In this post, we’ll help clarify the often confusing question, what is Los Cabos? We’ll compare the two main tourist destinations within the region, Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo and help you decide which city is the right Cabo for you!
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What is Los Cabos?
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, chances are you have heard the name Los Cabos more than once.
This dazzling resort area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole country.
But there is a big misconception of what Los Cabos is. Is it a town? A city? A region?
Don’t worry, we were confused too before we first arrived.
Los Cabos is a municipal region located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur in Mexico.
The municipality encompasses several different cities and towns.
However, the two largest cities and most prominent tourist destinations are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
When people use the term ‘Los Cabos’, they are generally referring to these two cities.
Although technically Los Cabos refers to the entire municipality, which encompasses many other small towns like Santiago, Cabo Pulmo, the East Cape etc.
People also shorten Los Cabos to simply ‘Cabo’ to make matters even more confusing!
💡 IN SUMMARY: Los Cabos is a municipality in the southern part of the state of Baja California Sur. In the context of tourism, it collectively refers to the two major tourist cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
- ❓ Los Cabos vs Cabo: the region of Los Cabos is often shortened to Cabo. However, Cabo San Lucas is also shortened to Cabo, so ‘Cabo’ can sometimes refer specifically to the city of Cabo San Lucas, not the broader region.
- ❓ Los Cabos vs Cabo San Lucas: Los Cabos is the region, and Cabo San Lucas is one city inside the region.
- ❓ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo: two separate cities, approximately 30 minutes apart. Both are located in the Los Cabos region.
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Where is Los Cabos?
Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of the state of Baja California Sur, which is one of two states on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.
This 1,200-kilometre (745 mi) strip of land separates the Pacific Ocean (to the west) from the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California (to the east).
Cabo San Lucas sits at the southern end of the Peninsula, with a rocky cape known as Lands End marking the southernmost point, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
Neighbouring San Jose del Cabo is 30 minutes northeast.
The stretch of coastline between the two towns is known as the Tourist Corridor.
Los Cabos vocab summary
Before we go any further, let’s make it very clear what each term means:
- Los Cabos (technically): A municipality within the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico that encompasses multiple towns.
- Los Cabos (practically): The resort area that collectively includes the two popular towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo and the Tourist Corridor between them.
- Cabo: A slang term referring to either Los Cabos overall or Cabo San Lucas individually (this one can get tricky and requires clarification!).
- Cabo San Lucas: A popular resort town in the southwest part of Baja California Sur.
- San Jose del Cabo: Another popular town in the south of Baja California Sur. Acting as the ‘twin’ town to Cabo San Lucas.
- Tourist Corridor: The stretch of coastline between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, lined with large resorts and hotels along the beach.
- Lands End: A rocky cape in Cabo San Lucas, marking the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
What is the difference between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas is known as a rowdy, party destination with all-inclusive resort accommodations. It is the most popular of the two towns and is a holiday favourite for millions of visitors each year.
Whereas San Jose del Cabo is considered the more sophisticated, older sister of the two, offering a more authentic cultural experience.
Holidaymakers coming to Los Cabos generally choose one or the other, based on their holiday style.
I’ll break down some common reasons you might choose Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, to help you decide which town is right for you.
We will compare Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo in the categories of:
- ✨ Atmosphere
- 🛏️ Accommodation
- 🏖️ Beaches
- 🌮 Food
- 🍸 Nightlife
- ⛪️ Culture
- ⛵️ Activities
- 🛍️ Shopping
Do you have to choose just one Cabo?
Not necessarily. We opted to split our time in Los Cabos between the two towns and stayed for four nights in each spot.
We felt this allowed us to experience the best of both places and get a good feel for the vibe of each.
Or, if you prefer to base yourself in one spot, it is very easy to travel between the two towns. It takes just 30 minutes to drive between them and there is a range of transport available.
So even if you base yourself in one city, you can still experience the best of the other.
Atmosphere
Cabo San Lucas is a tourist-centric town. Almost 250 years newer than neighbouring San Jose, it was developed purely for tourism, and it’s obvious. It has the feel of a typical resort city.
