Official Language:
Spanish
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Currency:
Peso & US Dollar
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Population:
Approximately 28,000 people call Cabo San Lucas ho
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Cabo San Lucas: With an average yearly temperature of 80 degrees and 350 sunny days a year, Los Cabos is blessed with almost perfect weather. During summers month, starting the end of July through the end of September, Cabo generally is hot and humid and prone to some storms. While tropical storms and hurricanes have hit Cabo they usually pass by to the south. These storms result in rain for a day or two though never for an extended period of time.
The climate in Cabo isn't tropical. If you visit from November through March, be prepared for some cool nights. Average temperatures during these months range from lows in the low 70s to highs in the low 80s.
December has highs ranging from 73-80°F and lows from 65-70°F. Annual rainfall is less than seven inches.
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Cabo San Lucas lies at the southernmost tip of the 800-mile-long Baja Peninsula. Where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, the tropical paradise known as Cabo San Lucas. Twenty years ago Cabo San Lucas, was merely a fishing village occasionally visited by Californian surfers and sport fishermen, it has grown into a bustling, expensive international resort and one of Mexico's foremost tourist destinations. In recent years it has rapidly become the focal point of Los Cabos, the catch-all term for the beaches and resorts ringing the toe of the peninsula. Apartments have sprung up, palms have been transplanted, water has been piped in from San José del Cabo and everywhere is kept pristine. Today parasails join the birds circling high above the bay. Sail to Los Arcos, the famous rock archways that guard the harbor. Today, "Cabo" is the place to party. "Cabo's" nightlife scene attracts a young crowd to the packed bars and clubs lining the side streets. Drinking, dancing and mingling with potential dates are the big attraction. The town fronts a small harbor facing the rocky peninsula that forms "Land's End." A prominent landmark is the arch rock formation known as El Arco. Just off these rocks, the ocean bottom drops to depths of about 1,200 feet. Along the edge of a deep canyon formed by the San Andreas fault is a unique undersea waterfall; there, cascades of sand continuously pour over the edge to the canyon floor below. This extraordinary phenomenon has only been recorded in Cabo San Lucas.
All of San Lucas Bay has been declared an underwater park and a marine sanctuary. Because of the clean drinking water from underground springs, the sheltered bay was once an obligatory watering point for pirate vessels and treasure ships from the Orient. Hidden coves around the cape provided ideal hideouts for pirates who preyed on passing galleons. Many of the Pacific's most famous pirates raided and plundered in these waters. An occasional treasure hunter may still chase after rumored treasures and poke around the rocky shores with a dream and a shovel. Excellent weather, miles of magnificent public beaches with crystal clear water, and championship golf courses set the mood for a vacation that entices you to unwind and refresh, in Cabo" is particularly famous among the sport fishing crowd because of its year round status as the Mecca of big game trophy fish. No matter what the season, here, you can take part in the thrill of hooking a blue or black marlin, sailfish, or tuna. Thousands of years ago, the Pericu, distant descendants of Asian settlers, were the inhabitants of the peninsula when the Portuguese explorer Cabrillo arrived in 1542. He left but, but English pirates, arrived soon after and stayed. Cabo San Lucas offered little in the way of food or water, but its secluded bay offered protection. As piracy faded, little Cabo San Lucas drifted into obscurity and there it remained until a fish cannery opened early in the 20th century. The cannery brought life to the town, but only briefly. A hurricane destroyed the cannery and with it, "Cabo's" only industry. There are also many great surfing opportunities in Cabo San Lucas.
To add some underwater excitement to your stay in this beautiful city, go on a deep-sea diving adventure, where you can see spectacular gardens of black coral reefs, gorgeous sea turtles, and sand waterfalls.The legendary spirited nightlife of Cabo San Lucas, as well as the wonderful fresh seafood served in its charming restaurants, also highlights this wonderful city. Shopping for creative Mexican arts and crafts, or spending the day out on a glittering white sand beach, are other ways that you can enjoy your peaceful stay here. It is no wonder that visitors return again and again!
Ships tender passengers in to the marina, which has a pleasant ten minute waterfront walkway that leads to Cabo San Lucas.There are expansion plans for a new full service dock and pier to be built in Medano Bay in the near future. Taxis are generally available at the pier, but expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $25 to be transported around town. Cabo does have an efficient bus system in the Suburcabos, which run from Cabo San Lucas to the neighboring San Jose every 20 minutes. The cost is $2.50 per person. The town center is very walkable though taxis mostly of the sedan type (as opposed to safari cabs) do line up at the marina. For explorations beyond the city limits, best bet is to rent a car; among the agencies that have offices in town include National, Budget, Alamo and Dollar.
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Attractions |
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There's no doubt that Cabo is all about the great outdoors. Even if you're just walking along the beaches to witness the rock formations at Land's End you'll still find your pulse racing. But take a big breath in and duck under the waves, because the snorkeling and diving here are excellent. Beginners can test the waters at Roca Pelicano (Pelican Rock), where there's plenty of tropical fish schooling, and Land's End, where you can get cosy with sea lions. More advanced divers jump in the deep end at Sands Falls, which was once the subject of a Jacques Cousteau documentary, or at Neptune's Finger, known for its amazing canyon wall dive.For some folk, the only way to really experience sea creatures is on the end of a line, which is why Cabo has a reputation as the marlin fishing destination. There are blue and striped species of the famed game fish, but a few other sea creatures - including tuna, wahoo, sharks, roosterfish and dorado - will be just as keen to tug your line. If you haven't got your own boat and rig, plenty of tour companies offer 8-hour tours, or you can hire a panga (skiff) to net the smaller fish. The marlin numbers are protected by the Cape region's catch and release policy - you have to throw back every fish caught after the first. You won't have fought the fish for nothing, however, as the Billfish Foundation awards Release Certificates to anglers. From January to March, the gray whale migration makes whale watching possible even from the shore, though there are tour operators who can get you closer to the action. There's also Rock climbing is the newest adventure option offered other attractions include horseback riding and cycling around the area, including a breathtaking horseback ride up to Faro Viejo to watch the sunset. Golf is a huge pastime with at least a half-a-dozen courses welcoming day visitors. The most famous is The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, designed by Jack Nicklaus and rated as one of the world's top 100 by Golf Magazine.
Downtown Cabo:
This is the throbbing heart of the party town that draws college kids and high-rollers alike. If you're after a holiday you won't remember, just check out a few of the bars in this area and you'll souvenir yourself an unforgettable hangover. With a standout name, El Squid Roe throws on live music for throwing down tequila. If you're serious about sampling the spirit distilled from the blue agave plant, make a beeline for Pancho's - it boasts around 400 varieties of the stuff.If music is more your poison, there's the perennial Hard Rock Cafe, or try Cabo Wabo Cantina, which sees occasional performances by its owner Sammy Hagar, the less-famous frontman of 1980s guitar gods Van Halen. Cabo's lone gay and lesbian venue, Rainbow Bar, is on the waterfront with a small dancefloor.
Harbor Cabo San Lucas:
For fisherfolk this is the gateway to the celebrated 'Marlin Alley', but historically this old port was only really a passing-through destination for sailors because of the lack of fresh water. To get a bleary-eyed glimpse of the fishing boats heading out, get up at the very un-holiday hour of (sleepyheads can see the catch-laden boats coming back around ). Don't expect boatloads of marlin because these fish are protected - only one can be caught a day by each boat and any extras must be released. On their way back in most boats fly flags that boast to everyone on the docks about the size of their catch.To throw a line in at the 'Marlin Capital of the World' you can join a tour or take your own boat. All you need to fish by yourself is a license from the Oficina de Pesca, where you might also be able to catch some tips on how the fish are biting. If you're not into big-game fishing, there are cruises that can drop you at Playa del Amor or Land's End.
Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach):
Exhausting all superlatives, this mind-blowing beach is flanked by towering rocks and has access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Bahía de Cabos San Lucas. Above the water, the natural rock outcrops and arches at Land's End are one of Baja California's trademark landscapes. Under the waves there's some great snorkelling to be had. Scuba divers can choose between exploring an old shipwreck, coasting over rocky reefs or just hanging out with the playful sea lions that have been known to visit. If you are curious about the underwater world but want to stay dry, there are glass-bottomed boats that leisurely cruise the area.On the Pacific side of the landmass, Playa Solmar has a reputation for unpredictable, dangerous waves that can get unsuspecting tourists into trouble. As a result this stretch of coast has been nicknamed 'Divorce Beach' by some locals.
Faro Viejo:
Just outside of town, perching high above Cabo Falso (False Cape), this historic lighthouse was built in 1865 and served as the beacon to many a ship, until it wasreplaced in 1961 by the fancy candy-coloured one further up the hill. It's worth taking a little walk around both lighthouses and taking in the beautiful views of sea, sierra and city.
The Corridor:
The stretch of the Carretera Transpeninsular that runs from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo is known to most simply as 'the Corridor' - a state-of-the-art highway that runs along a picturesque stretch of Baja's most impressive coast. Keep an eye out for the blue beach signs that dot the highway, which give an idea of the water sports each beach offers. The closest surf beach to Cabo is Playa Cabo Bello, though Playa Costa Azul - or Zipper's Beach, as many waveriders know it - is legendary for its curl. If you're just after a pleasant, sheltered beach, then Playa Santa María is just the ticket with its good snorkelling. Another popular stretch of sand is Playa Chileno, which is an easy walk from the road and has freshwater showers, excellent swimming and good snorkelling.The only downside of this spectacular road is the over-development that has crept along it from Cabo. The pick of beachfront property has been snagged by developers building condos and luxury resorts that are so highly priced you'll have to sell your house in the Bahamas just to stay the night. There are also plenty of world-class golf courses - seven at last count, with more in the pipeline.
Todos Santos:
Ever wondered where the Eagles got their inspiration for 'Hotel California'? Or where punk veteran Iggy Pop hangs his leather trousers during cold winters? This smalltown holds all the answers, as well as some rarely visited beaches and a prolific artists' colony. The Hotel California itself has a dubious claim to the song, but with handy access to the beach who cares? Mr Pop, however, is not so accessible, keeping his home a well-guarded secret.On the outskirts of town there are ruins of several old mills, including Molino El Progreso and Molino Cerro Verde, which are all evidence that the town was once a thriving rural centre. The colourful murals at Centro Cultural Todosanteño reflect the nationalistic and revolutionary aesthetics of the 1930s, featuring dogmatic slogans like 'Vigor in mind and muscle' and 'Emancipation of the rural spirit'. For two days in late January, the region's many artists open up their studios for visitors to mark the Festival de Artes.The easiest way to get to Todos Santos is to take the 1.5-hour bus ride from the stop at the corner of Heróico Colegio Militar and Zaragoza in Cabo San Lucas.Right around on the western coast of the cape, but still only a two-hour bus trip from San José del Cabo, is the crafty town of Todos Santos. This small, charming grid of streets hosted a Jesuit visita (outstation) in the 18th century and later became a prosperous cane-milling centre; the crumbled remains of old trapiches (mills) are today piled up around town. But more recently Todos Santas has been invaded by creative refugees from the smothering entrepreneurial atmospheres of New Mexican arts strongholds like Taos and Santa Fe, and it consequently features numerous high-quality galleries - two streets where such places congregate are Legaspi and Juárez. In late January every year, Todos Santos stages a Festival de Artes, during which local artists open up their studios to the public.
Playa Medano Beach:
The most popular of the town's beaches is definitely Médano, best beach for a half-day visit , fronting the Bahia de Cabo and the Sea of Cortez is an easy taxi ride from the marina. its calm waters are perfect for swimming, though you might have to dodge the odd jet ski. The souvenir vendors have worked out that this is the best beach to hawk Day of the Dead dolls, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants in which to give them the slip. This area is definitely the party place in town, so if you're after peace and tranquility make for the quieter stretch of sand beyond the Club Cascadas.If you're looking for adventure sports action this should be your first stop: you can carve up the coast on a windsurfer, jump into a sea kayak, strap yourself into a parasail for an adrenalin-racing eyeful of the coastline or try the heart-stopping, but picturesque, beachside bungee jumping. And of course there's always terrorising swimmers with a jet ski. All the water sports toys are available for hire at various places along the beach. There are plentiful beaches on the Baja Sur, and the corridor (the land between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo) offer myriad opportunities to have fun in the sun. It is a fantastic family beach that features personal watercraft rentals, snorkeling gear for sale and rent, etc. Further away from town are the beaches of Palmilla, Barco Varado, and Santa Maria, yet these waters are often turbulent, so beware of any warnings posted before you decide to take a swim.
Playa del Amor:
Flanked by towering rocks, quiet Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) - with access to both the Pacific and the bay waters - is Cabo's most scenic beach. "Lover's Beach," is snuggled between rock formations near El Arco and fronts both the bay and the Sea of Cortez; you need to hire a water taxi to drop you off and pick you up (they're easily available in the marina) and there are no facilities so bring a picnic. Swimming near the arches should be avoided, but snorkelling on the bay side is excellent.
Santa Maria and El Arco:
The most two popular beaches for snorkeling, scuba Diving, & surfing. Specialized snorkeling cruises are available to take you to the prime reefs viewing spots. Quiet Beaches (Car renters only) Head out to the "corridor" between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, which rings the Sea of Cortez, and pick one! Closer in. For those interested in scuba diving while in Cabo San Lucas, contact Amigos del Mar (tel. 800/344-3349). This operator, as well as others in town, can take you to the famous "sandfalls" as well as on longer trips to the Gordo Banks and other exciting diving destinations. If you want to break out the surfboard and "hang ten", visit Chileno Beach, famous for its perfect right breakers.
Shopping in Cabo:
For tourist trinkets downtown (pretty much the same stuff you find at every other Mexican Pacific port); finds include glassware, silver jewelry, rugs, Indian blankets. On Cabo's outskirts you can watch artisans create and design glass the old-fashioned way; there's also an on-site gift shop where they sell their reasonably priced merchandise (such as pitchers, decorative items, glassware). Vitrofusion Y Arte-made glassware is also available from a number of stores in town. For the shopping experience in Cabo San Lucas, look no further than the Blvd. Marina. Here you will find stores ranging from the religiously oriented Rostros de Mexico (Ave. Cardenas, tel. 114/3-0558) specializing in carved statues and masks, to the gallery at El Callejon (Vicente Guerrero, tel. 114/3-1139) which features the wares of local artists, antiques, paintings, and a wealth of unique gifts. A wonderful way to view the attractions of the Baja Sur coastline is to take a trip on a glass-bottom boat. Head to the town marina and catch a boat leaving every 45 minutes. Soak in the sights of "El Arco" (Rock Arch), the geographical meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Marvel at the sea life of the region, including sea lions and tropical fish galore. If simply viewing the fish from afar isn't enough for you, then perhaps you would be interested in catching them. Arrange for a 5-hour fishing excursion on one of several Panga Fleets. They are affordable and knowledgeable, taking you to the prime fishing spots off the coast.
Rent a car and drive to San Jose. A 20 minute drive from Cabo San Lucas along a winding highway that rings the Sea of Cortez, San Jose is charming, historic, and peaceful. Its adobe storefronts are centered around Plaza Mijares, with its green grass and shading trees. There's an historic Mission but the real diversions are boutique shopping for (not necessarily too expensive) handmade jewelry, sporty cotton fashions, artwork and high end house-gifty items. You won't see too many tourist trinkets here. Among shops worth checking out include LaPaloma Boutique (Plaza Catedral, Calle Zaragoza) for easy-fitting yet sophisticated cotton casual-wear made in Mexico, Add (Zaragoza, Centro) for gorgeous hand made picture frames, candlesticks and other home accessories, Mina (Hidalgo #33) for gorgeous one-of-a-kind gold and silver jewelry, and Algo Diferente En Los Cabos (Hidalgo #11) for artwork.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Cabo San Lucas:
Cabo San Lucas Travel Information
http://www.loscabosguide.com/
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