6 Best Sights in Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

Land’s End sightseeing is at the heart of nearly every local boat tour. Everybody knows El Arco (The Arch), the naturally occurring granite arc that's defined the vista for millions of years, but there's more to see here, too. Granite pinnacles Pelican Rock and Neptune’s Finger jut out from the sea and are home to marine life galore. Numerous beautiful beaches—most famously Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) and Playa del Divorcio (Divorce Beach)—are dotted along the base. There's also a keyhole-shape opening known as The Window to the Pacific; a rock that purportedly looks like the famous cartoon canine, Scooby Doo; and a spade-shape opening on the Pacific side known as the Pirate’s Cave, reputed to be the site of long-buried treasure. Sightseers will also notice the ruins of the old fish cannery, which was the center of local commerce before the age of tourism. The beaches below it are popular among Mexican tourists, separate from the hubbub of nearby Médano.

You can hike the peak at Land's End called Mt. Solmar (or traditionally Cerro del Vigía, which means "lookout hill"; it was a lookout point for the pirates who would attack Spanish ships) for lovely views of the Cabo San Lucas Bay. A local man named Enrique Morales, who owns the private property leading up to Mt. Solmar, leads free, dog-friendly morning hikes every day except Saturday.

You can't walk here from town so plan to hire a car to take you there, and back.

Accessible only by boat, this charming beach at the tip of the Land's End peninsula is just as lovely as its name implies. Though the towering cliffs on either side lend an air of romantic seclusion, don't expect much privacy: it's one of the area's most photographed spots. It's an excellent place to swim and snorkel, with a variety of tropical fish easily visible in the clear, shallow water. Walk through a gap in the rocks to reach the cheekily named Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio); while the water at Lover's Beach faces the Sea of Cortez and is calm and pleasant, Divorce Beach is on the turbulent and unpredictable Pacific. It's far too dangerous for swimming, but ideal for sunbathing. Picnics are also popular, but be sure to bring your own food and refreshments; there may be a vendor or two selling drinks, but not reliably. To get here, you can hire a water taxi (called a "panga") to bring you there and back from Playa El Médano or the marina. Prices vary and can be negotiable depending on the vendor, but typically the cost can be $10--$20; the final departure back to shore is usually 4 pm. You can also rent a kayak, Jet Ski, or paddleboard and make your way over independently. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; snorkeling.

One of the most active marinas in the entire world (many of its 380 docked boats go in and out every day), Cabo's marina is great to stroll along, people-watch, and take in the glittering views. Lined with dining and shopping spots, you can easily spend hours here, and likely will. Expect a few tourist traps—as well as pesky solicitations from vendors—but the inflated pricing may be worth the convenience and scenery.

Foamy plumes of water shoot from wave runners and dozens of water taxis buzz through the calm waters off Médano Beach, a 3-km (2-mile) span of grainy tan sand that's more beautiful than you might expect from such a central, touristy zone. It's always crowded, but always fun. A variety of water-sports activities and rentals are available, with swimming areas roped off to prevent accidents. The water is usually calm enough for small children, but be aware of quick shoreline drop-offs: life preservers are a good idea for the little paddlers in your group. Bars and restaurants line the Médano, their waiters delivering ice buckets filled with beer to sunbathers in lounge chairs. The busiest and buzziest spot on the beach is around Mango Deck and The Office, where beachgoers can enjoy midday revelry, but there are plenty of more relaxed oceanfront venues, too. Feel free to spread out on the sand with your own towel, drinks, and snacks, whether to save money or simply do your own thing. There's a constant stream of passing vendors offering everything from silver jewelry to T-shirts ... and under their breath, smokeable substances. (The current craze is a collection of crass bandanas, the phrasing on some foul enough to make a sailor blush.) If you're not interested, just politely decline and they will respectfully continue on. Amenities: food concession. Best for: partying; beach clubs; swimming.

Huge waves crash onto the sand on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas. This wide, beautiful beach stretches from Land's End north to the cliffs of El Pedregal, where mansions perch on steep cliffs. Swimming is impossible here because of the dangerous surf and undertow; stick to sunbathing and strolling. From December to March, you can spot gray and humpback whales spouting just offshore; dolphins leap above the waves year-round. The beach is at the end of Avenida Solmar off Boulevard Marina—an easy walk from downtown Cabo San Lucas. Five resorts—Solmar, Grand Solmar, Terrasol, Playa Grande, and Sandos Finisterra—are all on this beach, making it easy to stop for a meal if you get hungry. Crowds are minimal, as guests tend to stick to the hotel pools. Amenities: none. Best for: walking; solitude.

Cabo San Lucas' centrally located town square is a picturesque place to take a breather during an afternoon of exploration. The public space is home to colorful gardens, a gazebo, and an event every Friday evening called "Viva la Plaza" from 5 pm to 9 pm, which features local makers selling artwork and snacks. It's named for Amelia Wilkes Ceseña, a schoolteacher for 43 years, a tireless advocate for the town, and the first woman ever appointed to political office in Baja California Sur. At the edge is the Natural History Museum of Cabo San Lucas; it's modest and in serious need of a refurbishment, but admission is only $2 and it hosts a neat collection of fossils and rocks, along with placards in English.