A constant thrum of music beats out of nightclubs, somebody is always trying to sell you a tour, lure you into a bar or seat you in a restaurant. It’s lively, busy and high energy. If you’re looking for a party or want to be in the heart of the action, you’ll love Cabo San Lucas.
San Jose del Cabo is a much older, more historic town. It is the seat of the municipal government and is primarily a city for locals, although still catering to tourists with great tourism infrastructure.
It feels much more like an authentic Mexican city. The Art District in the downtown is quaint and charming, with a cosmopolitan feel. Historic buildings, galleries, and boutique stores add an air of sophistication to the town. It feels more cultured, more Mexican and a lot slower-paced.
Personally, we loved the atmosphere and vibe of San Jose del Cabo a lot more. But it completely depends on what you’re looking for.
For constant energy and nightlife – Cabo San Lucas.
For a laidback, more charming feel – San Jose del Cabo.
✨ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best atmosphere award goes to: San Jose del Cabo
Accommodation
There is a plethora of accommodation available all over Los Cabos, for all budgets. However, each town has a slightly different flavour and style of accommodation.
In our opinion, the accommodation in Cabo San Lucas is not as nice. This is where you’ll find most of the tacky, all-inclusive resorts. Whilst there are a handful of luxury options in this area, like Nobu and Waldorf Astoria, most of the lower-end and midrange options are quite outdated.
San Jose del Cabo shines with boutique hotels! Because this city gained traction as a tourist destination a little later than Cabo San Lucas, a lot of the new hotels are going up here. Drift, El Ganzo and ACRE are just some of the stylish hotels on offer.
The Tourist Corridor between the two cities is lined with resorts. Some of the fanciest, higher-end resorts are located here. However, there isn’t any central area or personality to this area. Everything is spread apart, and it’s more about the hotel than any vibe or town. The Cape, Las Ventanas al Paraiso and One&Only Palmilla are some of the classier options.
🛏️ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best accommodation award goes to: San Jose del Cabo
Beaches
Los Cabos is a beach destination, so of course one of the most important factors to consider when choosing San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas is the beaches!
But there isn’t a simple answer to this one.
Los Cabos is actually not a great destination for swimming. The beaches here can be wild, with large waves, strong rips and currents, and no lifeguards.
There are many beaches where it is advised not to swim at all, in both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
However, there are some protected bays and coves where you can safely have a dip.
Cabo San Lucas has Lovers Beach (Playa del Amor) in the rocky Lands End area, and Playa Medano which are both calm beaches good for swimming.
The closest swimming beach to San Jose del Cabo is Playa Palmilla, which is technically in the Tourist Corridor. Playa Santa Maria and Playa El Chileno are also great swimming beaches in the Tourist Corridor.
So in my opinion, the best beaches for swimming are in the Tourist Corridor.
In terms of amenities on the beach, this is where your personal preference comes into play.
If your idea of an amazing beach is one lined with lounges for rent, vendors ready to bring you anything your heart desires, and rowdy beach clubs blasting tunes and serving cocktails – Cabo San Lucas is for you!
Playa Medano, the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, is jam-packed in peak season and has a typical holiday tourist feel.
If a quiet, empty beach is more your style, San Jose del Cabo is for you.
Playa Costa Azul (aka Playa Hotelera) is a wide, long stretch of golden sand that is practically empty. No vendors are selling you anything, and despite being lined with hotels, the beach is so big you can’t hear or feel their presence.
Quieter beaches in San Jose del Cabo
For the perfect mix of the two, I like the Tourist Corridor beaches. Most of them have one or two laidback restaurants or beach bars, so you can grab a drink or snack if you want it. But there aren’t people constantly in your face trying to sell things to you.
Add in the fact these beaches are the best for swimming, and the Tourist Corridor is my choice for beaches in Los Cabos.
These beaches are easily accessible from both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo via car, taxi, Uber or bus, so no matter which town you choose, you’re not too far from great beaches.
🏖️ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best beaches award goes to: Tourist Corridor
Nightlife
I’ll keep this one simple – Cabo San Lucas.
If you’re coming to Los Cabos to party, Cabo San Lucas is without a doubt the spot for you.
