By Danny R. Johnson – Travel and Entertainment News Editor
The moment we arrived in Los Cabos San Lucas, Mexico, we were immediately rewarded with offers from a scorching menu of experiences that range from adrenaline-pumping—ziplining, UTV and ATV tours around Baja, and saddling up for horse riding on golden sands—to the profoundly peaceful. Golfers will find some of the world’s most picturesque, award-winning, celebrity-designed courses with deep blue ocean views at every tee.
Nature lovers too will find their paradise in Los Cabos, whether it is snorkeling in the calm and clear waters of Chileno Bay, seeing tiny sea turtle hatchlings, having close encounters with majestic whales, or diving in the UNESCO-protected waters at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park. Then, there are the alfresco beach bars and restaurants where you can gaze at the iconic rock formations jutting from the water this Mexican coastal haven is known for.
From the serene to the extreme, here are some of the best outdoor activities in Los Cabos:
Getting to Land’s End by Boat
Land’s End (El Arco) is where the tan hues of the Baja desert sand bleed into the blues of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. A geological marvel perched at the tip of Cabo San Lucas, these jagged sculptures were carved into existence by the turbulent winds and waves of the Baja Peninsula. Sea legs are required to pilgrimage to this edge-of-the-world spot as it cannot be reached on foot, and sunset is the best time for the journey.
Do not miss a boat trip to admire this rocky marvel—where sea lions can often be seen preening and posing—as well as Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor) and the more tumultuously titled Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio), two sandy stretches named to echo the drama of relationships. To secure your chariot to Land’s End, hail a water taxi from the marina in Cabo San Lucas, book a guided tour, or arrange a boat with your hotel. Alternatively, the Caborey Dinner Cruise is one of Los Cabo’s top sunset dinner cruises with live entertainment and unlimited cocktails on a triple-deck catamaran.
Joining the Weekly Art Walk in San José del Cabo
In downtown San José del Cabo, you will find a burgeoning scene shaping up to be the cultural heartbeat of Los Cabos: the Gallery District. It brims with high-end art from local and international talents, with fourteen significant galleries banding together to foster a creative community vibe. Every Thursday during the October to June tourist high season, everyone from casual visitors to art connoisseurs is invited to meet and mingle with the artists over wine and the dulcet tones of live music during the weekly Art Walk from 5 to 9 pm. Anyone seeking a breezy, leisurely evening stroll in the pedestrian-friendly town center will find the Art Walk delightful. In the vicinity are celebrated local eateries like La Lupita Taco & Mezcal Eateries and Agave Kitchen and Bar for a post-gallery meal.
Dining With Your Feet in the Sand
Playa Médano has it all: epic eats, a lively atmosphere, and heart-snatching views of El Arco. It is the most popular of Cabo’s beaches and the go-to destination for toes-in-the-sand merrymaking, with live music often thrown in for good measure. Mango Deck Cantina is a legendary beachfront cantina where one may leave their flip-flops and inhibitions behind. It is known to magnetize thirsty spring breakers with bucket deals, competitions, and Mexican grub. The Office on the Beach Cantina is a Cabo institution where you will not get much work done. This bright and buzzy sandy establishment serves up good times and delectable surf and turf meals seven days a week. Other noteworthy shoreline hangouts on Playa Médano are The Sand Bar, Tabasco Beach, Cascadas Beach Grill, and The Hungry Shark.
Diving at Cabo Pulmo
Once on the verge of ecological collapse due to rampant overfishing, Cabo Pulmo is a remarkable example of marine conservation success. Concerted local and governmental preservation efforts in the mid-1990s helped transform it into a bonafide biodiversity hotspot with clear water and the densest marine life in the Sea of Cortez. Recognizing its ecological importance, UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 2005 Designation. Divers and snorkelers can explore this successfully revived ocean habitat to meet dolphins, sea turtles, rays, eels, groupers, and even whale sharks. Book undersea tours and rent gear from Freediving Cabo Pulmo, Dive Cabo Pulmo, or Cardon Diving Cabo Pulmo, and don’t forget to bring biodegradable sunscreen.
