Sun-drenched, pristine stretches of coastline and brilliant blue sky set the scene for a Los Cabos getaway. A beautiful destination offering the ultimate in relaxation, you’ll find an abundance of incredible bars, restaurants, and cafes. Fill your days with fun adventure activities or simply bliss out by the pool, sipping cocktails and reading a good book. Whether you’re seeking solace in the sunshine or a week of activities and adventure, Cabo’s got you covered! To help you #TravelWell, here’s our ULTIMATE guide to visiting Los Cabos.

Where is Los Cabos?

Los Cabos is located in Mexico at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. There are two main towns, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (don’t worry, it gets less confusing when you read it and say it a few more times). You may, however, hear people refer to Los Cabos simply as, Cabo! The towns are 45-minutes drive apart, linked by a 22 mile stretch of beach-front resorts spread along a major road.

Cabo San Lucas is a known party spot where you’ll find an abundance of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, water-based and beach activities, entertainment and more. San José del Cabo is a much quieter spot featuring colonial buildings, beaches and the gorgeous historic district including galleries and the like.


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The Arch, Los Cabos ©Little Grey Box
The Arch, Los Cabos

How to get to Los Cabos

To get to Los Cabos we flew to Los Angeles and caught a connecting flight from LAX to SJD (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico), arriving at Los Cabos International Airport. The flight time from LAX to Los Cabos is around 2 1/2 hours.

If you’re coming from Australia, like us, there are daily flights to Los Angeles and one great tip is to break your flights up like we did! We flew from Brisbane to Los Angeles, arriving at around 6 am and checking into Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. On arrival at the hotel, we paid a little extra to upgrade, giving us immediate room access and club lounge access too. It was money well spent as we maximised our time at the hotel and didn’t need to spend any money on food, thanks to the club lounge. The hotel also operates a free shuttle to/from the airport. For us, it was money well spent!

Los Angeles
Los Angeles

We spent the whole day catching up on sleep, resting and getting over any tiredness we may have had. That way, when we caught our flight the next day, we were fresh and ready to go! This is a great way to ensure you arrive at your destination having already overcome most of the jet lag. Though, of course, if you are flying from somewhere closer or just want to get to Los Cabos ASAP, you can arrange to catch your next flight right away or simply book connecting flights. Book the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel here.

Pro Tip: If you’re catching a connecting flight in Los Angeles, you must collect your luggage at LAX, go through customs/border control then give your bags back to the airline/airport staff. There should be signs to follow and if you’re unsure, ask the on-ground staff for help.

Flying into Los Cabos ©Little Grey Box
Flying into Los Cabos

Is it safe to visit Los Cabos?

Our visit to Los Cabos was our first time visiting Mexico so we had no idea what it would be like and one thing that kept coming up was the question of safety. All we can do is share our experience and we had no problems with safety during our stay! As with anywhere, we travel to in the world we were careful to follow basic safety rules. We kept our bags and valuables close at all times, using the hotel room safe to store passports and extra cash and didn’t get super drunk and wander off alone late at night, etc.

Fox Canyon ©Little Grey Box
Fox Canyon

8 Must-know tips for visiting Los Cabos

Here are a few essential, know-before-you-go tips for visiting Los Cabos:

  • The local currency is the Mexican peso. We used local ATMs to withdraw pesos after we arrived and also found US dollars were accepted in some places.
  • It’s a good idea to have a currency conversion app on your phone so you can quickly and easily understand the conversion rate if you aren’t experienced with it. We use XE Currency as it’s easy, free and works offline.
  • Los Cabos has a tipping culture, especially for tour operators and hospitality workers so make sure you have some spare pesos on you to tip at bars and restaurants. If you aren’t familiar with tipping, downloading a free app like Tip Calculator may be useful.
  • As Australians, we were not required to get a visa to enter Mexico at the time of our visit in November 2019
  • We were, however, required to get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) to transit through the United States while going through LAX. Be sure to look into all visa requirements for Mexico and the USA prior to your departure. Australians can find up-to-date visa information on the Smart Traveller website here.
  • Everyone we met was incredibly welcoming and made us feel so at home. The service was top-notch and the staff at hotels, restaurants, and activities were all very helpful!
  • Be sure to learn a few key phrases in Spanish before you depart for your trip. Knowing how to say hello, goodbye and thank you goes a long way. While we didn’t run into any language issues, we did have Google Translate on our phones with the Spanish language downloaded and ready to go, just in case we needed to use it or wanted to learn a few words as we went. It was really helpful!
  • Each restaurant we visited was very attentive when it came to food allergies. Prior to placing an order, our servers seemed to always ask if we had any dietary restrictions, allergies, etc. This is great if you have specific allergies! So, don’t worry, you should be able to find food that works for you!
A perfect sunset at Marquis ©Little Grey Box
A perfect sunset at Marquis

The best time to visit Los Cabos

We visited Los Cabos in late November and found the weather to be mostly gorgeous! Aside from one or two days of unseasonably wild rain, we experienced nothing but sun-drenched days and perfect temperatures. It was lovely and warm during the day but not overly hot and sweaty.

The best time to visit is considered to be from November through to June with December through to mid-April being the best time to spot whales and whale sharks. August to October are typically going to be the warmest months with temperatures getting up to 36°C, something Aussies should have no trouble handling.

For surfers, like Matt, the best time of year to visit should be June through to August. Savvy travellers keen to scoop up a bargain might like to consider visiting in August through to October which is typically the low season, meaning fewer tourists and cheaper hotel rates. But, with around 350 days of sunshine per year, you can’t really go wrong in Cabo!

Sunrise on the beach ©Little Grey Box
Sunrise on the beach

Where to stay in Los Cabos

During our visit to Cabo, we got to experience hosted stays at three different resorts/hotels and each one offered something different. Here’s a look at all three, listed in the same order at which we stayed at them.

Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa

Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa is the adults-only Cabo resort straight out of your Mexican holiday fantasies or at least it’s straight out of mine! From the moment we arrived we were blown away by how grand the resort is and, located right on the beach, the incredible views it offered us. We were able to sit on the balcony of our room to watch the stunning sunset turn the sky brilliant shades of pastel pink, purple, and orange.

The lobby at Marquis ©Little Grey Box
The lobby at Marquis

Our room was absolutely huge, offering a big bathroom complete with twin sinks, bathtub and separate shower (with one of those fancy seats in case all that showering tires you out). The spacious bed was incredibly comfortable and the lounge and desk areas allowed us to have different spots to sit and relax too.

Our stay was all-inclusive, meaning ALL our meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and mini-bar items were included in our stay. Just to go over that again because, to us, it felt too good to be true, but we didn’t have to pay for anything we ordered at any of the many restaurants at Marquis and we also didn’t have to pay for the food and drinks we enjoyed from the mini-bar, which is replenished daily. Hello, sunset beers and chocolate bars on the balcony! Of course, these costs are included in what you pay for the all-inclusive package but, you guys, it felt so good to show up to the restaurant for dinner and order whatever the heck we felt like without care about price.

Our room at Marquis ©Little Grey Box
Our room at Marquis

A stay at Marquis Los Cabos would be perfect for anyone looking to totally and completely relax right on the beachfront. Matt and I could have easily spent an entire week at the Marquis just enjoying our room, the pool, beach, and great food and drink! Throughout our stay, we felt like we were making the most of every moment, from sunset drinks on the balcony to swimming in the beachfront pool or simply taking a sunrise stroll along the beachfront. Book Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa here.

Breakfast at Marquis ©Little Grey Box
Breakfast at Marquis

Viceroy Los Cabos

Viceroy Los Cabos is a luxurious beachfront resort serving up incredible food and a high-end, modern experience! Both Matt and I kinda lost the ability to speak for a moment when we first arrived and saw the stunning hotel design. It’s the kind of thing you see on Instagram or in luxury travel magazines so when you see it in real life, it kind of takes a second to realise it’s real life!

