Cabo San Lucas Overview
Cabo is a tender port: ships anchor off the bay and use small boats to drop you at the marina, right by town.
Once ashore, everything centers on the marina boardwalk, Medano Beach, and boat trips to the Arch and nearby bays.
A Little History
Cabo grew from a small fishing village at the tip of Baja into a resort town built around sport fishing, beaches, and nightlife. The lack of a deep natural harbor for large ships is why you still tender in, even though the marina is extensive. Resorts and condos now ring Medano and nearby beaches.
Museums
There’s no real museum scene here for a short cruise day. A small cultural center and galleries exist but most visitors don’t prioritize them. Think ocean, bars, and shops, not exhibits.
- Tip: Treat Cabo as a water-and-walk day; save museum expectations for other ports.
Major Parks and Attractions
The must-see is El Arco and Land’s End, reached by water taxis or small tours that loop past sea lion colonies and rock formations.
Medano Beach is the main swimmable strip, reachable on foot or by quick taxi from the marina. Snorkel tours head to Chileno Bay or Santa Maria Bay; other tours offer ATVs, zip lines, or whale watching in season.
Nearby Places (Easy Day Trips)
Realistically, your “day trips” are just structured excursions: Arch + beach combo (half day), snorkeling at Chileno/Santa Maria (half day), or desert ATV/zipline tours (half day). Longer adventures (like Todos Santos) are possible only with generous port times.
Shopping
The marina area is full of souvenir shops, silver/jewelry stores, pharmacies, and tequila tasting rooms. A couple of malls sit close to the main drag.
- Note: Pushy sales is normal. Decide what you want, compare a couple of spots, and walk away if it doesn’t feel right.
Food and Drink
Expect tacos, ceviche, seafood platters, and lots of places geared to cruise and resort crowds. Bars line the marina and beach with loud music and yard drinks. Tipping 10–20 percent is standard in restaurants and bars.
Practical eating tips:
- For better value, look one or two blocks inland from the marina and main beach.
- Hydrate; sun plus drinks adds up fast.
- Check if prices are in pesos or US dollars before ordering.
- Ask about Wi-Fi passwords; many bars treat Wi-Fi as a lure for cruise visitors.
Currency, Payments, ATMs
Mexican peso, but US dollars are widely accepted; change may come in pesos. Cards accepted in most restaurants and shops; some small vendors are cash-only. Use ATMs in banks or malls rather than random standalone machines.
Opening Hours and Holidays
Tourist businesses near the marina open with the first tenders and stay active into the evening.
Holidays that may affect hours or services:
- Jan 1
- Feb Constitution Day (first Mon)
- Mar Benito Juárez Day (third Mon)
- Sep 16
- Nov 20
- Dec 25
Practical City Notes
Tender lines can be long in both directions; don’t leave your ride back to the last minute. Surfaces along the marina are generally fine, but beach entries can be steep and surf at some spots is strong. English is widely spoken in tourist zones. Be clear about taxi prices before getting in.
Quick Plans
- 3–4 hours: Tender in, quick water taxi tour past the Arch, a short marina walk and taco stop, then back.
- 6–8 hours: Arch + snorkeling tour in the morning, Medano Beach time and a late lunch, then a slow stroll around the marina before catching a tender.
- Full day: Longer water-based tour (whales in season or combo snorkel trip), followed by marina browsing and a sit-down meal, with a generous buffer for tendering.
