Los Cabos Local Guide

Restaurants, activities, hotels and local tips - curated by Cabo's most experienced transportation team

After years of driving visitors across Los Cabos, our team knows the region well. This guide covers our favourite local recommendations, from the best places to eat and stay to activities worth planning your trip around.

Getting Around Los Cabos

Los Cabos stretches along a 20-mile corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, with most major hotels, restaurants, and activities spread across three main areas: San José del Cabo, the Tourist Corridor, and Cabo San Lucas. Travel between the two towns takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road. All of the destinations in this guide are accessible by Cabo Transfers private vehicle, whether you need a one-way transfer, a round-trip booking, or a driver for the full day. View our Activity Transfers page for hourly rates and booking options.

Restaurants and Dining

Los Cabos has a genuinely impressive dining scene, from farm-to-table experiences tucked into the desert to fresh seafood by the ocean. A few of our favorites:

Flora Farms - One of the most celebrated dining experiences in Los Cabos, Flora Farms is a working organic farm and restaurant set in a lush garden. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with live music at lunch and dinner service. The menu is rooted in what is growing on the property that day, and the setting is unlike anywhere else in the region. Worth booking well in advance.
La Lupita - A lively spot for tacos and mezcal, open for lunch and dinner. Live music Thursday through Saturday evenings makes it a great choice for an evening out without the formality of a fine dining reservation.
Tres Gallos - A culinary experience focused on the flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine, set in a beautifully restored colonial building in San José del Cabo. Open for lunch and dinner, and one of the best representations of regional cooking in the area.
Tres Islas - Traditional seafood done simply and well, serving lunch and dinner. If you want fresh fish in an unfussy setting, this is the place.
La Tuna - A relaxed yet refined dining experience with a menu that travels the world — fresh local seafood, handmade pastas, and Mexican regional dishes, all cooked to order. A great choice for a leisurely dinner with friends or family.
Farallon - Carved into the cliff at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, with a daily sea-to-table menu built around the fresh catch and one of the most dramatic dining settings in all of Los Cabos.
El Huerto Farm to Table - Set in a garden and orchard landscape resembling an old Baja hacienda, with a seasonal menu blending Mediterranean and Asian influences based on what is being harvested on-site.
Acre - A lush, jungle-like setting in San José del Cabo with a farm-to-table menu and an emphasis on sustainability.
Simaruba - The only rooftop bar-lounge in San José del Cabo's Historic Center, recognized as the Best Bar in Los Cabos, with contemporary Mexican cuisine, craft cocktails, and breathtaking sunset views.
Bar La Esquina - The heart and soul of Bahia Hotel on Medano Beach, a Cabo classic for casual drinks and dining that is equally popular with visitors and locals.
Rubas - A Michelin-recognized bakery and bistro in a charming 1940s house in San José del Cabo's art district, known for artisan bread, wood-fired pizza, and all-day dining.
La Botica Speak Easy - A hidden speakeasy in Los Cabos within Las Ventanas al Paraíso on the Corridor, with prohibition-era craft cocktails and live music nightly.
Mona Lisa - An open-air fine dining experience on the cliffs above Cabo San Lucas bay, known for its Mediterranean multi-course menus and spectacular sunset views over the Pacific.
Outpost - A Cabohemian lounge bar and kitchen in Cabo San Lucas with an illuminated organic rooftop garden, craft cocktails, and contemporary Mexican menu.
Pure Cabo Executive Chef Services - Prefer to stay in? Pure Cabo brings an executive chef experience to your villa or condo, with a custom menu prepared on-site. A popular choice for groups, wedding parties, and anyone who wants a private dining experience without leaving the property.

When you book a private dine-out transfer with Cabo Transfers, our team can help coordinate a reservation at some of Los Cabos' most popular and often hard-to-book restaurants above.

Accommodation

San José del Cabo

El Ganzo Hotel - An adults-only boutique hotel overlooking Puerto Los Cabos Marina, built around art and music. Known for its basement recording studio, rotating artist residencies, rooftop glass pool, and private beach club. A genuinely different kind of stay.
Casa Natalia - An intimate 18-room boutique hotel set in the heart of San José del Cabo's historic downtown, steps from Plaza Mijares. Home to the Mi Cocina Restaurant and Baja Oyster Bar, with rooms featuring private terraces and locally crafted artwork. A quiet, characterful base for exploring the town.

The Corridor

Hilton Los Cabos - A full-service beachfront resort set along one of the few swimmable beaches on the Corridor, with hacienda-inspired architecture and Sea of Cortez views. Four infinity pools, an eforea Spa, and easy access to championship golf courses nearby.
Bahia Hotel and Beach House - A design-forward boutique hotel steps from Medano Beach, Cabo's most swimmable shore. Known for its on-the-sand SUR Beach House restaurant, live music, and signature tequila tastings. A lively, distinctly Baja experience close to the marina.

Cabo San Lucas

Hacienda del Mar - A sprawling all-inclusive resort with traditional Mexican hacienda architecture, five pools, and direct beach access on the Corridor. Located steps from the Cabo del Sol golf courses, with multiple restaurants and a full-service spa.
Sandos Finisterra - An all-inclusive resort in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, with cliffside rooms extending from the rock face and panoramic views over the Pacific and the bay. Four pools, multiple restaurants and bars, and a short walk to the marina and downtown.

