5 Amazing Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Not to Miss!

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When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, make sure you include these amazing day trips from Cabo San Lucas on your itinerary.

There, you’ll find incredible scenery, unique experiences, beautiful wildlife, and more. It’s all just a short ride from Cabo San Lucas.

Learn more about these not to miss day trips, below.

day trips from Cabo San Lucas Mexico - Sea of Cortez

CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll discover the best day trips from Cabo San Lucas to enhance your trip to the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, including:

  • Exciting Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas Not to Miss
  • Whale Watching in the Sea of Cortez
  • Waterfalls and Mangos in Santiago
  • Gallery Hopping in San Jose del Cabo
  • Food & Wine in Cabos Santos
  • Santa Rita Hot Springs
  • Final Thoughts on Cabo San Lucas Day Trips
  • Next Steps

Exciting Day Trips to Have Fun in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a pretty special vacation destination.

Situated right on the southern tip of Mexicoโ€™s Baja California peninsula, it is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.

This destination boasts stunning scenery where the mountainous desert runs right down to the beach. It hits the sea in a remarkable contrast of rock, cactus, and sparkling blue water. 

There is plenty to do in Cabo San Lucas itself.

One of the best aspects of this exquisite vacation destination is how much there is to see and experience around the town and further afield in Baja California Sur.

From whale-watching boat trips and scuba diving in the Sea of Cortez to wine tasting or gallery-hopping in the nearby art-filled towns, amazing day trips from Cabo San Lucas are in plentiful supply. 

So if youโ€™ve got a Cabo cruise vacation planned for this year, or you want to make the most of your time in Mexico, here are a few of the most exciting day trips from Cabo San Lucas.


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1. Whale-Watching in the Sea of Cortez

Thousands of gray and humpback whales migrate from the Arctic Circle to the Sea of Cortez every year.

They visit to feed, mate, and give birth in the warm Mexican waters.

Cabo San Lucas is one of the best places in the world to jump in a boat and spend the day getting up close and personal with these truly magnificent marine mammals.

There really isnโ€™t anything quite like watching one of these vast creatures break the surface just a few feet away from your boat.

This is one Cabo experience you wonโ€™t want to miss!

2. Waterfalls and Mangos in Santiago

The tiny town of Santiago is tucked away high in the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. It’s about an hour-and-a-half by car from Cabo San Lucas.

Here, you can pick juicy, delicious mangos straight from the tree, explore the magnificent jungle and mountain trails, and cool off with a refreshing dip in the Sol de Mayo waterfall.

The simplicity and rural beauty of Santiago and its surroundings are a remarkable contrast from the glitz and glamor of Cabo. This makes it one of the best day trips from Cabo San Lucas.

3. Gallery-Hopping in San Jose del Cabo

Just a twenty minute drive from Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo is the other half of Los Cabos.

It couldnโ€™t be more different to its vibrant, lively, and shiny sister town.

Where San Lucas is a bustling waterfront full of yachts, bars, and restaurants, San Jose is sleepier, more traditional, and more authentically Mexican.

A patchwork of colorful houses and cobbled streets, it is a truly charming spot.

It also features a surprisingly vibrant and interesting art scene!

Touring the small independent galleries is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Take the opportunity to explore this lovely little town on foot. You’ll truly love making this one of your day trips from Cabo San Lucas.

4. Food and Wine in Todos Santos

Cabo San Lucas day trip - shrimp and seafood ceviche

Todos Santos is the new hip bohemian destination of choice.

You’ll discover this stunningly gorgeous town is full of boutique hotels, miles of wonderful beaches, and some of the best restaurants and wine bars in the country.

Benefiting from the proximity of the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexicoโ€™s very own Napa Valley, Todos Santos is the perfect place to taste some of the finest vintages that Mexico has to offer.

They pair perfectly alongside some of the most incredible seafood restaurants you are ever likely to come across!

5. Santa Rita Hot Springs Near San Jorge

You’ll find the Santa Rita Hot Springs near the village of San Jorge about an hour-and-a-half north of Cabo San Lucas.

The aguas termales (thermal waters) are a refreshing sight after a dusty drive through dessert roads within the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range.

You might want to rent a jeep for this adventure. Otherwise, sign up for a guided tour.

Once you pay a nominal cash entrance fee (about $10 US) and take a short hike, you’ll arrive at the pristine, fresh-water pools.

These mineral-rich, clear blue hot springs will sooth any traveler’s bones.

As you move closer to the canyon walls while soaking in the hot spring, you’ll notice the water temperature increases.

The best time to visit is during the week, when you’ll likely have this oasis to yourself.

Just be sure to check the hours of operation before you go. As of this writing, the Santa Rita Hot Springs are closed to the public on Wednesdays.

Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas

A trip to Cabo San Lucas is a great Mexico experience in its own right.

But heading out to explore the area a little more fully makes it a vacation you will never forget!

Next Steps

Love Mexico? Read this article to learn how to bring it’s popular culture home, next:

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