Los Cabos is a top lifestyle destination known for its breathtaking natural scenery, which includes some of the world’s finest beaches. In addition to its stunning landscapes, the area features a lively shopping scene perfect for exploring traditional Mexican arts and crafts, fine art, and luxurious high-end items. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of spas and wellness experiences that provide opportunities for deep relaxation throughout the day.
You can apply this guide’s pointers to a day of activities designed to help you experience the best shopping, spas, and beaches Los Cabos offers.
If you’re considering purchasing real estate, we have carefully selected options in desirable communities that may interest you and fit your lifestyle and investment strategy.
A quick note: Los Cabos refers to the municipality, including Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. A stretch of highway, the Tourist Corridor, lined with residential communities, hotels, and beautiful beaches, connects the two towns.
1. Shopping in Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas: Modern Shopping in a Bustling Marina
Puerto Paraiso Mall: The Heart of Cabo’s Retail Scene
The Puerto Paraiso Mall is the main shopping center in town, located right on the marina. It offers a great selection of items, including beachwear and products from various international and US brands. You can also find Mexican crafts like pottery, textiles, and Cabo-themed souvenirs.
In addition to shopping, the mall features several restaurants, a fast food area, and a cinema with ten screens that typically show American films in English. There’s also an outdoor area with playgrounds, making it an excellent spot for taking the kids. Remember that during the summer, it’s best to visit in the evening when the temperature is cooler.
Furthermore, the mall offers free yoga classes in the outdoor area on Saturday mornings. Be sure to check their website in advance, as schedules can vary.
Souvenir Shops and Tequila Tastings: Exploring Local Flavors
If you’re looking for Mexican crafts and souvenirs in Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find that small shops offering a variety of items line the downtown streets. Additionally, tequila shops feature a wide selection of this iconic Mexican spirit and often provide tastings. Remember that “Tequila” is a protected designation of origin, meaning only specific regions of western Mexico can produce it. This system is similar to how they define “Champagne.” If someone makes a sparkling wine outside the Champagne region, it cannot be called Champagne, even if it is delicious.
San Jose del Cabo: Art, Culture, and Authentic Crafts
San Jose Art Walk: A Lively Celebration of Creativity
If you’re seeking a fun, lively, and artsy experience that blends a vibrant street atmosphere with fine art and culture, look no further than the San Jose Art Walk. Every Thursday evening, except during the peak summer months, the Art Walk transforms the historic center of San Jose, dating back to the 18th century when Spanish vessels stopped here en route to mainland Mexico from the Philippines, into a lively hub. Restaurants and art galleries open their doors, and the streets become pedestrian-only, inviting everyone to explore and enjoy.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet local and international artists, enjoy live performances, and invest in authentic art pieces to enhance your property in Los Cabos. Several real estate brokerages with offices in downtown San Jose, including Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Baja Real Estate, also open their doors, making it a great time to inquire about real estate in a casual atmosphere. Our office is right on the town’s central square, next to the Spanish church from the 18th century. You can’t miss it!
Plaza Artesanos: A Treasure Trove of Mexican Handicrafts
In addition to the Art Walk, Plaza Artesanos is open daily and considered one of the best artisan markets in San Jose. They source their crafts from all over Mexico, offering a variety of handmade goods, including pottery, jewelry, clothing, and more. Plaza Artesanos is an excellent option for finding authentic Mexican pieces. The vendors allow some bargaining, but it should always be done respectfully. A good approach is to ask, “If I buy two or more items, can I get a discount?” rather than asking for a discount on the first piece immediately.
Unique Shopping Experiences in Los Cabos
Blown Glass Factory: The Art of Traditional Glassblowing
The Blown Glass Factory in Cabo San Lucas offers a fascinating glimpse into the art of glassblowing. The in-house artisans provide live demonstrations of their skills, creating figurines, ornaments, and glassware, such as cups for drinking. The factory features a striking dome made of blown glass, with walls embedded with glass that allow light to flow in a colorful display. Visitors can explore a catalog of various blown glass items available for purchase.
