Best Things to Do in Cabo: Activities, Beaches & Where to Stay
Cabo has a little bit of everything: beaches, boat days, desert adventures, nightlife, great resorts, and some seriously beautiful scenery. However, Cabo is also one of those places I think gets unfairly lumped into the broader conversation about whether Mexico is safe.
Before going, I had definitely heard the usual warnings about traveling to Mexico, and I know safety is something a lot of people worry about when they start planning a Cabo trip.
Personally, though, I had an absolute blast in Cabo and never once felt unsafe.
That does not mean you should completely let your guard down. I would still use the same common sense I would anywhere else: stay aware of your surroundings, use reputable transportation, be careful with alcohol, and avoid wandering into unfamiliar areas late at night.
But my actual experience in Cabo felt much more like a fun resort vacation than anything I had been warned to expect.
And there is a lot more to do than sit by a resort pool for four days. You have desert landscapes, ATVs, tequila tastings, boat trips, dramatic rock formations, nightlife, incredible resorts, restaurants, and some really beautiful water.
If you're trying to narrow down the best things to do in Cabo, I would focus on a mix of time on the water, a desert adventure, a few iconic sightseeing stops, and at least one night out.
There is just one thing I really wish more people knew before booking a beachfront Cabo hotel:
A lot of the beaches are not actually safe for swimming.
More on that in a second.
These are the experiences I would prioritize on a first trip, including what I think is actually worth booking, where you can safely swim, and where I would stay.
Best Things in Cabo at a Glance
1. Take a boat ride to El Arco
2. Do an ATV tour through the desert
3. Add a tequila tasting
4. Spend time at a swimmable beach
5. Explore the Cabo San Lucas Marina
6. Spend an afternoon at a beach club
7. Go out in Cabo San Lucas
8. Have a sunset dinner
9. Take a day trip to San José del Cabo
10. Actually enjoy your resort
1. Take a Boat Ride to El Arco
If this is your first trip to Cabo, I think a boat ride around Land’s End and El Arco is basically mandatory.
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is one of the most recognizable sights in the area and sits at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez meet.
You can only get right up to it by water. There are a bunch of ways to do this.
You can take:
A glass-bottom boat
A water taxi
A catamaran
A private yacht
A sunset cruise
A snorkeling excursion
Ryan and I personally saw the arch on a sunset catamaran cruise.
Stop Near Lover’s Beach
If you choose a snorkeling excursion, your boat may also take you near Lover’s Beach, which sits between the rock formations around Land’s End.
This is one of the beaches where swimming can be possible under safe conditions, and you can reach it by water taxi or boat.
Just be careful about which side you are on. The Pacific-facing Divorce Beach nearby is known for much stronger waves and is not somewhere I would casually jump into the water.
My Top Tour Picks:
100-ft Catamaran by Cabo Adventures: Snorkel or Sunset — Click here for rates & availability.
Los Cabos Luxury Sailing, Snorkel and Lunch Cruise — Click here for rates & availability.
Cabo Boat Ride to El Arco & Lover’s Beach with Swimming — Click here for rates & availability.
2. Do an ATV Tour
This was one of the experiences I would absolutely add to a Cabo trip.
Cabo has this really cool combination of desert and ocean, and an ATV tour lets you experience a completely different side of the destination from the resorts and marina.
Depending on the tour you choose, you may ride through desert trails, sandy terrain, canyons, and coastal areas.
It is dusty. You are probably going to get dirty. Our ATV tour required us to purchase a bandana to cover your nose and mouth. It was only $5, but feel free to bring one from home if you have one.
My Tip
Book through a reputable company and pay attention to what is actually included in the advertised price. Some ATV excursions have additional park entrance fees, insurance requirements, or transportation charges that are not always included in the initial tour price.
Read the fine print before booking so your “cheap ATV tour” does not suddenly double in price when you arrive. Click here for the exact ATV tour we booked, which also included a tequila tasting.
Another Note
If ATVs aren't really your thing, you still have plenty of options.
