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10 Cool Cabo San Lucas Facts: They Might Surprise You!

Los Cabos is a stunning vacation spot. It’s a place we keep returning to – and writing about!

But there’s way more to Cabo than endless sunshine, great places to stay and breathtaking beaches. Dig deeper and you’ll discover a lot beneath the surface – from Cabo’s intriguing pirate history to hidden secrets strewn across its landscape.

Ready to discover something new?

Here are 10 fun facts about Cabo San Lucas that might surprise you – whether you’re a regular visitor or planning your first Cabo adventure!

Facts about Cabo San Lucas
There’s more to Cabo than meets the eye!

1) There are many different (and confusing!) “Cabos”

The main church in the town of San Jose del Cabo
The town of San Jose del Cabo is more Mexican in feel than Cabo San Lucas

“Cabo” might mean “cape” – referring to a prominent point of land that juts into a sea – in Spanish.

But here in Baja, it can mean a whole lot more!

Los Cabos, or “The Capes,” is the entire sun, sand and sea resort destination area at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

It encompasses the two towns of Cabo San Lucas (lively!) and San Jose del Cabo (charming), along with the 20-mile resort Corridor that connects them.

Colorful Christmas flags decorate the streets of San Jose del Cabo during the Christmas holiday.
Colorful Christmas flags decorate the streets of San Jose del Cabo during the Christmas holiday

But here’s where it gets tricky – “Cabo” can refer to all of Los Cabos or just Cabo San Lucas. And sometimes, people say “Cabo San Lucas” when they really mean the whole Los Cabos region.

Confusing? Maybe. Fun? Definitely!

2) You can devour the world’s most expensive taco in Cabo

World's most expensive taco at Grand Velas Los Cabos
You’ll need deep pockets to enjoy this gold-flaked taco

Talk about offbeat (and jaw-dropping) things to know about Cabo!

The taco we’re talking about is priced at a staggering $25,000.

Say what?

While most visitors are content savoring mouthwatering shrimp and other tasty tacos at the many affordable local taquerias, those looking to splurge should check out the Grand Velas Los Cabos resort.

Here, you’ll find this decadent creation – made with gold-flaked Kobe beef, Beluga caviar and black truffle brie cheese, all wrapped in a gold-infused corn tortilla. It’s the ultimate culinary indulgence if you crave the extravagant!

3) Cabo is a celebrity hotspot

Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is just one Hollywood celeb who loves Cabo

Cabo has been attracting the rich and famous ever since its earlier days as a humble small fishing village. Rumor has it that Ernest Hemingway, a deep-sea fishing enthusiast, was among the first celebrities to drop a line into Cabo’s waters.

The trend continued in the 1950s, with Hollywood greats like Bing Crosby, John Wayne and Lucille Ball making their way here by private plane or boat – the only options at the time.

Rocker Sammy Hagar also fell for Cabo’s charm, opening his famous bar Cabo Wabo in 1990. It’s still going strong, serving up his equally famous Baja tequila (which he sold to Campari in 2008 for a whopping $100 million).

Today, A-listers like Jennifer Aniston (who’s a fan of the One & Only Palmilla), George Clooney, Will Smith and Justin Timberlake retreat here for its privacy, luxurious resorts, striking scenery and close access to the U.S.

4) There’s a hidden birdwatching lagoon

Heron
See birds from Ibis and Yellow Hooded Orioles to herons at the estuary lagoon near San Jose del Cabo

Pssst! Did you know there’s a stunning nature reserve known as the San Jose del Cabo Estuary? No? Well, that’s because it’s one of Cabo’s best-kept secrets.

This freshwater lagoon is a vital habitat for a wide array of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts.

At the estuary, you can spot an impressive variety of birds, from herons and ospreys to frigate birds, white-faced Ibis and bright Yellow Hooded Orioles.

Years ago, we enjoyed kayaking in the lagoon.

That’s no longer possible today. But you can join a half-day birdwatching tour with Birding Los Cabos, where an expert guide will help you discover the rich birdlife of this hidden gem.

5) Sportfishers make big money!

Prize winners hold big cheque at Bisbee's Black and Blue fishing tournament
Cast a line for some serious money! (Credit: Bisbee’s Offshore Fishing Tournaments)

Sportfishing in Cabo is the stuff of legends, with anglers from across the globe flocking here every October for the Bisbee’s Black and Blue tournament.

This is no ordinary fishing contest – it’s where the biggest payouts in the sport happen.

Competitors reel in blue and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado, with jackpots often soaring past $4 million. In 2022, the stakes reached an all-time high, with teams vying for a jaw-dropping $11.6 million cash purse – the largest ever in any fishing tournament worldwide.

Yep, it’s a chance to hook not just a big fish, but big money too!

6) Brrr… It’s cool (sometimes cold) in Cabo in winter

Horseback riding on the beach in Los Cabos
It’s not too hot in winter for ATVing, golfing and horseback riding

Bet this got your attention! You’ll be glad you know this fact about Los Cabos before going.

Weather in winter

Okay, it’s not cold like Chicago or Alberta in winter.

But there have been times in early January when we’ve had to wear a long-sleeve T-shirt during the day and a light cardigan or sweater at night. You definitely want to throw in something long-sleeved when packing for a Cabo vacation in winter!

