Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: Land and Sea

Cabo San Lucas is the kind of place people come to for the ocean, and I get it. The Arch rock where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez is the postcard everyone remembers. But I found the trip repaid those who wandered past the marina and into the streets behind it. Here is what I did and what I would happily do a second time.

Boat to the Arch and Lover’s Beach

I started with the classic: a boat ride from the marina out to El Arco, the dramatic arch at the end of the peninsula. The water taxi drops you at Lover’s Beach, a strip of sand only reachable by boat, where the surf on the Pacific side is rough but the cove side is calm for swimming. I spent an afternoon there, and the contrast between the two waters right next to each other is something to see.

Whale Watch in Winter

If you visit between December and April, put a whale watching tour on your list. I went out in February and within twenty minutes we had humpbacks breaching beside the boat. The captains know the animals well and keep a respectful distance while still giving you clear views. It is the single best thing I did in Cabo, and the morning light made the spray glow.

Eat Tacos in the Streets

The food away from the marina is better and cheaper. I walked to the informal taco stands a few blocks inland, where cooks grill al pastor off rotating spits and pile the meat into small tortillas with lime and salsa. I ate fish tacos battered and fried on the spot, then cooled down with fruit cups drizzled with chili. Follow where the locals queue and you will eat well every time.

Snorkel at Chileno Bay

For the clearest water I took a short ride to Chileno Bay, a protected cove known for calm water and good snorkeling. The fish gather near the rocks, and the sandy bottom makes it beginner friendly. I rented a mask, floated for an hour, and saw more life than I expected. It is quieter than the busy beach right at the Arch, which worked in my favor.

Sunset from the Marina

The marina sidewalk fills up around sunset, and I understand why. Boats rock in their slips as the sky turns orange over the water, and every restaurant with an outdoor table is full. I grabbed a seat, ordered a cold beer, and just watched. It is free, it is easy, and the light show redoes itself every night. Some scenes do not need a tour.

Take a Day to San Jose del Cabo

About thirty minutes away, San Jose del Cabo is the slower, older side of the bay. I walked the art district around the plaza, where galleries line the colonial streets and the main church anchors one end. The contrast with the party energy of the Marina is striking. On an upcoming Thursday I would catch the art walk, but even on a quiet afternoon it made a welcome change of pace.

Charter a Fishing Trip

Cabo is famous as a fishing town, and the marina is full of boats offering half day charters. My trip out for striped marlin and dorado was more about the water than the catch, though we did land a sizable fish. The crew filleted it on the dock and a nearby restaurant cooked it for dinner. It is not the cheapest activity on this list, but it is a piece of the town’s identity.

Beaches Like Medano

Medano Beach sits right in front of the marina and is the easiest place to swim without a boat. The water is calm, the sand is soft, and the beach clubs set out loungers with shade. I spent a slow afternoon there between activities. Locals also head to Playa Las Viudas and other wilder stretches for surfing when the southern swells arrive.

Try a Paddleboard at the Beach

Between the boat rides I rented a paddleboard and took it out from Medano Beach on a calm morning. Standing on the board in the warm water, with the Arch in the distance and sea lions barking nearby, was a highlight. The water is flat enough for beginners, and the rental operators show you the basics quickly. It is active without being exhausting, and it gave me a quiet hour on the water that the busier tours did not.

My Practical Tips

I paid for most things in pesos and found cash useful at the taco stands. Water taxis and tours are easy to book along the marina, but I compared two prices before choosing. The sun is strong year round, so I carried sunscreen and drank plenty of water. Cabo is at its most relaxed in the winter, and with the whales around, that is easily my pick for when to go.