A lot of the adventure parks around Cabo also offer horseback riding, camel rides, UTVs, sky bike excursions, and huge zipline courses, so you can usually find something that fits how adventurous you actually want to be. Some even let you combine multiple activities into one half-day excursion.
So even if you have a group where half the people want ATVs and someone else would rather ride a horse or camel, you don't necessarily have to split up for the entire day.
3. Do a Tequila Tasting
You are in Mexico. Have the tequila. And I mean actually taste it, rather than only taking a shot with salt and lime.
A proper tequila tasting can introduce you to the differences between blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila and give you a much better appreciation for what you are drinking.
I would especially look for an ATV excursion that includes a tequila tasting afterward. Click here for the exact ATV tour we booked with a tequila tasting, which was an absolute blast. Click here for a tequila tasting without an ATV tour.
That combination worked really well because you spend the first part of the experience covered in dust and riding through the desert, then finish by sitting down and trying different tequilas.
Just maybe do the tequila part after the ATV. For obvious reasons.
4. Know That You Usually Cannot Just Swim at Any Cabo Beach
This is probably the biggest practical thing I would tell someone before their first Cabo trip.
Do not assume that because your resort is on the beach, you can swim in the ocean in front of it.
A lot of Cabo's coastline has strong surf, steep drop-offs, rip currents, and powerful undertows, especially along the Pacific side. Even some absolutely gorgeous resort beaches are meant more for looking at than swimming.
This can be surprising if you book a beachfront resort imagining that you will wake up every morning and walk straight into calm water. You may not be able to. We personally stayed at Nobu and were unable to go into the water.
Always pay attention to the beach flags and your resort's warnings.
Where Can You Swim in Cabo?
If having a swimmable beach is important to you, look at places like:
Medano Beach
Chileno Beach
Santa Maria Beach
Palmilla Beach
Lover’s Beach, depending on conditions
Medano Beach is one of the easiest choices because it sits inside the bay and generally has much calmer water than many of Cabo's Pacific-facing beaches. It is also close to downtown Cabo San Lucas and the marina.
So when you are choosing a hotel, I would ask yourself:
Do I care about being directly on a beach I can swim at?
Or:
Am I completely happy with an amazing ocean view and resort pool?
That answer can completely change where you should stay.
5. Spend Time Around the Cabo San Lucas Marina
The Cabo San Lucas Marina is one of the easiest places to spend a few hours.
This is where many boat tours depart, and the area is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, yachts, and people selling excursions.
I would wander around before or after your boat tour, grab lunch, shop a little, and just enjoy the atmosphere. It is also a convenient place to start an evening because you are close to downtown Cabo San Lucas and the nightlife.
6. Spend an Afternoon at Medano Beach
If you want a lively beach day, go to Medano Beach. This is one of Cabo's best-known swimmable beaches, and the vibe is much more energetic than quiet and secluded.
There are beach clubs, restaurants, bars, jet skis, parasailing, paddleboarding, and people everywhere.
This is where I would go if you want to:
Swim
Order drinks on the beach
Rent a jet ski
Go parasailing
People watch
Spend half the day doing very little
It is also one of the reasons I would consider staying around Medano Beach if this is your first trip and you want easy access to both the water and downtown Cabo.
7. Experience Cabo Nightlife
Cabo is fun at night. Very fun.
If nightlife is part of why you are going, stay somewhere near Cabo San Lucas rather than farther out along the resort corridor.
You can have dinner, head toward downtown, and bounce between bars without needing some massive plan. The downtown area is known for its restaurants and nightlife, while the broader Los Cabos region has everything from casual bars to high-end restaurants and resorts.
I would leave at least one night open to just see where you end up.
8. Have a Sunset Dinner
Cabo sunsets are one of those things where I would absolutely pay a little more for the view at least once.
Book a restaurant overlooking the water around sunset. Have a slow dinner. Order something you would not normally order. And actually sit there long enough to enjoy it.
If you are staying at one of the cliffside resorts around Pedregal or along the Tourist Corridor, there are some incredible restaurants where the setting is basically part of the meal.