Wandering along Playa Medano or in the tourist hub around the Marina is one big party, almost 24/7. There is music constantly blasting, alcohol specials at all times of the day, and practically every restaurant or bar has someone out the front luring you in with tequila shots.
Popular bars and clubs include the wild Squid Roe, live music venue Cabo Wabo, beachfront Mango Deck known for its drinking challenges, and Mandala for an upscale club.
In contrast, San Jose del Cabo doesn’t have any crazy clubs. The nightlife scene is geared towards casual bars and breweries, with low-key live music. Baja Brewing Co, Dalton Gin Bar and Nomada Bar de Origen are great options for some chilled-out drinks.
🍸 Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best nightlife award goes to: Cabo San Lucas
We prefer the laidback nightlife of San Jose del Cabo
Culture
If parties aren’t your vibe, and you’re seeking a more cultural experience, San Jose del Cabo is the place.
The historic Art District is a charming grid of cobblestone streets and colourful colonial buildings.
There are plenty of sightseeing opportunities while wandering around this gorgeous area. The main square, Plaza Mijares, showcases local life each evening with food stalls, vendors and families hanging out.
The centro is packed with galleries, and each Thursday evening from October – June is the weekly Art Walk. All the galleries stay open late until 9 pm, and one of the main streets is closed to encourage locals and visitors to get involved with the creative scene.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of San Jose del Cabo and the Baja Peninsula, this evening historical and cultural walking tour gets fantastic reviews.
Charming San Jose del Cabo
As for culture in Cabo San Lucas… Tequila shots, nightclubs and scantily clad tourists pretty much sum it up.
Okay, that’s not fair. If you head away from the beach into downtown Cabo San Lucas, you will find lovely pockets that are much more authentic.
But overall, you don’t come to Cabo San Lucas for culture.
⛪️ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best culture award goes to: San Jose del Cabo
Food
The short answer is that Cabo San Lucas is full of overpriced, tourist-centric restaurants that don’t offer authentic Mexican food, and San Jose del Cabo is the better choice for food.
And this is totally true if you only hang around the Marina and Playa Medano area in Cabo San Lucas.
If you head a few streets away from the beach, you will find some delicious and affordable authentic Mexican food. It just takes a little more effort to find it!
We highly recommend doing a food tour to get local insight into the best food spots or check out our post on the best local restaurants in Cabo San Lucas.
Surprisingly, this tourist hot spot had some of our favourite Mexican food in the whole country!
Similarly, San Jose del Cabo has a range of wonderful Mexican restaurants for all budgets.
We ate some incredible tacos from cheap local spots around town. Each evening in the main plaza there are food stalls selling traditional snacks like tamales, elotes, churros and more!
You can also do a similar style of food tour in San Jose del Cabo, at lunchtime or in the evening for dinner.
There are some fabulous higher-end dining experiences in San Jose del Cabo too. Including the popular organic farms just outside of town, ACRE, Flora Farms and Los Tamarindos.
If you take the time to research and hunt out good local places, both destinations are great for food. I couldn’t choose just one option!
🌮 Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best food award goes to: Both towns
Activities
If you like your holidays jam-packed with activities and tours, you can do any kind of experience you’ve ever dreamt of in Los Cabos.
Head down to Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, and within minutes you will be spruiked with ten different tours!
Getting a glass bottom boat to The Arch and Lands End, snorkelling tours at Lovers Beach, parasailing, jet skiing, whale watching, sunset sailing – you name it, they have it!
Most of these tours will happen right there on or around the beach, which is why Cabo San Lucas is the hot spot for activities.
You can even hike a mountain with a group of dogs!
Snorkelling and whale watching in Cabo San Lucas
There are plenty of great things to do in San Jose del Cabo too, and these days more and more tour operators are offering activities like whale watching, snorkelling and sailing that depart from the marina in San Jose.
But all the activities and tours on offer in Cabo San Lucas are also easily accessible from San Jose del Cabo.
If you’re pre-booking a tour with an operator, most of them will offer hotel pick-up from either San Jose or Cabo San Lucas. And if you want to simply join an activity on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, you’ll just need to travel the 30 minutes between the two towns, which is easy enough to do.
You can also take day trips from either Cabo to many other destinations around the state, departing from either town easily.
