Cabo San Lucas is one of those places that can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you want it to be. You can spend the morning on the beach, take a boat past the famous Arch, grab tacos for lunch, watch the sunset from the marina, and finish the night with live music — all without traveling very far.
But a first trip to Cabo is even better when you know a few things before you arrive.
Here are 15 things we think every first-time visitor should know about Cabo San Lucas.
1. Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos Aren’t Exactly the Same Thing
This can be confusing at first.
Los Cabos refers to the larger destination at the southern end of Baja California Sur. The two main cities are Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, connected by the Tourist Corridor.
Cabo San Lucas is generally the livelier side, with the marina, Médano Beach, restaurants, bars, nightlife, and lots of activities.
San José del Cabo has a more relaxed feel, with its historic downtown, galleries, restaurants, and the popular Thursday evening Art Walk.
If you have enough time, experience both.
2. You Don’t Need to Stay at Your Resort the Entire Trip
Cabo has some beautiful resorts, but there is much more to see outside of them.
Walk around the marina. Have tacos at a local restaurant. Visit downtown Cabo. Spend an evening in San José del Cabo. Take a day trip toward Todos Santos and Cerritos.
One of the reasons we created Mexitara was to help visitors discover some of the places they might miss if they never venture beyond their resort.
3. Pesos Are Usually Worth Having
The Mexican peso is the official currency, although U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
We prefer having some pesos available for smaller restaurants, tips, local shops, and other everyday purchases.
Pay attention to the exchange rate being offered when paying in dollars because it may not be as favorable as the current bank exchange rate.
Want to check the latest conversion? Use our Currency Converter.
4. The 16% IVA Is a Tax — Not a Tip
This is an important one for first-time Mexico visitors.
You may see IVA listed on a restaurant bill or receipt. IVA is Mexico’s value-added tax, and the standard rate is 16%.
That charge is not your server’s tip.
Look at the bill carefully before paying so you understand what has been included. Some restaurants may display taxes or service charges differently, so it never hurts to ask if you’re unsure.
Tipping is separate from IVA.
5. Uber Can Be a Convenient Way to Get Around
Taxis are everywhere in Cabo, but rideshare services can also be a convenient option.
We use Uber regularly around Los Cabos. One advantage is that you can see the estimated price, driver information, and trip route in the app.
Depending on where you’re going, it can also cost less than a traditional taxi.
Airport transportation works differently from simply requesting a ride around town, so it’s a good idea to arrange your transportation from the airport before you arrive.
6. Not Every Cabo Beach Is a Swimming Beach
This surprises some first-time visitors.
The coastline around Los Cabos is beautiful, but ocean conditions vary quite a bit from one beach to another. Strong waves and currents can make some beaches unsafe for swimming.
If swimming is important to you, choose a beach known for calmer conditions and always pay attention to posted flags and local warnings.
Médano Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cabo San Lucas and is surrounded by restaurants, activities, and beach clubs.
Other well-known beaches around Los Cabos include Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay.
Never assume that calm-looking water is safe.
7. Take a Boat Out to the Arch
Yes, it’s touristy.
Do it anyway.
El Arco — the Arch of Cabo San Lucas — is the landmark you see in countless Cabo photos.
Seeing it from the water is completely different from seeing it in a picture.
You’ll find everything from inexpensive water taxis to glass-bottom boats, sailing trips, and private excursions.
8. Book Your Must-Do Activities Before You Arrive
You don’t need to schedule every minute of your vacation.
But if there is one excursion you absolutely don’t want to miss — such as a sunset cruise, fishing trip, snorkeling tour, or ATV adventure — consider reserving it ahead of time.
Popular tours can fill up, especially during busy travel periods.
Leave some open time in your schedule too. Cabo is a great place to decide, “That looks fun — let’s do it.”
9. Check the Los Cabos Passport Card Before Booking Activities
If you’re planning several activities, restaurants, or other experiences during your trip, take a look at the Los Cabos Passport Card before you start booking everything separately.
The Los Cabos Passport Card offers some excellent savings, including many buy-one-get-one-free dining offers and discounts of up to 50% on participating activities and services.
Depending on what you plan to do, the savings from an excursion or two may help offset the cost of the card.
You can even purchase it online before your trip and have it delivered so you already have it when you arrive.
10. Don’t Limit Yourself to Expensive Restaurants
Cabo certainly has some spectacular high-end restaurants.
But some of our favorite meals are at casual local places.
A great Cabo trip might include a beautiful marina dinner one night and inexpensive tacos the next.
Some Mexitara favorites include Uno Más, Solomon’s Landing, and Sancho’s, along with several local taco spots and casual restaurants.
That’s one of our favorite things about eating in Cabo — there’s something for almost every budget.
11. Cabo Isn’t Cheap Everywhere — But It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
It’s easy to spend a lot of money in Cabo if every meal, drink, and activity happens at a beachfront resort.
But you don’t have to vacation that way.
Walk a few blocks away from the most tourist-heavy areas and you’ll often find local restaurants, taco shops, and bars with very different prices.
Mixing a few splurges with inexpensive local favorites is one of the easiest ways to enjoy Cabo without watching your vacation budget disappear.
12. San José del Cabo Is Worth an Evening
Don’t spend your entire trip in Cabo San Lucas.
San José del Cabo has a completely different atmosphere.
If you’re visiting during Art Walk season, Thursday evening is an especially fun time to go downtown. You’ll find galleries, food vendors, restaurants, and plenty of people walking through the historic center.
Our advice?
Come hungry.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop for food or drinks while wandering around.
13. Consider a Day Trip to Todos Santos
If your schedule allows it, Todos Santos makes a great day trip from Cabo.
The town has art, restaurants, shops, and a completely different personality from the resort areas of Los Cabos.
A few of our favorite stops in the area include Tequila Sunrise, where you can try a Damiana margarita, and The Green Room, a beautiful beachfront stop outside Todos Santos.
If you continue toward Cerritos Beach, there are even more casual places to explore.
Don’t rush the day. The drive and stops along the way are part of the experience.
14. Cabo Weather Changes More Than People Expect
Cabo is known for sunshine, but the weather still changes with the seasons.
Winter generally brings comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler evenings. Summer can be considerably hotter, and the sun can feel intense.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, drink plenty of water, and consider a light jacket during cooler winter evenings.
If you’re planning outdoor activities in the hotter months, morning can be much more comfortable than the middle of the afternoon.
And remember: Cabo is a desert environment next to the ocean. That’s part of what makes the landscape so unique.
15. Don’t Try to Do Everything
This might be our most important Cabo advice.
It’s easy to look at all the beaches, restaurants, excursions, bars, and day trips and start building a schedule for every hour of every day.
Don’t.
Pick a few things you really want to experience and leave room for the unexpected.
Spend an extra hour at the beach. Stop somewhere because it looks interesting. Have another margarita while watching the marina. Take the long lunch.
Some of the best Cabo experiences aren’t the ones you planned months ahead.
Ready to Explore Cabo?
If this is your first visit, start with the basics and then build the trip that sounds right for you.
Mexitara can help you explore our favorite Places to Eat and Drink, things to do around Los Cabos, Cabo Picks, local discounts, tours and activities.
Whether it’s your first Cabo vacation or your tenth, there is always somewhere new to eat, explore, or discover.
Mexico, beyond the ordinary
