Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas: The Complete Guide for Resort Guests

Cabo San Lucas isn’t just a beach — it’s a desert-meets-ocean collision at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean slams into the Sea of Cortez. You’ve got world-class fishing, humpback whales breaching off the coast, camels walking through the desert, and a downtown marina that comes alive after dark. If you’re staying at Sandos Finisterra, you’re in one of the best spots in town — perched on the cliffs at Land’s End, walking distance from the marina and downtown.

Here’s everything worth doing while you’re there.

Downtown Cabo & the Marina

Sandos Finisterra is a 10-minute walk from the Cabo San Lucas Marina — the center of everything in town. The marina boardwalk is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and tour operator kiosks. It’s where the fishing charters dock, where sunset cruises depart, and where the nightlife starts.

The Marina Walk — Stroll from the resort along the boardwalk past sportfishing boats coming in with their catches hanging on display. In the late afternoon you’ll see marlin, tuna, and dorado strung up as crews take photos with their hauls. The marina has an energy to it that’s distinctly Cabo — part fishing village, part party town.

Luxury Avenue — High-end shopping inside Puerto Paraíso mall at the marina. Cartier, Tiffany, Salvatore Ferragamo, and more. Even if you’re not buying, the air conditioning is nice.

Puerto Paraíso Mall — Beyond the luxury shops, there’s a food court, a movie theater with English-language films, and a bowling alley. A good option if you need a break from the sun.

Marina Fiesta — Open-air market-style area near the marina with souvenir shops, silver jewelry, Mexican crafts, and tequila tastings. Bargaining is expected at the smaller stalls.

Nightlife & Bars

Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s top nightlife destinations. The main drag is Bulevar Marina and Calle Lázaro Cárdenas — a stretch of bars, clubs, and restaurants that gets louder as the night goes on.

Cabo Wabo Cantina — Sammy Hagar’s famous bar. Live music every night, strong drinks, and a party atmosphere. The upstairs balcony overlooking the street is the spot.

El Squid Roe — Multi-level dance club that’s been a Cabo institution for decades. Table dancing (by guests), conga lines, and general chaos. It’s not subtle.

Mandala — Sleek, high-energy dance club with a more upscale vibe. DJ-driven, bottle service available. Popular with couples and groups looking for something a step above the spring break scene.

The Giggling Marlin — Another Cabo classic. Known for the bungee-swing contraption that hangs you upside down while they pour a drink in your mouth. It’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.

Whale Watchers Bar at Finisterra — You don’t have to leave the resort for a great night out. The Whale Watchers clifftop bar at Sandos Finisterra has panoramic Pacific views, cocktails, and during whale season (December–April), you can watch humpbacks breach from your barstool. It’s one of the most iconic bar settings in all of Cabo.

Beaches

A quick note: the Pacific side at Finisterra has stunning views but dangerous currents — it’s not swimmable. The resort’s calm beach is on the marina/inlet side. Beyond the resort, here are the beaches worth knowing:

Medano Beach — The main swimmable beach in Cabo San Lucas, about a 15-minute walk from Finisterra. Calm water, beachfront restaurants, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and plenty of vendors. Mango Deck and The Office are popular beachfront bar-restaurants where your feet are literally in the sand.

Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) — At the very tip of Land’s End, only accessible by water taxi from the marina. One side faces the Sea of Cortez (calm, swimmable), the other faces the Pacific (beautiful, dangerous — do not swim). Bring everything you need — there are no facilities. Water taxis pick you up when you’re ready.

Playa Divorce — The Pacific side of the Land’s End rock formation. Incredible scenery, massive waves, absolutely not safe for swimming. Named for… well, it’s the opposite side of Lover’s Beach.

Chileno Bay — About 15 minutes east toward San José del Cabo. Protected marine sanctuary with calm, clear water. Excellent snorkeling right from the beach. Restrooms and shade palapas available. One of the best swimming beaches in the area.

Santa Maria Bay — Just past Chileno, a horseshoe-shaped bay with great snorkeling. Less developed, more natural, and usually less crowded.

Restaurants Worth Leaving the Resort For

Sandos Finisterra has six restaurants and five bars on-site, and the all-inclusive dining is solid. But Cabo has a restaurant scene worth exploring on your own, especially for a special dinner.

Flora Farms — A 25-acre organic farm in the foothills above San José del Cabo with a world-class farm-to-table restaurant. The setting is magical — outdoor dining under string lights surrounded by the fields where your food was just picked. Reservations are essential. About 30 minutes from Finisterra.

Edith’s — Right near Finisterra on the road to Medano Beach. Gourmet Mexican and seafood with a wood-fired grill. Romantic candlelit setting under palapa roofs.

Mi Casa — Traditional Mexican cuisine in a colorful, hacienda-style setting in downtown Cabo. One of the longest-running restaurants in town.

Lorenzillo’s — Upscale lobster and seafood on the marina. Great for a splurge night.

Los Tres Gallos — Authentic Mexican food in a family-run spot slightly off the tourist strip. Mole, chiles rellenos, handmade tortillas. Locals eat here.

