Unique Things To Do In Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

One of the most popular beach vacation destinations in all of Mexico, Cabo San Lucas is already well-known for its golden sand beaches and electric atmosphere.

However, there’s much more to Cabo than what initially meets the eye, especially for those who dare to get off the typical tourist trail and try more authentic experiences. These include deep-sea fishing for Blue Marlin and Dorado, hiking around arid desert canyons, and trying authentic Baja California cuisine.

In this guide, I’ll explore some of the more unique things to do in Cabo San Lucas and how each can really spice up your vacation. This article includes how to organize each activity, how to plan your trip to Cabo, and the best time of the year to visit.

Why Get Off The Beaten Path In Cabo San Lucas?

While the city itself and nearby beaches are beautiful, it can be easy to fall into the typical travel routine when heading to Cabo San Lucas.

Given that the touristic epicenter is between the Marina and Medano Beach areas, most people spend the majority of their time dining, drinking, and soaking up the sun in these areas. Of course, this is great in its own right, especially for those who want to prioritize relaxation and fun on their vacation here. However, you’d miss out on many cultural and memorable experiences around the city and the nearby region.

The Baja California Sur region is fiercely proud and diverse, and getting involved with less touristy activities is a great way of really connecting with this part of Mexico. This includes going on a local food tour with Juan More Taco to try various regional seafood specialties and visiting the Natural History Museum to learn about the many species that frequent these warmer Pacific waters.

Unique Things To Do In Cabo San Lucas

Below, I’ll examine the most unique things to do in Cabo and the surrounding region and how to plan each activity.

Take A Local Food Tour

Cabo San Lucas is filled to the brim with all kinds of restaurants that serve cuisines from all over the globe, and a walk through the barbor can often inundate you with lots of different options. However, if you’re looking for real Mexican food or perhaps want a more authentic experience here in Cabo, then consider heading on a local food tour. With Juan More Taco, you will have an expert guide show you around different local spots in the city, where you can try all kinds of tasty Baja California delights.

Go Deep-Sea Fishing In The Mexican Pacific

The waters of the Pacific Coast have always been well-known for their marine diversity; however, Cabo, in particular, is abundant with many kinds of exotic fish and is regarded as one of the best fishing destinations in all of North America. Here you can find the legendary Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, and Wahoo, with August-September being marked as the best season for fishing (although all months of the year are still great).

While there are many local providers in the harbor that can take you out, Boats Baja are one of the leading Cabo fishing charter experts who specialise in fishing charter trips, and can tailor your trip exactly to how you want it.

Hike Up Cerro De La Zeta Mountain

Mountain hikes aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when visiting Cabo San Lucas, especially given the abundance of beaches and nice restaurants that can be explored here. However, the views from the top of Cerro de la Zeta really are breathtaking, and as such, it’s worth heading up here during an early morning for the sunrise (or later afternoon for a hot red sunset). It’s a 30-45 minute walk up this 803ft / 245m small mountain, which is also great for getting off the beaten path, since many tourists rarely head up and down this trail.

Witness Giant Whales In The Pacific Ocean

Did you know that as many as nine different whale species frequent the waters of Cabo San Lucas? This includes the massive Blue Whale, Sperm Whale, Humpback Whales, and even Orcas. While seeing whales can be a popular experience (especially if heading on a group tour), there is a way of seeing them in a more relaxed, private setting. This is by hiring a private yacht in Cabo San Lucas, where you can enjoy a relaxing day at sea with nobody else around, where you may get lucky and have a whale swim up close. There are several different companies to choose from. The best time to spot Whales in Cabo is between December and April, although certain species could theoretically be spotted year-round.

Enjoy A Relaxing Day At Todos Santos

Although it’s one of the more popular experiences that travelers like to do when heading to Cabo San Lucas, visiting Todos Santos ensures a much more relaxing time when compared with the noisier city of Cabo. Here you can chill out in a hammock in a more peaceful setting, visit a yoga retreat, and also enjoy a variety of beautiful Pacific beaches. Those who love surfing will also find some great spots on Cerritos Beach. Todos Santos is located some 76 km away from Cabo San Lucas, with a bus taking roughly one hour to arrive.

Visit The Natural History Museum In Cabo

Another extremely underrated place to explore in the city, the Natural History Museum offers us a chance to really break from the usual Cabo routine, while also learning about the colorful past of the Baja California region. Here you can walk through as many as seven different exhibit rooms, where you can learn about the ancient civilizations that once roamed here, as well as the migration of different marine species such as Whales, Turtles, and Dolphins. Definitely a must for any history buff, and those who are interested in the natural environment of the region.

