Towns to Visit Near Cabo San Lucas for Day Trips

The Baja Peninsula is a traveler’s paradise: rugged coasts, secluded beaches, and traditional Mexican culture. Most explorers fly into Cabo San Lucas, and while there’s plenty to do there, venturing out to explore some of the other small towns Mexico has gives you a richer taste of the country’s diversity. Catch a local bus or taxi to explore the charming towns near Cabo San Lucas, or rent a car to take your own time discovering what makes places like El Triunfo and Todos Santos worth visiting.

San Jose del Cabo

There two small towns Mexico has at the tip of the Baja Peninsula are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and together, they make up the municipality of Los Cabos. San Jose del Cabo is one of the easiest Cabo tourist attractions to get to. After a short bus ride up the coast, travelers love wandering the cobblestone streets, especially during the Art Walk on Thursday nights when the doors in the Gallery District are open later. There’s also stunningly beautiful beaches to enjoy in San Jose del Cabo. Its natural beauty, impressive art galleries, and easy access make it one of the most popular towns near Cabo San Lucas.

Todos Santos

The main attraction that makes Todos Santos worth visiting is its Hotel California, which according to legend inspired the Eagles’ hit song. Stop by the restaurant for a drink or lunch before exploring the rest of the laid-back culture that makes it one of the best beach towns in Mexico. Hike up the trail at Punta Lobos for a sweeping view of the water where surfers are catching waves. Admire the colonial architecture in downtown while shopping for handcrafted treasures. As you do, you’ll see why it’s still such a lovely place and one of the most popular Cabo tourist attractions.

El Triunfo

While the Baja Peninsula has some of the best beach towns in Mexico, the mountains have their own hidden gems, and El Triunfo is one of the most impressive small towns Mexico has. With mountain views and delicious food, this is one of the top places to visit in Cabo San Lucas to see a different side of Mexican culture. Learn about the city’s history as a silver mining outpost at the Museo de Plata. Wander through the town's traditional streets to see the beauty of the colonial churches. Before leaving, be sure to grab a craft beer at El Minero restaurant while dining on the BBQ ribs, fish ceviche, or sausages made right there in house. Purchase their homemade jam, frozen fish cakes, or sausages to take with you to continue enjoying the flavors of El Triunfo back in Cabo or back home.

Los Barriles

There are many places to visit in Cabo San Lucas for watersports, and up the coast, Los Barriles is one of the best beach towns in Mexico for windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you’re up for an adventure, take a class, but if not, you can enjoy the show while sipping margaritas at the beachfront El Gecko bar and restaurant. Pickleball is another sport that’s become popular in Los Barriles, and the courts at Tres Palapas are open to locals and tourists. To explore more of the land, ride ATVs over rugged trails to hidden waterfalls. With all this just 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, it’s one of the Cabo tourist attractions that’s an easy escape from the city.

Miraflores

Throughout the year, Miraflores is one of the quiet towns near Cabo San Lucas where craftsmiths build traditional rustic furniture, paint beautiful pottery, and produce leather goods, but during Day of the Dead, the town is filled with colorful altar memorials and the cemetary is cleaned and lit with candles. Another reason it’s one of the popular places to visit in Cabo San Lucas are the hot springs located just outside the town.

By renting a car, catching a taxi, or hopping on a bus, the world opens up to you, and you’ll see for yourself what makes places like El Triunfo and Todos Santos worth visiting.