Which is better Los Cabos or San Jose del Cabo?

When you think of Cabo it’s possible that the first thing that comes to mind is a destination to go partying. Well, although right, it’s not the only thing you can do in this place, but in this post, I’ll clear things up for you as I explain the difference between the places with ”Cabo” in their name.

There’s not only one place named Cabo, as it is generally used to refer to the region found at the very end of the Baja California peninsula.  It’s in this region, where you’ll come across two cities, both bearing the word ‘Cabo’ in their names. These are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.  In spite of being in the same region, there are peculiarities that make these cities very unique and different from one another.

Keep reading as I introduce you to some of the key features each one of these places has, so you can make a perfect choice next time according to your vacation’s needs.

Which Cabo is best?

Cabo San Lucas VS San José Del Cabo

The question isn’t about which place is better, as they’re both beach gems along the Sea of Cortez offering unique experiences for you to enjoy.  The best manner for you to decide its reading about what each place has for you, and depending on your preferences you’ll be visiting an amazing getaway spot.  No mistakes made because of the name!

Cabo San Lucas

Starting with the most known name, Cabo San Lucas just a few decades ago was still no more than a charming fishing village.  However, it has gone through an amazing development of touristic attractions, catching the attention of vacationers all around the world.  So, bars, restaurants, diversity of water-based activities are now the entertainment that hubs these beaches now, besides the trades of the local fishermen. 

Marine Beauty in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo

One of the main reasons to visit Cabo San Lucas is the fascinating scenario of marine beauty.  The Sea of Cortez holds one of the most diverse and numerous biological ecosystems underwater.  Of course, there are various ways how you can enjoy the natural beauty of the coast and the pristine waters.  Scuba diving, snorkeling, and whale watching just to mention a few are popular options to do when visiting.

Nightlife

The increased popularity of Cabo San Lucas is its outstanding nightlife. And it is for this reason that Cabo San Lucas is well known.  Besides, it catches the attention of students, young people and couples to head to this beach city during major holidays to celebrate. There are tons of options for you when it comes to partying in Cabo San Lucas!

Other Activities and Sights

For a tourist like you, Cabo San Lucas offers an endless range of activities and sight-seeing adventures. You can experience natural spectacles like the famous ”El Arco” and ”Land’s End.” Among activities many other activities, watersports are too, incredibly popular.

San Jose Del Cabo

Besides the ”Cabo” in its name, this city turns to be just 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas too.  But don’t be fooled by this as it’s vastly different from the other popular city.  First of all, San Jose del Cabo is a little bit older, just 250 years older.  Second of all, it’s a quieter place and attracts a different kind of visitors, it is definitely worth a visit!

Golfing

San Jose Del Cabo is the place to be if you love golfing.  It has some of the most renowned golf courses in the world! These amazing courses are designed by experts in the subject like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.  Taking advantage of the landscapes, let yourself be amazed by these enchanting views as you play along in these courses.

Sightseeing in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo

Both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo offer several sightseeing spots.  For example, there’s the San Jose Estuary, a bird sanctuary perfect for nature lovers.

Galleries

In San Jose del Cabo there’re quite a few galleries worth visiting.  They’ve got very interesting artistic proposals.  Art pieces that sure will inspire you and make you crave for more.  There’s a regular Art Walk in the city every day, it is then when you take the opportunity to get closer to the local art in this relaxed city.

You can tell now, how there just couldn’t be a ”best” place from both.  It is up to you to decide what you’re looking for and visit the perfect spot for your needs. Let yourself be amazed by their unique charm and go over to what you like.  No more confusion, and If possible, even visit both places!

The area known as “Los Cabos”, or “The Two Cabos” contains both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Most tourists don’t even realize that these two areas offer something completely unique from one another, depending on what you are looking for. So which one should you visit? Keep reading to learn all about travel to Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo!

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I’ve been traveling Mexico for a long time now, and I have a great appreciation for the vastly different states and landscapes that stretch across the country. One of my favorite areas of all time though is the cactus-studded peninsula of Baja California.

While Baja is an easy trip from Southern California, that’s not why I love it. I love the lively culture; the desert landscape; the friendly people, and the unbelievably blue Sea of Cortes.

