Top 14 Things To Do in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Sunrise from the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Top Things to Do in San Jose del Cabo
San José del Cabo is the more sophisticated sibling of Cabo San Lucas. Located about 30 minutes away, the cobblestone streets of San Jose del Cabo are lined with papel picado flags the flap in the coastal breezes. Street art adorns the walls of the historic, colonial buildings and around every corner, you’ll find galleries, boutiques and and souvenir stalls. The central plaza, Plaza Mijares, is lined with street food carts and a vibrant atmosphere that makes this quieter city undeniably charming.
Over our many visits, we have found that we gravitate to this town over the more rowdy Cabo San Lucas - there’s just something about it that keeps us coming back for more.
Take Stroll through the Art District
One of my favorite things to do on any trip to Los Cabos is stroll through the Art District in San José. The streets are lined with boutiques, locally made crafts, gorgeous art and surprises around each corner. There really is no limit to the amount of times I say “wow” or “how pretty” every time I visit. These quaint streets never get old. Here are some land marks and streets to pin on your map before you go to make the most of your stroll:
Plaza Mijares
Plaza Mijares is the heart of San José del Cabo’s historic district. As the vibrant main square for this historic city, Plaza Mijares captures the essence of San José del Cabo. The square is surrounded by a mix of architecture ranging from Spanish colonial to contemporary structures - housing art galleries, studios and restaurants.
It also tells the story of San José’s rich cultural heritage though events, festivals, live music and the weekly Thursday Night Art Walk.
Mision San José del Cabo
Mission San José del Cabo is the heart of San José’s historic colonial center. Founded by the Jesuits in 1730, this mission is the southern-most mission on the west coast. You don’t have to attend mass (though you are welcome to!) to visit this landmark that represents the blending of Spanish colonialism with indigenous culture. Boulevard Antonio Mijares
Alvaro Obregon
Many of the art galleries are concentrated along this street just off of Plaza Mijares.
Jose Maria Morelos
This may just be one of the most beautiful streets in all of Los Cabos. Adorned with papel picado flags overhead, street art and vibrant
Thursday Night Art Walk
Every Thursday evening, San José del Cabo’s Plaza Mijares comes alive. My favorite way to experience Art Walk is to grab a hibiscus margarita to-go from Los Tres Gallos, located about a block and half off the main square, and wander the rows and rows of vendors show casing their locally made crafts and wide variety of fine art - ranging from photography to impressive sculptures. Cap off the evening with a bite from the street food vendors - my favorites are the tamales from Doña Nina and fresh churros.
Boutique Shopping
The Art Walk isn’t the only opportunity to see and find beautiful art in San Jose. Whether you’re looking for a piece to take home or just window shopping, take a stroll through the Art District to discover a variety of galleries and boutiques. Some of my favorites include:
TWH Art Gallery, featuring incredible glass work
Shima Shima is a boho vibe boutique featuring goods all made in Mexico
Be sure to explore into the walled gardens as well - tucked away you can find hidden gems such as a cigar shop offering freshly hand-rolled options at Maestro Torcdor and a sculpture garden at Sotomayor Metal Sculpture Gallery.
View from the summit of Mt. Solmar
Go for Hike
Mount Solmar, also known as Cerro del Vigia is a rocky crag that rises above Lands End, and the famous El Arco in Cabo San Lucas.
The hike is on private property, but most days, the owner leads a group up to the the top to take in the view. The hike takes about 2 hours including time spent at the top to take in the views. It is moderate, but the final climb to the top gets a bit steep with a little rock scrambling to reach the summit. Once you reach the top, the climb is certainly worth it - the views overlook Cabo Bay, Medano Beach, and the marina as well as Divorce Beach and Lovers Beach.
For the most up to date info on days and times that this hike is hosted, check the Ascenso al Cerro del Vigia Facebook page.
Spend a Day at Local Beaches
Many of the beaches in San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, including many resort beaches, are not swimmable due to the waves and strong currents. If you are looking for somewhere to safely get in the ocean in San José, these beaches are a great place to start!
🌊 Costa Azul
Costa Azul is a popular beach known for its surf break
🌊 Playa Palmilla
Playa Palmilla is located about a 15 minute drive from San José del Cabo’s city center. Tucked away in a rocky bay, it is the best beach for swimming and snorkeling in San José. This public beach is surrounded by luxury resorts and villas giving it a very exclusive vibe.
🌊 Playa El Chileno
Playa El Chileno is located about halfway between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas along the Tourist Corridor. The calm waters in this bay make it a great option for swimming and snorkeling. This beach does have toilets and showers near the entrance.
