Cabo San Lucas, Mexico boasts almost 350 days of sunshine and beautiful beaches making it a perfect year-round getaway. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the world for good reason. We visited last November during our 7-day Mexican cruise and these are some of the sights, attractions and photos of Cabo San Lucas that made this seaport a memorable one.
This was our third visit to this picturesque seaport and the number of all-inclusive resorts and luxury hotels along Playa Medano keeps increasing during each visit. This is usually one of our first sightings from the ship.
This stretch of beach area was dotted with many beachside properties that have always made us wish for a land vacation here.
There were three ships docked in town that day which made for a busy day of activities on land and sea. Ships usually anchor offshore and passengers are taken into the town in tender boats since their marina isn’t equipped to handle the large cruise ships.
We were greeted with this huge Mexico sign flanked by its famous Corona beer, of course.
Like many tourist areas, the area was filled with souvenir shops and restaurants. I love buying souvenirs and Mexico doesn’t disappoint with its variety of colorful ceramics, pottery and cheap trinkets or what my husband calls “clutter”.
Giant sombreros and maracas are always a big hit with the kids.
We felt a little safer after seeing these police officers on Segways. Apparently, Cabo’s police officers have a bigger budget than many of their US counterparts since I don’t see my local cops patrolling in these high-tech toys.
We saw a few of these interesting and bizarre cartoon characters posted outside many drug stores or “pharmacias” on the three Mexican ports we visited. Many tourists visit Mexican pharmacies to buy inexpensive medicine.
Of course, my kids wondered what these characters were. In our best straight face, we told them they were “medicine men”, left it at that and proceeded to distract them. We’re not ready for that discussion yet, and we’re hoping they don’t remember to Google it one of these days.
One of the things we like to do is walk along the marina to go into the town. Sights like below makes you momentarily forget you’re actually in Mexico and not a Southern California town.
Water activities are the primary draw to Cabo San Lucas. Our scheduled port activity for the day was snorkeling at one of the beaches. The snorkeling tour company dropped us off at Pelican Beach for over an hour of snorkeling and provided us with all the gear. 
Though the water temperature was warm and comfortable, the waves were pretty strong. This was also a pretty crowded snorkeling area but my husband was able to capture a couple of these underwater shots with no distractions.
The kids enjoyed seeing the variety of tropical fish although they didn’t see as many fish as they wanted compared to their experience in Cozumel last year. I think this had more to do with this specific area since the Sea of Cortes has been dubbed as the “Aquarium of the World” for its diverse marine life.
Pelican Beach was also a popular area for relaxing on the beach with these huge rock formations as dramatic backdrops. We found this nice, quiet area for the kids to play and climb the rocks. 
After snorkeling, our tour boat took us to Cabo’s most famous attraction – El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Los Arcos or Land’s End. Los Arcos is a distinctive rock formation located on Baja Peninsula’s southern tip where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortes.
We saw plenty of sea lions nearby sunbathing on the rocks. It was a bit noisy and smelly here, as expected, but we loved seeing so many of them in their natural environment.
Los Arcos has been nicknamed Land’s End due to its location but was also used by pirates to hide behind and rob Spanish galleons loaded with treasures when this area used to be an important trade route in the 1500s.
Cabo San Lucas has always been one of our favorite ports for the myriad of activities it offers for people of all ages with varying interests. While we’ve visited it as cruise ports, we hope to return for an extended land vacation soon and enjoy this tropical paradise.
Visiting Cabo San Lucas tips and basics
- There are plenty of water-related activities from diving, snorkeling,kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing and glass bottom boat tours to choose from with many tour operators around the marina area ready to bargain.
- Water taxis were plentiful and cheap to take visitors to the arches or to Playa Medano.
- Some of the Playa Medano resorts accept day passes from cruise ship passengers.
- The town isn’t very big but very easy to walk around with a lot of stores and restaurants.
- A large, enclosed craft market is a great place to buy souvenirs and bargain. Our favorite buy is a large hammock.
- High tourist season and the best weather is from December to May.
*Have you visited Cabo San Lucas? Is Cabo on your travel list?
An island girl at heart who loves cruising, visiting National Parks & traveling the world with two kids in tow. 
Beautiful photos, Mary! I was in Cabo about 20 years ago, and loved it. Your photos brought back a lot of fond memories.
Nancie recently posted..#TPThursday — January 10th, 2013 — Chiang Mai’s Sunday Walking Market Madness
Thanks Nancie! I hope you return one of these days. I can imagine how much it’s changed since then especially all those resorts.
