Cabo San Lucas Attractions
Historic Cabo San Lucas
Plaza Amelia Wilkes is the town's main square, and it's a funny hodgepodge, containing a gazebo, some giant chicken topiary, and a whale skeleton. Buildings on the streets facing the plaza are gradually being renovated to house restaurants and shops, and the picturesque neighborhood is miles more colorful than the touristy strip to the south. The Museo de Cabo San Lucas (tel. 624/105-0661; Mon 10am-noon, Tues-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm and 4-8pm, Sun 4-8pm) is at the north side of the square at Lázaro Cárdenas 10; it's got exhibits on local natural history and archaeology and the remains of a prehistoric zebra. The Spanish missionary Nicolás Tamaral established the stone Iglesia de San Lucas (Church of San Lucas) on Calle Cabo San Lucas near Plaza Wilkes in 1730; a large bell in a stone archway commemorates the completion of the church in 1746. (If you visited the mission church in San José, you may remember Father Tamaral met his fate at the hands of Pericué people in a dispute over the church's ban on polygamy.)
Day Trips
Most local hotels and travel agencies can book day trips to the city of La Paz for around $60, including beverages and a tour of the countryside along the way. Usually there's a stop at the weaving shop of Fortunato Silva, who spins his own cotton and weaves it into wonderfully textured rugs and textiles. Day trips are also available to Todos Santos ($60), with a guided walking tour of the Cathedral Mission, museum, Hotel California, and various artists' homes. For more information,
Cabo San Lucas Shopping
If you're after a beer-themed T-shirt, Cabo San Lucas can't be beat. But it's not a complete retail desert. In addition to top-end international shopping malls like Plaza Paraíso (on Lázaro Cárdenas, fronting the marina; tel. 624/144-3000; www.puertoparaiso.com), where you can replace your missing Burberry bikini or buy a diamond ring, try the shops listed for unique, high-quality products.
Cabo San Lucas Nightlife
Cabo San Lucas is the nightlife capital of Baja. After-dark fun starts with the casual bars and restaurants on Marina Boulevard or facing the marina, and transforms into a tequila-fueled dance-club scene after midnight. You can easily find a happy hour with live music and a place to dance, or a fiesta with mariachis.
Mexican Fiestas & Theme Nights
Some larger hotels have weekly fiesta nights and other buffet-plus-entertainment theme nights that can be fun as well as a good buy. Check travel agencies and the Solmar (tel. 624/143-3535) and Finisterra (tel. 624/143-3333) hotels. Prices range from $25 (not including drinks, tax, and tips) to $50 (which covers everything, including an open bar with domestic drinks).
Sunset Watching
At the end of the day, the place to be is Land's End, where the two seas meet and the sun goes down. Restaurant Sunset Da Mona Lisa (tel. 624/145-8160), located on the eastern side of Cabo San Lucas Bay, is Los Cabos's premier place for sunset watching. Spectacular Arch views, dramatic terraces, and a decent Italian and seafood menu make this the ultimate place for watching the sun dive past the horizon. It's open from 8am to 11pm daily. Another option is the Whale Watcher's Bar, in the Hotel Finisterra (tel. 624/143-3333). Its location at Land's End offers a world-class view of the sun sinking into the Pacific. Mariachis play on Friday from 6:30 to 9pm. The bar is open daily from 10am to 11pm. "Whale margaritas" cost $4, beer $3. Happy hour from 4 to 6pm has two-for-one drinks.
Happy Hours & Hangouts
If you shop around, you can usually find an hora feliz (happy hour) somewhere in town between 10am and 7pm. The most popular places for tourists to drink and carouse until all hours are still long-standing favorites like El Squid Roe and the Cabo Wabo Cantina, but insiders flock to newer joints like Nowhere Bar (Plaza Marina, on Marina Blvd.; tel. 624/143-4493; www.nowherebar.com) and Baja Junkie (on Lázaro Cárdenas where it splits off to Marina Blvd.; tel. 624/143/4740; www.bajajunkie.com).
8 Results
- Bars & Pubs
Baja Brewing Company
Located in San José's historic district amid art galleries and folk art shops, this casual, friendly bar is a great spot to stop for a hearty beer and burger while sightseeing. The long bar in the cool dark interior serves as a refuge for non-shoppers awaiting their more…$$San José del Cabo
- Bars & Pubs
Cabo Wabo Cantina
Synonymous with Cabo's wild rock 'n' roll vibe, this always-hopping bar benefits greatly from its founder's constant support. Rocker Sammy Hagar teamed up with investors to open the club in 1990, and it’s been party central ever since. You never know if a vacationing musician might…$$Around town - Nightlife
Cabo Winery Restaurant
Sedate night spots are hard to find, but this out-of-the-way supper club hits all the right notes for a romantic, grownup night out. Talented local jazz singers and pianists perform in the small dining room decorated with the owner's art and oddities. The menu includes steak and…$$$Around town - Bars & Pubs
Cervecería Rámuri
The offspring of a successful Tijuana brewery, this bar and restaurant—with an on-site microbrewery—combines all the right ingredients for a fun night out. The bar's the focal point. Current craft brews on tap are listed on a chalkboard with descriptions (and alcohol content, for…$$Around town - Bars & Pubs
El Squid Roe
You can't talk about Cabo’s nightlife without mentioning this wild and crazy landmark where just about anything goes—though bouncers and waiters keep a keen eye on the scene. In early evening, families stop by for burgers and ribs, but once the sun sets, the party crowd takes over.…$$Around town - Nightlife
Mandala
In Acapulco, sophisticates don skimpy dresses and stilettos before gathering at midnight in that city's version of this glitzy dance club. Its Cabo sister is far less formal. Still, locals dress up before claiming a banquette and ordering bottles of Grey Goose, postponing their…$$Around town - Bars & Pubs
Sardina Cantina
There are few casual hangouts in the ritzy Corridor, so this small bar/restaurant is a welcome discovery. Regulars hang out at the bar stalls sipping beer and margaritas, while those seeking food with their libations choose between sidewalk tables (with traffic noise), a quieter…$$Corridor close to San José del Cabo - Bars & Pubs
The Nowhere ¿Bar?
At first glance, this outdoor/indoor bar looks like all the other joints along Cabo San Lucas's marina walkway. But the vibe is different here. Regulars gather for conversation rather than rowdy revelry and are as apt to order bubbly as beer. Celebs in town on vacation often stop by…$Around town