Artesanos: Handcrafted Furniture and Décor
Nearby the glass factory, an establishment called Artesanos offers authentic Mexican crafts and furniture at fair prices. They only accept cash, do not haggle, and close at 2 PM. The store spans three levels; you can always find unique items to decorate your space.
Flora Farms: Farm-to-Table Dining and Boutique Shopping
Flora Farms is outside San Jose del Cabo, to the east. This immersive shopping and dining experience is situated in a small valley with natural water, creating an oasis of agriculture where a variety of fresh produce is grown. The farm-to-table restaurant serves excellent but somewhat pricey dishes. Additionally, there is a gourmet food store where you can find fresh produce, bread, butter, and other specialty items. The premises also feature boutiques that showcase clothing and jewelry by contemporary Mexican designers.
Luxury Retail and Future Shopping Destinations
Anima Village at Cabo del Sol: The Future of High-End Shopping
Anima Village at Cabo del Sol will become one of the top shopping destinations in the region. This luxury shopping mall will feature over 25 prestigious brands, including Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. In addition to shopping, Anima Village will offer wellness and fitness studios and exceptional and innovative dining options.
The renowned architectural firm Sordo Madaleno, known for its airy neo-brutalist designs, designed the mall. Anima Village will elevate the real estate landscape in Cabo del Sol, which already boasts a Four Seasons hotel, two golf courses, and the exclusive residential development, Cove Club.
Shopping Tips and Etiquette in Los Cabos
Bargaining: When to Negotiate and When to Pay the Marked Price
While bargaining and negotiation are part of the culture in Mexico, tactfulness is always a good approach. Like those in malls, prices in boutique shops and established brand stores are usually fixed and cannot be negotiated. However, artisan markets are more open to negotiation.
A good principle is to ask whether prices are negotiable when buying from intermediaries, such as Plaza Artesanos or tourist-oriented shops in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Vendors have often included a margin for bargaining in the price tag.
Conversely, negotiating is not advisable when purchasing directly from artists and artisans, as it shows a lack of respect for their work.
Cash or Card? What to Know Before You Pay
Regarding payments, many establishments accept US dollars. However, carrying Mexican pesos is often a good idea since prices are typically better in pesos, and the exchange rate you receive may not be favorable. ATMs that dispense both pesos and dollars are widely available in Los Cabos.
For high-value purchases, such as fine art, it is advisable to buy from reputable galleries to ensure the work’s authenticity.
Buying Authentic Art and Handcrafted Goods
Artisanal items come in a wide range of prices. At the same time, some inexpensive trinkets can be lovely and worth buying, and there are also handmade pieces by Mexican artisans that can be more expensive than a fine painting by a renowned artist. Therefore, when buying high-end artisanal goods, visit a reputable store and ask for a certificate of authenticity to avoid forgeries.
2. Spas in Los Cabos
Signature Wellness and Healing Traditions
Temazcal: Mexico’s Ancient Ritual of Renewal
An experience you don’t want to miss while in Mexico is the Temazcal. It holds significant cultural importance in Mexican culture and symbolizes purification and renewal. During the Spanish conquest, practitioners of the Temazcal went into hiding, as the Spanish Catholic worldview did not receive the spiritual elements of the practice well. However, in the 20th century, Temazcal reemerged and became more mainstream.
While a shaman can guide the experience and have a more spiritual twist, it is not always practiced that way, and can focus strictly on physical health. The experience can take place in specialized centers, and some resorts offer it, such as One&Only Palmilla and the Solmar Hotel.
The Temazcal is practiced in a sweat lodge. In the center, there are volcanic rocks that are heated significantly. The person in charge then pours water infused with herbs onto the stones to create a sauna-like environment. This heat facilitates a detoxifying process that cleanses both the body and mind.