Seeing the boat at the bottom of the rocks at Lands End made be realize just how big
they are. I happen to love Marinas and enjoy walking around them wherever they.
I loved the local colour of the Mexican hat and the Viagra sign.
budget jan recently posted..From Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chebbi (Part 2)
I love how colorful Mexico is. It is a massive rock formation and I’m glad the pictures gave you a sense of its size. Yes, the viagra signs were unforgettable.
We thought about going to Mexico over the holidays. After seeing these photos, I wish we had!
Margaret recently posted..Ode to the sopaipilla
Cabo is such a tempting weekend getaway for many of us on the West Coast. I hope you get to visit soon.
We made a cruise stop there last spring, your photos brought back some wonderful memories of such a warm, sunny (sigh) tropical place.
Jackie Smith recently posted..TP Thursday: Did You See That?!
Thanks Jackie! It’s a great cruise port stop isn’t it? Glad to share some tropical paradise with you today and hope you return soon.
Cabo is one of the few places in Mexico that I’d like to go back to. We didn’t do any of the tours that were offered, but even just walking around the town was a lot of fun. Such a beautiful place to look at too. I’m going to have to side with your husband though. It’s “clutter” for sure.
Steve recently posted..Behind the Scenes on a Tour of Safeco Field
It is a great place to just walk around which is what we did during our first visit with a toddler. Of course, you’d side with my husband on the “clutter” issue.
I remember sailing into Cabo San Lucas: very pretty, especially the rocks. My youngest remembers the animals – there were lion cubs there (on tour for a fundraising effort), and iguanas and best of all dolphins to swim with.
Sophie recently posted..Zip lining in Costa Rica
We didn’t do the dolphin tour but they have a new stadium for swimming with the dolphins. Those lion cubs are still around for picture taking. We found them in Ensenada too.
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Hikawa Kiyoshi – Hoshi Kuzuno Machi
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I’ve never heard of Cabo San Lucas before, but the beaches look beautiful and I could spend hours among the colourful hats and souvenirs.
Italian Notes recently posted..Grazzano Badoglio – A village in Monferrato Italy
If you like colorful souvenirs, you’d love Cabo and Mexico. The beaches were beautiful. Cabo is one of the most popular beach cities along the Mexican Riviera.
Cabo does look beautiful. I can’t imagine what it must have been like with 3 ships in port at the same time. Glad you were able to find a quiet beach. Those rocks and sea lions are amazing.
InsideJourneys recently posted..New York’s Fashion Walk of Fame
It was pretty crowded with three mega ships in town which I’m sure you know when it docks in Jamaica. We got lucky with the beach and yes, those sea lions were such a wonderful sight to see.
Cabo San Lucas looks like a fun town for a stop. I loved all the colourful mexican souvenirs! How lucky to find a quiet beach with three cruise ships in town at the same time.
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Istanbul’s Aya Sofia Museum
Thanks Jenny! Cabo is one of our favorite cruise ports for its beauty and fun factor. As always, walking a little further away from the crowd is always a pleasant surprise.
Everything is so colorful, making it all lively. Love Corona
Really beautiful photos!
Salika Jay recently posted..Petronas Kuala Lumpur – World’s Tallest Twin Towers
Thanks Salika! My husband is a Corona lover too
I haven’t visited Cabo – but it’s a place I’d like to see. I have been to Loreto – north of La Paz three times for sea kayaking. The Baja is truly one of my favourite places to visit. I could watch teh birds all day and the sea life while kayaking was superb.
Leigh recently posted..Banff Adventure: The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
The Baja area doesn’t get a lot of press compared to the Yucatan and Riviera Maya. It is beautiful and you;d love all the nature-filled activities here.
Cabo is more built up than I expected. More like Acapulco, which wasn’t my favorite Mexican beach. we much prefer Ixtapa or the Mayan Riviera. Stil the Arco is certainly very tempting…
eileen at FamiliesGo! recently posted..4 Family-Friendly Resorts in the Virgin Islands
Cabo reminds me a lot of a growing Southern CA beachside town. The rock formations are beautiful and a different vibe from the Mayan Riviera.
When our cruise ship docked in Cabo, we opted for the zip lining tour. It was simply fantastic! These photos bring back wonderful memories — a simply gorgeous port.
Karen Dawkins recently posted..Vacation does not begin with “V”
I didn’t know Cabo had ziplining too. Totally agree about it being a gorgeous port especially compared to the rest of the other ports. Glad to bring you back to Cabo.
