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Are you planning a warm winter getaway to sunny Cabos but aren’t sure why there are two of them? This post on Cabo San Lucas vs. San Jose Del Cabo has all the information you need to plan a trip to the Cabo that is right for you!
“Cabos” is widely known as a spring break and winter getaway Mexican destination. It offers warm weather year-round, stunning beaches, and some of the tastiest seafood.
However, once you start planning your trip to “Cabos” you will soon realize that is not as straightforward as it sounds, since the word “Cabos” is plural, which means there are two of them: San José del Cabo AND Cabo San Lucas.
Even as a Baja California native this confused me at the beginning—it really doesn’t help that the names are so similar.
But don’t worry, this is why I decided to make this guide to help you understand the differences between Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo. So you know exactly where you are heading, and where to look for hotels.
Trust me, you don’t want to accidentally book a hotel in the wrong Cabo while planning to stay in the other one… I almost made this mistake myself.
So let’s get to it, Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo: the main differences, pros, cons, and ultimately which is better for which kind of traveler.
Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo: Which To Choose?
While being relatively close to each other, each Cabo has a completely different vibe from one another.
This is why is very important to differentiate them and decide where you want to base yourself for your Cabo trip.
Where is Los Cabos?
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are casually known as “Los Cabos”, and are located at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.
Its privileged location on the Mexican peninsula offers striking landscapes, incredible natural beauty, and unique experiences like snorkeling with whale sharks, gray whale watching, and amazing diving spots.
Located at the tip of Baja California, Los Cabos is also an easy getaway for travelers from many parts of the USA looking for a long weekend trip, a warm winter getaway, or a spring break beach holiday.
Is Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas the same?
So first things first, is Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas the same? The short answer is no, but a lot of people think they are.
Los Cabos is the name given to group together both Cabos: Cabos San Lucas AND San José del Cabo.
However, as most people going to “Cabos” to party end up visiting Cabo San Lucas, people assume that Cabos is the nickname for Cabo San Lucas. But that would be incorrect.
Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo: Explained
Cabo San Lucas
The most popular of the Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, is where most people head to when visiting the southern tip of Baja California Sur in search of luxurious all-inclusive resorts or beachfront bars to party the days away.
Cabo San Lucas is a beachfront resort town, that offers luxurious stays, upscale restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife perfect for spring breakers and party crowds.
If you’re not much of a party person but instead want a relaxing time at a beachfront hotel, you can easily find that here, tucked away in one of the many high-end accommodations.
Best things to do in Cabo San Lucas
– Visit the beautiful beaches
Of course, one of the best things to do when visiting Cabo San Lucas is to spend time on its beautiful beaches.
Playa el Medano is the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, lined with bars, restaurants, and souvenir sellers all at the edge of the turquoise waters.
Chileno Beach is another good option, located between both Cabos, this beach is good for swimming—something that is not guaranteed with all beaches around Cabo San Lucas.
My favorite is Santa Maria Beach, just a short drive from Cabo San Lucas. This is one of the most beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, surrounded by rocky cliffs, and with no harassing sellers in sight. It is also known as one of the best ones for swimming.
Tip: Make sure to always check the colored flags that indicate the safety level of swimming in Cabo San Lucas’ beaches. Some Cabos beaches are categorized as “unswimmable” due to harsh undercurrents, steep ocean-floor drop-offs, and strong waves, and these will always have a red flag somewhere on the beach to warn visitors.
– Take a tour to see Los Cabos Arch
An unmissable thing to do when visiting Cabo San Lucas is to take a tour to see some of the area’s main highlights from the water.
Like a boat tour to see the famous Los Cabos Arch and the impressive meeting point of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean.
Or if you are more adventurous and activity-driven, you could do a kayak tour to see Cabos highlights.
If the weather and current allow, most tours will also drop you off at one of the Land’s End beaches which are only accessible by boat, Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach, to enjoy a few hours lounging on a remote and pristine bay.
– Party at a beachfront bar
If the quintessential “Cabos” experience is what you are after, you will want to head to the marina or Medano beach area, to visit some of the many lively and flashy bars that give Cabo its party reputation.
