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Looking for the perfect San Jose del Cabo itinerary to experience all the best this cute town has to offer? Look no further!
San Jose del Cabo, generally overshadowed by its flashy neighbor Cabo San Lucas, surprised me on my most recent visit to my home state of Baja California.
Full of folkloric charm, incredible food, and small-town pace, San Jose del Cabo is a beautiful destination everyone should have on their Baja California Sur itinerary.
Even if you are only able to spend a day in San Jose del Cabo, you will easily manage to visit all the main spots.
However, the town is so cute and has such an authentic vibe of a small Mexican town that you will probably want to spend a couple of days exploring this unique location in Los Cabos—I know I wish I did.
But if one day in San Jose del Cabo is all you have, this itinerary will guide you through the best things to do in one day in this charming town—from the unmissable spots, to where to have incredible seafood, where to shop, and more.
Los Cabos: Cabo San Lucas vs. San Jose del Cabo
Los Cabos, or even Cabo, is widely known as one of the best winter getaways in Mexico and a highly popular spring break destination.
However, this quickly becomes confusing when you realize Los Cabos is more than one specific dot on the map. It is actually comprised of San Jose del Cabo—the one we are talking about today— and Cabo San Lucas.
And if you look at Cabo San Lucas vs. San Jose del Cabo, they could not be further away from each other.
Long story short, Cabo San Lucas is the favorite destination for travelers generally looking to spend their days in luxurious all-inclusive beach-front resorts, partying, and fine dining, and are less worried about budgeting.
On the other hand, San Jose del Cabo is the smaller inland neighbor, known for its thriving artistic community and authentic small-town charm.
San Jose del Cabo Itinerary: Explore the Best of the Charming Cabo In One Day
Breakfast at Ruba’s Bakery and Bistro
To start a day of exploring charming San Jose del Cabo head over to Ruba’s Bakery and Bistro, located in the heart of town.
Here you can opt for a quick European-style breakfast of pastry and coffee or a full-on Mexican one with a plate of hearty chilaquiles.
They also offer classic eggs benedict, french toast, bagels, and uniquely Mexican corn flour pancakes.
🍳 This trendy bakery, while delicious, is also on the pricier side. If you want a more local experience, other options for breakfast are TaCorazon, a casual eatery, and Restaurant San Jose “El Pisito” for true homemade cooking.
Walk around the charming streets of San Jose del Cabo town center
One of the best things to do in San Jose del Cabo is to simply wander and enjoy the colorful streets of this cute town.
Lined with brightly-colored colonial houses, vibrant murals decorating shop facades, and strings of papel picado dangling over the streets, every turn is a photo op around here.
This was one thing that took me by surprise after being in Cabo San Lucas for the last couple of days, just how authentic, calm, and beautiful this other Cabo is.
And it’s this exact charm that makes me want to base myself in San Jose del Cabo over Cabo San Lucas for the next time I go back.
Shop at the local independent boutiques
One of the best things to have on your San Jose del Cabo itinerary is leisurely browsing the many independent local shops in the town.
This way you get a one-of-a-kind souvenir and you support local businesses—win-win!
Just a street away from Ruba’s Bakery and Bistro you will find some of my favorite shops I discovered while exploring San Jose del Cabo; Tonton Textil and Sanmade.
Tonton Textil is a snug shop selling textiles made by Mexican artisan hands, and the quality and patterns are stunning!
Sandmade, right next door to Tonton is a Mexican beachwear brand selling everything you would need for your beach holiday, gauzy cotton pants, light linen shirts, bikinis, and more.
There are other really cute shops on the same street worth browsing, so take your time exploring this area.
Coffee at Cafeteria Cochimí
If you are anything like me and could always use a second coffee, right across the street from Tonton Textil you will find the eye-catching Cafeteria Cochimí, a cozy cafe with lots of outdoor sitting space.
This is the perfect spot to take a little coffee break if needed—which in my opinion is always needed.
As we stupidly visited in the peak of summer and were slightly burning alive during September, I opted for an affogato as a little pick-me-up, and it was delicious!
Lunch at El Chino Seafood
Once you start to get hungry, slowly make your way through town to some of the best seafood tacos in San Jose del Cabo at El Chino Seafood.
By the time we arrived at San Jose del Cabo, we had spent one week in Baja California Sur, and honestly, every battered shrimp taco I tried was a winner, and El Chino was no exception.
The flour tortillas are soft and buttery, the shrimp is perfectly battered but not greasy, the portion was good, and they were just so delicious!
The service is warm and friendly—truly a local, casual seafood joint!
Visit Plaza Mijares: The Main Square of San Jose del Cabo
A mandatory stop in your San Jose del Cabo itinerary is the picturesque town’s main square, Plaza Mijares.
Here you’ll find all the charming small-town essentials: a quaint church, a kiosk, and a square lined with adorable colonial buildings.
At Plaza Mijares, you can see true San Jose del Cabo life play out, with street vendors selling their goods, kids running around playing games, and students stopping to buy an elote en vaso, corn in a cup—if you’ve never tried it you should!
Around the corner from the main square, you will also find the town’s picturesque city hall with its singular tower—it’s so cute!
Browse the shops at the picturesque Blvd. Antonio Mijares
San Jose del Cabos is full of surprises at every turn, I’m telling you!
A cute street I discovered by mistake is the picturesque Blvd. Antonio Mijares, a few steps away from the main square.
This central boulevard is lined with local souvenir shops and covered in fairy lights that give the whole street a cozy ambiance in the evening.
Here you can find everything from leather goods, textiles, your typical fridge magnets souvenirs, and more.
Admire the art exhibitions at the Gallery District
Known for its artistic soul, one of the best things to do in San Jos del Cabo is explore the Gallery District in San Jose del Cabo.
The main street of Alvaro Obregon is a cute area to wander around, but the highlight here is to stop by the art galleries and admire the local artists’ work.
If you happen to be visiting on a Thursday, don’t miss the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk, a weekly event showcasing the town’s galleries and artistic communities.
Dalton Gin Bar for an evening drink
To finish off the day, a place we didn’t manage to fit into our itinerary last time but I think you should, is Dalton Gin Bar.
This gin bar is located in a beautiful old building rooftop in the historic center of San Jose del Cabo offering stunning views over the city.
The perfect spot to sip on a drink at sunset to finish off a beautiful day exploring charming San Jose del Cabo.
🌮 If you need a bite to eat at the end of the day, some of the best tacos to try in town are at the authentic Taqueria El Paisa.
Final thoughts on San Jose del Cabo
With its small-town charm, colorful streets, and thriving artistic community San Jose del Cabo feels like the polar opposite of Cabo San Lucas, which is why it should definitely have a place in your itinerary!
Hope this San Jose del Cabo itinerary provides you with an idea of the things to see and do in this picturesque town.
I know, I definitely wish I could have spent more time here, so don’t make the same mistake and make sure to carve time out to spend leisurely exploring this beautiful town.
Where do you think you would base yourself for your trip to Cabo, artistic San Jose del Cabo or beachy Cabo San Lucas? Let us know in the comments!