Free things to do in Cabo San Lucas, and the one paid thing worth splitting
Nine things in Cabo that cost nothing, from public beaches to whales from shore, and the per-person math on the one splurge worth it.
In this guide
- Free things to do in Cabo at a glance
- 1. Swim at Médano Beach
- 2. Snorkel from shore at Santa María and Chileno
- 3. Know your beach rights
- 4. Walk the marina boardwalk
- 5. Watch the sunset
- 6. Look for whales from shore
- 7. Sit in the plaza downtown
- 8. Go to the Art Walk in San José del Cabo
- 9. Walk the San José estuary
- Free things to do in Cabo with kids
- What isn't free that people expect to be
- The one paid thing worth it: a private boat, split
- Putting the free days together
The best free things to do in Cabo San Lucas are the public beaches (every beach in Mexico is public by law), the marina boardwalk, the sunset, whale watching from shore in winter, and the Thursday Art Walk in San José del Cabo. You can fill three or four days with those and spend money only on food and getting around.
Below are nine of them with the practical details, then the money part: the one paid thing we think is worth it, with the per-person math.
Free things to do in Cabo at a glance
| What | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Swim and people-watch | Médano Beach | Any day |
| Snorkel from shore | Santa María and Chileno | Mornings |
| Walk the boardwalk | Marina Cabo San Lucas | Early or at dusk |
| Watch the sunset | Médano or the marina | Every evening |
| Look for whales | Pacific-facing beaches | Winter, peak January and February |
| Art Walk | San José del Cabo | Thursdays, November to June |
| Estuary trail | San José del Cabo | Early morning |
1. Swim at Médano Beach
Médano Beach is Cabo's swimming beach, the long stretch of sand on the bay, 0.8 miles from the marina. You can walk there from downtown. It faces the calm side, sheltered by Land's End, and it holds Blue Flag certification.
The beach clubs on the sand charge for loungers, umbrellas and service. The sand doesn't cost anything, and you can put a towel down wherever there's room. Bring water and your own shade if you plan to stay.
Stay inside the marked swim areas, because water taxis and boats run close to shore.
2. Snorkel from shore at Santa María and Chileno
Two of the best snorkel coves in Los Cabos are public beaches with free parking lots off the corridor highway.
Santa María Bay is a horseshoe cove with reef along both points. Nothing is sold on the sand, so pack water, snacks and shade. Chileno Bay is the next cove over, with a sandy bottom, reef on both sides, and restrooms and outdoor showers near the entrance.
The beach is free. Getting there takes a car, a taxi or the corridor bus, and you need your own mask and snorkel. Go in the morning, when the water is usually calmer.
3. Know your beach rights
Every beach in Mexico is public, including the ones in front of resorts. A 2020 reform to the national assets law set fines from 260,640 pesos up to about 1.04 million pesos for property owners who block or restrict access to a beach.
In practice, the sand is public and the hotel's loungers aren't. Use the marked public access paths, and don't expect to walk through a lobby.
A public beach isn't always safe for swimming. The Pacific-side beaches have big surf and strong currents, and Divorce Beach is one to look at, not swim. Check the flag wherever you go. Our Cabo beaches safe to swim guide goes beach by beach.
4. Walk the marina boardwalk
Marina Cabo San Lucas has a pedestrian boardwalk that runs all the way around the docks. There's no entry fee, and walking the full loop from one end to the other takes 30 to 40 minutes.
You'll pass sportfishing boats, yachts and a lot of pelicans. Early morning is the quiet time. Later in the day it's busier, and vendors will offer you tours as you walk. A friendly "no, gracias" works.
5. Watch the sunset
Sunset in Cabo falls between about 5:35 PM in late November and about 7:10 PM in early July. From Médano Beach or the marina entrance you watch the light change on the rocks of Land's End while the boats come back in.
It's free every evening, and in winter it's early enough that you still have the whole night ahead.
6. Look for whales from shore
In winter you can see humpbacks without getting on a boat. Whales start arriving in November. The official season in 2025 to 2026 ran December 15 to April 30, and January and February are the peak. The dates for 2026 to 2027 haven't been published yet.
The Pacific-facing beaches are the best places to look, and you can also spot them out in the bay. Watch for a spout first, then keep your eyes on that patch of water. Binoculars help a lot.
Stay on dry sand on the Pacific side. The surf and undertow there are strong, and people have drowned at Divorce Beach.
7. Sit in the plaza downtown
Plaza Amelia Wilkes is the public square of downtown Cabo San Lucas, a few blocks inland from the marina, with local shops and restaurants around it. It's where residents meet up, and it's an easy stop on a walk through the older part of town.
8. Go to the Art Walk in San José del Cabo
On Thursdays from November to June, from 5 to 9 PM, the galleries in San José's historic center stay open late and the main gallery street closes to cars. Entry is free. Plaza Mijares and the mission church are right there, and both are free to visit any day.
San José is about 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas, roughly 30 minutes by car, so the evening is free but the ride isn't. Our Art Walk guide covers parking and timing.
