KC's Endless Adventures

Cabo San Lucas is consistently ranked among the world’s top travel destinations, alongside places like Rome, London, Crete, and Bali. Living near the southern tip of Baja California Sur myself, I’ve spent plenty of time here myself. These days, it’s usually to shop at Costco. Of course, it’s also nice to be able to take advantage of the wealth of activities on offer.

Cabo is world-renowned for its party atmosphere. On the beaches and in clubs like Cabo Wabo, something’s always happening. But it’s also a place for outdoor adventure. Still, many visitors head straight to their resort from the airport and never venture off the property. At least not until it’s time to head back home. They’re seriously missing out!

Those resorts have plenty to offer with pools, golf courses, and various activities on-site. But why not mix things up a bit? On your next trip put some of these things to do in Cabo on your itinerary too.

Whale Watching

If you plan to visit Cabo in the winter, a whale-watching tour is sure to be a highlight. The season officially runs from December through April, with the peak time January through early March. During that period you can almost always see spouts, and often at least a breach or two. The humpbacks arrive from Alaska first, soon to be followed by gray whales. It’s also possible to see minke, fin, blue, sei, and Bryde whales, along with the occasional orca.

If you book a room with a water view, you’re likely to see them right from your window or balcony, but a whale-watching tour brings the chance for close encounters that will be especially memorable.

Horseback Riding

There are several different horseback riding tours available in Cabo and the surrounding area where you can canter along pristine beaches and through the desert with its countless cactus and exotic flora, with pickup and drop-off at your local hotel included.

Or, you might consider a trip to nearby Todos Santos, just an hour’s drive away where horseback tours include riding across the long stretch of unspoiled sands with few other tourists around. While you’re here you can explore the artsy colonial town itself. A “Pueblo Magico,” designated for its cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality, the charming cobbled streets are lined with many art galleries and unique little boutiques. It also boasts a fantastic food scene with a wide range of authentic, mouthwatering eats.

Ride a Camel

If you’re looking for an experience that’s a bit more unique, ride a camel instead. There are a variety of options available, including tours that combine a ride along the beach with a meal and a tequila tasting.

El Arco & Lovers Beach Tour

An iconic symbol of Cabo San Lucas, El Arco, or “The Arch,” is one of the many unique rock formations along the coast. Surrounded by brilliant, clear aquamarine water, it’s the extraordinary place you’ve probably seen in many Instagram feeds and Baja postcards. Boat tours are available from Medano Beach and the marina nearby.

There are many different boat tours to consider, from the relatively cheap and basic, often traveling in a glass bottom boat to bring you to see the landmarks, including El Arco, Pelican Rock, the pirate cave and Lover’s Beach, to sunset cruises with an open bar and snacks.

ATV Adventures

If a thrilling ride on an ATV sounds more like your speed, there are tour options that will take you to navigate trails that wind through the desert and on the beach. Many are led by expert guides who will provide instruction and all the necessary safety equipment for an excursion that’s as fun and safe as possible.

Cabo Sky Tours

One of the most unforgettable activities I’ve ever enjoyed in Cabo is riding in a powered hang glider over the Cabo coast. Not only will you enjoy a bird’s-eye view over the iconic formations but in the winter, you can even see whales in the water below.

The skilled pilot has been taking passengers on this experience for decades and will also capture photos that provide the ultimate souvenir for your Cabo trip.

For this tour, you’ll need to book directly with Cabo Sky Tours here.

Swimming with Whale Sharks + Snorkeling with Sea Lions

If you’re up for a full-day trip, the city of La Paz is just a two-hour drive away and offers a wealth of fun things to do, like tours that include both swimming with whale sharks and snorkeling with sea lions.

One of the world’s top spots for swimming with whale sharks, the ocean’s largest fish returns here every winter and stays through late spring to feed in the rich waters. These are gentle giants that aren’t whales or sharks, but rather the world’s largest fish, averaging between 18 and 32 feet in length, although the biggest was nearly an astounding 62 feet long. Their size means you’ll have to be a good swimmer to keep up with them.

Tours often combine swimming with whale sharks with snorkeling at Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage Bioreserve home to a colony of some 300 sea lions. It can only be accessed on a guided tour with excursions typically including 30 to 60 minutes in the water with the animals. Part of what international explorer Jacques Cousteau referred to as the “world’s aquarium,” other marine life is abundant too, including countless colorful fish that make you feel as if you’re inside a massive aquarium. The sea lion pups are especially playful and some will even flip over for a good belly rub.

If you want to venture beyond Cabo, check out Venture Outside Cabo: Top Spots to Discover in Baja California Sur, Mexico.