🌊 Playa Santa Maria
Located near Cabo San Lucas along the Tourist Corridor, Playa Santa Maria is situated inside a sheltered bay. This location makes for calm waters and safe swimming. This also happens to be one of the best spots for snorkeling in the area. Additionally, there are often vendors with paddleboards and other watersports equipment for rent here. There is a car park, toilets and showers available for visitors.
In season, typically December-April, you may also catch a glimpse of humpback and grey whales breaching off-shore.
Enjoy Farm to Table Dining
San José del Cabo is home to several Farm to Table dining experiences, each with their own distinct vibe.
Flora Farms
Flora Farms has a boho, laid back vibe. Plan your visit to coincide with one of their daily farm tours to learn about their farm to table philosophy. While the menu rotates based on seasonal items, the pork chops are always on and live up to the hype. They are named as a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant and have earned a Michelin Green Star.
Acre
Acre is a chic farm to table restaurant - you may recognize it from a dinner scene on the Real Housewives of the OC cast trip. Their commitment to sustainably and sourcing locally, including from their own 60-acre farm earned them a Michelin Green Star in 2024.
Los Tamarindos
Mexican-owned, and located in a farm house dating back to the 19th Century, this farm-to-table option provides a more authentic, local experience.
Go Whale Watching
Each year, between December-April, humpback whales and grey whales migrate to the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. If you visit any section of coastline during this time of year, you’re guaranteed to see whales splashing and breeching offshore.
While it’s possible to spot the whales from land, getting up close with this animals is absolutely incredible. There are several tour operators that offer whale watching excursions (these will often also take you to visit ‘El Arco’ - 2 birds with one stone!). Be sure to choose a sustainable & ethical tour company for your excursion.Explore the estuary
Watch a Sunrise or Sunset
Cabo San Lucas’ position at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula puts in the the PERFECT location to catch stunning sunrises and sunsets.
Go Deep Sea Fishing
Cabo San Lucas is very well known for it’s deep see fishing. Cabo’s unique location that the intersection of the warm currents from the Sea of Cortez and cool currents from the Pacific Ocean creates a unique environment where a variety of species can thrive year-round. There is an abundance of marlin (striped, black and blue), sailfish, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi. Whether you’re hoping for a trophy to take home or a smaller catch to cook for dinner, Cabo is the perfect place to cast a line.
There are an abundance of tours and charters with skilled crews to put you in the perfect place to catch a fish.
Do a Food Tour
One of my favorite ways to discover a new city is through a food tour. Walking tours help you get your bearings in a new place, you get to try loads of local cuisine and they often also come with a little side of history.
Food tours take you to a few different locations, with a sample of something from the menu available at each location all included in the tour price. This is a great option for travelers looking to get off the beaten path and try something you maybe wouldn’t have had the courage to order on your own. Juan More Taco is our go to for food tours in Cabo San Lucas.
Take Cooking Class
On your next trip to Cabo San Lucas, consider a different type of souvenir - one that doesn’t take up any extra space in your suitcase. The knowledge of how to cook a new dish - and impress all your friends with your mad guacamole skills. On top of learning new skills and recipes, cooking classes are an amazing cultural experience.
Cooking classes give you the opportunity to really connect with a local to learn about their culture and the history behind the cuisine.
Go Snorkeling
The water around Cabo San Lucas is clear most of the year, and because of its unique location where the Pacific and Sea of Cortez come together - the waters are teaming with marine life. If you’re are interested in snorkeling you have a couple of options:
🤿 Take a snorkeling tour
There are several tour operators that leave from the marina in Cabo San Lucas. Their experienced crew will take you to the best reefs and rocks to snorkel based on current conditions. Tours will include all of the gear including masks and snorkels as well as flotation devices if needed.
🤿 DIY snorkeling at one of the swimable beaches
This is a great option if you don’t want to be on someone else’s schedule. Grab your snorkel gear, or purchase a set at any of the major supermarkets in town and make your way to one of Cabo’s swimable beaches. From here, you can wade and easily swim over to the rocky shoals of the bays to catch a glimpse at the abundant marine life Cabo is known for.
Visit Cabo San Lucas
See the world-famous ‘El Arco’
If you have seen a photo of Cabo San Lucas, you have almost certainly seen the The Arch. ‘El Arco’ is located in the ‘Lands End’ area of Cabo San Lucas - a rocky outcropping making the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula. The area is only accessible by boat - here are some of the best options for visiting:
🚣♂️ Kayak to The Arch
This is a really unique way to see El Arco for those with an adventurous spirit. Kayak tours include a guided trip out to the arch where you can really marvel at the rock formations and get up close to the sea lion colony. As you make your way back, there are opportunities to stop at both Divorce Beach & Lovers Beach as well as take a snorkel break at Pelican Rock, one of the best known reefs in Los Cabos.