In addition to Temazcal, plenty of more mainstream spa treatments incorporate ingredients and elements from Baja, such as sea salt and earth from the desert, as well as native plants and marine elements like seaweed.
Premier Luxury Spas and Wellness Retreats
Los Cabos is home to several excellent spas that generally offer outstanding service. Most resorts and hotels feature their spa facilities, and it’s also common for spa professionals to come to your villa if you’re renting a vacation property instead of staying at a hotel. Here are just a few of the notable spa facilities at various resorts:
- One&Only Spa at One&Only Palmilla
- SE Spa at Grand Velas Los Cabos
- Spa Montage Los Cabos
- Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- Tierra Mar Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo Del Sol
- Playa Grande Spa by Solmar
- Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa
An interesting aspect of these establishments is that they often offer integrative wellness programs beyond just spa treatments or massages. These programs include wellness-directed fitness and movement classes like yoga and Pilates. Instructors hold some classes on the beach to incorporate outdoor elements and provide a break from a gym-like atmosphere.
Holistic Wellness: Beyond Traditional Spa Treatments
Personalized Nutrition and Fitness Programs
Nutritional guidance is also an essential part of the programs. It provides personalized nutrition plans that can focus on your stay or extend into your routine back in your city of origin. The programs can target specific goals such as detoxification or improving concentration and vitality.
Mindfulness and Meditation for a Balanced Stay
Additionally, wellness programs widely incorporate mindfulness and meditation practices, featuring activities such as sound baths and guided visualizations. These elements ensure a holistic approach that addresses the body, mind, and spirit. For example, the Auberge Resort at Chileno Bay emphasizes mindfulness in its spa offerings, referring to it as “mindful movement.” This program includes attentive listening and awareness in yoga, underwater cycling, Pilates, breathwork, and meditation.
Ritz-Carlton and the Future of Spa Innovation
Similarly, the Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton resort with high-end luxury villas, boasts a spa called Alkemia. Located east of San José del Cabo in Puerto Los Cabos—a development that includes a marina, additional hotels, a golf course, and several exciting real estate opportunities—Alkemia offers a Temazcal experience, restorative healing waters, and a wellness philosophy grounded in nature and a holistic approach to the whole person.
3. Beaches in Los Cabos
Beach Safety and Swimmability: What You Need to Know
Los Cabos is at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Dramatic coastlines with mountainous deserts surround the area as a backdrop. One would love to get in the water at every opportunity. But it’s important to note that most beaches are unsafe for swimming. There can be strong currents and riptides, so being informed about the conditions and safe locations is crucial.
Understanding Cabo’s Beach Flag System
A standardized flag system indicates the safety level for swimming at the beaches where it is permitted. A green flag signifies the lowest level of danger, indicating that conditions are safe. A yellow flag advises caution; swimmers should remain aware and attentive, but swimming is generally acceptable. A red flag indicates dangerous situations, and swimming is discouraged. A black flag means that conditions are highly hazardous and swimming is not allowed. These flags are prominently displayed at all swimmable beaches and in many non-swimmable areas; in the latter case, the flag will always be black.
Top Swimmable Beaches in Los Cabos
All beaches in Mexico are public, but the access points can vary. Some areas may not be easily accessible, leading them to operate more like private beaches. Below is a list of some of the best swimmable beaches in Los Cabos.
Medano Beach: Cabo’s Most Lively Swimming Spot
Medano Beach is located in Cabo San Lucas. It is the town’s main swimming beach. Many consider it the primary public gathering space, similar to Central Park in New York City. Medano Beach is situated in Cabo San Lucas Bay, closer to the famous Arch to the east. To the west lies Monument Beach, which is not great for swimming but fantastic for surfing and is home to the Thompson Hotel. Near this hotel are several real estate opportunities, including The Shores Residences, which Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Baja Real Estate represents.
Medano Beach is a great option if you’re looking for a lively beach experience with plenty of people and some vendors selling crafts and beach activities. The views are spectacular, and the water is cool and calm. Several beachside restaurants offer loungers and umbrellas for rent, along with food and drinks.