Health & Wellness

Saint Luke's Hospital - The leading hospital group for healthcare and medical tourism in Los Cabos. Good to have on hand as a reference for any medical needs during your stay.
El Ganzo Spa and Wellness - A full-service spa with dry and wet saunas, cold-plunge pools, and a treatment menu that blends traditional massage with signature offerings inspired by Mayan healing practices. Yoga and sound journey sessions also available.

Golfing

Palmilla Golf Course - Twenty-seven holes set against dramatic Sea of Cortez views. One of the most scenic courses in Mexico and a standout experience for serious golfers and casual players alike.

Sport Fishing

The peak season for marlin runs from November through June, while tuna and dorado are available year-round. Most fishing charters depart from Cabo San Lucas Marina in the early morning.

Pisces Sport Fishing - For those serious about deep-sea fishing, Pisces is one of the most reputable outfitters in Cabo San Lucas. Well-maintained fleet, experienced crews, and a strong track record for marlin, tuna, and dorado.

Surfing

Summer and fall bring larger swells suited to experienced surfers, while winter conditions are generally calmer and better for beginners. The stretch of coast between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas has breaks for all skill levels.

Cabo Surf Hotel - A relaxed surf-focused property on Acapulquito Beach, one of the most beginner-friendly breaks in the region. Lessons and board rentals available on-site, with more challenging breaks nearby for experienced surfers.

Sunset Cruise

Pez Gato - Cabo's original sailing tour, operating since 1985. The Jazz and Wine Sunset Cruise sails past El Arco and Lover's Beach with live jazz, fine wines, and light snacks on board. One of the most consistently recommended sunset experiences in Los Cabos.

Events and Experiences

Wirikuta - A nighttime theater experience set among three stone pyramids inside a cactus garden in Puerto Los Cabos. Ancestral dance, acrobatics, fire performance, and dinner under the stars. Runs every Wednesday from October to July.
Cabo Fireworks - Personalized firework shows for private events, celebrations, and special occasions. Available for villa events, wedding nights, and group celebrations throughout the region.

Other Popular Activities

Los Cabos offers no shortage of things to do beyond the beach. A few worth planning around:

Whale watching - humpback and gray whales migrate through Los Cabos waters from December through April, with January and February offering the best sightings. Several operators run tours from Cabo San Lucas Marina
Snorkeling and diving - Santa María Bay and Chileno Beach are two of the best spots for calm, clear water and abundant marine life
ATV and dune buggy tours - a popular way to explore the desert landscape and coastline outside of the main tourist corridor
El Arco by boat - the iconic rock arch at Land's End is best seen from the water; glass-bottom boat tours run daily from Cabo San Lucas Marina
Camel and horseback riding - available through several operators in the desert areas outside San José del Cabo
Farm visits - Flora Farms and a handful of other properties in the San José del Cabo area offer tours, cooking classes, and market experiences beyond the restaurant itself

Grocery and Liquor

Chedraui Selecto - The standout supermarket in Los Cabos for quality, selection, and experience. If you are stocking a villa or picking up supplies on arrival, this is the place to go.
La Europea - An excellent selection of wine and spirits, with frequent sale events worth timing your visit around. A go-to for stocking up before a villa stay or private event.

Cabo Transfers private transfer guests can add a one-hour stop at a grocery or liquor store to their transfer for $40 USD per vehicle. Book a private transfer with a shopping stop.

Local News and Weather

National Hurricane Center - The most reliable source for hurricane and tropical storm tracking for Baja California and Los Cabos. Worth bookmarking if you are visiting between July and October.
Weather Network - Daily weather reports and weekly forecasts for the Los Cabos region. Useful for planning outdoor activities and excursions during your stay.

Practical Tips for Visiting Los Cabos

A few things worth knowing before you arrive:

Weather and when to go

Los Cabos enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually. Peak season runs from November through April, with temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, ideal for beach activities, whale watching, and outdoor dining. July through October brings warmer temperatures and the occasional tropical storm, though severe weather is less common here than in other hurricane-prone regions. Shoulder season offers the same great destination with lower prices and fewer crowds.

Whale watching

Humpback and gray whales migrate through Los Cabos waters from December through April, with January and February offering the best sightings. Several operators run whale watching tours from Cabo San Lucas Marina. Your Cabo Transfers driver can recommend options and arrange a transfer to the dock.

Currency

The Mexican peso is the official currency, though US dollars are widely accepted throughout Los Cabos. Having some pesos on hand is useful for local markets, smaller restaurants, and tips.

Tipping

Tipping is customary and appreciated throughout Los Cabos. A general guide: 10–15% at restaurants, 10–15% for your transfer driver, and a small tip for hotel housekeeping per day. Hotel staff, tour guides, and anyone providing a personal service will appreciate the gesture.

Language

Spanish is the official language, though English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas throughout Los Cabos. Most transportation and hospitality staff are bilingual.

Safety

Los Cabos is a generally safe destination for tourists. Staying in reputable hotel zones, using pre-booked transportation, and being aware of your surroundings are all straightforward ways to have a comfortable stay. Check US and Canadian Government Travel Advisories for current updates before you travel.