Go Snorkeling Or Diving In Cabo Pulmo

Another very underrated day trip to take from Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Pulmo is located on the eastern cape of the Baja California peninsula. The Sea of Cortez offers us much more tranquil conditions than the Pacific, which are better for swimming and underwater visibility. Those who like snorkelling will be able to spot Angelfish, Turtles, and Manta Rays in these waters, whilst those who will go diving in the deeper waters can also spot Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, and Spinner Dolphins. Those who want to swim with the majestic Whale Sharks will want to head here between the dry season months of November until April.

How To Plan Your Trip To Cabo San Lucas

Below, I’ll examine some of the most important considerations for planning your trip to Cabo and how to have a more unique overall experience here.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas has distinct weather seasons, which you should factor in before booking your flights here.

The dry season, which runs from November until April, is the most popular time to visit. You can expect clear blue skies virtually every day, which are perfect for enjoying the beaches and various water activities that are offered along Medano Beach. Be aware that prices do hike up during these months, especially during December and January (for Christmas) and March and April (for Spring Break).

Next, you have the wet season, which begins in May and lasts until October. While this shift in weather usually marks a much stormier and wetter time across Mexico’s coasts, it’s not so pronounced in Cabo due to its arid, desert-like climate. So, although we can still expect more showers, it’s still quite dry compared with, say, Cancún or Puerto Escondido during these months. Of course, the biggest benefit of heading here during this time is that it will be quieter with cheaper prices, especially in May, September, and October.

Overall, the best time to head to Cabo San Lucas is during the shoulder season months, which include late April, May, October, and November. Here, you will still have great weather while also ensuring reduced prices on flights and accommodation when booking in advance. Late April and November, in particular, offer us a better chance to spot Whales during their migration, which is great if this is a must-experience for you.

Medano Beach

Choosing The Right Area For A Stay

Once you’ve chosen your selected dates for your trip, you will want to look at the different areas where you can choose to stay in Cabo San Lucas.

While you can still easily have a more unique and quiet experience when carrying out the activities mentioned above, selecting the right accommodation and area of Cabo can also really enhance your experience if you don’t want to feel like you’re staying in a tourist trap. Areas like the barbor and Medano Beach are great for their variety of restaurants, entertainment, and busy beaches. Still, they won’t be as ideal for those who want a more authentic, relaxing stay.

Pedregal Beach

The neighborhood of Pedregal is an ideal option with many great Airbnbs and reserved hotels. It is located west of Cabo San Lucas (and has direct access to the more remote, expansive Pedregal Beach). Of course, you will still find big resorts around here; however, the area is big enough to find accommodation options that are more isolated and have their own particular rhythm.

Heading On Tours Vs Exploring Cabo Independently

Another great way to have a more unique trip in Cabo San Lucas is to choose how you will experience different activities.

The more remote experiences with difficult logistics, such as a diving expedition or deep-sea fishing trip, will require a tour to go with; however, even then, the service is usually great, so it’s a win-win in these cases. However, with the others, it can actually be more ideal to go by yourself, such as hiking up Cerro de la Zeta and visiting Todos Santos. This way, you won’t be rushed for time and won’t have crowds with you if you choose to visit during off-peak hours.

It’s still worth considering smaller tours that are focused on more unique experiences. One of the best examples is the local food tour with Juan More Taco. You will have a smaller group, an authentic local experience, and a knowledgeable guide who will show you the city’s hidden spots.

Our Top Tips For Visiting Cabo San Lucas

As with a trip to any coastal-lying Mexican destination, when you visit is an important consideration. I’ve already mentioned that Cabo has a much drier climate, with sparser showers in the wet season compared with those in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. However, you can also avoid crowds and have a more authentic experience by heading during the shoulder season months, which include late April, May, October, and November.

I also highly suggest only going on tours with reputable activity providers when in Cabo San Lucas. While the city is becoming increasingly safer for travel, it’s still worth paying a little more for a well-known provider who can give you a more authentic experience.

Overview Of Things To Do In Cabo San Lucas

And that’s all for this guide on the most unique things you can do in Cabo San Lucas.

A beachside paradise located along Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo is an incredibly popular destination for those looking for sun, fun, and beautiful sandy beaches. However, there’s much more to this city than these usual pastimes, and if you decide to get off the beaten path with some of the activities mentioned in this article, then you’ll have a much more authentic time here.