Los Cabos is one of the hottest travel destinations in Mexico for a number of reasons. The environment is diverse ranging from beautiful beaches to scorched deserts and rugged mountains. Visitors can stay in luxurious vacation rentals in Los Cabos or beachside resorts. You can enjoy a game of golf or relax in the spas. The nightlife is vibrant and you have plenty of opportunities for fine dining. This makes it a perfect getaway from the stresses of daily life back home. If this sounds like a good place you for, you’re in the right place. I’m going to describe everything you need to know about visiting Los Cabos in this article.
Where is Los Cabos?
Los Cabos is on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsular in western Mexico. The Pacific Ocean is to the west where surfing is a popular activity and the Gulf of California is to the east. The nearest city on the US side of the border is San Diego, which is about 1600 kilometers north.
How to Get to Los Cabos:
The fastest and easiest way to get into Los Cabos is by flying. The airport gets direct international flights from several cities in the US and Canada. It’s quite easy to find cheap flights from California. If you’re flying from further afield, the typical way is to fly to a major Mexico airport and then take a connecting domestic flight.
Some people drive from the US into Mexico and follow the peninsula down from California. This may seem like a good idea, but unless you’re confident driving in Mexico and can speak reasonably good Spanish, it probably isn’t. The quality of the roads are lower and the driving can be reckless.
Where to Stay at Los Cabos:
The towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are in Los Cabos, which are separated from each other by a 30 km road. The first is a more relaxing place to come to unwind whereas the second is a party town. It’s quite easy to travel between the two towns.
San Jose del Cabo has a number of high-end resorts and fine dining and is a perfect place to come and relax. The town has a more of a Spanish colonial charm and you can visit a beautiful plaza and a church. You can also have a round of golf at one of the several courses and enjoy some of the art galleries. Shopping is also a popular activity. A long beach stretches along the calm and warm sea where most tourists come to relax. The atmosphere here is more sophisticated and laid back with less noise and partying. But, most bars along the beach stay open late.
Cabo San Lucas, on the other hand, has more of a vibrant nightlife with a party atmosphere. Younger tourists come here to enjoy the warm weather and the cheap drinks. You can find several bars and clubs that open until the early hours and there’s always something happening. Away from the partying, the main attractions include the Marina, a 300-year-old Church, and rock formations in the sea from erosion at Land’s End.
Image from: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around Los Cabos:
Most of the towns are easy to walk around and taxis are easy to find. If you want to travel further afield, you can either rent a car or take the bus.
Taxis usually don’t use their meter and so you should negotiate a price before you get inside. Use your common sense and make sure you know what the price should be before getting in. Scams tend to happen in the middle of the night when people are drunk.
Renting a car is quite easy in Los Cabos. But, driving it in Mexico can be a challenge. As I mentioned above, the road conditions and driving is probably going to be different from what you’re used to. And if you get involved in an accident or face any problems, a good command of Spanish is essential.
Things to Do at Lake Cabos:
The most obvious things to do include exploring both of the towns and relaxing on the beach. Other popular activities include water sports and adventure activities.
Water sports include diving, snorkeling, and surfing. You can find equipment that’s available for rent in one of the shops in either of the towns. The Pacific Ocean is the best place for surfing, but you need to be careful as the waves and undercurrent are unpredictable. Some people also come here to learn how to surf or take diving classes. You can find plenty of schools that can teach you for a fraction of the price back at home. It’s also possible to rent boats for the day and fishing is another favorite activity for some.
Adventure sports are also popular. Los Cabos is near the desert and mountains and some rent mountain bikes to cycle into the desert whereas others climb the mountains. You can also rent motorbikes and quads or take buggy rides. This is more expensive and you should always remember that the safety is slightly lower than at home. But, don’t let that stop you. At certain times of the year, you may also get the chance to go whale watching.
The Takeaway Message:
Los Cabos is one of the safest destinations in Mexico and is easily accessible from the United States and Canada. If you’re looking to relax, head to San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is the best place if you want to party. Popular activities include various water and adventure sports along with relaxing on the beach.