November 2, 2022 | View Online | Sign Up |
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Cabo is many things.
Sure, the glitz of celebrity culture shot the pristine bay into the world’s gaze and holds it there with a sunglass-tinted smirk. But poolside Palomas and Instagram models are only the tip of the eclectic iceberg that is Cabo San Lucas. Thrill seekers are drawn in droves to the dizzying array of water activities available, while nature lovers are spoilt by one of the world’s finest areas of ocean bio-diversity.
Of course, it’s hardly a Cabo trip if the tequila isn’t flowing, and even the most nightlife averse among us can still be lured into the bars and clubs that line this idyllic stretch of Pacific Paradise. After all, recuperation is a little easier when retreating to one of its many high-end resorts.
Sound like your cup of tea…quila? You're in luck! We’re offering you and a friend a three-night stay at one of Cabo San Lucas’ finest all-inclusive resorts, along with a ton of other amazing prizes. Enter here for your chance to win!
Welcome to Cabo. |
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| FUN FACTS |
Hidden Beaches
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While geoformations might not be the reason you travel to Cabo, the city’s surrounding area functions as a stage for some pretty amazing natural phenomena.
The Sea of Cortez — the stretch of water where the bay is located — is one of the youngest seas in the world, and the complex volcanic activity that took place as it formed helped create the unique geoformations that surround Cabo.
The most famous of these formations is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, a picturesque rock bridge that functions as the main attraction for boat trips in the area. Most of the time, the base of the arch is completely submerged, but once every four years, the tides change, revealing a stunning little beach for around a month. So, if you arrive and can walk under the arch, you’ve been extremely lucky. |
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO |
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Gringo Paradise |
While Cabo does have flashes of authentic Mexico, the vast majority of trips to the town aren’t centered around cultural experiences. In fact, 70% of the city are expats and predominantly American.
While it might be disappointing if you were expecting a little more in the way of Mexican life, it does mean that English is extremely widespread and you won’t even need to exchange your dollars as they’re accepted in most places — especially the tourist spots. |
Safety and common sense go hand in hand |
Mexico has drawn a lot of negative press in the past few years, owing mainly to the increase in gang violence and organized crime. While the governmental warnings should be heeded, you should be absolutely fine in Cabo.
The cartels that control different regions in Mexico do have a presence in the region, but it’s important to remember that tourism is important to their business and that disrupting it only hurts them.
Making smart choices will keep you safe. Don’t wander off alone at night, especially after drinking, and make sure to keep an eye on your glass at any club or bar. And, although it shouldn’t need to be said, avoid getting involved with any form of drug use while there. |
Beware the undertow |
It’s extremely important to keep an eye on any warnings listed on Cabo’s beaches. Because of its location, some beaches are prone to stronger than usual riptides that can easily drag a swimmer out as well as some rough waves and undertows. Swimming isn't permitted on the Pacific side of the bay, so look for green flags on the city side.
If you do find yourself caught in a riptide, remember to keep calm and don’t fight it. Most riptides only go about twenty meters to sea before filtering off. So let it carry you or swim parallel to the beach until you’re free. |
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| SPEAK LIKE A LOCAL |
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| THINGS TO DO |
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Fun begins where the land ends |
The most popular tourist attraction in Cabo is also the best. The entire Lands End area, where the famous arch can be found, is stunning and more than worth a day’s exploring, and there’s more than one way to do it.
The easiest way to enjoy it is to jump on a boat tour. There are plenty of local companies offering group or private tours, some with glass-bottomed boats that let you enjoy the insane amounts of underwater life as you go. The tours will get you as close as possible to the arch before dropping you off at Lover’s Beach, an idyllic little cove, where you’ll be given a couple of hours to explore.
If you’re feeling a little more independent, rent out your own kayak or paddle board to explore it yourself. There are plenty of organized paddleboard tours too, so if you’re not too confident, don’t worry.