9. Take a Day Trip to San José del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo feel pretty different.
Cabo San Lucas is where I would go for the marina, nightlife, beach clubs, and more energetic vacation atmosphere. San José del Cabo is better if you want something calmer and more cultural.
Think:
Art galleries
Historic streets
Restaurants
Boutiques
A more relaxed evening
If your trip is four or five days, I think spending part of a day here gives you a better feel for Los Cabos beyond the resort zone.
10. Leave Time to Enjoy Your Resort
This might sound obvious.
But Cabo has some incredible resorts, and if you are paying Cabo-resort prices, use the resort.
Do not schedule an ATV tour, boat cruise, tequila tasting, day trip, snorkeling tour, and dinner reservation every single day.
Give yourself one afternoon where the itinerary is: Pool. Drink. Food. Nap. Repeat. You are allowed to go to Cabo and vacation.
We stayed at Nobu, and I couldn't recommend it enough. The resort was huge. They had multiple pools and amazing restaurants on-site. Not to mention, it was absolutely beautiful. They also had a great spa, which we definitely took advantage of, as well as a golf course.
Where Should You Stay in Cabo?
Where you stay can completely change the feel of the trip.
For a first visit, I would choose between three general areas.
Cabo San Lucas: Best for First-Time Visitors & Nightlife
If you want to be close to:
The marina
Medano Beach
Restaurants
Bars
Nightlife
Boat tours
I would stay around Cabo San Lucas. This is probably my first recommendation for someone who wants an active first trip.
Hotel Pick: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal — Click here for rates & availability.
If you want to splurge, this is one of the hotels I would look at first. The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal sits in a dramatic cliffside setting near downtown Cabo San Lucas. Every room and suite has an ocean-view terrace and private plunge pool, and despite how secluded the resort feels, downtown is only a short walk away.
The important thing to know is that the Pacific-facing beach here is more for the dramatic view than casual swimming.
Best for: Luxury, couples, honeymoons, special trips, and travelers who want privacy without being far from town.
Medano Beach: Best if You Actually Want to Swim
If walking directly from your hotel to a swimmable beach matters, look around Medano.
This is also one of the most convenient areas for a first trip because you can easily reach the marina and downtown Cabo San Lucas.
Hotel Pick: ME Cabo — Click here for rates & availability.
ME Cabo is an adults-only resort that sits directly on Medano Beach, which is officially recognized as a swimmable beach. This would be the option I would look at if you want more energy, beach access, nightlife, and a social resort atmosphere.
Best for: Friends, couples, nightlife, beach access, and first-time visitors who want to be near the action.
The Tourist Corridor: Best for Resorts & Relaxation
Between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is the Tourist Corridor, lined with luxury resorts.
If I were to go to Cabo again, this is where I would stay if the resort itself is one of the main reasons for the trip. You are farther from Cabo nightlife, but you get more space, bigger resorts, incredible pools, golf, spas, and ocean views.
Hotel Pick: The Cape, a Thompson Hotel — Click here for rates & availability.
The Cape is one of the properties the Los Cabos Tourism Board currently recommends for first-time visitors, particularly for its direct views toward El Arco and its more secluded setting.
Best for: Couples, luxury, views, resort time, and travelers who do not need to be directly in downtown Cabo every night.
Pacific Side / Diamante
Best for: Seclusion, luxury resorts, couples, foodies, and travelers who want the hotel itself to be a big part of the vacation.
The Pacific side feels very different from staying around Medano Beach or the marina. It's quieter, more secluded, and much more resort-focused.
You won't be able to walk out of your hotel and immediately be surrounded by Cabo nightlife, but that can also be exactly the appeal.
Hotel Pick: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos — Click here for rates & availability.
For a modern, design-forward luxury stay, I would look at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. Nobu sits inside the gated Diamante community on Cabo's Pacific coastline, about a 20-minute drive from central Cabo San Lucas.
I especially like this option for travelers who care about the resort experience itself. You have the signature Nobu restaurant, several additional restaurants and bars, four pools, spa and wellness facilities, and a much more private atmosphere than you would get staying closer to the marina.
