Oh… Mexico, where do we even begin. Like most places, Mexico has a lot to offer! Whether you enjoy desert landscapes, lush jungles, or miles of pristine beaches there is literally something for everyone! Though we could go on and on about Baja, we want to share with you the eight best things to do near Cabo! Whether you are visiting Cabo for a weekend, week, or more, Kevin and I definitely recommend putting some of these activities on your Baja bucklist! You won’t be disappointed!
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Where to Stay Near Cabo
The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
Non All-Inclusive Hotel
Located along what is known as the Los Cabos Corridor, is The Cape, A Thompson Hotel.
This hotel is seriously one of a kind. Not only is it home to one of the only rooftop bars in Cabo San Lucas, but it is also located right in front of Monuments Point Beach Break and right across from the El Arco. In addition, The Cape is simply stunning with 161 rooms and suites, two pools, a state-of-the-art spa, and five beautiful restaurants on-site there is a little something for everyone.
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
All-Inclusive Hotel
Looking for an all-inclusive in Baja California Sur, we recommend checking out Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos!
Overlooking the Sea of Cortez from every room/suite, the Hyatt Ziva offers two pools and seven different restaurants on-site; and don’t forget all food and beverages are included in your room rate!
The Hyatt Ziva also offers guests a spa, fitness center, free parking, and much more! Additionally, it is also only a short walk to San Jose del Cabo which is full of great shopping and delicious eats!
Kevin and I definitely recommend this resort, however, it is a much different experience from The Cape. With a bit more of a party scene, this is definitely where you’ll want to stay if you’re looking to party and hang out with friends or family during your vacation!
The Need to Know Basics for Baja
The Language: The official language of Mexico is Spanish. However, the Mexican government recognizes 68 languages, 63 of which are indigenous. English is also commonly spoken in southern Baja such as Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Currency: The official currency of Mexico is the peso. Today $1 USD is equivalent to 20.15 pesos. However, in southern Baja, the USD is also generally accepted as well!
The Climate: The climate in Baja California Sur is what some refer to as perfect all year. For example, Cabo San Lucas has an average temperature ranging from 66.2 to 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Further north in Guerrero Negro the average temperature ranges from 59.7 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. So really, as we said before, wherever you go you are bound to have good weather!
Credit Cards vs. Cash: Both credit cards and cash are widely accepted in Mexico. However, if you travel to smaller towns and cities cash is preferred by local shop owners.
Eight Best Things to Do Near Cabo
Dine at Flora Farms
This is an absolute MUST if are you are in southern Baja!
Flora Farms is a 25-acre organic farm and restaurant located on the eastern side of San Jose del Cabo. In addition to the farm and restaurant, Flora Farms also hosts a bar, grocery store, event space, multiple culinary cottages, several shops, a spa, and more, making this farm perfect for just about any occasion! Along with serving up some amazing food, Flora Farms is also known for its exquisite live music daily and top-notch drinks!
Flora Farms is open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and on Sundays for brunch!
Kevin and I enjoyed Flora Farms so much we actually visited twice while exploring Baja California Sur. Both dinner and Sunday brunch were simply delectable and we totally recommend checking this place out!
Go Surfing
Southern Baja is known for its surfing! Like California, Hawaii, and various other places there are surf beaches scattered about southern Baja. These beaches include Nine Palms, Punta Abreojos, Scorpion Bay, La Pastora, Monuments, and so much more.
Some of our favorite spots include Monuments, one of the only lefts in Southern Baja, La Pastora, and Nine Palms. The beauty of Nine Palms and La Pastora is that you can park right on the beach for days while enjoying the surf.
Monuments, however, can be easily accessed by guests of The Cape or those who want to enjoy a day trip. Parking is tight around this beach though, so make sure to arrive early!
Eat Tres Leches Cake in La Ribera
Tres leches cake is a must when visiting Baja California Sur or honestly Mexico in general! What is tres leches cake? Tres leches, also known as pan tres leches, is a sponge or butter cake soaked in evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream. These three kinds of milk help keep the cake moist and simply delicious!
Though you can get tres leches cake almost anywhere in Baja our favorite was from a small local bakery in La Ribera. The bakery we bought ours from is called Panaderia y Alta Reposteria Las Lagunas and we totally recommend it if you’re in the area, you won’t be disappointed.
Sail to The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
Though this is a pretty touristy thing to do, we totally recommend sailing to The Arch. Being in the crystal clear waters of the Sea of Cortez surrounded by the mountains of Baja and Cabo San Lucas is simply magical.
Though there are plenty of company’s that offer this service Kevin and I recommend Cabo Sailing. Cabo Sailing offers a two-hour sunset cruise to The Arch of Cabo San Lucas that includes bottomless cocktails, wonderful snacks, and breathtaking views. In addition, the Cabo Sailing crew is amazing! Not only are they extremely educated in the water and area they are super nice and truly want to give guests an experience of a lifetime!
Eat Fresh Fish & Shrimp Tacos
This is pretty self-explanatory, I mean who wouldn’t try fresh fish and shrimp tacos in Baja they are absolutely amazing!
Tacos can be found around just about any corner but there are definitely some places we recommend. In Cabo San Lucas we loved Tacos May. Located right in the center of town, Tacos May is easy to find, affordable, and delicious. In Santa Rosaliita, Kevin and I recommend El Cactus! This spot served up some of our favorite fresh fish tacos in Baja! Not only were the tacos amazing but Nydia and Antonio were super nice and so welcoming. In Guerrero Negro we recommend checking out Tacos El Muelle, a local taco food truck that serves up some crispy, amazing tacos, our favorite was the shrimp tacos but both the shrimp and fish were really good. In La Ribera, check out Tacos Memo, they are great!
Drink Local
There are plenty of great bars and restaurants in Baja California Sur but one of our favorites is Baja Brewing! Located on the roof of Cabo Villas Beach Resort & Spa and overlooking the Sea of Cortez, Baja Brewing not only serves up some great food and drinks but also offers patrons some amazing views!
Founded in 2006, we think Baja Brewing has a beer for everyone. They have a blonde ale, IPA, black ale, lager, and more!
Enjoy a Tequila Tasting
In addition to amazing shrimp and fish tacos, Baja is known for its tequila! This is why we recommend enjoying a tequila tasting while visiting!
Kevin and I actually enjoyed a tasting right in downtown Cabo that was awesome. The owner was very knowledgeable and served us some delicious caramel, plain, and coffee-flavored tequila!
Try the Paletas
Paletas are officially one of Kevin’s favorite snacks, I can’t even tell you how many he had during our time in Baja!
I’m sure you’re wondering what a paleta is, well, it is a frozen treat made from fresh natural fruits like strawberry, mango, Kevin’s favorite Kiwi, and more. Paletas can also be made from other ingredients like chocolate and pistachio!
From our experience, these are good just about anywhere so we don’t recommend trying one from a specific spot we just recommend trying one in general. You’ll be hooked!
Packing Recommendations for Cabo
That's All
Well, that’s all folks! Those are the eight best things to do near Cabo, in our opinion. We hope that this post not only got you excited for your upcoming adventure but helped you plan some fun outings around Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo!
For those of you going by van… check out our post on The Best Free Camping Beaches in Baja, Mexico!
How difficult is it to find ultra low sulfur diesel fuel in Baja. Your tips on this subject would really be helpful. Thanks!
Hey Steven,
As I’m sure you can expect finding diesel in Baja is harder than finding regular gasoline. However, it still can be found and is pretty accessible in most towns in Baja, especially the bigger ones!
Hope that helps.
Taylor