17 Cabo Travel Tips You Need to Know Before You Go
Want to learn some travel tips for Cabo san Lucas, Mexico?
Then you’re in the right place and with the right guide — as I’ve been living in Mexico since 2018 and have been to Cabo many times.
Cabo is a beach town along the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, famous for its golden sand beaches, nightlife, and rich Baja Med cuisine.
You might think Cabo is like any other resort town in Mexico, but that’s not the case.
Separated from mainland Mexico, Cabo has a unique flavor that’s different from other beach towns in Mexico — and before you visit Cabo, there are some things you NEED to know.
In this article, we’ll cover 17 Cabo travel hacks and pro tips that will help you save money, help you stay safe, and help you enjoy all the best activities.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning when you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and help keep my content free. It’s a win-win for us both. For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.
What’s the difference between San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas?
Before we get to my best Cabo travel tips, let’s clear up one important thing first.
When doing your research, you’ve probably come across the term “Los Cabos,” which is often used interchangeably with Cabo San Lucas. However, there’s a difference.
The Los Cabos area is part of the Los Cabos Municipality, which is on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula on Mexico’s west coast.
Located within Los Cabos, San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are two separate Mexico beach towns, each with their own unique identity.
Cabo San Lucas or San Jose Del Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas is known more for its glitzy Cabo resorts, sandy beaches, and all the cool things to do in Cabo, like visiting the famous Cabo Arch.
San Jose Del Cabo has more of a residential feel to it and with a quaint downtown that boasts boutique shops, galleries and farm-to-table restaurants where you can try local food and drinks.
Although most know Los Cabos because of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose is becoming popular thanks to its swimmable beaches and a more tranquil atmosphere.
Located within the Cabo tourist corridor, the two towns are connected by Highway 1 (Carretera Transpeninsular), so your Cabo itinerary can easily include both cities.
With the Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose Del Cabo clarification out of the way, let’s get to these 17 Best Cabo Travel Tips to help you plan your trip like a pro.
1. Cabo is more expensive than you think
Mexico boasts about 5,800 miles of coastline (9,330 km) where you can also dive into culture and history, enjoy postcard-worthy views, and authentic Mexican food.
Many of these places are relatively inexpensive, so you don’t have to break your bank to afford a vacation in Mexico.
Unfortunately, Cabo is not one of them. When it comes to popular beach towns in Mexico, Cabo is definitely on the expensive side.
The city is known for its luxury beachfront hotels and resorts, and places like Las Ventanas al Paraiso and the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal cost upwards of $1,000-$5,000 USD per night.
Don’t expect the food to be cheap either!
Popular restaurants and bars in Cabo charge premium prices for food and drinks, especially Mexico Michelin Star restaurants.
2. Cabo budget travel is possible though
Of course, you can have a vacation in Cabo without breaking the bank — you just need to be smart about how you plan your trip by utilizing these tips:
- Hotels away from the beach are usually cheaper. With some homework, you can find hotels in downtown Cabo at less than $100 USD per night.
- Eat where locals eat. If you find a restaurant and see mostly tourists there, you probably shouldn’t expect low prices.
- Book your flight ahead of time to save on your airfare. ✈️ Head to Skyscanner to check for cheap Cabo flights now!
- Traveling outside the peak season is a great way to save on your trip.
The high season in Cabo is from December through April, and in these months you can expect higher prices on everything from accommodations and tours.
However, traveling during the Cabo shoulder months of November and May, and even early-June, can help you save hundreds of dollars on your trip.
3. There’s more to Cabo than parties
Cabo is known for its party scene, and the city does have several popular nightclubs like the famous El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo Cantina, and Nowhere Bar.
However, besides partying and drinking, Cabo also offers an amazing outdoor scene — and there are MANY things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
From snorkeling, diving, sailing and hiking, to zip lining, sandboarding, deep sea fishing, and even camel rides, Cabo is your gateway to adventure.
4. Join guided tours in Cabo San Lucas
Joining a guided tour is also an excellent idea if you’re visiting Cabo for the first time and/or don’t feel comfortable traveling alone due to the language barrier (or any other reason).
Even if you’re staying in a resort, I still recommend booking your adventure in Cabo through Viator and taking at least one tour with a local operator.
This company offers tours and day trips to many popular destinations near Cabo like Cabo Pulmo National Park, La Paz, and Todos Santos.
There are plenty of adventures to choose from — like riding an ATV in the desert to swimming with whale sharks, and food tours to the best taco spots in Cabo.
5. Consider renting a car in Cabo
Although you don’t need a vehicle if you just want to spend your vacation in a resort and take a few guided tours — renting a car in Cabo Mexico is ideal if you want to get out and explore on your own.
The best place to rent a car in Cabo San Lucas is San Jose Del Cabo International Airport (SJD).
Many major car rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and Budget, are within a five minute drive of the airport, and when you land, a representative of a car rental company should be waiting for you in arrivals.