However given Medano Beach is such a hotspot of activities, if I had to choose one hub for activities, it would absolutely be Cabo San Lucas.
⛵️ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best activities award goes to: Cabo San Lucas
Shopping
If you’re wondering where to do your holiday souvenir shopping, it has to be San Jose del Cabo.
The Art District is filled with beautiful boutiques selling all sorts of locally made items. From clothes, jewellery, paintings, ceramics and other pretty trinkets.
These shops can be pricey (you are paying for high-quality, locally made goods), but there are other more low-key souvenir-style shops in San Jose del Cabo too.
The quality of these stores is much nicer than the very tacky tourist markets you find in Cabo San Lucas.
So even if you’re not into boutiques and are hoping to pick up some bargain holiday mementos, San Jose del Cabo is still the best option!
🛍️ Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo best shopping award goes to: San Jose del Cabo
Shopping in San Jose del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo: Other things to consider
There are some other factors you need to consider when deciding between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo:
🚶🏻♂️ LAYOUT OF THE TOWN
- Cabo San Lucas: the central area is set on the waterfront, with the whole town built around the beach. The Marina, Medano Beach and downtown are all within easy walking distance. You don’t need to rent a car to get around town.
- San Jose del Cabo: the town centre of San Jose del Cabo is set back from the beach. It is about a 20-minute walk to get to the closest beach. Renting a car, or using taxis/Ubers is more convenient here to get between the downtown and the beach.
✈️ PROXIMITY TO THE AIRPORT
- Cabo San Lucas: Los Cabos International Airport is further away from Cabo San Lucas. It takes 40 minutes on the toll road or 1 hour without tolls.
- San Jose del Cabo: San Jose del Cabo is closer to the airport. The town centre is just 20 minutes away.
👨👩👧👦 BUSYNESS
- Cabo San Lucas: Cabo San Lucas can be very, very crowded. The demographic of visitors is largely international tourists, and it can feel overrun in peak seasons.
- San Jose del Cabo: San Jose del Cabo is a popular destination, and of course, visitor numbers increase over peak periods. But it is nothing compared to Cabo San Lucas, and being more spread out, crowds and tourists are not as concentrated.
📣 TOUTS AND HAWKERS
- Cabo San Lucas: if you don’t like to be hassled on your holiday, avoid Cabo San Lucas. There are vendors and touts everywhere. On the beach, in the Marina, trying to sell you tours, outside restaurants coercing you inside etc. Someone is always hassling you in Cabo San Lucas and if you don’t like that vibe, it gets exhausting very quickly.
- San Jose del Cabo: you will rarely be hassled in San Jose del Cabo. Sure, people will call you into their souvenir store. But the beaches are largely free from vendors, and you will not experience the same constant touting that you do in Cabo San Lucas.
How to get to Los Cabos
No matter which destination you choose, Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, you will fly in via the SJD – Los Cabos International Airport.
This airport is well connected within Mexico and to several destinations around the USA and Canada.
The airport is located in San Jose del Cabo, around 20 minutes from downtown. It is 40 minutes away from Cabo San Lucas.
You have a few options to get from the airport to either Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo:
- 🚕 Taxi (most expensive)
- 🚗 Uber (only outside the airport)
- 🚙 Car (if you’re planning to rent one)
- 🚐 Shared shuttle
- 🚐 Private transfer
How to travel between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
The two cities are approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi) apart. Depending on traffic, it takes 30 – 40 minutes to travel between the two.
Highway 1, which is also known as the Tourist Corridor Highway in this section, connects the two cities. It is a good-quality highway with multiple lanes on each side.
There are a number of different transport options to travel from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and vice versa:
- 🚙 Rental car: the highway is in good condition and it’s an easy, although sometimes busy, drive. Parking can be tricky in Cabo San Lucas in particular, and you may have to park in a private lot.
- 🚕 Taxi: an expensive option, it can cost anywhere from $60 – 70 USD for a taxi between the two towns. More at night.
- 🚗 Uber: if you can order an Uber, this is a much more affordable option. Expect to pay between $30 – 40 each way.
