The Benson Preferred Guide
Los Cabos
Baja California Sur, Mexico
The Benson Preferred Guide to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Why Should You Visit Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo has become one of our favorite places to escape for a week or so because it never forces us to choose between adventure and relaxation.
Some mornings we’re whale watching. Other days we’re scuba diving, deep sea fishing, riding ATVs through the Baja desert, or wandering the charming streets of San José del Cabo. And sometimes our biggest decision of the day is whether we’re floating the lazy river one more time before heading to dinner.
What we love most about Cabo is its versatility. We love it. Couples love it. Families love it. Adventure seekers love it. Travelers who simply want to slow down and enjoy beautiful surroundings love it. Cabo somehow manages to do all of those things exceptionally well.
Every time we visit, we find ourselves talking about what we’re going to do on our next trip before we’ve even left.
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Who Is Cabo Perfect For?
Cabo is particularly well suited for:
- Couples looking for both relaxation and adventure.
- Families and multi-generational vacations.
- Whale watching enthusiasts.
- Deep sea fishing enthusiasts.
- Divers and snorkelers.
- First-time visitors to Mexico looking for a luxury experience.
- Travelers who appreciate great food and beautiful scenery.
- Anyone who enjoys having lots of options without feeling rushed.
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Where Should You Stay in Cabo?
Villa La Valencia has become one of our favorite home bases in Cabo.
Located along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, it’s perfectly situated to enjoy everything the area has to offer. The accommodations are spacious, the dining is excellent, and the lazy river has become one of our favorite places to unwind after a day of exploring.
One thing we particularly appreciate about Villa La Valencia is that you can easily enjoy an entire resort day without ever feeling like you’re missing out on Cabo’s adventures. It’s equally enjoyable to spend the day at the pool as it is to spend it exploring Baja.
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What Are the Best Things to Do in Cabo?
Some of our favorite Cabo experiences include:
- Whale watching
- Camel rides along the Pacific coast
- ATV and UTV adventures
- Zip lining through the Baja desert
- Deep sea fishing
- Scuba diving and snorkeling
- Exploring Land’s End and the Arch
- The Thursday Night Art Walk in San José del Cabo
- Relaxing at Villa La Valencia’s pools and lazy river
- Sunset sailing excursions
- Dining throughout Cabo and San José del Cabo
If you’re anything like us, you’ll appreciate that Cabo allows you to be as adventurous or as relaxed as you’d like on any given day.
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What Is Cabo’s Signature Experience?
For us, it’s whale season.
There are plenty of beautiful beach destinations in the world. There are very few where you can watch humpback whales launching themselves out of the ocean while enjoying breakfast from your resort balcony.
Whale season has become one of the biggest reasons we love visiting Cabo during the winter months.
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When Can You Go Whale Watching in Cabo?
If you’re visiting between December and April, I wouldn’t skip whale watching.
The first time you see a humpback whale breach completely out of the water, it’s honestly difficult to appreciate just how massive these animals are until you’re seeing one with your own eyes. Pictures and videos simply don’t do it justice. You’re sitting quietly on the boat when suddenly a forty-ton whale launches itself into the air right in front of you. Unbelievable.
With that said, my favorite was seeing mothers swimming alongside their calves. Watching a baby whale surface next to its mother knowing they’re making this incredible migration together is an emotional experience.
We’ve spotted whales from whale watching boats, from the beach, and even from our balcony while enjoying breakfast. It’s one of the reasons we love visiting Cabo during whale season so much.
If you’ve never experienced humpback whales in person, there is no better place than Cabo.
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What Can You Catch Deep Sea Fishing in Cabo?
Cabo has earned its reputation as one of the world’s great sport fishing destinations. We’ve caught our fair share, and love taking our catch back to Angler’s Landing where they cook it up for us in all our favorite styles. Don’t forget to have them mix up some fresh guac for you at your table.
Depending on the season, anglers can target:
- Roosterfish
- Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Wahoo
- Sailfish
- Striped Marlin
- Blue Marlin
- Black Marlin
- Snapper
- Grouper
- Sierra Mackerel
Even if you’ve never been deep sea fishing before, Cabo is a fantastic place to try it for the first time.
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Where Are the Best Dive and Snorkel Sites in Cabo?