🚤 Private Charter
If you have a taste for the finer things in life or are traveling with a larger group, consider chartering a private yacht for a day on the water, including at visit to El Arco. The beauty of a private charter, is the boat captain can adapt the trip to your desires - want to spend more time at The Arch to ensure the whole fam gets a great photo, no problem! Most charters will also take you along the Pacific and Sea of Cortex coast lines for a chance to see Los Cabos from a different perspective. You can also request an anchorage at one of the swimable beaches along the coast for a snorkel adventure.
⛵️ Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
Consider taking a scenic tour on a glass-bottom boat. These leave from the Marina in Cabo San Lucas and take visitors to Lands End. These tours take less than an hour and shuttle you to view and photograph El Arco. Becuase the bottoms are clear, you can keep an eye out for marine life all along the way.
🚕 Water Taxi
Taking a water taxi is the cheapest and most independent option for your visit to El Arco. Departing from the Marina, you’ll spend about 30 minutes cruising around Lands End and get dropped off at Lovers Beach. Before getting dropped off, coordinate a pick-up time with the boat captain and they will come back to collect you at the agreed upon time.
Cabo San Lucas Marina
See sea lions at the Marina
The Marina is located in the heart of the tourist area in Cabo San Lucas. Make your way past the guys trying to convince you to take tequila shots and find a quieter spot to spot wildlife.
The best time to explore the marina is at the end of the day, just before sunset when the fishing boats are making their way back into the marina for the night. You’ll see playful sea lions following behind the boats hoping to catch some scraps along with pelicans swooping in to land some dinner of their own.
Day Trips from San Jose del Cabo
Todos Santos
Todos Santos, located on the west coast of the Baja peninsula, about 1-hour from Cabo San Lucas, has retained it’s small-town laid back vibes. Despite its growing popularity, it has escaped large-scale tourism (for now). This quaint pueblo attracts artists, creatives and surfers. If you want great content for Instagram and care about aesthetics, you will be in HEAVEN in Todos Santos.
While it is small, it is packed with beautiful boutique hotels, cafes, farm to table restaurants and boho boutiques around every corner. And, who can forget the epic surfing, sunsets over the Pacific Ocean and incredible hiking. A one-day itinerary may leave some travelers with a bit of FOMO, wishing they had planned for more time in this magical town.
Click here for a full day trip guide on a Todos Santos.
Cabo Pulmo
Cabo Pulmo is located about 2-hours from Cabo San Lucas along the East Cape of the Baja Peninsula. The waters here are part of a national marine park and home to some of the most pristine reefs in North America.
Jacques Cousteau nicknamed Cabo Pulmo “the aquarium of the sea” thanks to the abundance of marine life that call this area home. That’s all to say, this is the BEST place for snorkeling and scuba diving in Cabo. You have a good chance of seeing turtles, rays, sharks, massive schools of fish and whales.
If you’re interest in learning more about how Cabo Pulmo transformed from overfished to teaming with wildlife, this NatGeo documentary is a must watch!
On our dive trip, we were treated to the biggest school of jack I’ve ever seen and about 4 bull sharks.
It is a very long drive if you’re spending the day in the water, so we would actually recommend a tour for this activity.
There are snorkel or scuba dive tours that depart from Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
About San José Del Cabo
The Location:
San José del Cabo, Mexico is situated at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. It is divided into two main areas:
The Art District - the charming, historic ‘downtown’ located just inland
The Zona Hotelera - the beachfront Hotel Zone
San José del Cabo is located approximately 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas and approximately 25 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
The Weather:
San José del Cabo is characterized by it’s tropical desert climate featuring a “hot” and a “cool” season.
Hot Season (June-October): Daytime highs average in the 90s with evenings in the mid-70s. This is also the most humid time of year, despite the desert climate.
Cool Season (December-March): Daytime highs in the low 80s with evenings cooling off to as low as 60.
The Vibe:
The cobblestone streets of San José del Cabo are lined with papel picado flags the flap in the coastal breezes. Street art adorns the walls of the historic, colonial buildings and around every corner, you’ll find galleries, boutiques and and souvenir stalls. The central plaza, Plaza Mijares, is lined with street food carts and a vibrant atmosphere that makes this quieter more sophisticated city undeniably charming.
