Making the Most of Cabo on a Budget
Cabo San Lucas offers a unique experience to every tourist demographic. You can be a high-flyer or a penny-pincher and you will find something from this small resort city to satiate your taste. In 2019 alone, it was projected that Cabo San Lucas would host 3.5 million tourists, a majority of whom are from California due to the proximity between locations.
In a luxury resort town like Cabo San Lucas, every experience and excursion has a price. Those with money to blow can enjoy the simple luxuries like staying in five-star resorts such as Capella Pedregal, Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, or Pueblo Bonito Pacifica. You can also play a round of golf at exclusive resorts like Jack Nicklaus’ signature course, Club Campestre, Diamante’s Dunes Course, or Puerto Los Cabos Resort. Luxury travellers may also decide to rent a luxurious yacht and go whale watching as their personal butler attends to their every need.
But Los Cabos can still be enjoyed by travelers on a budget. If you’ve spent through your entire vacation budget before it’s time to depart or if you’re simply trying to be economical during your travels, here are some cheap Cabo activities that will still give you the true Los Cabos experience.
Walk Around
Walking around does not cost a thing. The city is also small enough that you can see most of the sights on foot. You can also visit San Jose del Cabo, which features a lot of old villages and architecture. Or take a short drive up to Todos Santos and learn more about the town’s rich art history.
Go for a Swim
You can also take a dip in the Sea of Cortez at the public beach free of charge. The only problem is that it can get crowded, especially during peak seasons.
Watch Sea Lions
Head over to Land’s End where you can see fantastic natural rock formations that jut from the turquoise waters. At the Los Frailes rock formation, you may see a colony of sea lions lounging around.
Visit Town Square
Experience the local scenery and culture when you visit the main square of Cabo San Lucas. You will also find here the main church of the city, the Iglesia San Lucas, which dates back to 1730. On Sundays, the Town Square comes alive as churchgoers attend mass in their best dress. Street vendors also take advantage of the crowd to sell local delicacies and souvenirs.
Go Bar-Hopping
Most of the bars in Cabo San Lucas do not have an entrance fee, so you can hang around and soak in the crowd and ambiance. If you limit your order to one beer or one shot of tequila per establishment, you can stretch your budget and last until dawn.
Whale-Watching
Another unique experience in Cabo is whale watching. The best time to do so is from mid-December to mid-April. Those are the months when about 10,000 whales go south to breed. If you are lucky enough, you might spot a sperm or blue whale. However, most tourists will see humpback and gray whales. It is free if you stay by the coast as you can see them from there.
Watch the Sunset
Order a beer at one of the bars and restaurants that dot the coastline. Then, simply sit down on the sand and enjoy the view as the sun sets over the horizon.
Cheap Cabo Activities are Possible
People have the misconception that Cabo San Lucas is expensive. Sure, there are amenities and activities reserved only for the rich. But there is plenty to do in the city resort, even if you are on a budget.