The Sea of Cortez offers incredible diving and snorkeling opportunities throughout the year.
Some of our favorites include:
Cabo Pulmo
This is one of our favorite day trips in all of Cabo. Located about two hours away, Cabo Pulmo is absolutely worth the drive. Expect enormous schools of fish, sea turtles, rays, and spectacular marine life.
Pelican Rock
An excellent option for both diving and snorkeling near Land’s End.
Land’s End
The iconic rock formations at the southern tip of Baja make for beautiful and surprisingly enjoyable dives.
Chileno Bay
Perfect for snorkeling and families looking for calm waters.
Santa Maria Bay
Another fantastic snorkeling location that’s easy to enjoy during a relaxing beach day.
We’re excited to take a day trip to La Ventana next to dive with mobula rays, orcas, mantas and more…
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Where Should You Eat in Cabo and San José del Cabo?
At Villa La Valencia
- Latitude 23.5
- La Taberna
- Coralle
- El Patron
Around Cabo
- The Nest
- Flora Farms
- Acre
- Sunset Monalisa
- Edith’s
- Los Tres Gallos
- Jazmin’s
We highly recommend making reservations during peak travel seasons.
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What Is the Thursday Night Art Walk?
If you’ve only experienced Cabo San Lucas and the marina area, you’re missing one of our favorite parts of Cabo entirely.
Every Thursday evening from November through June, San José del Cabo comes alive with art galleries, live music, and incredible restaurants. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and feels completely different from the energy of Cabo San Lucas.
Our favorite way to experience the Art Walk is to arrive before sunset, wander through the galleries, and enjoy a leisurely dinner afterward.
Even if you’re not an art enthusiast, we think you’ll love the experience.
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When Is the Best Time to Visit Cabo?
Peak Season: December through April
Shoulder Season: May through June and October through November
Summer Season: July through September
Best For
- Whale Watching: December-April
- Art Walk: November-June
- Deep Sea Fishing: Year-round
- Diving and Snorkeling: Year-round
- Best Weather: November-May
- Best Value: May-June and October-November
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Insider’s Secret
The Thursday Night Art Walk in San José del Cabo may be our favorite evening experience in Cabo.
Most visitors spend their entire trip around the marina and never discover this side of Baja. It offers beautiful galleries, live music, wonderful restaurants, and a much slower pace than Cabo San Lucas.
If you’re visiting between November and June, I would absolutely make room for it in your itinerary.
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What Is a Great 5-7 Night Itinerary for Cabo?
- Day 1: Arrive and enjoy Villa La Valencia.
- Day 2: Whale watching and explore the marina.
- Day 3: ATV or camel ride adventure.
- Day 4: Cabo Pulmo diving or snorkeling excursion.
- Day 5: Thursday Night Art Walk in San José del Cabo.
- Day 6: Deep sea fishing or a sunset sailing excursion.
- Day 7: Relax and enjoy one final morning at the resort.
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Founder Favorite
This one’s easy: whale season.
We’ve planned entire trips around whale season because it’s simply that good. There are very few places in the world where you can watch humpback whales breaching offshore in the morning and spend the afternoon diving in the Sea of Cortez or floating down the lazy river at your resort.
If you’ve never seen a humpback whale in person, Cabo during whale season is one of my favorite travel experiences anywhere.
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Member Tip
Plan at least five nights in Cabo and don’t overschedule yourself.
One of the greatest luxuries Cabo offers is variety. Leave yourself enough time to enjoy both the adventures and the quiet moments. Some of our favorite Cabo memories have come from simply slowing down and enjoying where we were.
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Our Favorite Cabo Experiences
Some destinations do one thing exceptionally well. Cabo somehow manages to do a dozen things exceptionally well.
For us, it’s the combination of experiences that keeps bringing us back. Watching humpback whales breach offshore, diving in the Sea of Cortez, wandering through San José del Cabo on a Thursday evening, enjoying incredible meals overlooking the ocean, and finding time to simply relax together.
Perhaps our favorite thing about Cabo is that there’s no wrong way to experience it. You can fill every day with adventure or spend an afternoon floating down the lazy river with nowhere else to be.
Either way, we have a feeling you’ll already be thinking about your next trip before this one is over.
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