Everyone deserves a break from the stresses of everyday life, and taking a vacation is an excellent way to step back, regroup, and return home more invigorated and rejuvenated. Baja, California has some incredible vacation spots with a broad range of recreation suitable for every discerning traveler.
Los Cabos is a community comprising several cities. Generally speaking, when we refer to Los Cabos, we are discussing a specific region that contains Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Both cities offer an array of exceptional recreation, but which one is right for your next vacation?
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo possess distinct entertainment and leisure opportunities, charm, and appeal. Let’s take an in-depth look into their offerings to decipher which location is best for your vacation objectives.
Cabo San Lucas
If you’re a night owl who loves to go bar hopping and dancing, Cabo San Lucus is the ideal vacation spot for you. Once a small fishing village, modern-day Cabo San Lucas is a trendy vacation spot luring travelers with its abundance of boutiques, restaurants, lively bars, and famous dance clubs. Cabo San Lucas is undoubtedly the more popular of the two areas, attracting a primarily young and enthusiastic clientele. During spring break months, Cabo San Lucus is typically packed with college students catching a much-need break from their studies.
Daytime pastimes are vast and varied. Given its beaches, resorts, and breathtaking coastal scenery, you’re bound to find an activity or two that suits you. If you’re looking for a sandy beach to even out your tan and catch a nap with the soothing sound of ocean waves crashing in the background, head to Lovers Beach. This unscathed portion of the coastline is also a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling.
For a more popular and thus populated beach, head to the white sands of Medano Beach. People enjoy swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing, snorkeling, and paddleboarding in the water, with many playing volleyball on the sand. Here you can also relish sweeping views of the rock formations of Land’s End and find some delicious fare at an array of restaurants nearby. If you’re looking to discover the remarkable marine life of the Sea of Cortez, visit one of these scuba diving spots to glimpse everything from barracuda and moray eels to sea turtles and sea lions.
There are countless expeditions and tours to take you on an unforgettable journey through Cabo San Lucas’ many natural wonders. Cabo Adventures provides a broad range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The Luxury Sailing Cabo Tour gives you the chance to explore Los Cabos’ natural beauty in true VIP style, while the active Outdoor Zip Line Adventures features a zipline canopy tour, hike, and Polaris UTV off-roading excursion. Catch dinner as you embark on a private fishing experience or revel in a combo ATV and horseback riding excursion. No matter which adventure you choose, you’re bound to go home with a treasure box full of everlasting memories.
In addition to an incredible amount of daytime activities, there are boundless opportunities to paint the town red in Cabo San Lucus, and you can go down the rabbit hole as deep as you desire. Party animals head to the marina to party after dinner at Nowhere Bar, where one could enjoy free-flowing drinks and beautiful views of fishing boats floating on the marina.
On any given night, those who prefer live bands over the disco/DJ scene flock to Jungle Bar, where sporting concert tees and ripped jeans isn’t frowned upon. Rated “Cabo’s Best Bar,” Happy Ending Cantina continually beckons partygoers with its ongoing two beers and two tequila shots for five dollars special. This bar is excellent for afternoon pick-me-ups and late-night social gatherings.
For the ultimate dance club adored by locals and tourists alike, head to El Squid Roe. The club boasts six full bars, three stories of fun, an MC to guide the festivities, and generously poured drinks, attracting international superstars such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Floyd Mayweather, Tupac, Dana White, Snoop Dogg, Drake, and Rihanna. One thing is certain, you’ll never experience a dull evening in Cabo San Lucas.
In between the plethora of activities, you’ll need to refuel, and Cabo San Lucas has a multitude of restaurants to explore. Start your day with a trip to Nobu Hotel to nosh a fresh, organic, and sustainably sourced breakfast at Malibu Farm, complete with acai bowls and avocado, bacon, and cheese tacos. Head out to the beach for a few hours before stopping by The Sand Bar for some refreshing sangria and ceviche. Last and certainly not least, enjoy dinner and a view at Cabo San Lucas’ only rooftop bar and lounge, The Rooftop. For a romantic dining destination and delicious Baja cuisine, take your sweetheart to La Roca.
