Cabo San Lucas Itinerary: 3 Days in Cabo
Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful place that should be on everyone’s bucket list! If you’re looking for an amazing Cabo San Lucas itinerary, look no further.
In this blog post, we’ll outline what to do in Cabo for 3 days. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned pro, this guide has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your perfect trip to Cabo today!
Best Time to Visit Cabo
The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is from May to June and October to November. These are the shoulder months when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds.
However, if you’re looking to save money, you can also visit in the low season from August to September. Keep in mind that Cabo is a popular spring break destination, so hotels and flights will be more expensive during this time.
How to Get to Cabo
Flight distance from New York, Texas & California
- From New York: 6 hours
- From Texas: 3 hours
- From California: 2-3 hours
How Many Days Do You Need in Cabo?
Three days in Cabo is ideal to get a good sense of the area and can cover a lot, but you will obviously want to stay longer the farther you’re coming from or if you want a nice long relaxing vacation. Think about your itinerary beforehand. If you plan to also visit the neighboring town of San Jose del Cabo or go swim with whale sharks in La Paz, you will want to factor in a little more time than just three days in Cabo.
Places to Stay in Cabo
“We’re going to Cabo!” Whenever someone says that, I always picture a super luxurious and high-end vacation. Cabo definitely sounds and feels like a luxury escape, but there are lots of affordable and midrange options well as high-end accommodations for travelers on any budget.
Things to Do in Cabo
Visit the Land’s End Arch. This is by far the most popular and well-known activity in Cabo San Lucas. The Land’s End Arch is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula and is a beautiful natural formation. There are plenty of ways to see the arch, but one of the best is to kayak or paddleboard out to it. You can also choose to do a private or group tour. One awesome way to tour is with a glass bottom boat so you can check out all the marine life swimming right underneath you. No Cabo San Lucas itinerary is complete without a visit to the famous arch!
Even though there are lots of ways to get there, here’s what I did. I took a water taxi to Land’s End Arch and asked them to drop me off at Lover’s Beach. You can reserve a service like this in advance or find someone at the marina because there will be tons of people eager to take you.
Explore San Jose del Cabo Town. Not even an hour away, San Jose del Cabo is the perfect place to take a day trip from Cabo San Lucas. The small town is a great place to wander around and explore. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you busy. Be sure to check out the San Jose del Cabo Art District where you can find local artwork.
Take a Photo at the Flags in Todos Santos. Todos Santos is a small town located an hour away from Cabo San Lucas. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While you’re in Todos Santos, you have to take a photo with the Mexican flags. The flags are a colorful and iconic addition to the town, and they make for a great Instagram photo op! You will see similar flag in many places that have a tie to Mexican culture. I saw them in a Mexican Market in San Antonio, Texas, for example.
Go on a Photo Walk Tour. One of the best ways to explore Cabo San Lucas is to go on a photo walking tour. As a frequent solo traveler, I love going on photo walks in new cities because they are an easy and affordable way to get lots of amazing photos while simultaneously getting a tour of the area from a local. For more tips on solo photography, check out my Ebook that’s all about solo female travel.
Eat at Flora’s Field Kitchen. If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Cabo San Lucas, be sure to check out Flora’s Field Kitchen. The restaurant is located on an organic farm and serves up seasonal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Before I visited Cabo, everyone I talked to recommended this restaurant.
Take a Tasty Taco Tour. Cabo San Lucas is known for its delicious tacos. If you’re a fan of tacos, be sure to go on a taco tour. This is a great way to try different types of tacos from lots of different taquerias and learn about the history of the dish. You can’t spend 3 days in Cabo without eating your heart out on tacos!
Enjoy the Bustling Nightlife. Cabo San Lucas is known for its vibrant nightlife. Be sure to check out some of the popular bars and clubs in the city. I remembering visiting the Jungle Bar and the Blue Marlin among others. It’s very walkable, so it’s easy to hop from place to place.
Take a UTV Tour with Wild Donkeys. Cabo isn’t just about beaches and tequila! It has lots of unique terrains, too. A UTV tour is a great way to see the desert and get up close and personal with the wild donkeys. There are plenty of companies that offer tours, so be sure to shop around for the best deal.
Swim with Whale Sharks and Sea Lion in La Paz. Two hours from Cabo San Luca is La Paz, known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. One of the most popular things to do in La Paz is to swim with whale sharks and sea lions. This is a once in a lifetime experience and one that you will never forget.
To get there, you can ride a bus or take a shuttle from Cabo. You can also rent a car if you prefer to drive. The whale sharks aren’t there all year, so the best time to visit is from October to February to ensure you have the best chance of swimming with them. The water is warmer in October and November, but it starts to get chilly in January and February.
Unfortunately due to bad weather, my whale shark tour was cancelled when I visited, but I was lucky enough to swim with whale sharks in another part of Mexico a few months earlier. Read all about it here.
Watch the sunset on the beach. We all know that sunsets on the beach just hit different. Cabo is no exception!
San Jose del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas
San Jose del Cabo is the quieter and more subdued of the two main towns in Los Cabos. When you think of San Jose del Cabo, picture charming Colonial-style buildings, art galleries, and upscale restaurants.
In contrast, Cabo San Lucas is where you’ll find most of the action with its lively nightlife scene, world-class golf courses, and luxury resorts.
If you’re looking for a place to relax, I recommend spending a few days in San Jose del Cabo. But if you’re looking to party, then Cabo San Lucas is the place for you!
What to Eat in Cabo
Go to local places for the most delicious and affordable tacos around. The less English, the better!
I would get 2-3 tacos and a bottle of Coca Cola (because everyone knows they taste better in Mexico for some reason) every day for lunch and dinner at a different taqueria. They were always hot, fresh, and delicious. Each place had their own unique toppings and salsa bar. I would get different meats every time, switching between chicken, steak, pork, and whatever else was on the menu. I tried it all and loved it. Even after a week of eating primarily tacos, I was still hungry for more.
I also tried some chilaquiles for breakfast for the first time. I was all about embracing that Mexican food!
If you take nothing else away from this blog post, please remember to order a taquiqueso from Los de Abajo Taquería. It’s like a regular taco, but the meat is wrapped inside a blanket made of cooked cheese then placed on top of a tortilla shell. It’s INCREDIBLE.
Final Thoughts
Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful place with plenty to see and do. Whether you’re looking to party or relax, there’s something for everyone. I hope I have given you lots of great ideas for your Cabo San Lucas itinerary so that you can spend an amazing 3 days in Cabo! But I don’t blame you if you want to stay a lot longer. I know I did!
Moochie
Thanks for sharing
DW Brown
What kind of fishing and golfing events are held in Cabo each year?
Sightseeing Señorita
DW BrownGreat question! I don’t partake in either of those hobbies myself, but I do know Cabo has great fishing & golfing! But a quick Google search should give you lots of great results, especially since the dates for events will vary from year to year.
Here’s what I found for fishing: https://www.visitloscabos.travel/events/sport-fishing-events/
and golfing: https://www.visitloscabos.travel/events/golf-events/