of Cabo’s beaches are off-limits to swimmers because the Sea of Cortez boasts strong waves and some powerful undercurrent.

Hiking in Los Cabos

Beyond the turquoise waters and sandy beaches, Cabo San Lucas is a hidden gem for hiking enthusiasts. With its rugged landscape, Cabo offers hiking trails that cater to all levels of adventurers. Most popular hikes are:

• El Arco – the trail begins at Playa del Amor and winds along the coast leading to Land’s End where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
• Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, located north of Cabo San Lucas, is an ecosystem that includes oak and pine forests, lush canyons and cascading waterfalls. There are trails that vary in difficulty, suitable for hikers of all levels.
• Mount Solmar – the trail starts near the marina and winds up the rugged terrain. The hike is short but very steep.
• The trails near Cerro del Vigia take you to the top of the hill where an old lighthouse stands. Cerro del Vigia is a town near San Jose del Cabo. So the hike from there gives you a panoramic views of San Jose del Cabo, the Sea of Cortez and the surround dessert. The hike is considered to be easy and suitable for families.

Nightlife

Cabo is among the top 5 tourist destinations in Mexico. But if you were to compare nightlife (outside of the resorts) between Cancun (the other most popular beach destination in Mexico) and Cabo, then Cancun would win since Cabo is much smaller. However, the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo offers a wide variety of bars and clubs to wake up the night. The Tourist Corridor is a 20-mile stretch of sun-drenched beaches that is home to world-class luxurious resorts (with bars, clubs and discotheques).

While you’re out partying, keep these tips in mind:

• Legal drinking age is 18.
• Dress code is mostly casual, but shorts and flip-flops may not be allowed in some places.
• Drinking in public is prohibited.
• Buses stop operating by 10 pm, so if you’re out later than that then Uber and Taxis are your only options to return to the hotel. If riding alone, it is advised to take photo of the taxi number and send to your family, just to be on the safe side (this tip is applicable anywhere, not just in Mexico).

All-inclusive or not?

If you like to enjoy a lot of downtime at the resort, then all-inclusive is the way to go. However, if you’re the adventurous type of vacationers, then you may not benefit much from the all-inclusive offerings. If you travel in a large group and/or with kids, then staying at all-inclusive resorts may save you headaches. Consider booking at resort chains with several resorts nearby since you’ll have access to all of them, giving different options of entertainment to everyone in your group. You will also be able to access the buffet at all the sister resorts, although the food is quite similar, the ambience can be different; for example, an adult-only resort versus a family resort.

One thing to note about the food at the all-inclusive resorts: the specialty restaurants are not all that good, to be honest. Typically, besides the generous buffet, most resorts offer other à la carte restaurants serving cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Steakhouse, etc. These à la carte restaurants require reservation with the resort’s concierge, so book early. Most popular times are between 6 and 7 p.m., and usually harder to book for larger parties. We always try the specialty restaurants, but haven’t found one that satisfies our taste. So, maybe have an earlier reservation, and if it doesn’t work out, then you can always stop by the buffet afterwards.

Not all all-inclusive offerings in Mexico are equal! The all-inclusive resort prices in Cancun are cheaper than in Cabo. Most resorts have bars and clubs (if not then at least their sister resort should), but only some provide night entertainment (shows). So keep this in mind when booking your stay, especially if you travel with kids or older adults who are not interested in discotheques, but would benefit from a friendly concert or kids’ game show.

You can go hiking in the canyons and finish your day with a cool cocktail on the beach at sunset. Or you can go surfing in the morning and take a tour through the desert in the afternoon. Opt for a more cultural San Jose del Cabo or the beach parties of Cabo San Lucas, in Los Cabos, you truly can get the best of both worlds!