When seeking a vacation with a packed itinerary, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and exceptional restaurants, Cabo San Lucas is a must-visit!
San José del Cabo
Unlike Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo offers a more laid-back, small-town vibe. This charming community boasts cobblestone streets, jacaranda trees, and a church dating back to the 1700s. A stroll through this historical town will take you back to old Mexico as you browse its markets and galleries. Considering it is much less traveled by tourists, it is more authentically “Mexico” in terms of architecture and population. This beautiful getaway attracts couples with its relaxed atmosphere, understated elegance, and world-renowned One&Only Palmilla resort. If you’re looking for a vacation in a tranquil and untouched city, San José del Cabo is the perfect destination for you.
San José del Cabo is best known for its thriving local art scene. The Gallery District is brimming with local artists, and weaving through various art galleries is one of the top pastimes in San José del Cabo. If you’re visiting between November and June, stop by the galleries on Thursday evenings when they stay open later for the San José del Cabo Art Walk. This unique weekly event presents dozens of galleries showcasing hand-painted pottery, Shona African sculptures, blown glass, contemporary oil paintings, and handmade Chiapas textiles and jewelry.
The premier tourist attraction in San José del Cabo is the beaches. Two of the most popular beaches are Playa Palmilla and Zippers. Playa Palmilla, or Palmilla Beach, is a family-friendly mile-long stretch of beach with tranquil waters and spectacular luxury oceanfront homes surrounding. The One&Only Palmilla resort and Jack Nicklaus Ocean Nine golf course are close by, as well. The beach is perfect for an intimate picnic, splashing about the crystal blue water, and lounging on the soft sand. You can even spot humpbacks here during whale season!
Zippers is a great beach for intermediate and seasoned surfers seeking some righteous four to six-foot waves. This surf break is close to Zipper’s and Dante’s restaurants, a convenience store, and occasionally features surfboard rentals and lessons. Zippers is the site of rip-roaring surf competitions throughout the year.
Though most of the nightlife is in Cabo San Lucas, there are a few taverns and hangouts in San José del Cabo. Overlooking the Sea of Cortez, OMNIA Dayclub offers an all-day pool lounge complete with lavish amenities and a DJ-led party ambiance. There are plenty of private cabanas with plush chaise lounges and daybeds available to take a nap or bob to the DJ’s tunes. Take the party from day to night with a trip to Mixology Fusion Bar, a club boasting innovative cocktails, and a dancefloor fit for dancing the night away.
When on vacation, enjoying your food is just as important as enjoying the scenery and recreation of the region. San José del Cabo has an excellent selection of eateries to savor, including a plethora of farm-to-table options. Start your day with a quick stop at LAB for a delicious cup of coffee, roasted in-house and sourced from the highest quality beans by Mexican growers.
Once you’re thoroughly caffeinated, head to Tamarindos Centro for some Oaxacan eggs and baked frittatas with farm vegetables. A beautiful restaurant tucked away in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, Flora's Field Kitchen offers a seasonal menu prepared with fresh produce and humanely-raised meat produced directly on Flora Farms. For an upscale dinner with your sweetheart, check out Café des Artistes. This exquisite restaurant features a gourmet menu that melds Mexican flavors with world-class French cooking techniques.
Between the exceptional dining opportunities, serene beaches, vibrant art scene, and luxurious One&Only Palmilla resort, San José del Cabo is an ideal location for your next romantic getaway or peaceful family holiday.
Once you have visited these Los Cabos communities, it will only be a matter of time before you desire Los Cabos property of your own. Contact Los Cabos native and real estate professional Emily Rice to assist your Palmilla Los Cabos real estate search. You’ll be leading a life where every day feels like a vacation in no time!
