Three Days In…Cabo San Lucas

Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Baja California)

Visit: Multiple times (March 2018 most recently)

Cabo San Lucas, where the Pacific Ocean meetings the Gulf of California. Less than a three hour flight from Los Angeles, “Cabo” is the go-to destinations for west coast residence looking for more-or-less year-around sunshine. This little sliver of desert sees hardly any rain (less than 10 inches per year) and is sunny almost every day.

The main area for tourism and industry is centered around the shoreline between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas (about 30 miles), but there are also plenty of resorts and villages as you travel up either coastline toward La Paz (about 2 hours away via car). This gives lots of options for tourists, depending on their interests, budget and type of property they are looking for.

Where to stay:

Tons of options in lots of different price ranges. Here are a few places that we’ve stayed and/or been to for a visit. Plenty more available all along the coast.

Breathless Cabo ($450 and up) (Paseo de la Marina 4750, Playa Médano, El Medano Ejidal, 23453 Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico) (www.breathlessresorts.com/en_us/resorts/mexico/cabo-san-lucas). Located directly on the marina of Cabo San Lucas, you can’t get any closer to the action. The hotels caters to singles and couples and we wouldn’t recommend it for families. That said, the pool, restaurants and night-life are all very good, and the “Ultimate Luxury” experience (optional add on) which includes food and drinks is perfect if you are in the mood to indulge.

Rooms are a good size, location is ideal, interior is stylish and updated, with a bit of an industrial vibe. Pool scene is great, with sweeping views of the marina and “The Arch”.

General Rating (price neutral): 92 (Four Star!)

Four Star Rating (price included): 83 (Exceptional)

Driftwood “Whale” at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel ($500 – $600) (Carretera Transpeninsular Km 5, Misisones del Cabo, 23455 Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico) (www.thompsonhotels.com). Located right on the ocean, with waves crashing on the sandy beach, this luxury hotel has everything you’d ever want: two pools, great amenities throughout, first-class service, spa services, high-end dining and rooms to match.

Along the main road between the airport and the town/marina of Cabo San Lucas, the location isn’t central to the main hubs, but that plays into it’s favor as a little self-contained jewel, away from the tourist traps. Rooms are spacious, architecture and style are first-rate, and the service is worthy of the Thompson brand.

General Rating (price neutral): 97 (Four Star!)

Four Star Rating (price included): 88 (Exceptional)

Grand Velas Los Cabos ($800 and up for two, all-inclusive) (Carretera Transpeninsular Km 17, San José del Cabo, 23405 Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico) (www.loscabos.grandvelas.com). This All-Inclusive resort costs a pretty penny, but you can make up for it if you are in the mood to party. Located on the main road between Cabo San Lucas and the airport, it’s right on the ocean with spectacular views and plenty of activities.

Rooms are massive, although they are a bit dated compared to other 5-star properties. Food options are numerous, although there is an upcharge for some dishes. Overall it’s a great place to go if you really want to escape. It’s far from “the action”, but if all you want to do is drink a margarita and sit by the pool, there’s nowhere better.

General Rating (price neutral): 89 (Exceptional)

Four Star Rating (price included): 76 (Great)

Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa ($450 and up for two, all-inclusive) (Av Solmar 1A, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico) (www.grandsolmarresort.com). Another All-Inclusive for the more budget-minded traveler, this hotel is located near the marina, but facing the ocean, right in Cabo San Lucas. Rooms are very large and the pool is beautiful, with plenty of seating and great views of the Pacific. As you’d expect with a cheaper All-Inclusive, the rooms are a bit out of date and the dining/drinking options aren’t first-class. That being said, for the price, you can hang by the pool for most of the day, drinking up the sun and buckets of Coronitas and still have plenty of money to walk into town and have a great meal!

General Rating (price neutral): 72 (Great)

Four Star Rating (price included): 72 (Great)

What to do:

There are lots of activities in the greater Cabo area. Some of our favorites:

Scuba Diving (Manta Dive): PADI certified. Dive sites all along the beach between the marina and “The Arch”
Sunset cruise around “The Arch” and Cabo San Lucas harbor: Lots of choices to pick from. Make sure the drinks are included!
Four-wheeling
Horse-back riding along the shore
Para-sailing
Whale watching boat tour

Where to Eat & Drink:

It’s Mexico, after all, so if it’s tacos and other traditional dishes you are looking for, you have limitless options in town, as well as many chains (including a Ruth Chris) if you want to mix it up. Resort food is varied and you basically get what you pay for.

Two places we really love:

Flora Farms: Located near the airport and away from the water, this farm-to-table restaurant is off the beaten path, but worth the adventure. Dishes are fresh, beyond compare, and are vegetable centric. Their bloody marys are legendary, and you can’t go wrong with the food, especially the beet pasta (pictured)

Manta @ The Cape: Located at the Thompson Hotel, this high-end dining experience is worth the trip, even if you are staying in town. All of the dishes are designed to be multi-course and shared. Definitely recommend the four-course tasting menu if you have the time and the appetite!

Summary

Cabo is a place you can go back to again and again. There are lots of new developments all along the coast, especially north of Cabo San Lucas, that we want to check out. There is plenty to do no matter what you appetites. It’s a perfect place to just lay by the pool all day, or go out an adventure all day. The food scene is emerging, with a few jewels already in place. Definitely a place we will continue to come back to!