Both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are picturesque – beautiful, warm, and sunny beach locales with a desert vibe. But that’s about where the similarities end.

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Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo

The Los Cabos municipality is made up of two individual towns: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. When deciding whether to stay at San Jose del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas, there are a few key factors to consider.

Though little more than 30 minutes apart, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo couldn’t feel more different!

Let’s dive in!

Cabo San Lucas

A few decades ago, Cabo San Lucas was a small fishing village. Quiet, sleepy, and full of locals.

Nowadays, I would describe Cabo San Lucas as colorful and lively. It’s the trendier of the two areas, filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, loud bars, and famous dance clubs. Swanky resorts line the oceanfront.

The vibe of Cabo San Lucas is very “Spring Break.” This area is young and festive. During actual Spring Break weeks, Cabo San Lucas is typically packed with college students walking the streets in all levels of sobriety (or lack thereof). In one word, it’s wild!

One of the best aspects of Cabo San Lucas is the walkability. It is quite easy to walk from your hotel to a restaurant to the souvenir shops to museums.

Cabo San Lucas is built right on the marina, meaning that you are not only in close proximity to beautiful beaches, but also right next to where many boat tours depart. Day trips to Arch Rock and Lover’s Beach are a short water taxi away.

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Dinner cruises and party boats depart almost directly outside of some hotels. Group tours like snorkeling adventures and whale watching cruises are also popular, and the tour guides are friendly and enthusiastic in my experience.

It’s hard to have a bad time here. If you are someone who likes a lively scene, easy walkable access to tours, shops, and restaurants, then Cabo San Lucas might be for you.

One thing to note, the SJD airport, where most tourists from North America will fly in, is roughly 45 minutes away. So you will need a rental car, taxi, or shuttle to get to your hotel.

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San Jose del Cabo

San Jose del Cabo is the quieter of the two towns, and is much less traveled by tourists. It is a quaint and more authentically “Mexico”, in terms of architecture and population. Less locals speak English and the area is not meant to cater to foreigners.

And that’s the beauty of it!

There are still plenty of great restaurants, shops and bars to be found in San Jose del Cabo. But, they are more likely to be local mom-and-pop style on this end of town.

Additionally, San Jose del Cabo is not quite as walkable. The local beaches, for example, are a bit more spread out and may require a rental car or taxi ride.

I personally prefer having a car when I visit San Jose del Cabo so that I can explore the area to my heart’s content. The town offers gorgeous and open-to-the-public beaches, with easy turnoffs and free parking all along the freeway.

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It is definitely possible to find resorts in San Jose del Cabo, so if you want a private beachfront experience you can find it here, too. But San Jose del Cabo is less densely packed with tourists and overall more quiet and calm.

This area also hosts a weekly art walk, with interesting and affordable (and more authentic!) souvenirs every Thursday night. I noticed several golf courses in the area as well, so if you like to golf, this is your place.

San Jose del Cabo is roughly 15 minutes from the SJD airport.

Be aware that most tours will depart from Cabo San Lucas, so check if transportation adds an extra cost for any tours you book. You’ll want to allow 30-45 minutes to reach the other side.

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So Which is Better?

When choosing between Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo, it really depends what you’re looking for. Every traveler is different and prioritizes different experiences and environments.

If you prefer to be walking distance to many tour options and a lively nightlife, choose Cabo San Lucas. If you want to let loose and party, Cabo San Lucas is for you.

If you want to relax and blend in with the locals, choose San Jose del Cabo. For peace and tranquility, San Jose del Cabo is the place.

My best advice, after years of traveling to Baja Sur in Mexico and experiencing both areas many times over, is to rent a car and visit both. I think they are both wonderful and unique for their own qualities.

I love the peacefulness of San Jose del Cabo but also appreciate the walkability and outgoing nature of Cabo San Lucas. San Jose del Cabo is the tranquil and serene little sister of the wild and exciting Cabo San Lucas.

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I hope that this article helps you choose which area is right for you! When choosing Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo, it al comes down to personal preference. But they are both absolutely lovely to explore, and have so many unmissable things to do!

What is the difference between San Jose del Cabo and Los Cabos?

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