- 🚌 Bus: the Ruta del Desierto is a public bus system that travels along the Tourist Corridor Highway between the two towns, and onto the airport. It is very easy to catch from here in Cabo San Lucas and here in San Jose del Cabo. Tickets are approximately 40 pesos ($2 USD) each way.
Where to stay in Los Cabos
The accommodation options are endless in Los Cabos and range from a cheap dorm bed up to thousands-of-dollars-a-night luxury resorts.
Below are a few of our not-totally-extravagant suggestions for both towns.
Be sure to check out our post on the best boutique hotels in Los Cabos, and avoid unsustainable hotel chains.
CABO SAN LUCAS
- Sofia Hostel – $
- Los Milagros – $$
- Bahia Hotel & Beach House – $$$
SAN JOSE DEL CABO
- Hotel Posada Señor Manaña – $
- Rustico Lounge – $$
- Drift – $$$
Los Cabos FAQs
Is Los Cabos the same as Cabo?
Yes and no, it depends on the context. ‘Cabo’ is often a slang term for the Los Cabos region. In this case, yes Los Cabos is the same as Cabo. However sometimes ‘Cabo’ is a shortening of Cabo San Lucas, which is a town in the region of Los Cabos. In this case, no, Cabo is not the same as Los Cabos.
Where is Los Cabos?
Los Cabos is a municipal region at the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula. It is located in the state of Baja California Sur in Mexico.
What is the difference between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are two different cities in the Los Cabos region. Both are popular tourist destinations and are approximately 30 minutes away from each other.
Which Cabo is better?
It is personal opinion on which Cabo is better than the other. If you’re looking for a high-energy, party-focused tourist town with lots of activities, Cabo San Lucas is better for you. If you’d prefer a more quaint, Mexican-style city, with a more sophisticated feel, San Jose del Cabo is a better choice.
Is San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas the same airport?
Yes, all flights to Los Cabos are via the SJD – Los Cabos International Airport which is located in San Jose del Cabo but serves both towns.
How far is San Jose del Cabo from Cabo San Lucas?
The two cities are approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi) apart. Depending on traffic, it takes 30 – 40 minutes to travel between the two.
How to get from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo (and vice versa)?
You can drive a rental car, take a taxi or an Uber or use the local Ruta del Desierto bus. It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel between the two cities.
What is the Tourist Corridor?
The Tourist Corridor is the stretch of coastline between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. The coast is lined with large tourism resorts, which is where it got its name.
Los Cabos travel guides
We have comprehensive travel guides for Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, to help you plan your trip, whichever destination you choose!
- Unique and Boutique Hotels in Los Cabos
- 12 Amazing Cabo Day Trips to See More of Baja Sur
- 17 Best Things to Do in San Jose del Cabo Travel Guide
- Where to Find the Best Tacos in San Jose del Cabo
- 21 Non Touristy and Unique Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas
- 10 Best Local Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas
- Mt Solmar – Hike a Mountain with Dogs in Cabo San Lucas
- Humpback Whale Watching in Cabo (2024 Season Guide)
San Jose del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Final thoughts
That’s the Los Cabos duo!
I hope this post has helped clarify what Los Cabos is, and the main points of difference between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Your holiday planning will be a lot easier now you understand the difference between these two destinations.
Which city would you choose – San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas?
Is raucous Cabo San Lucas your vibe? Or would you prefer the quieter San Jose del Cabo?
The Comments
Candyce
Thank you for this! I am now able to make an educated decision rather than wing it – this is extremely helpful. Thanks a ton
Sally
CandyceOh I am so glad the post was helpful Candyce! It’s hard to know in advance if you’re going to like a place. And it’s especially hard when you have a choice to make between two destinations, but hopefully, this at least answered some questions 🙂 Which did you choose?!
sonya
Thank you for sharing all this information. If you were coming off a cruise ship, and didn’t want to take a tour, what would be the best thing to see if you were walking and not taking an Uber or taxi?
Sally Rodrick
sonyaHi Sonya, if you’re docked at the port in Cabo San Lucas you could easily hike Mt Solmar, take a boat trip out to El Arco and take a food tour in Cabo San Lucas without the need for a taxi/Uber. Many of the tours around the area will also organise pick up from the port for you too. Hope that helps, Sally.