A Guide to Los Cabos
Los Cabos or known to Americans as Cabo is at the very tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. Situated in an area where the desert meets the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez, Cabo is home to some of the most breathtaking and celeb-frequented hotels. The two main cities in Los Cabos are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. I’ve visited Cabo twice and left feeling refreshed…and rich every time. Here is all you need to know.
Getting Here:
Flights to Cabo are easy and affordable when you’re on the west side of the United States (California, Arizona, etc) but they can get tricky when flying from the east. One time flew in with Delta from JFK with a quick layover in Mexico City for about $400 round trip and this most recent time flew in with American Airlines nonstop from JFK for $360 round trip. There are no entry requirements (other than your passport) for American citizens to enter Mexico at this time.
Important Tips:
Local Currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. However most establishments in Cabo accept USD and major credit cards.
Uber is readily available in Cabo but when you’re staying close to the downtown area, I find it to be rather walkable (this is the New Yorker in me so please take this with a grain of salt).
Although Cabo has a gorgeous beach, you unfortunately cannot swim on these beaches. Due to the topography of Cabo, the beach is at very high 45 degrees incline. This means the water can be at your knees one second and the next second you’ll be fully submerged in water. The waves are rough due to the incline and because Cabo is where two bodies of water meet (Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean) this doesn’t make it any better. Your best bet is to catch a tan in the sand or only go in the water where it is at your feet. Cabo is not a swimming destination.
Booking excursions online in advance will result in you paying more money. You are better off showing up and negotiating if you want to save a few dollars.
Where to Stay:
Cabo is a more luxurious destination compared to other parts of Mexico. Basically I come here to feel rich. Here are a few places to stay:
Waldorf Astoria: I stayed here the first time I came to Cabo and it’s still one of my best hotel stays to this day. The rooms, service, decor, pool etc were all immaculate. It does come with a hefty price tag ($1000 per night) however you can work the points system to stay here for $400 like I did. See previous blog linked here.
ME Cabo: Stayed here on my most recent visit to Cabo and it did not disappoint. Note that this hotel hosts most of Cabo’s nightlife so do NOT come here expecting peace and quiet. I didn’t do my research and ended up hearing noise up until 2am. There is also a DJ that plays music at the pool during the afternoon. I didn’t allow this to take away from my hotel stay but I do know some folks prefer quieter spaces while on vacation. This isn’t one of them. Other than the noise, the service was top notch and the property was beautiful. We included a daily breakfast with our stay and it was the perfect way to start the day. The property is also located next to many affordable restaurants and if you’re into nightlife and beach clubs, Taboo and the Funky Geisha are the places you want to check out. Note: this hotel is adults only.
Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa: I didn’t get to stay in this property but I did get to attend a wedding here and was very surprised at how beautiful the views were from the rooftop pool. Our friends we met stay there all the time and they recommend it as well so definitely check this place out.
Viceroy: One of the most luxurious places in Cabo. If you plan to stay here, be prepared to spend your coins.
JW Marriott Beach Resort: When traveling internationally, one can never go wrong with the Marriot
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos: Another hotel brand you can never go wrong with. At this all age and all inclusive hotel, you can take in all the luxury vibes for less than $300 per night.
Airbnb / Vacation Rentals: If you want the most bang for your buck in a large group, there are some gorgeous vacation homes available for rent in Cabo with private pools, chefs etc. I came across some that can sleep up to 20 guests. Definitely check out this option if it’s more suited for you.
Where to Eat:
Nido (Viceroy Hotel): A high end restaurant in a very end hotel. Viceroy is a gorgeous property all around and if the rooms are out of your budget, you can easily come here for dinner with your best looks and take in all the luxury vibes. We came here for dinner and drinks just before sunset and it was definitely worth it. Make your reservations in advance! I had the salmon and Abi had the lobster tacos. Highly recommend!
Arbol (Las Ventanas Hotel): Another high end restaurant in another very high end hotel. You definitely want to make your reservation here a few day in advance if possible. It’s an Indian / Asian fusion restaurant in which I loved the food but the decor was top notch. Definitely bring out your good outfits if you have dinner here. Dinner for two here came to about $100.
Tony’s: A good and affordable Mexican eatery right at the Marina. We had some good frozen margaritas, nachos and tacos. Be prepared for a fun Time here and live entertainment.
Edith’s: A great colorful Mexican restaurant with all the good vibes you need. Have a frozen margarita with one of the many authentic Mexican dishes. We opted to have the bananas flambé for dessert which was a real treat since it’s made right in front of you. I would also try the Mexican coffee which is also made in front of you with great entertainment. Be sure to Make your reservations here
Salvatore G’s: Italian Cuisine with family style portions. Be prepared to eat and eat some more. Dishes are easily shared between 3 or more people and all that we ordered were very good. We had ravioli’s lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs,
La Lupita: A very affordable taco place with a phenomenal cheese crust taco that I couldn’t get enough of. The place is walk-in friendly so no need for reservations. Taco’s are sold individually and cost round 50-75 pesos ($3-$5). Note: This restaurant is closed on Monday’s so please plan accordingly.
Tacos Gardenias: Another affordable taco place with open seating (no reservation required). I had the chicken mole, fried fish and steak tacos. Fried Fish and Chicken Mole was my favorite. Tacos are individually served and cost around 50-75 pesos ($3-$5)
Roasted: A follower recommendation that happened to be right outside of my hotel. It’s a bit more high end compared to the other two taco places and has some more options. I came here for a quick lunch and ordered some nachos that were covered in a delicious chipotle mayo. It gets pretty crowded in the evening compared to afternoon hours (4pm).
Things to Do:
Rent a Yacht: Head to the marina and use your best haggling skills to negotiate a yacht for the day. After talking to several different boat companies, we were able to rent a small yacht for 3 hours and paid $300 (this was done the day before sailing). We sailed around the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean and passed by the famous Arch. The only problem for me was the waters were pretty rough this day. I get severe motion sickness on rough waters so unfortunately I was not able to enjoy this experience very much.
Whale Watching: Between December and early April you are in for a treat of seeing humpback whales migrate from their Arctic feeding grounds to the warm waters of the Baja Peninsula. This is where they come to mate and give birth. You can book this excursion at any tour company or if you’re lucky you can see them from the shore. It’s best to book a boat tour if you plan to see them up close. Cabo Expeditions is highly rated and environmentally conscious.
Snorkeling at Santa Maria Bay: In the beginning of the post I said you cannot swim on the beaches in Cabo. This is still true however Santa Maria Bay is one of the only safe places in Cabo to comfortably swim. People usually do this on a four hour catamaran boat cruise.
Medano Beach: The other only beach where you can swim safely and it’s a free activity.
Hike Up Pedegal: I haven’t hiked in what feels like ages due to an ankle injury. However this option is available for those interested.
Whale Shark Swimming: Whale sharks are harmless and do not eat people. I swam with them on a solo trip tp the Philippines and had a great time. Between October and February they gather to feed at the Bay of La Paz which is about a two hour drive from Cabo.
Explore Downtown Cabo: There are loads of restaurants and bars down here so take a walk on this strip and pick your poison!
Nightlife: For those looking to turn up at night checkout any of the following places: The Office, Taboo, Funky Geisha, and El Squid Roe are all great spots for drinks and dancing.
Cabo is always a great option with its variety of activities and accommodations. It’s a destination that never gets old and I cannot wait to return for a third stay.