It’s Party Time In Cabo!

It takes very little time to get your bearings in a place like Cabo San Lucas. There’s the marina, the beach and one or two blocks behind both packed with bars and restaurants - simple. As easy as Cabo is to navigate, “quaint” is hardly a word that describes this fishing port as it now rivals its brash Mexican neighbours Acapulco and Cancún as a hedonists’ delight. Blessed with great weather and warm water year-round, the reasons for visiting Cabo are varied, but they all revolve around enjoying the great outdoors. Beach lovers, party animals, divers, snorkellers, surfers, fishing enthusiasts and golfers hit Cabo to indulge their past-time during the day - and it all makes for an amusing mix of people when the sun goes down and it’s time to go out and play. 

Cabo's Beaches And Los Arcos

Cabo’s beaches are what initially turned this sleepy fishing village into a popular international destination in just over two decades. Most people head to Playa El Médano, just east of the marina, and although it’s often quite busy, it is a beautiful stretch of pure white sand and azure water. Certain sections of the beach, like in front of the five star Club Cascadas, are populated by rowdy Americans and Canadians on spring break (like schoolies week) but quiet sections can be found with a little bit of a walk. As with most Mexican beaches, hawkers abound and in this part of the world they are persistent, but not aggressive. And if you’re in the mood for some Mexican handicrafts or silver jewellery, they may save you a trip around the markets at the marina.

After a couple of days of doing nothing, there’s an seemingly endless array of beach activities on the go at Médano - one of the parasailer operators touts for business on the basis that “this is the best way to clear your head” after too many tequilas. Jet skis, kayaking, water skiing, snorkelling and various boat tours also compete for the attention, and spending money, of visitors to the beach. A quieter and more beautiful option is Playa del Amor, or Lovers’ Beach, which is on the western side of the marina.

Because of its relative inaccessibility, you need a water taxi for the short journey and it’s well worth the effort as the ride takes you past the most famous landmark in Cabo - the stunning rock formation called Los Arcos. Sparkling blue water, wide beautiful white sand beaches and stunning rocky outcrops at each end make this a special experience. There are no beach side bars, hawkers or jet skis and it’s the perfect way to “get away from it all” if Cabo gets a bit full-on.

Cabo At Night 

Without doubt the best time of the day in Cabo is sunset and there’s a distinct personality change that comes over the town as the night kicks in. The Marina and Playa del Médano feature an endless array of bars to watch the sun drop over the ocean. Happy hour usually begins around this time with two-for-one drink specials on beer and, of course, margaritas. Beware of anyone who tries to tell you they did all the bars on this stretch in one night - they’re lying. It’s not physically possible, and the best approach is try a couple of them and go back to the ones you like. 

The same goes for restaurants, although the Baja Cantina at the Marina is a consistently good option. For seafood lovers this is utopia, and lobster is a local specialty and seems to be available year-round. After dinner, it's difficult not to experience the famous Cabo San Lucas nightlife. Everything is in close proximity and even after the most extensive bar crawl, it’s only a short cab ride to most parts of Cabo. Some of the more famous, and fun, nightspots include the Cabo Wabo Cantina, a boisterous spot owned by former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar. Then there’s Pancho’s on Hidalgo Street, which specialises in tequila, the Giggling Marlin Bar, El Squid Roe, the Elbow Room and Latitude 22 - and these only represent about one percent of the bar scene in Cabo.

San José Del Cabo 

But that’s not to say Cabo San Lucas is all sunburnt faces and tequila - for those who find it too Americanised and youth-oriented, there is a traditional Mexican side which can be explored easily. The town of San José del Cabo is a short cab ride from Cabo San Lucas - century-old brick and adobe buildings line the pretty streets radiating out from the town’s plaza and church. It’s a pleasant pedestrian-friendly town and this is where you’ll find traditional markets, and watch the locals going about their daily life. It’s the quieter and more refined side of “Los Cabos”, or the Two Cabos, and restaurants here will more likely have candlelight than neon signs. Because of this Cabo has managed to retain some of its original Mexican charm, but the general feeling is it won’t last long and the best time to go is now, before it becomes another “Acapulco”.