Los Cabos Areas: Where to Stay
A straight comparison of the neighborhoods and towns of Los Cabos, from our own Médano Beach to Todos Santos, the East Cape and La Paz.
Where to stay in Cabo, in one minute
Deciding where to stay in Cabo mostly comes down to three questions: do you want a beach you can swim at, do you want to walk to dinner, and how far you’re willing to drive from the airport. Los Cabos is two towns joined by a highway. Cabo San Lucas sits at the tip of the peninsula around its marina and bay; San José del Cabo is the older, quieter town near the airport; and the Tourist Corridor between them is lined with gated resorts and golf courses. Beyond that, Todos Santos and Cerritos are an hour up the Pacific coast, the East Cape and Cabo Pulmo are the empty side, and La Paz is the state capital on the Sea of Cortez.
We’re biased, since Villa 1 is on Médano Beach, so each page below is honest about where another area beats it. For the long version with budgets, read our where to stay in Cabo guide.
Cabo San Lucas
Villa 1 is hereCabo San LucasMédano Beach
The town beach on the bay: swimmable water, restaurants on the sand and the marina a walk away.
- 5 minCabo San Lucas
Downtown Cabo San Lucas
The grid of streets behind the marina: taco stands, bars, the plaza and the nightlife strip.
5 minCabo San LucasCabo San Lucas Marina
The boardwalk hub for fishing boats, tours, restaurants and bars. No beach.
- 10 minCabo San Lucas
Pedregal
Gated hillside villas above the marina with Pacific sunsets. Views and privacy, not swimming.
- 10 minCabo San Lucas
El Tezal
Residential hillside above the bay: condos with views and lower prices, but you'll need wheels.
Tourist Corridor
- 10 to 15 minTourist Corridor
Cabo Bello
Low-rise residential area at the Cabo San Lucas end of the corridor. Quiet, close to town, car needed.
- 10 to 30 minTourist Corridor
The Tourist Corridor
The highway between the towns: gated resorts, golf courses and the best snorkeling coves.
- 30 to 35 minTourist Corridor
Palmilla
Gated luxury enclave near San José with a protected swimming beach and a Nicklaus golf club.
Areas at a Glance
| Area | Best for | From Villa 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Médano Beach | First-timers, Families, Groups | You're here |
| Downtown Cabo San Lucas | Budget travelers, Nightlife, Food lovers | 2.4 km (1.5 mi), 5 min |
| Cabo San Lucas Marina | Anglers, Boaters, Nightlife | 2.6 km (1.6 mi), 5 min |
| Pedregal | Privacy seekers, Couples, Sunset lovers | 3.8 km (2.4 mi), 10 min |
| El Tezal | Long stays, Value seekers with a car, Remote workers | 4.4 km (2.7 mi), 10 min |
| Cabo Bello | Villa groups with a car, Snorkelers, Couples wanting quiet near town | 6.7 km (4.2 mi), 10 to 15 min |
| The Tourist Corridor | Resort stays, Golfers, Honeymooners | 15 km (9.3 mi), 10 to 30 min |
| Palmilla | Luxury travelers, Golfers, Short trips from SJD | 28 km (17 mi), 30 to 35 min |
| San José del Cabo | Couples, Food lovers, Art and culture | 34 km (21 mi), 35 to 45 min |
| Puerto Los Cabos | Golfers, Boaters, Luxury resort stays | 37 km (23 mi), 40 to 50 min |
| Cerritos and El Pescadero | Surfers, Yoga and retreat travelers, Slow travelers | 65 km (41 mi), about 1 hr |
| Todos Santos | Art and culture, Food lovers, Surfers | 79 km (49 mi), 1 hr 15 min |
| East Cape and Los Barriles | Kiteboarders and windsurfers, Anglers, Long-stay snowbirds | 111 km (69 mi), about 2 hr |
| Cabo Pulmo | Divers, Snorkelers, Eco-travelers | 131 km (81 mi), 2.5 hr |
| La Paz | Day trips, Families, Snorkelers | 162 km (100 mi), 2.5 hr |
Looking for a specific beach? Our Cabo beach guide covers swimming, snorkeling and surf, and the Cabo golf course guide lists every course by area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in Cabo San Lucas?
For most first-time visitors, Médano Beach: it's the main swimmable beach in town, and the marina, restaurants and boat tours are a walk away. Pick the Corridor for resort seclusion or San José del Cabo for a quieter town close to the airport.
Is it better to stay in Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas has the swimmable bay, the marina and the nightlife. San José del Cabo is calmer, closer to the airport and better for galleries and dinners, but its town beach isn't safe for swimming.
How far apart are the towns of Los Cabos?
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are about 30 km apart along the Tourist Corridor, roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car. Todos Santos is about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas and La Paz about two and a half hours.
Do I need a car in Los Cabos?
Not if you stay on Médano and mostly walk, take taxis and book tours with pickup. A rental car makes sense for Todos Santos, the East Cape or several corridor beach days.
Your beachfront base in Cabo San Lucas
Villa 1 is a 4-bedroom beachfront villa at Hacienda Beach Club, at the marina end of Médano Beach, a short walk from the marina boardwalk. Book direct for the best rate.