The view from our room at Viceroy ©Little Grey Box
The view from our room at Viceroy

Our Pool View King room was elegantly designed with an abundance of crisp white set against timber. The bathroom was sleek and compact, very cleverly using the space to give you a large shower area with two rainfall showerheads, separate toilet, basin area, and storage. This meant the focus of the room was where it needed to be; on creating an incredibly comfortable bed, lounging area, desk space and generous balcony complete with day bed, tub and additional seating area.

The room was adorned with modern touches at every turn including a Nespresso machine, voice-automated Alexa, SMART TV, adjustable dimmer and colour mood lighting and blackout and sheer curtains operated at the touch of a button. From our balcony, we could overlook the pool area and all the way down to the beach, watching the day pass by. The pool is fantastic, too! We loved slipping in for a morning or afternoon swim.

Our room at Viceroy ©Little Grey Box
Our room at Viceroy

Probably the thing that stood out to me the most at Viceroy, though, was the exceptional food. Matt and I eat more than our fair share of meals at hotels and, I have to say, the food at Viceroy stands out from the pack! From the delicious a la carte breakfast menu complete with fresh juices and great coffee through to the absolutely delicious food prepared at rooftop bar and restaurant, Cielomar, we were blown away! As I understand it, you can also get all-inclusive food and beverage packages at Viceroy too which may be worth looking into.

A stay at Viceroy Los Cabos would be perfect for anyone looking for modern luxury right on the beachfront. It’s the kind of place I could very easily picture my parents enjoying, just as we did! It really has a ‘grown-up’ feel while still being very welcoming. From the fantastic front-desk staff to the amazing food and beverage, coupled with modern touches at every turn, a stay at Viceroy is one that will linger in your mind for quite some time. Book Viceroy Los Cabos here.

Hotel El Ganzo

Hotel El Ganzo is a waterfront, boutique hotel with a welcoming, artistic vibe! The hotel has a really cool story celebrating diversity, creativity, artistry, and sustainability. Artworks of all shapes, sizes, and mediums adorn the interior and exterior of the hotel, from unique sculptures and intricate creations to bold, bright paintings adorning the walls. You’ll even find some of the rooms playing host to artworks and there’s a secret, underground recording studio frequented by a range of talented musicians (including famous people!)

Hotel El Ganzo ©Little Grey Box
Hotel El Ganzo

Situated right on and directly overlooking the marina in a quiet, calm pocket of San Jose Del Cabo, the hotel also offers easy access to the beach. Equipped with its very own beach club, guests can board the super cute shuttle boat and float across for a day of relaxing on the beach. Then, as hunger starts to build, seek out delicious food and cold drinks at the beach club. There’s also a pretty spectacular infinity pool on the roof of the hotel too, offering picturesque views of the Sea of Cortez.

Our Master Suite was a generous size, offering a separate living room and bedroom as well as a private balcony for us to sit out and enjoy the warm sunshine and water views. We loved how spacious our room was, including the bathroom! We had no trouble spreading out, getting comfortable and finding different spots to hang out, instead of being confined to the bed. Speaking of which, our King-size canopy bed was very cosy and comfy and we loved the huge bathtub as well.

In addition to all of this, the hotel has a number of fantastic dining options too, including Restaurante @ El Ganzo, the rooftop, beach club, container restaurant, and in-room dining. We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at Restaurante and thoroughly enjoyed all our food and drinks! The staff was amazing, taking great care of us and being especially attentive with dietary requirements. If you’re really looking to relax, you may also like to visit Spa El Ganzo for some pampering and, for gym bunnies, there’s a great onsite gym too.