The best place to find car rentals in Cabo San Lucas is Discover Cars, an online platform where you can find hundreds of car rentals at competitive rates.
I’ve been using this company for years and recommend you get their Full Coverage Policy, as Mexican car insurance is mandatory for driving, and theirs is the cheapest.
6. Cabo has phenomenal street food
It might be tempting to spend your vacation in the comfort zone of only dining at resort restaurants and well-reviewed places popular with tourists.
But trust me — you’ll be SO happy when you get out and try Cabo street food!
Cabo is a foodie capital of Baja California where you can sample traditional Mexican staples like burritos, elote (street corn), tacos, and tamales.
There’s also the famous Baja fish tacos, made with locally-caught fish like marlin or mahi-mahi, as well as Baja shrimp tacos made with fried shrimp.
Other seafood-based dishes that you should try in Baja include:
- Ceviche: A refreshing mix of raw fish with sauces, lime juice, vegetables like onions and tomatoes, and herbs like cilantro
- Tostadas: Crispy flat tortillas topped with meat, vegetables, and garnishes
- Coctel de camarón: Shrimp cocktail
- Aguachile: Shrimp or fish marinated in lime juice and chili peppers — but be careful, as this one is usually quite spicy 🌶️
You can find street food vendors in downtown Cabo so always carry pesos with you, as most of them are cash only (and prefer tipping in cash too).
Choose food stalls that have plenty of customers and check the food you’re about to get looks good and freshly cooked.
Be particularly careful about ordering meat-based food. If you speak Spanish, ask what type of meat it is and when it was prepared so you don’t get sick.
Another option is to stop at one of the local restaurants like Los Claros, which sits off the main drag, or Taqueria El Zarape, which has the best tacos al pastor in Cabo.
7. Hiking is one of the best free things to do in Cabo
Looking for FREE Cabo things to do? Then don’t skip out on all the great Cabo hikes.
Although some hikes require a fee since they’re on private property, like Fox Canyon or Sierra De La Laguna, there are free trails in Cabo like Mt. Solmar or Cerro de la Chiva in San Jose Del Cabo.
Mount Solmar is a popular hike that boasts dramatic views of Land’s End and the sweeping Cabo coastline.
Enrique, a local man who runs a dog camp where the trailhead begins, organizes a guided hike to Mt. Solmar every morning from Sunday through Friday.
You can check the latest videos from the hike as well as schedule updates on his Facebook page.
Although a free hike, please leave at least $200+ pesos per person in gratuity for Enrique and his small team, as they do a phenomenal job organizing hikes for dozens of people who show up daily at his dog training camp.
8. Pack reef-safe sunscreen
Cabo has a desert climate, and the sun can be brutal, so pack a reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburn and keep marine wildlife safe.
When in Cabo, you will likely want to spend time at the beach and enjoy water activities, so you must choose a sunscreen that doesn’t bleach corals.
The Sea of Cortez off the coast of Cabo was called “the Aquarium of the World” by famous diver Jacques Cousteau because of its marine biodiversity like whales, orcas, manta rays, and turtles — so please do your part to help maintain it!
9. Carry plenty of water
Whether you’re laying on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or zipping along Cabo’s craggy coastline on this ATV tour, make sure you carry plenty of water.
It’s easy to get dehydrated in Cabo because of its dry climate, so always have a bottle of water and a few small snacks in your bag.
Mexican tap water is not safe to drink, so you’ll need to buy bottled water in stores or refill your water bottle at your hotel.
I love and use this Water-To-Go Bottle that has a built-in, three-stage filter that gets rid of parasites, viruses, microplastics, bacteria, and more.
10. Pay in Mexican Pesos; not in U.S. dollars
Many businesses in Cabo accept US dollars and some take Canadian dollars, but the catch is you usually get a worse price due to the conversion rate.
Get plenty of Mexican pesos at the ATMs at Cabo Airport when you arrive, so you know you’re getting better rates when you pay for things.
Speaking Spanish is also helpful because you can negotiate better and avoid situations where unscrupulous people take advantage of you as a tourist.
11. Check the beach is safe to swim before getting in the water
It might come as a surprise, but many beaches in Cabo are not swimmable.
The beaches on the Pacific Coast of Cabo are known for large waves and unsafe conditions with dangerous undertows that can quickly pull you in the water.
The Sea of Cortez side offers some swimming beaches, but even there, you should always be cautious when getting in the water.
To see the big difference between swimming and non-swimming beaches in Cabo, book this kayaking tour to Land’s End and Lover’s Beach, a popular place for swimming and snorkeling.
On the opposite side of Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor), there’s Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio) which faces the Pacific Ocean.
It’s a pretty but dangerous beach due to huge waves that can sweep you within seconds, so you can’t do much here beyond posing for some photos and admiring the views of powerful waves crashing on the shore.
Whenever you visit the Pacific beaches in Cabo, stay in the dry area where waves don’t reach, and never turn your back toward the water.
