Mexico - Los Cabos holidays

Desert and mountain scenery and traditional Mexican charm are the key ingredients for a Los Cabos holiday.

A tale of two towns

Los Cabos is made up of two good-looking towns. You can rely on sleepy San Jose del Cabo for a taste of traditional Mexican charm – it's got craft breweries, traditional taco stands and pretty, pastel-coloured buildings. At the other end of the scale is upbeat Cabo San Lucas, a vibrant town with a bustling marina. Huge yachts, whale-watching boats and catamarans set off from the jetties, past Los Cabos' most famous landmark - a rock formation known as 'El Arco', or The Arch. Every year, students and young people flock to Los Cabos for Spring Break, which usually peaks in March. During this time, you can expect livelier entertainment like foam parties, discos and bar-crawls around the resort, in the hotels and on the beaches.

Superb sunsets

Because Los Cabos spans out along the coastline, there are loads of spots where you can watch the sunset. Hotels are spread out along the shores of the Sea of Cortez, which puts them in pole position for seeing the silhouetted rocky headlands at sundown. The sky turns vivid shades of red, orange and purple, especially on days where there's a hint of cloud. For some of the best views, board a sailing boat at around 5.30pm to see it from a peaceful spot on the water.

Wild Los Cabos

Away from its built up areas, Los Cabos has got weird and wonderful wilderness nailed. There are huge sandy plains known as the 'Green Desert', because of the tufty shrubs and cacti that poke up from the ground. Quad biking tours hurtle along the dusty trails that run parallel to East Cape Beach, finishing on the bumpy sand for pictures by the shore. And no matter where you drive in Los Cabos, you'll have a sight of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. If you venture among the peaks, you'll find ziplines and natural pools tucked away.

Whales, turtles and sea lions

The marine life in Los Cabos is one the area's signature features. From January to April, the waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez are packed with humpback whales and dolphins. It's common to see them leaping from the water and splashing their tails, and there's even a slim chance of seeing rarer grey whales while you're out. Cabo San Lucas has a resident colony of sea lions, which sunbathe on rocks and hop onto the back of boats cruising into the harbour. For underwater scenes that look like a David Attenborough documentary, Cabo Pulmo Marine Preserve is home to huge schools of tropical fish, whale sharks and sea turtles.

Popular hotels in Mexico - Los Cabos

Top things to see and do in Mexico - Los Cabos

Beaches

Surfing and sunbathing

In Cabo San Lucas, the pristine white sand of Medano Beach and Divorce Beach both vie for attention. San Jose del Cabo's beach is perfect for volleyball, romantic walks or simply soaking up the rays.

The big beach

Medano Beach is the most popular with tourists. It starts at the mouth of the Cabo San Lucas marina, and extends all the way to Villa del Palmar.

The secret beach

Along ‘the corridor’, Playa Las Viudas – Widows’ Beach – is a secluded spot with dirt track access from the main road. The shoreline features interesting rock outcroppings and pools in the stone, which create private areas to spend a lazy afternoon sunbathing or exploring.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Have a traditional Mexican retail experience at the little souvenir stores in San Jose del Cabo. Colourful window displays, laden with Mexican art, silver jewellery or pretty pottery, are guaranteed to grab your attention.

Mid-range buys

There’s a swish American-style mall in Cabo San Lucas, where you’ll find the likes of Kenneth Cole, Lacoste and Nautica nestled among Mexican boutiques. And if you want to take a break from all things Mexican, you’ll find a Subway and a Haagen-Dazs café here, too.

Designer buys

Splash the cash and get a custom-made swimsuit at Chicas Sin Limites. Choose your fabric and design, and 24 hours later you’ll have a brand new swimsuit created to your exact measurements.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Stroll the sands of San Jose del Cabo, and sip mezcal at sunset. It’s a quiet affair here, with evenings spent in cosy bars and chilled-out gardens on the agenda.

Lively evenings

Raise the roof in Cabo San Lucas, swaying to salsa or rocking ‘til late. Live the after-dark action in its nightclubs and music venues, some of them owned by music legends – like Sammy Hagar, vocalist and guitarist for Van Halen.

Food & drink

Chocolate clams

Baja's ‘seafood candy’ is named for the brown colour of its shell, rather than any chocolate flavour. These meaty Mexican clams are one of the largest found on the west coast, and can grow up to six inches across.

Seafood

Fishing’s renowned in Los Cabos, and seafood sits at the top of the bill in most restaurants. Think swordfish, chilli king prawns with salsa verde, and crispy battered seabass tacos.

Tortillas

As with the rest of Mexico, tortillas and chilli pepper are the staples of the local diet. Dine out, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with melt-in-the-mouth enchiladas, soft flour tacos and nachos, and packed-out burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas.

Tequila

It’s impossible to visit any bar or restaurant in Los Cabos and not spot tequila on the menu – it’s the national drink of Mexico, after all. And there are lots of types to try. Blanco, for example, is a clear, unaged tequila, while a reposado has been ‘rested’ for up to 12 months.

Tamales

A tamale is a traditional dish eaten throughout the Baja peninsula. This wrap-like meal is made of dough, which is steamed in a corn husk or a banana leaf. The filling might be pork or chicken, mixed up with olives, raisins, and olive oil.

Facts about Mexico - Los Cabos

Currency
Mexican Peso
(MXN)
Language
Spanish
Time zone
GMT -6
Flight duration
12 hours 10 minutes from Gatwick

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