Nick-San — Japanese-Mexican fusion. Sounds odd, works brilliantly. The sushi and sashimi are outstanding.

Taco Stands — Some of the best food in Cabo costs $2. Look for the stands and small restaurants on Calle Lázaro Cárdenas and the side streets off the main strip. Fish tacos, birria, al pastor — freshly made, no pretense.

Water Adventures

The Sea of Cortez — which Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium” — is right outside Sandos Finisterra. Seek & Go, the in-house tour agency at the resort, books all of these from the lobby:

Whale Watching (December–April) — Humpback and gray whales migrate to Cabo to breed and calve in the warm waters. Our full whale watching guide covers everything →

Sport Fishing — Cabo is the Marlin Capital of the World. Charters range from shared pangas to private sportfishing yachts. Marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo — the waters here are extraordinarily productive.

Sunset Sailing — Catamaran or sailboat cruises past the Arch with open bar. The Pacific sunset from the water is the signature Cabo experience.

Snorkeling — Pelican Rock, Chileno Bay, Santa Maria Bay, and the extraordinary Cabo Pulmo marine reserve (full-day trip, absolutely worth it).

Scuba Diving — Sand falls (underwater sand cascades), sea lion colonies, and occasional hammerhead sharks. The Sea of Cortez is a bucket-list dive destination.

Parasailing — Launch from Medano Beach and fly 200+ feet above the coast.

Desert & Land Adventures

You’re on the Baja Peninsula — the landscape is unlike anywhere else in Mexico. Cactus-covered mountains, dry arroyos, and open desert running all the way to the coast.

ATV & UTV Tours — Blast through the desert on four-wheelers or side-by-side UTVs. Routes range from beginner-friendly to serious backcountry. Most tours are 2–3 hours.

Camel Safari — Yes, there are camels in Cabo. Ride through the desert landscape with views of the Pacific, usually combined with a tequila tasting and Mexican lunch. It’s unique and more fun than it sounds.

Zip Lines — Costa Azul canyon has seven zip lines over 1,000+ feet long with ocean views. Includes rappelling and suspension bridges.

Horseback Riding — Beach and desert rides. Several operators offer sunset rides along the Pacific coast.

Golf — Los Cabos has some of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. Cabo del Sol (Ocean Course by Jack Nicklaus), Quivira (cliff-edge fairways above the Pacific), Diamante (Tiger Woods design), and Palmilla. Green fees are resort-level expensive but the settings are extraordinary.

Day Trips From Cabo

San José del Cabo — The quieter, more refined town on the other end of the Los Cabos corridor (about 30 minutes east). A historic downtown with a stone church, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. The Thursday evening Art Walk is a local tradition — galleries open their doors, wine flows, and the streets fill with live music.

Todos Santos — Designated a “Pueblo Mágico” (Magic Town) by the Mexican government, about an hour north of Cabo. An art colony with galleries, organic restaurants, craft shops, and the Hotel California (yes, that one — at least, that’s the claim). Makes a perfect half-day escape from the resort scene.

La Paz — The capital of Baja California Sur, about 2 hours north. Swimming with whale sharks (October–April), sea lion snorkeling at Isla Espíritu Santo, and a beautiful malecón (waterfront boardwalk). La Paz has a completely different energy from Cabo — more local, less tourist. The whale shark experience here is one of the best wildlife encounters in Mexico.

Practical Tips for Finisterra Guests

Getting around: The marina and downtown are walking distance from Finisterra. For Medano Beach, San José del Cabo, or day trips, use taxis or arrange transportation through Seek & Go. Uber works in Cabo but can be inconsistent.

Money: Most restaurants and shops accept US dollars, but you’ll generally get a better deal paying in pesos. ATMs are everywhere downtown.

Safety: The tourist areas of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are well-patrolled and considered safe. Common sense applies: don’t flash expensive jewelry, don’t wander into unlit areas alone at night, and book organized tours for activities outside town. Seek & Go uses vetted operators with insured vehicles and scheduled pickups — there’s a reason we recommend them over random beach vendors.

When to go: Cabo has sunshine nearly year-round. Whale season is December through April. Fishing peaks May through November. Hurricane season runs June through October, with September being the most active month — but storms are relatively rare in the Cabo area.

Airport: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is about 30 minutes from Finisterra. Your SandosPromo promotional package includes one-way airport transfer to the resort. For the return trip, Seek & Go arranges private transfers at $75–$100 USD.

Book Your Cabo Trip

Sandos Finisterra puts you at Land’s End — one of the most iconic locations in all of Mexico. Whale watching from the pool deck, sunset cocktails at the clifftop bar, and the entire Cabo San Lucas marina within walking distance.

Promotional 3-night packages start at $555 for qualified couples. See resort details and qualification requirements →

Related:

• Whale Watching in Los Cabos: When to Go and What to Expect →
• Seek & Go Tours in Los Cabos →
• Sandos Finisterra Resort Page →
• Airport Transfers: What’s Included and What to Know →