One important thing to know is that this is not where I would stay if having a swimmable beach is a priority. The hotel is directly on the Pacific, and Nobu notes that ocean conditions can be unsafe for swimming because of strong currents and drop-offs.
I would choose Nobu if you're perfectly happy spending time at the pools, restaurants, spa, and resort, and then taking a car into Cabo San Lucas when you want nightlife or more sightseeing. We stayed here and didn't mind the drive to go into town.
Best for: Couples, honeymoons, luxury travelers, foodies, and anyone looking for a stylish, more secluded Cabo resort.
San José del Cabo: Best for a Quieter Stay
If you are not coming for clubs and bars, I would also consider San José del Cabo.
It feels calmer and more sophisticated, with galleries, restaurants, and a more traditional town center.
This would be my pick for someone who wants the luxury side of Cabo without being surrounded by the Cabo San Lucas party scene.
Is Cabo Safe?
This is obviously a bigger conversation than one person's experience.
Mexico can get a bad reputation in the U.S., and there are absolutely parts of the country where travelers need to exercise heightened caution. But I also do not think it is fair to treat every destination in Mexico as though the experience is identical.
Personally, I never felt unsafe during my Cabo trip. I felt comfortable at our resort, on our excursions, around the marina, and while exploring the tourist areas.
That does not mean I would throw common sense out the window.
I would still:
Use reputable transportation
Book excursions through established operators
Keep an eye on your drinks
Avoid flashing large amounts of cash
Stay aware at night
Avoid wandering into areas you know nothing about
Basically, use the same judgment you should be using whenever you travel.
I went in aware of the reputation Mexico sometimes gets.
I left thinking:
I would absolutely come back.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cabo?
I think 4 to 5 days is perfect for a first trip.
That gives you enough time for:
A boat day
An ATV + tequila day
A beach day
San José del Cabo
Nightlife
Resort time
without making every day feel packed.
A simple four-day trip could look like:
Day 1: Arrive → resort → dinner → nightlife
Day 2: Boat tour to El Arco → Medano Beach → dinner
Day 3: ATV tour → tequila tasting → pool → nightlife
Day 4: San José del Cabo → resort afternoon → sunset dinner
If you have a fifth day? Do absolutely nothing. Pool. Beach. Massage. Another margarita.
My Biggest Cabo Tips
Check Whether Your Hotel Beach Is Swimmable
I cannot emphasize this enough. Do not see “beachfront” and automatically assume “swimmable.” Check before you book.
Book Your Boat Trip
You came all the way to Cabo. Go see El Arco from the water.
Combine an ATV Tour With a Tequila Tasting
This gives you two completely different experiences in one excursion and was one of the most fun ways to get away from the resort areas.
Do Not Overplan
Cabo is still a vacation destination. Leave room for pool days and long lunches.
Be Smart, Not Scared
Do your research. Know where you are going. Book reputable companies. But I personally would not let Cabo's reputation stop me from visiting. I had an amazing time.
Is Cabo Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
I loved that Cabo gave me both sides of a vacation. You can spend one day riding an ATV through dusty desert landscapes and tasting tequila.
The next day, you can be on a boat cruising around El Arco.
And then you can spend another afternoon doing absolutely nothing beside a resort pool overlooking the Pacific.
It is adventurous without requiring the entire trip to be adventurous. It is relaxing without being boring.
And despite some of the concerns I had heard before visiting, I personally never felt unsafe while I was there. I had a blast. And I would go back.
Ready to Plan Your Cabo Trip?
Trying to decide which Cabo resort is right for you, whether you should stay near Medano Beach or farther along the Tourist Corridor, or which excursions are actually worth booking? Ryan and I are travel advisors, and we can help you choose and book the right hotel, find activities like ATV tours, tequila tastings and boat trips, and put together a Cabo itinerary that gives you enough to do without turning the entire vacation into a schedule. Whether you just need help booking your resort or want us to plan the entire trip, reach out to us about our travel planning and booking services to start planning your Cabo getaway.
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