Stephanie & Derek
Things To Do
Visit Cabo's charming sister town, San José del Cabo!!!
A small, charming town where our wedding venue is! Many say San José del Cabo is Cabo San Lucas' more elegant twin sister. The city is commonly known as the "Old Town," exuding traditional Mexican charm while also impressing with its luxurious new resorts. Take some time to check out the town square known as Plaza Mijares, which contains the town's mission church and town hall, along with several restaurants and charming shops. If you'd like to hit the beach, the nearby Playa Palmilla and Playa Santa Maria offer excellent waters and wildlife for swimmers and snorkelers. Some of the best restaurants in the region can be found in San José del Cabo as well, so plan to explore the eateries around town. You'll find San José del Cabo about 20 miles northeast of downtown Cabo San Lucas, and you can either drive or take a taxi to get there. Local buses run between the two towns as well, but the schedules are not followed strictly.
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
The famous El Arco is a natural rock formation on the southernmost tip of Baja California Peninsula. The only way to see the Arch is by boat. You can book anything from a water taxi, kayak, sailboat but the best way to see it is on glass bottom boats where you can see underwater marine life! Local Tip: Approximately every four years, the tide changes, and the beach emerges so you can walk underneath the Arch. It's also common for sea lions to swim around the area so keep your cameras ready.
Lovers Beach
Lover's Beach and Divorce Beach are connected. Lover’s Beach is on the bay side and is much more calm, while Divorce Beach has turbulent waves and we were cautioned not to swim there because of the rip currents. It’s like a relationship. One side is more calm, while the other turbulent. Although the beaches are connected, it gets much more crowded on Lover’s Beach even for people who are simply sunbathing. Pro Tip: Head out there early morning to beat the crowds.
Chileno Beach
This is a quiet beach 9 miles east of Cabo San Lucas that is popular with the locals. It’s rated one of the cleanest beaches in all of Mexico and perfect if you’re looking for a chill place to relax. Pro Tip: You can bring your own snorkel gear and snorkel on your own here.
Medano Beach
This beach has a lot of bars and is one of the few swimmable beaches on the peninsula. There are plenty of water activities like jetskiing, parasailing, etc if you’re looking for a good time out on the water. Local Tip: There is also a quiet stretch of beach to the left (or south) of this beach. The locals call this quiet beach the “local beach”, while they call Medano the “loco beach” since it attracts all the vacationers.
Cabo Pulmo
This is an amazing place to scuba dive. At Cabo Pulmo (closer to San Jose del Cabo), there are over 300 different species of fish, which has helped it earn its nickname “Aquarium of the World”.
Deep Sea Sport Fishing
If you’re a pro angler or just want to check this off your bucket list, Cabo is a great launching point for deep sea fishing.
Marina
With tons of shops, people watching, restaurants, and bars, there is something for everyone to do along the Marina. There are also a ton of vendors trying to sell their services for snorkeling, diving, glass bottom boat tours, kayaking, etc. If you’re looking for something less touristy, you’ll have to wander further in.
Mercado Marina
Buy souvenirs to your heart’s content or just walk around like us and see all the colorful displays. We visited the market at the marina. Some other spots to shop are Artesano’s, Eclectic Array, and La Coyota.
Cliff Dive off Pelican Rock
Conquer your fear of heights by jumping off Pelican Rock. Then climb back up and do it again! This area is great for snorkeling too, so don’t forget your mask and snorkel.
Bars & Clubs
You can get your taste of nightlife at the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina. Others include Giggling Marlin, The Office, El Squid Roe, Nowhere Bar, and more.
Sail the Baja Peninsula at Sunset
The Baja Peninsula has some of the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. The best way to view them is by sailing around the Baja coast at sunset. You can charter or joing a sailboat tour to do so.
Eat at Mi Casa Restaurant - San José del Cabo
Mi Casa has become such a popular restaurant in Cabo San Lucas that a second location has recently opened in neighboring San Jose del Cabo. Located in a hacienda-style home steps from the Marina Cabo San Lucas, Mi Casa offers a culinary tour of Mexico with dishes from many of the country’s regions. It’s a testament to the recipes that most dishes have remained constants on the 20-year-old menu. Don’t miss the “los sopes de Cochinita” (corn dough patties loaded with shredded pork in Axiote, black beans, onion, and cheese) and grilled fish of the day with a choice of four classic seasonings: zarandeado (a chile- and garlic-based seasoning), mojillo (chile guajillo and garlic), talla (a mixture of dried chiles and herbs) and Veracruzana (tomato, jalapeño, capers, and olives).
Flora Farms
You can visit Flora Farms or the restaurant. The original restaurant was called “ Café Flora”. It was the first little organic restaurant in Cabo. When Gloria Greene opened Flora, it became clear that there were not many truly organic vegetables available, so she and her husband Patrick Greene founded Flora Farms in 1996 to supply the restaurant with the best ingredients. At the farm, the Greene family founded the farmers’ market along with John Graham, offering breakfast and hosting some of the first charity events for the humane society.
Eat at The Office on the Beach
This is casual dining at its best: a beachfront joint with tables right in the sand. The food is decent (think Mexican standards), but it’s the view that will make you never want to leave. Don’t miss Thursday night’s Gran Fiesta Mexicana with folk dancing, fireworks, and candy-filled piñatas for the little ones. This family-friendly place fills up fast, so reservations are strongly suggested.
Eat at Carnitas El Michoacano
Famous for its carnitas (slow-roasted pork), this casual, open-air taquería is part of a small national chain established in Michoacán in 1899. At this location, the pale orange building has open archways lined with potted ferns, as well as white plastic furniture, an open kitchen, and a tortilla-making station. The carnitas is sold in tacos, topped with chopped onion and cilantro, or by the kilo, with homemade tortillas, beans, and fresh salsas. Also available are chicharrones (fried pork rinds) and tacos of loin, ham, rib, shoulder, or rinds. On Sunday, the restaurant hosts live norteña (Mexican folk) and mariachi music.
Eat at Edith's
Edith Jiménez is the woman behind the name and the restaurant. Jiménez started at this restaurant as a waitress, then eventually bought this charming spot with thatched ceilings and rustic wood tables located near Médano Beach. Under Jiménez’s watchful eye, the food combines the flavors of Baja (seafood, chile poblano) with the rustic cuisine of her hometown in the mountains of Guerrero (stews, flavorful herbs, handmade tortillas).
Eat at Restaurante Los Tres Gallos
The name Los Tres Gallos means “the three roosters,” paying homage to three of the most beloved Mexican stars of the silver screen. Not only is the traditional cuisine here delicious—hand-rolled tortillas, mole dishes, house-made salsas—it’s also affordable. Dine in the intimate hacienda-style courtyard shaded by tangerine and mango trees.
Eat at La Lupita Taco & Mezcal
In downtown San Jose del Cabo, a bright orange exterior gives way to a bustling food and drink haven. For the past three years, La Lupita has been serving Cabo’s best al pastor tacos to locals and tourists lucky enough to know about it.
La Revolucion Comedor de Baja California
Wander down the charming historic pedestrian-only streets of San Jose del Cabo and find old-fashioned hospitality within the walls of La Revolución. Sit at the bar for one of Osvaldo Vasquez’s concoctions. Take a seat on the patio for chef Benito Molina’s locally-sourced seasonal menu and enjoy generous share plates of fresh-caught ceviche, rabbit turnovers, a variety of tacos or a splurge on a juicy Tomahawk steak.