I have never been to Cabo but now that I have seen these pictures, I might add it to my list. What kind of camera did you use to capture the underwater pictures? They are great.
Jen recently posted..#DenverSugar Tour
Thanks Jen! Cabo is one of our favorite ports and some areas have that Southern CA feel to it. My husband used the GoPro hero2 with a dive housing. He tried out the regular housing and didn’t like it. He’s saying that the GoPro Hero3 is even better. Not sure if that’s true or he just wants another toy to play with
Beautiful photos, Mary! Cabo is the one place in Mexico that I have always wanted to visit – we are definitely going to have to take a Mexican Riviera cruise some time so that I can get there. I particularly love the photo of the Land’s End rocks – what a spectacular sight! My husband wouldn’t want anything to do with the shopping either!
Lisa recently posted..Magical Disney Time Cruising the Caribbean
Thanks Lisa! You;d love the nature and beach appeal of Cabo. Yes, visit this side of Mexico for a different perspective. I think it’s a universal rule husbands aren’t allowed to enjoy shopping,
Here’s another vote for “clutter”. By the way, which underwater camera are you using? We’ve had bad luck with those so far but I don’t want to give up on them.
Average Traveller recently posted..Disney California Adventures Paradise Pier Long Exposure Photos
I think a lot of men feel its “clutter” with a lot of things the wives buy
My husband used the GoPro hero2 with a dive housing. He tried out the regular housing and didn’t like it. Of course, now he’s eyeing the GoPro Hero3 which he says is even better. Good luck with your search!
I’ve not been to Cabo and didn’t realize the water was so beautiful! Thats making me think about visiting.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Easy Crossing In Efurt Germany
The flight isn’t too far from California so I hope you visit soon.
I’m not sure what I was expecting from Cabo, but this is not what I was expecting at all. I think I imagine Cabo to be more of a party place and not to have so much natural beauty. Thanks for chanigni my mind!
Jessica recently posted..Eartha~ The World’s Largest Rotating Globe
We’ve never stayed past dark so who knows? It is quite beautiful.
I LOVE that top shot! Cabo is so much fun. Haven’t been there in years. We enjoyed ATVs on the sand dunes, but I don’t think you can do that there anymore.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..An Angel and Street Art in Munich
Thanks Cathy! ATVs on sand dunes sound fun.
It looks lovely! Just give me a beach….
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters recently posted..Save Money Attending Homeschool Days
With this weather lately – me too. Thanks Tonya!
I love Cabo – we have been twice, staying at a resort outside of town – the pool was where I was at the majority of the trip as the beaches were not recommended down where we were because the rocks and tides. My husband loves golf there and we always take a deep sea fishing trip. It is gorgeous!!
Thanks so much for linking up!!
Becca@ R We There Yet Mom? recently posted..Friday Daydreamin’: A Whirlwind Trip to DFW
Thanks Becca! Glad to have the link up back. We need to do what you did and stay at a resort for a few days to enjoy Cabo.
I have been Mexico twice, but only to the Yucatán Peninsula Haven’t made it to the West yet! There are several places I’ve always wanted to visit there though, one of them being that will send request. Looks absolutely gorgeous in all pictures I’ve seen. But I must admit, my favorite shots of yours are those Viagra signs — they are hilarious!
nomadic translator @LatinAbroad recently posted..A year in travel (and life): My 2012 roller coaster ride
Haha..those Viagra signs were priceless. Youd; love this other side of Mexico.
Perfect timing because we have friends with a house in Cabo and we are hoping to make it there later this year..bookmarking this post in anticipation of that! Thank you!
Lucia recently posted..December Field Run
And to think we traveled all the way to Portugal last summer to see beautiful rock formations like that on the beach! They look very similar to the ones we saw in Lagos, Portugal. Your snorkeling photos look beautiful – that’s something I’d like to do a little more of with my kids.
Sonja recently posted..Photo Friday: Lovely Playa El Salón in Nerja
Oh, so beautiful! Love your picture of the segway cops
Christina recently posted..Things to do in Christchurch after the earthquake
Thanks Christina! They were fun to watch riding those segways too.
Wonderful colours, and what an adventure. Loved the little secret kept from the kids
Johanna at ZigaZag recently posted..6 healthy weight loss tips from Jo in WA
Thanks Johanna! Here’s hoping my daughter doesn’t see this post for awhile