Once over by Land’s End, you can hang out at Lover’s Beach and enjoy a little snorkeling, or head back to Divorce Beach and climb some of the stunning rocky cliffs for some excellent views. If you’re an early riser, morning hikes to Mt Solmar are a must and offer the best view of the entire bay. |
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Meet the locals |
The Sea of Cortez and the region of the Pacific Ocean it connects with are some of the most bio-diverse regions of water in the world. You’re likely to experience some of it without even leaving the bay. It's not uncommon for sea lions to make unsolicited appearances on the back of tour boats.
But head a little further out, with the help of a tour company of course, and you can experience the awe of the world’s largest animals: Whales.
Blue, Grey, and Orca whales are all common in the area from December to March, and many tour groups will take visitors to observe them in their natural habitat. While it’s not always guaranteed, watchers on tours over those months have an extremely high success rate, so don’t worry too much about being disappointed.
It’s also possible to get up close and personal with some other sea life. Snorkeling trips to Espiritu Santo allow you to swim with members of the sea lion colony that call the island home, while others let you hang out with the gentle giants of the sea — whale sharks.
There’s even a stunning coral reef ripe for exploration, where eels, turtles, and a wide array of vibrant sea life go about their day-to-day. Scout around for the best prices, but expect to pay anywhere between $80 to $200 for any of these amazing experiences. |
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Turn up the ante |
Sometimes lounging by the pool gets a little too mundane for us. To counter the stagnation, why not embrace a little adrenaline? There are few places better than Cabo to indulge in some high-octane activities, and they’re not just limited to the water.
With that said, some of the most obvious attractions will be found on the waves, like jet skis, parasailing, and water skiing. More laid-back options are kayak and paddle boarding tours like those mentioned above. There are countless companies offering these experiences, and many hotels will have partners that plug some solid savings.
But for a real treat, head away from the bay and go enjoy the wild desert and rainforest landscapes nearby. With multiple parks and tour operators, you can easily pick and choose the best activities for yourself.
For an all-in-one, Wild Canyon Adventures knocks it out the park. You can enjoy zipline, ATV rides, horseback tours, and a range of other outdoor adventure activities in one place — perfect if your trip is on the quicker end of things. |
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| WHERE TO STAY |
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Nothing but luxury |
If there’s one thing Cabo does well, it’s luxury hotels. The town has long been a destination for the rich and famous seeking a quick getaway from the Hollywood hills a few hundred miles north.
There is a range of impressive all-inclusive stays available, too, which can be wonderful in their own right. But having everything on-site means you might skip some of the culinary experiences on offer in the town itself. |
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Our Top Pick: Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf and Spa Resort |
Cabo, Mexico $$$$ | See inside |
Travel and Leisure called it the "Most Romantic All-Inclusive Resort in the world". And it's not hard to see why. The Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is breathtaking. Commanding pictuesque views from a secluded beach, there's no place better to spend your time in Cabo.
Want to stay here for free? We're offering you the perfect chance to stay in this world-class hotel. One lucky winner will receive a three-night all-inclusive stay for two at Pueblo Bonitio, as well as a slew of other gifts.
Click here to enter. |
Book Your Stay |
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Other Top Picks |
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| WHERE TO EAT |
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Feelin' Oysterous? |
Thanks to its high volume of expats, pretty much any food you can imagine is found in Cabo. Unlike other Mexican resort towns, local food does have a stronger presence, making it one of the few ways to get a grip on local culture.
Make the most of the seaside experience with some excellent seafood. Focus on the local chocolate clams, mouthwatering lobster, and fresh-caught marlin, then splash on one of the many high-end reimaginings of Mexican cuisine. |
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Our Top Pick: Manta |
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico $$$$ | Menu
Mexican chef Enrique Olvera is a giant in the culinary world. He already has two eateries ranked in the world’s fifty best restaurants, and while his Cabo establishment, Manta, hasn’t made it yet, you’d be amiss not to give it a go.
Taking nods from other Pacific countries like Peru and Japan, the dinner-tasting menu is a seafood exploration more than worthy of the price tag. If that’s not enough to pull you in, check out the sunset views looking out to the rock formations of Land's End. |
Reserve a table |
The Best of the Rest |
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN CABO |
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