Cabo’s weather in February is a little warmer, with daytime temps ranging between 73 F and 86 F and an average low of 60 F at night.

Water temperature

The ocean temperature is also cool for swimming in winter, maybe even too cool, depending on your tolerance.

We’re hardy Canadians, so we still do water-focused activities like swimming and snorkeling – as do lots of other visitors.

But you’ll also hear people saying it’s too cold in January and February for them to comfortably stay in the ocean for more than a quick swim. The water isn’t as warm as it is, say, in the Caribbean this time of year.

The best months to visit Los Cabos for warm ocean temperatures are October and November. With water visibility extending up to 80 feet (sometimes 100 feet), these are also the best months for scuba diving.

Dry sunny days

One of the great things about the weather in Cabo, however – no matter when you visit – is its year-round sunshine, with over 350 days of sunshine annually.

Plus, winter brings low humidity to this desert destination, so you can soak up the sun daily during your vacation without it feeling muggy.

7) You can’t swim at many Los Cabos beaches

Beautiful golden sand beach in Los Cabos
Always check first if the beach is safe for swimming before you dive in

Cabo’s golden sand beaches look inviting. But don’t be fooled – many aren’t safe for swimming due to powerful undertows and strong waves.

Beaches on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja Peninsula are especially dangerous.

Medano Beach is the most popular beach in Cabo San Lucas and the go-to spot for safe ocean swimming. A few other beaches – like Santa Maria Bay (along the Corridor), Lover’s Beach (at Land’s End) and Playa Palmilla and El Ganzo Beach (in San Jose del Cabo) – also offer good swimming conditions.

You’ll also find several cool beach clubs strung along Medano Beach and El Ganzo Beach.

But even at these swimmable beaches, always heed the colored safety flags.

8) Wow! There are rare underwater sandfalls

Go scuba diving in these waters around Land's End and you can see amazing underwater sandfalls.
Go scuba diving in these waters around Land’s End and you can see amazing sand waterfalls

The waters around Land’s End (where the Sea of Cortez meets the mighty Pacific) and El Arco (Cabo’s iconic rock arch) hide some fascinating geological surprises.

Among them are deep submarine canyons like San Lucas Canyon, which boasts rare underwater sandfalls.

First spotted in 1959 and later made famous by French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, these “rivers of sand” tumble down the canyon walls in a mesmerizing display.

Advanced divers can dive down to about 100 feet on a scuba tour, where they can witness this unique spectacle and also swim alongside a kaleidoscope of colorful fish in what Cousteau dubbed the “aquarium of the world.”

We’ve gone diving in the Los Cabos area a couple of times with Manta, a top-rate dive company – and their 2-tank certified diving tour around Land’s End is superb.

9) Cabo San Lucas was a hideout for pirates

Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, Cabo San Lucas wasn’t a sand-and-sea playground – it was a pirate’s dream!

Swashbucklers made the area’s coves and caves their hideout, plundering treasure-laden ships bound for Europe.

The most legendary loot? The siege of the Santa Anna by the English privateer Thomas Cavendish, nicknamed “The Navigator.”

A Spanish merchant ship, the Santa Anna was a 600-ton galleon packed so full of riches, it had no room for cannons to defend itself. And Cavendish’s haul was so enormous, it’s said that one of his ships, mysteriously lost at sea, still hides untold riches in the depths of the Sea of Cortez.

10) The average hotel room costs over $500 USD a night

Swimming pool in a leafy courtyard at The Bungalows Hotel, Cabo San Lucas
Shell out over $500 a night? Or enjoy The Bungalows Hotel for under $300

Here’s one of those Los Cabos facts that might make your wallet cringe.  Cabo is crazy expensive – the most expensive destination in Mexico, actually.

According to the Los Cabos Hotel Association, the average hotel room will set you back over $500 USD a night. At many luxury beachfront resorts, a night’s sleep can cost $1,500 to $2,000!

Good cheap hotels? They’re hard to come by.

But you can still score a nice air-conditioned room for between $100 and $200 a night at Los Milagros, a sweet 12-room boutique hotel in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Step into its courtyard, lush with tall palm trees and vibrant flowers, and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden oasis – which you have! It even has a small plunge pool.

Bump up your budget a bit and you can rest your head at even more charming but still affordable boutique hotels, like Casa Bella Boutique Hotel and The Bungalows Hotel.

Now you know some quirky and less-known Cabo San Lucas facts!

Cabo is full of surprises, from its pirate past to its luxurious indulgences. These fun tidbits show there’s always something intriguing about Cabo – and allow you to impress your fellow Cabo lovers with your insider knowledge!

Cabo San Lucas Facts

Planning your trip to Cabo?

Here are our favorite travel resources:

  • Resorts: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel in Cabo – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
  • Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
  • Tours: For the best local guided tours in Cabo, see Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Car rental: Renting a car in Los Cabos is one of the best ways to explore. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
  • Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip?

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About the authors

Award-winning travel writers Janice and George Mucalov are frequent visitors to Los Cabos. Here on Cabo Visitor, they share their essential tips for discovering the best of Cabo!