Overview Cabo San Lucas, often times simply referred to as Cabo, is one of the most popular ports of call on many Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries. Cabo is not usually a cruise departure port; however, "small ship" cruise line Cruise West does offer a few departures from Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo is located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, more precisely in the municipality of Los Cabos. Along with the neighboring area of San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas is a very popular high-end vacation destination. Luxury resorts and timeshares are quite common in this region. Cabo San Lucas is also quite popular among honeymooners.
The rich and famous can frequently be found vacationing in Cabo, as there are many high-end gated residential communities and a slew of exclusive hotels as well.
More and more Americans seem to be traveling to Cabo each year, as it's close proximity to the US, its exciting nightlife, and its great reputation attract a lot of tourists.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico:
Mexican Riviera
Currency The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso (MXN). US Dollars are accepted at many places as well. Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Mexico is Spanish. However, a lot of the locals will speak English in the main tourist areas. In fact, some of the "locals" are actually Americans that decided to make Cabo their new home.
Tourist Attractions Land's End (also known as El Arco de Cabo San Lucas) is one of the most famous landmarks in Cabo San Lucas. It's located at the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. It's a series of very distinctive rock formations, with the Arch of Poseidon being the most recognizable among them. Many sea lions can often be seen relaxing on top of the rocks in this area. Lovers Beach (Playa del Amante) is located close to this area and is a popular place to hang out to enjoy the surroundings. You need to take a water taxi to and from this beach. Excursions are also available where you can ride aboard a motorized boat and sail past this area for a close view.
Playa Santa Maria is considered to be one of the best beaches in Cabo San Lucas. It's especially popular for its snorkeling, since there's a lot of underwater wildlife to view there. Try to get there as early as possible, to avoid the crowds that develop as the day goes on.
The nightlife in Cabo is quite good. Not surprisingly, there are many clubs in Cabo San Lucas. Among them are The Zoo, the Jungle Bar and El Squid Roe. A particularly famous hangout spot is The Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by rocker Sammy Hagar. It's a restaurant and nightclub. There is also a Hard Rock Cafe in Cabo. Party boats are another usually available option for those looking to get a little wild.
Whale watching is popular in this area during the winter. You may be lucky enough to watch a bunch of whales swim by! Another popular water-related activity in Cabo is sport fishing. In fact, Cabo is the site of the largest Marlin tournament in the world.
"The Corridor" is a region of Cabo where some of the most exclusive hotels (some of which are considered to be among the best in Latin America) and gated residential communities can be found.
Port Location Cruise ships anchor offshore and use tenders to transport passengers to and from Cabo San Lucas.