A stay at Hotel El Ganzo would be perfect for anyone looking to get away from it all and totally relax, while still being right on the water. As a boutique hotel, you’ll find you run into fewer people, get to know the staff a bit better and enjoy a quieter experience. We loved the distinct sense of peace, relaxation, and calm combined with the trendy edge of El Ganzo. It offered a tranquil and grounding experience, coupled with great food, a very comfortable room, and gorgeous water views. Book Hotel El Ganzo here.

View from Hotel El Ganzo ©Little Grey Box
The view from our room at El Ganzo

6 of the BEST things to do in Los Cabos

There’s no shortage of wonderful activities to pack your Cabo itinerary with! Here are just a few of the best things to do in Los Cabos:

Need more ideas? Find and book a load more amazing activities here.

Pro Tip: Most of our activities were organised via Flight Centre. Be sure to check them out for help booking a whole range of activities beyond what’s listed above! Find Flight Centre here.

Sunset horse ride in Cabo ©Little Grey Box
Sunset horse ride in Cabo

4 of the BEST places to eat and drink in Los Cabos

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Cabo! Here are just a few of the best places to eat and drink in Los Cabos:

  • Head to The Cape for the very best views of the stunning Cabo coastline and magnificent Arch. Enjoy truly delicious cocktails and a yummy bite to eat while watching an unforgettable sunset and listening to great music.
  • Visit the gorgeous grounds of Los Tamarindos, an organic farm, and a restaurant. After you’ve wandered through the gardens, tuck into a delicious lunch highlighting the flavours of the region.
  • Make a visit to the Viceroy Los Cabos to dine at the rooftop restaurant, Cielomar. With a focus on ‘fire,’ the menu here boasts an abundance of perfectly cooked meat and seafood combined with fresh local flavours.
  • Enter the beautiful world of Flora Farms and take a tour of the picturesque grounds before tucking into a heavenly meal at Flora’s Field Kitchen. The food here is bursting with homegrown goodness and Baja flavours, perfect for a relaxed lunch! In fact, Flora’s is so beautiful, Maroon 5 frontman, Adam Levine, was married here!

How to get around

When it comes to getting around Cabo, you have a few different options. Hotels and resorts often have shuttle services running between the hotel and airport as well as key spots like the downtown area, for example. Check before booking and, if it’s something important to you, make sure you find a hotel that offers this service.

If you feel comfortable driving overseas, you may like to look into hiring a car. This option will give you the absolute freedom to go where you please when you please but does come with more costs. Alternatively, you may like to simply use Uber for a cheap and reliable method of transport. What’s great about Uber is the ability to ensure set fare rates and pay via the app, to ensure a scam free situation.

Lastly, you can also organise your very own private transport for the duration of your trip. We spoke with a local tour guide who said he meets tourists on his tours and offers his driving services if they ask for help. There are also other companies set-up who offer this service too so be sure to find the option that’s best for you.

Baja Jeep Tour to Fox Canyon ©Little Grey Box
Baja Jeep Tour to Fox Canyon

What to pack

Visiting Los Cabos for the first time? Here’s a look at what you need to pack for your trip:

  • We found it appropriate to be a bit more dressy in Cabo, as opposed to the more relaxed outfits we might usually wear in Thailand, for example. Be sure to pack a few ‘nice’ outfit options for dinner and drinks at classy restaurants and bars.
  • We also found we needed activewear for activities like horse riding and trekking to Fox Canyon. Closed-in footwear is also a good idea!
  • Be sure to pack your swimmers, sun-smart gear (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc) and clothes you can easily and comfortably wear over your swimmers, like a kaftan or shorts.
  • For the most part, I wore comfy summer dresses with sneakers or sandals. Matt mostly wore shorts with either a light t-shirt or cotton/linen shirt with collar and rolled-up sleeves for evenings.
  • I found my skin and hair to be quite dry, probably due to the amount of time I spent in the water. I’d recommend packing your favourite, super-hydrating moisturiser for your face and one for your body as well as leave-in hair hydration too.

Read our full ‘What to pack for a trip to Los Cabos’ guide here! 


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