If all you want is to enjoy some drinks with a view try Agua Salada Bar and Grill offering outdoor tables facing the beautiful marina.
For a day of day-drinking by the beach visit The Sand Bar, a classier beach bar in Cabo, or the more casual and spring-breaky bar, stop by Mango Deck—both on Medano Beach.
For a full Cabo-style drinking night head to the bold and vibrant El Squid Roe, a colorful party spot known for its multi-level party scene.
– Stay at luxury resorts
If the Cabo party scene is not your thing, another top thing to do in Cabo San Lucas is to have a relaxing stay at one of the many upscale accommodations.
Such as the beachfront Bahia Hotel and Beach House, the stylish ME Cabo by Meliá, and the luxurious Montage Los Cabos.
Pros and cons of Cabo San Lucas
Pros of Cabo San Lucas:
- Lively nightlife
- Luxury stays
- Upscale dining experiences
- Water tours access
Cons of Cabo San Lucas:
- Crowded and touristy
- Expensive restaurants, bars, and tours
- Party-focused marina area
San Jose del Cabo
Even though most people traveling to “Cabos” will arrive at the Los Cabos International Airport in San Jose del Cabo, San Jose del Cabo remains the less-known sibling, as visitors tend to go straight to the flashy Cabo San Lucas.
San Jose del Cabo, however, offers a completely different vibe to Cabo San Lucas.
With a more authentic local feel, charming streets lined with colorful colonial architecture, papel picado covering the streets, and tons of independent local shops, San Jose del Cabo is everything Cabo San Lucas isn’t.
And in the best way possible, in my opinion.
The quaint San Jose del Cabo is also known for its artistic soul, highlighted by its popular San Jose del Cabo Art Walk, a weekly event showcasing the town’s galleries and artistic communities.
This cutesy, folkloric town with local charm is perfect for a more relaxing holiday with a cultural touch, full of museums, boutiques, and art galleries.
Best things to do in San Jose del Cabo
– Wandering the charming streets of San Jose del Cabo
One of the best things to do in San Jose del Cabo—and one of my favorite activities—is simply wandering around the charming and colorful streets of this cute town.
With streets lined with colorful colonial houses, papel picado dangling from the lampposts, and street art displays around the city, aimlessly wandering around San Jose del Cabo is a must to get a feel of this artistic town!
– Visiting art galleries
Known for its artistic spirit, visiting the art galleries in San Jose del Cabo is one of the top things to do for any visitor.
Luckily this is a simple feat to conquer as they are mostly located within the Art Gallery District, a two-block square packed with galleries displaying paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and other works by local artists.
– Shopping at the local independent shops
Another thing that took me by surprise about the less popular Cabo, is the amount of cute local independent shops with high-quality products in San Jose del Cabo.
While I love supporting local shops, sometimes I find it hard to find something that I can actually see myself wearing or keeping for the long term.
However, with high-quality brands like the local swimwear brand Sandmade Swimwear, and the beautifully made products of Tonton Textil, is easy to find the perfect trip souvenir while supporting local businesses.
– Visit Plaza Mijares, the town’s main square
While visiting San Jose del Cabo, you cannot leave without stopping by the town’s main square, Plaza Mijares.
Because what is a charming little town without its picturesque main square?
Plaza Mijares is an open plaza lined with eye-catching colonial architecture, souvenir shops, and the town’s main church on one side.
Strolling around the plaza and its surrounding streets is an experience you won’t want to miss.
– Visit the best beaches from San Jose del Cabo
When planning a trip to “Cabos”, having access to the beach is something that is surely high on the priority list.
And while San Jose del Cabo town center is not as close to the ocean as Cabo San Lucas, there are still some nearby beaches you can visit.
The best way to visit beaches from San Jose del Cabo is by car—which I anyway believe is the best way to explore Baja California Sur.
Some of the best beaches from San Jose del Cabo include Playa Palmilla, whose calm waters are perfect for swimming, Playa Santa Maria, a stunning beach also safe to swim in, and Playa Costa Azul with wavier water, perfect for surfers.
