5 Unique Things To Do In Cabo San Lucas (2025)

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One of the very best beach destinations in all of Mexico, the Pacific city of Cabo is already well-known for its local attractions. This includes its golden sand beaches like those of Playa El Chileno and Playa Médano, which are great for soaking up the sun and enjoying a swim or snorkel in.

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Major highlights such as the Arch of Cabo San Lucas help to break up the usual routine of beaches, restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy this iconic natural spectacle which juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Other must-see destinations here include walking around the lively harbour area, as well as visiting nearby La Paz and Todos Santos on simple day trips from Cabo.

However, after living here for a while, I can assure you that the real highlights of Cabo San Lucas are the lesser-known experiences and local spots, which are both less crowded and are more of an authentic experience. This includes trying your hand at deep-sea fishing, heading on a local food tour sampling Baja Californian delights, as well as hiking up a small mountain for some epic sunset views.

Now let’s explore some of the lesser-known activities that can make your trip to Cabo both a memorable and more authentic one.

1. Go Deep-Sea Fishing In The Mexican Pacific 

Cabo San Lucas has become somewhat of a fishing mecca in recent decades, owing to the abundance of exotic fish that are found in these warmer waters. This includes the legendary giant Blue Marlin, as well as Black Striped Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna and Sailfish.

Heading on a fishing charter tour is a great way of changing things up in Cabo, where you’ll have a chance of landing-in one of these big prize fish. You can check out Boats Baja who are a leading Cabo fishing charter, who have an experienced crew and are great to sail with regardless if it’s your first time or if you’re a seasoned angler.

2. Hike Around Cabo’s Arid Canyons

Situated in a desert climate, Cabo San Lucas has a very different landscape compared to other coastal destinations people commonly stay in Mexico. This means you can enjoy a more unique, cacti-laden scenery with a backdrop of the Pacific, which is great for photos and generally just changing things up.

Just west of Cabo’s main harbour area, you can find the Cerro de la Zeta Mountain, which has a hiking path leading up to the very top. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the summit, where you can enjoy uncrowded trails as well as some epic views over the city and ocean. An even better idea is to come up in the late afternoon in time for the sunset.

3. Enjoy An Authentic Street Food Tour

Mexican cuisine really is no stranger to the global food scene. I mean, it probably ranks amongst the most popular foods on the planet, and for good reason. Here in Cabo there are plenty of exciting restaurants to try all kinds of Burritos and Chilaquiles, as well as seafood delights that hail from the Pacific Ocean.

I personally think you should go one step further and head on a street food tour for the ultimate experience. Juan More Taco leads some memorable food tours around Cabo San Lucas, where you can really dig into the local scene and try some lesser-known treats that you otherwise wouldn’t find.

4. Visit The Natural History Museum

Mexico is steeped in thousands of years of ancient history, and certain civilisations such as the Aztec and Maya have since become prolific in recent times. However the Baja California peninsula (of which Cabo is located at the extreme tip of) also has its own unique history that is worth learning about.

Here in the museum you can get to know the first human settlers in this region – the Pericú people – who thrived for nearly 7000 years right up until the Spanish Conquest. You can also learn about the migratory species that still visit Cabo each year, which includes turtles, dolphins and as many as NINE different Whale Species!

5. Head On A Whale Watching Tour

As I mentioned earlier, Cabo San Lucas sees as many as nine different migratory Whale species, which head to these warmer Pacific waters to raise their young. This includes the mighty Blue Whale – which is the largest existing animal on the planet – as well as the thrilling Humpback Whales that often breach the water’s surface. Honestly, if you pick just one tour to do in Baja, it’s got to be this.

It’s also also possible to spot Gray Whales, Sperm Whales, Orcas, Bryde’s Whales, Fin Whales, Pilot Whales and Minke Whales just off the coast of Cabo. The main season for whale-spotting is between December until April, where you’ll have a better chance of seeing multiple species on the same boat trip.

Now I’ll share some of our very best tips for having the most memorable time in Cabo, based on months of living in the area:

1. Visit Cabo San Lucas During The Shoulder And Wet Seasons

If you want to have a more authentic trip in Cabo away from the crowds, then consider heading in the shoulder and wet seasons. These run from April until November, where you’ll find overall less people around as well as cheaper prices on accommodation and flights.

The other main benefit is that the weather will still be good in the rainy season, given Cabo has a more arid desert-like climate (you can expect just 3 inches of rain per month). The very best months to plan your trip around include April, May and November.

2. Take Your Time To Really Get Off The Beaten Path In Cabo 

As cool as Cabo San Lucas is, the entire Los Cabos municipality is filled with sweet places to visit. As well as these, you’ll really benefit from some of the smaller daily decisions you make too during your trip.

For example, when heading to the beach, head to Playa Pedregal or Playa del Divorcio which have much less people around compared with the ever-popular Playa Médano. Also if it’s possible, try and spend a little longer in the city, with 5-7 days being ideal to really getting to know Cabo’s real culture (rather than the usual weekend that most tourists spend here).

3. Explore Other Towns And Gems Around Baja California Sur

Speaking of really getting off the beaten path, be sure to also take time to visit other unique destinations that are a stone’s throw away from Cabo. San José del Cabo is the heart and soul of the region, where you can enjoy picturesque colonial streets as well as typical Baja California cuisine.

Cabo Pulmo is a UNESCO-recognised site given its beautiful reef, which is a paradise for snorkellers and divers alike. Then you can head to Todos Santos, which is a sleepy town that is perfect for relaxing and going surfing.

Getting Insured BEFORE Going to Cabo

Don’t risk extreme medical expenses before heading to Cabo… get travel insurance!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

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

A Mexican paradise that is no stranger to global tourism, Cabo already receives many crowds who come to enjoy its golden sand beaches and endless entertainment options. However that’s not all there is to this hyped-up city on the Baja California Peninsula, you can also have a more authentic trip if you put in the effort along with the proper know-how. This includes fishing for Blue Marlin, seeing incredible Whale Species and visiting awesome towns like San José del Cabo.

As always when planning your trip, be sure to evaluate the different seasons since they can affect the type of experience you’ll have. Overall the shoulder seasons will be best for a combination of great weather and minimal crowds, although there may be better months too depending on what you are specifically looking to do in Cabo San Lucas.

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