Some of the best swimmable beaches in the Los Cabos area are Playa Medano Beach, Playa Santa Maria Beach, and Playa Chileno Beach — all located along the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.
A bit further away, if you have a rental car you can make the drive to Playa Balandra Beach, a swimmable beach that’s widely considered the best beach in Mexico.
No matter what beach you go to, always check if it’s safe to swim via warning flags, and take heed:
- 🔴 Red flag: Don’t get in the water
- 🟡 Yellow flag: Exercise increased caution while swimming
- 🟢 Green flag: The beach is safe for swimming
12. Don’t miss whale watching in winter
Whale watching season in Cabo is usually from mid-December through April, when humpback whales migrate to Cabo from the Canadian coast to mate and give birth to their offspring.
Many tour companies in Cabo offer whale-watching tours during these months. 🐋 Check rates and availability for Cabo whale tours on Viator now!
If you want to buy a tour with a specific company, always read reviews to make sure the operator follows safety protocols and conducts ethical whale tours.
February through mid-March is the peak of whale season in Cabo when you can see dozens of whales splashing off the coast of Cabo San Lucas.
Sometimes, you can see whales in Cabo as late as April, but it always depends on the season and conditions.
13. Uber is a great way to get around Cabo
If you don’t have a car rental, Uber is a great way to get around in Cabo.
It usually has better rates than Cabo taxis, and is considered safe for visitors. Also, if you don’t speak Spanish, Uber is the easiest way for you to get around.
When you take Uber in Cabo, you don’t need to translate anything or give directions to your driver because the app does everything for you.
Taking Uber also helps to avoid taxi rip-offs, as some taxi drivers charge tourists higher-than-normal rates since you’re not a local and don’t know the going rates.
If you decide to take a taxi, always verify the price before starting the ride so you don’t have any surprises at the end of the ride — and most taxis don’t have meters.
⚠️ Cabo Pro Tips: There’s no Uber at Cabo Airport
Unfortunately, Uber can’t pick you up curbside at the airport in Cabo.
For this reason, I recommend you pre-book your transportation from Cabo Airport here because taxis at the Cabo airport are ridiculously expensive.
When you book a private shuttle at Los Cabos Airport, your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall or curbside, and drive you straight to your Cabo Airbnb, hotel, or hostel.
14. Don’t forget about tipping in Cabo
Mexico has a tipping culture, and most people who work in the service industry expect you to leave a gratuity.
Generally, you should leave 10-15% of your bill, though 20% or more indicates the service was outstanding and you appreciate the efforts to go above and beyond.
Most boat drivers, waiters, and people working in resorts should be tipped by the time they finish their service, so you should always have some Mexican pesos in your wallet to leave a gratuity.
Credit cards are accepted in many places in Cabo for payment and tips, but the majority of service workers appreciate tipping in cash.
15. Pack some nice outfits
If you’ve been to popular beach towns in Mexico like Huatulco, Sayulita, and Mahahual, you know many of them tend to have a relaxed dress code — but Cabo is a bit of an outlier in this category.
While you can wear shorts and flip-flops on the beach or at your resort, there are upscale restaurants and clubs where people arrive more dressed up than you would expect in a typical beach town.
Although you don’t need to wear anything super fancy, pack a few nice outfits for Cabo to wear at restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that have a dress code.
16. Learn a few words of Spanish
English is widely spoken in Cabo, and most people who work in hotels, at tour agencies, and at restaurants, speak at least a basic level of English.
However, once you’re outside the tourist zone, expect to hear less of it — especially if you’re renting a car and driving in Mexico through the rural areas of Baja and the East Cape.
Speaking Spanish in these places could be a real game changer, whether you need to ask for directions or buy a snack from a local street vendor.
You can brush up on your Spanish for FREE with the Duolingo App — or invest in Rocket Spanish to get comfortable and conversational fast.
17. Don’t miss the Arts District in San Jose del Cabo
While Cabo San Lucas isn’t particularly known for its culture or historic landmarks, its smaller cousin, San Jose Del Cabo boasts a beautiful colonial downtown with galleries, restaurants, and charming local shops.
Once overlooked by tourists, the downtown San Jose Del Cabo Art District has quickly become one of the most popular places to visit in Los Cabos.
Another one of the top sites in San Jose Del Cabo is the 18th century mission (Mission San José del Cabo) that overlooks the main square.
To enjoy the charm of a typical Mexican pueblo, don’t skip San Jose Del Cabo on your trip — it’s actually one of the best day trips from Cabo San Lucas!
Need more Cabo tips for travel?
We’ve reached the end of this article, and I hope you got plenty of helpful information and feel ready for your Cabo vacation.
Cabo is one of the most fun beach towns in Mexico, and although it’s pricier than other destinations along Mexico’s coast, it’s a phenomenal place to enjoy a mix of good restaurants, outdoor activities, and these world-class resorts.
For more information on Cabo San Lucas, check out these additional articles:
