Essentials

Language: Spanish, but English is also widely spoken.

Currency: Mexican peso, but US dollars are also accepted everywhere.

Docking/Anchoring: There is no pier, so ships anchor in the bay meaning tender boats are used to transport guests ashore. The ride is about 10 minutes.

Itineraries: Features on Mexican Riviera cruises and some Panama Canal cruises.

Getting Around: Tenders drop you off at the marina in the heart of town making it easy to explore locally on foot, and there are plenty of taxis for venturing further afield.

Overview

This popular port of call, located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula on the Mexican Riviera, has a reputation for being a playground, a party haven and a winter retreat for North Americans. Although this is largely true, Cabo still has a certain charm, and plenty to offer if you are prepared to work a bit to seek things out. It is famous for many things, in particular the unusual rock formations protruding out of the Sea of Cortez, and bustling nightlife. If you love adventure pursuits, sport fishing, horse riding and such activities, you’ll love it. The town can get very busy, though, and hawkers are everywhere trying to attract people into their bars and restaurants, although they’re pretty relaxed.

Must See And Do

El Arco: This is Cabo’s top tourist attraction, a large rock in the ocean marking land’s end which has had a wide arch cut into it by years of flowing tides and ocean. You can see it from the marina, just, but the best view comes from taking a boat trip. It usually features on excursions, or you can take a boat or water taxi from the marina.

Lover’s Beach: This is Cabo’s most famous beach, nestling between the non-town side of El Arco and stretching north beyond the bay. It used to be a quiet spot but has been built up in recent years, and it can be quite dangerous for swimming due to the surf, but if a long walk away from the crowds is your thing, this is the place to head for. You will need to take either a water taxi or taxi to get there, so factor in a little travel time.

Other beaches: Playa Medano is a short taxi ride away from the marina and Playa Mendano is the place for renting watersports equipment.

Shop: The shopping here isn’t anything special – you’ll find the same stuff all along the Mexican Riviera – but if you are in the market for silver jewellery and indian blankets, you’ll find them at a reasonable price.

San Jose del Cabo: A short taxi ride away, this is Cabo’s quieter sister and a place to find some welcome respite from the fiesta atmosphere on the ocean front. This is more of the real Mexico, a small town with a pretty plaza, church, and interesting streets with local shops, cafes and local life.

Excursions

This part of the world, and the Mexican Riviera in particular, is a haven for marine life, and most cruise ships offer excursions for fishing, either locally or deep sea. If your idea of adventure is more land based, an ATV tour is a fun way to explore the beaches, dunes and hinterland, and horse riding on the beach offers up the opportunity for some unique memories. Golf is another popular pastime in these parts and you may find there’s an excursion to play at a local course.

Slightly less adventurous pursuits include kayaking or snorkelling, which can include a visit to El Arco. And if you prefer something even less strenuous, pick a tour which includes a stop at San Jose, a charming and historic town about 20 minutes away from Cabo. Attractions here include an historic mission, and the opportunity to shop for handmade jewellery and artwork.