9. Walk the San José estuary
The Estero San José is a protected wetland of about 125 acres where the river meets the sea, with a walking path and no admission fee. Go early, when the birds are active. Herons, pelicans and iguanas are the usual sightings.
Parts of the path are sandy or muddy, so wear shoes that can get dirty.
Here are the places from this guide on a map.
Tap a number to find it on the map.
- Médano BeachThe swimming beach in town, a walk from the marinaDirections
- Santa María BaySheltered cove with reef, 6.7 miles from the marinaDirections
- Chileno BaySandy bottom with reef on both sidesDirections
- Marina Cabo San LucasWhere the yachts leave fromDirections
- Calle ObregónGallery street, closed to cars on Art Walk nightsDirections
- San José EstuaryProtected wetland with a bird trail, best earlyDirections
Free things to do in Cabo with kids
Médano is the easy one, because the bay water is calm and you can leave whenever someone gets tired. The marina boardwalk works for an hour of looking at boats and pelicans.
The estuary in San José is good for kids who like animals. Keep it short and go before the heat. In winter, whale spotting from the beach turns into a game of who sees the spout first.
What isn't free that people expect to be
Two things come up a lot.
Lover's Beach is a public beach, but you reach it by boat, so getting there costs money. The same goes for the Arch. You can see Land's End from town, but the Arch faces the water, 1.2 miles from the marina.
And at Médano, anything that comes with a chair, an umbrella or a waiter is a paid service.
The one paid thing worth it: a private boat, split
Cabo's main sights are on the water: the Arch, the sea lions, Lover's Beach, the snorkel coves. You can't get to most of them on foot. So if you pay for one thing, a boat is the one that changes the trip.
A private boat sounds expensive until you divide it. Our prices are per boat, and a 2 hour charter covers Pelican Rock, the sea lions, the Arch, Lover's and Divorce Beach, and the ride back along Médano.
| Yacht | 2 hours, per boat | Guests | Per person, full boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral 28 | USD 519 / MXN 9,799 | 10 | About USD 52 |
| Bayliner 33 | USD 599 / MXN 11,399 | 8 | About USD 75 |
| Sea Ray 36 | USD 659 / MXN 12,599 | 12 | About USD 55 |
| Pontoon 38 | USD 869 / MXN 16,599 | 18 | About USD 48 |
Prices include 16% IVA tax. The customary 15% crew tip is not included, so add about USD 8 per person on a full Chaparral 28.
The math only works with a group. For two people, a private boat is a splurge, and you should think of it that way. From about six people up, it starts to compete with paying per seat, and the boat, the route and the music are yours.
What keeps the cost down on board:
- Snorkel gear is included on the Chaparral 28, Bayliner 33 and Sea Ray 36, so there's nothing to rent.
- We don't sell alcohol. Guests 18 and over bring their own, at store prices.
- Food is optional. Bring snacks, or order from the menu in the planner.
- The Bayliner 33 includes ice and bottled water, and the Chaparral 28 comes with a cooler.
Our Cabo on a budget guide puts this next to the rest of the trip costs.
Putting the free days together
A workable low-cost plan: Médano and the boardwalk on day one, a corridor cove with your own snorkel on day two, San José on a Thursday, and whales from the beach if it's winter. Then pick one morning for the boat and split it.
When you have a head count, send it with your date through the planner. We reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time, and confirm the yacht and price in writing before you pay anything.
Yachts in this guide
Questions people ask
Are the beaches in Cabo free?
Yes. All beaches in Mexico are public by law, and a 2020 reform set fines of up to about 1 million pesos for blocking access. Médano, Santa María and Chileno all have free public entry.
What can you do in Cabo for free?
Swim at Médano Beach, snorkel from shore at Santa María or Chileno, walk the marina boardwalk, watch the sunset, look for whales from the beach in winter, and go to the Thursday Art Walk in San José del Cabo from November to June.
Can you see the Arch for free?
You can see Land's End from Médano Beach and the marina entrance, but the Arch itself faces the water and you need a boat to see it up close. It's 1.2 miles from the marina.
What are free things to do in Cabo with kids?
Médano Beach has calm bay water, the marina boardwalk has pelicans and boats to look at, and the estuary trail in San José del Cabo has herons and iguanas. Go early, before the heat.
What is the cheapest private boat in Cabo?
The Chaparral 28 is USD 519 (MXN 9,799) for 2 hours, per boat with tax included, for up to 10 guests. Split ten ways, that's about USD 52 each before the tip.
Plan your day on the water
Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.
Keep reading
Plan your tripCabo on a Budget: Where the Money Goes and How to SaveHow to do Cabo for less: cheaper months, pesos, buses, free beaches, and the per-person math on splitting a private boat.8 min read
Beaches and snorkelingAre Cabo Beaches Safe to Swim? Bay vs Pacific SideThe swimmable beaches in Cabo face the Sea of Cortez. Here is which ones to choose, which to avoid, and what the flags mean.7 min read
Things to doCabo Art Walk: Thursdays in San José del CaboWhen the San José del Cabo Art Walk runs, where to park, how long to stay, and how to fit in a boat trip.8 min read