All of these are just a short drive away from San Jose del Cabo city center.
Pros and cons of San Jose del Cabo
Pros of San Jose del Cabo:
- Authentic local experience
- Charming colorful town
- Artsy and cultural destination
- More affordable than Cabo San Lucas
Cons of San Jose del Cabo:
- Less glamourous party scene
- The beach is not as accessible
- Small town vibes
How many days to stay in Cabos
Deciding how many days to stay in “Cabos” will depend on the purpose of your trip, but overall a minimum of 3 days in “Cabos” should give you enough time to see all the main sights.
Whether you base yourself in one of the Cabos and take a day trip to the other one, or divide your stay between the two of them.
Especially if you’re planning a Baja California Sur road trip, three days in Cabo is a good amount of time to allow for exploring other areas, like visiting La Paz and the charming town of Todos Santos.
We stayed in Cabo San Lucas and took a day trip to San Jose del Cabo, but honestly after experiencing both cities, I wish we would have done it the other way around since I prefer the cutesy town vibes over the party scene.
But again, that will depend on your personal preference and intention for the trip.
The best month to visit Los Cabos
Visiting Los Cabos is a good idea year-round with warm temperatures that reach 33°C ( 91.4°F) during the warm summer months between June and October.
However, Los Cabos is a popular destination to travel to during the winter months, from December to March, when the temperature stays at a pleasant 26°C (78.8°F) during the day, making it one of the best Mexican destinations for a warm winter getaway.
Where to stay in Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo
Ultimately while visiting Baja California Sur, it is worth visiting both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. However, deciding where you base yourself will truly depend on your travel style and intention for the trip.
If what you want is a more low-key trip, in a small charming town with a local vibe where you can walk to a coffee shop or bakery nearby, then San Jose del Cabo is the place to stay.
However, you will need a car to drive yourself to some of the beaches nearby.
If what you are after is a beach holiday laying by the sand during the day and partying the night away, and don’t mind splurging a bit more during your holiday, then Cabo San Lucas is the place to be.
Arriving at Los Cabos International Airport
It doesn’t matter what Cabo you decide to stay in, chances are you will be arriving at Los Cabos International Airport either way.
Located a little bit in the middle of nowhere, leaving the Los Cabos International Airport can be a bit of a hassle, so here is some useful information for your arrival, and options on how to leave the airport.
Book a taxi
To take a taxi you will have to pre-book it inside the airport. Once you are out of customs, you will find the taxi booth, where you can pay for your ride.
Then, with your ticket in hand, you head outside to line up to get the next available taxi.
A taxi from Los Cabos International Airport to Cabo San Lucas will cost around 1500 pesos or 74 USD. You can also do a shared taxi, which will cost around 350 pesos or 17 USD.
Book a private transfer
If you know you will have a long travel day, or just want a hassle-free way of getting from point A to point B, then booking a private transfer from Los Cabos International Airport to your hotel is the best option.
This particular private transfer from Los Cabos International Airport has great reviews and is a very easy and comfortable way of going straight from the arrivals gate into the comfort of your private van to be delivered at the door of your hotel.
Rent a car
Lastly, another way of getting from Los Cabos International Airport to your hotel—and the best one, in my opinion—is to rent a car.
Renting a car at the airport is one of the most convenient options for the rest of your trip if you also plan to visit other cities and explore the surrounding beaches.
If you’re renting a car at the airport, it’s a good idea to book it online ahead of time to make your arrival smoother.
Visit the stand of the company you booked with at the airport’s arrivals area—we normally use AVIS—and they will notify the main office to come pick you up and take you to the office just across the street from the airport to pick up your car.
With its warm weather year-round, beautiful beaches, and renowned Baja cuisine, visiting “Cabos” should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Hopefully, this post clears things up for you about “Cabos”—Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo—its differences, pros, and cons, and hope it helps you decide which is the right one for you and your holiday.
So, which Cabo would you want to visit the most? The flashy Cabo San Lucas or the charming San Jose del Cabo? Let us know in the comments.