Chileno Beach: A Pristine Blue Flag Beach for Snorkeling
Chileno Beach is home to the Auberge Resort and the exclusive Chileno Bay community. It is along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. This beautiful bay is excellent for swimming, featuring rocky formations on either side and coral reefs beneath the water, making it one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the area. There is a sizable parking lot. It is a public access beach.
For a quieter experience, visiting in the morning and on weekdays is advisable. While afternoons and weekends tend to get crowded, the atmosphere remains festive and enjoyable. Interestingly, the beach’s name comes from a band of Chilean pirates who used to make it their lair and hid their treasure centuries ago.
Santa Maria Beach: A Horseshoe Bay with Calm Waters
Santa Maria Beach, adjacent to Chileno Bay, is known for its horseshoe-shaped bay. It is slightly smaller than Chileno Bay, and many consider its beauty to be more dramatic, thanks to its jagged rock formations at both ends and stunning turquoise waters. Like Chileno Bay, Santa Maria also features underwater rock formations and coral reefs. Still, its underwater landscape is characterized by more profound valleys and more rugged terrain, in contrast to the smoother features of Chileno Bay. Several yachts and tour companies often moor their vessels there for a few hours during the day, adding a picturesque touch. But at times, they can pollute the air with loud music.
El Ganzo Beach: A Hidden Swimming Gem in San Jose
Located within Puerto Los Cabos, near the marina, is a beach known locally as La Playita, but it has been referred to as El Ganzo Beach for several years in honor of the nearby arts hotel. This beach is enclosed by two artificial rock barriers, creating a small bay perfect for swimming.
There are two beach clubs: El Ganzo, mainly for hotel guests, and Veleros, open to the public. Both clubs offer excellent options to rent a cabana or loungers, allowing visitors to enjoy their menus and fine wine selections. The beach is open to the public; some visitors bring umbrellas and set up their spots. El Ganzo Beach is an excellent option for a relaxing day with a bohemian yet upscale vibe. It is also the only swimmable beach on the outskirts east of San Jose del Cabo.
Beaches Best Enjoyed from the Shore
Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach: Cabo’s Most Famous Landmarks
There are two unique beaches at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, right next to the Arch. One beach opens to Cabo San Lucas Bay, part of the Sea of Cortez, while the other faces the Pacific Ocean. These beaches have playful names: the beach facing the Sea of Cortez is Lovers Beach, while the one facing the Pacific is named Divorce Beach.
Access to these beaches is available via a water taxi that departs from Cabo San Lucas’s marina. Lovers Beach is swimmable if conditions permit, whereas Divorce Beach, which is more extensive, is best enjoyed from the shore due to the strong and hazardous currents of the Pacific Ocean. This beach is ideal for walking and contemplating the raw energy of the Pacific.
Solmar Beach: A Dramatic Stretch of Sand with Powerful Waves
Adjacent to Divorce Beach, further north, is Solmar Beach, which extends to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. This beautiful stretch of land features strong waves and powerful undertows, making it unsafe for swimming. However, it’s perfect for a stroll at sunset, allowing visitors to watch the sun dip below the ocean while fiery colors illuminate the sky. One of the top residential communities with direct access to this beach is Pedregal, one of the first luxury communities in Cabo San Lucas. It is known for its distinguished and elegant atmosphere and prime real estate options.
Los Cabos: A Perfect Blend of Luxury, Lifestyle, and Real Estate Opportunities
Los Cabos is a destination where luxury and natural beauty come together. Visitors can browse designer shops, unwind at top-tier spas, and enjoy the region’s breathtaking coastline. The vibrant culture, wellness experiences, and scenic landscapes create a setting that feels both refined and welcoming. With exceptional real estate opportunities near these sought-after amenities, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Baja Real Estate is here to help you find the perfect property to enjoy this lifestyle.
