Sightseeing Adventures

These are a few of my favorite things in Los Cabos

By Sarah Muñoz

Los Cabos burrows under your fingernails. You must live a little here, no bones about it, and try those things you never dreamed you could or even would want to do. These off-the-beaten-path activities are just yearning to be discovered… and you'll have a blast experiencing them!

Maybe you've gone your whole life without, say, tearing around on an ATV, yet suddenly you were right there with miles of red desert facing you. And you did it, and now it's one of your most vivid memories, and even after you returned home you still didn't quite believe you'd stepped out of your box and pinched the rosy cheek of Los Cabos.

Here are some "musts" for you to jump into — some a bit more standard than others. Depending on your temperament, a few might be a bit on the wild side — but what would Los Cabos be without its lust for life?

Zip around. A drive around Baja is an adventure by itself, yet renting a car and driving around in this part of Mexico is not as daunting as it may seem. In fact, it'll widen your scope of Los Cabos — it's not all about the partying, after all. Having your own wheels can give you unexpected access to quiet roads and a burst of cacti, a barely-there snack shack and other undeveloped surprises you'd miss if you played it too safe in the tourist areas.

Sign up for surfing. You're never too old to give it a go — and when you're here, you're never too far from a good wave, either. For instance, Cabo Surf Hotel is adjacent to one of the region's top surf beaches (Playa Acapulquito) and there's no ignoring its call. You can arrange for a lovely wedding or peaceful dinner by the shore, but trying to conquer those long-ride waves must be on the list. This particular hotel can arrange for private lessons with expert surfers — and it's both affordable and safe.

Snap away. Like Jennifer Aniston, Los Cabos always photographs well. You can't not indulge the amateur photographer in you. Capture a sassy pelican biding its time as fishermen come back from a day at sea, or record for posterity the hushed traces of a Baja sunset — practically any image you capture here makes for a fantastic keepsake that triggers all senses, even years down the road.

Find your own beach. Those low-key roads veering off onto the shoreline hide a bonanza of prime waterfront. Be it a picnic for two, a quiet sunning day or a little splash, you could find yourself a secret beach devoid of tourists. Just be careful, use common sense and don't just swim in — you never know when a strong current or undertow will rear its ugly head. Just go for that daylong adventure of having "discovered" your own slice of Baja.

Heed the call of saints. No visit to Baja California Sur is complete without a side trip to picturesque Todos Santos, a tiny laid-back town with a huge soul. Walk around and you'll run into dozens of artists — some local, some who've come from the U.S. to make this their home. You may walk away with a one-of-a-kind painting, doll, necklace… the options are abundant. Todos Santos also has some great eateries and you're never too far off from a nice, cold cerveza. It's just over an hour's drive from Cabo San Lucas.

Go fish. You think you're not the fishing kind, but in Los Cabos, the urge takes a little nibble at you. Many hotels and outfitters (such as SunRider Adventures or Josephine Charters) offer fishing packages, but you can also just mosey up to Cabo San Lucas' marina and find yourself a sweet little skiff or big-bang yacht and spend a day, five days, a lifetime swooping, catching and releasing. Even if you don't catch anything, spending time with a rod in hand right on the ocean, with those natural rock sculptures dotting your view, is enough for years' worth of sweet dreams.

Discover Hollywood's Los Cabos. Did you know that celebrities such as Bing Crosby, Desi Arnaz and John Wayne "discovered" Los Cabos way back when? Back when the region was nothing but dirt roads and a handful of people, the glitterati sailed over to fish and get away. A couple invested in a few hotels and built mansions… and more than 50 years later, celebrities still flock for exclusive vacations in the area's top resorts.

Hoof it. Take some time to walk around in Los Cabos and you'll discover details you'd never even thought to associate with this destination: soft jacaranda trees to sit under with a good book, maybe a little fish taco stand to try. Regardless of its party reputation, this is also very much a place in which to tune out!

Whale it. From December to March, Baja California Sur welcomes a flurry of gray whales wanting warmer waters than the Arctic Ocean in which to give birth and spend some time with their calves. Visitors may arrange for a tour that takes them just inches away from these gentle mammals. Don't touch them though — you may contaminate them with human-friendly bacteria that is harmful to them.

Go local. As with any destination, it's always best to find out from locals what the latest spots are and what is on calendar during your visit. You'll find yourself having a true taste of what living in Los Cabos is all about!

Why is Cabo so much fun? There is so much to do! Click here for a list of dive, watersports, fishing and tour operators. You'll also find links to Cabo's world class golf courses, spas, adventure tours, horseback riding, wedding coordinators and cruises.