I’m Confused by all these “Cabos” can you break down like I’m 5?
The naming conventions for all of the destinations in Baja California are confusing enough to make your head spin. Here’s a breakdown to help you get your bearings:
Los Cabos: Also known as “Cabo,” is the overarching region
Cabo San Lucas: Also known as just “Cabo,” the more popular tourist destination known for the ‘El Arco’ arch, bars, clubs and restaurants lining a picturesque marina.
San José del Cabo: Also referred to as “San José,” the historic, artsy town.
Tourist Corridor: The stretch along the coast and Hwy 1 between Cabo San Lucas and San José. This area is lined with resorts and golf courses.
Tips for Visiting
Flying to San José del Cabo
The nearest airport to San José del Cabo is Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). There are many direct flights from cities throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Upon arrival, after you have cleared customs, proceed directly outside to meet your transportation providor and do not speak to any of the salesmen inside the airport.
Airport Transfers
🚐 Shuttle: If you do not plan to rent a car, a shuttle is the most affordable and efficient option for airport transfers. We always utilize Cabo Airport Shuttle for our transfers to and from SJD. They offer private or shared shuttle service. For private shuttles, there is also an option to add a 30 minute grocery store stop on the way. Book this ins advance!
🚕 Uber / Taxi: Uber is frankly a bit convoluted at the SJD airport as they are not permitted to pick up riders from the arrivals area. While technically an option, you will have to while a while out of the terminal to meet your driver. In this case, a taxi is the better option. It will be more expensive than a shuttle. If you do opt to utilize a taxi, coordinate and agree to a price for your trip at an official desk before departing.
🚗 Rental Car: If you are renting a car, your rental agency will pick you up via a shuttle service to take you to their off-site lot. From there you can drive yourself to San José del Cabo
Getting Around
Whether or not you need a rental car in San José del Cabo really just depends on the type of vacation you plan to have.
If you are more of a flop-and-drop traveler who only plans to leave the resort for a few meals and maybe a day of shopping, you can definitely get by without one. In this case, Uber is the best way to get to & from your resort.
Keep in mind that rush hour traffic is a thing in Mexico too and plan accordingly and plan ahead for traffic so you don’t miss any reservations!
If you plan to do a broader Baja road trip or some day trips to places like Todos Santos or Cabo Pulmo, I would highly recommend renting a car.
Best Times To Visit
The best time to visit Los Cabos is December to April. During this time, you’ll find pleasant temps in the mid-70’s to low 80’s and also happens to fall during the peak season for seeing whales.
Where to Stay in San José del Cabo
Where to Eat in San José del Cabo
San José del Cabo offers a wide range of options for every budget. Visitors can enjoy tamales, churros and elote from street vendors or a fine dining farm to table experience - or both! Life is all about balance, right?
Doña Nina
This street cart can be found on the Main Square in San José del Cabo serving savory and sweet tamales. My favorites are the Pollo Verde (chicken with green sauce) and Piña (pineapple). You can also find fresh churros, elote and walking tacos at other carts in this area.
Address: Plaza Antonio Mijarez, San José del Cabo 23400 Mexico
Los Guacamayas
Like many restaurants in Los Cabos, Los Guacamayas has locations in both San José and Cabo San Lucas. We’ve tried both and prefer the location in San José. Try the al Pastor tacos.
Address: C. P.º de los Marinos s/n, Mauricio Castro, 23401 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal
If you’re looking for traditional tacos, this is not where I would send you - but if you’re looking for a unique spin and fusion flavors, La Lupitas is delicious. Reservations are recommended for Thursday evenings during the art walk. Try the Cheese Crust Pastor, Pibil Suckling Pig, or El Takeshi tacos.
Address: José Maria Morelos s/n, Gallery District, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Los Tres Gallos
This instagram-worthy spot is great for margaritas (try the hibiscus!) and has locations in both San José and Cabo San Lucas.
Address: Alvaro Obregon 15, Gallery District, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Flora Farms
Flora Farms has a boho, laid back vibe. Plan your visit to coincide with one of their daily farm tours to learn about their farm to table philosophy. While the menu rotates based on seasonal items, the pork chops are always on and live up to the hype.
Address: Carretera Transpeninsular San José del Cabo Km. 30 Las Ánimas Bajas, 23407 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Acre
Acre is a chic farm to table restaurant - you may recognize it from a dinner scene on the Real Housewives of the OC cast trip. Their commitment to sustainably and sourcing locally, including from their own 60-acre farm earned them a Michelin Green Star in 2024.
Address: C. Rincón de las Animas S/N, Animas Bajas, 23407 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
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