One base or two?
Most people are happiest with a single base in Cabo San Lucas near the marina, so evenings are walkable and every boat trip leaves from down the road. San José del Cabo is quieter and closer to the airport, but its hotel beaches have strong surf. Our where to stay in Cabo guide compares the areas. The only reason to split the week is if you want a couple of nights in Todos Santos or La Paz; otherwise, stay put and unpack once.
Consider a rental car for two or three days of the week rather than all seven. You won't want it in town, and parking downtown is tight. Mexican liability insurance is mandatory; our getting around guide explains the counter surprises.
Days 1 and 2: Cabo San Lucas classics
Arrive, settle, and spend the first afternoon on Médano Beach. On day two, go out early to El Arco and Lover's Beach by water taxi, rest in the afternoon, and take a sunset cruise. Dinner at Mi Casa or tacos downtown; see our best tacos in Cabo.
Day 3: Todos Santos and Cerritos
Drive or book a tour to Todos Santos, about an hour up the Pacific coast. Browse galleries, have lunch, and on the way back stop at Cerritos for a surf lesson or sunset on the sand. If you're in town in mid-October, the town's fiestas are on.
Day 4: rest day
Do nothing on purpose. Pool, beach, a massage, a long lunch. If you have a villa, this is the day for a private chef dinner at home; see private chefs in Cabo.
Day 5: the big day trip
Choose one of the two classic long days out:
- La Paz and whale sharks: about two to two and a half hours north. From roughly October or November to April, tours snorkel with whale sharks in the bay of La Paz; see [whale sharks in La Paz](/things-to-do/whale-sharks-la-paz-day-trip/). Balandra beach is a good add-on.
- Cabo Pulmo: a protected reef on the East Cape, about two hours away, part on a dirt road. Excellent snorkeling and diving in a national park; see [Cabo Pulmo day trip](/things-to-do/cabo-pulmo-day-trip/).
Day 6: sea or fairway
Pick the activity that matches the season. December to April: whale watching. Summer and fall: sportfishing; our fishing season by month guide explains what's biting. Year round: snorkeling at Santa María, golf in the corridor (see Cabo golf courses), or horseback riding on the beach.
In the evening, if it's a Thursday from November to June, head to San José for the Art Walk and dinner in the historic center or at Flora Farms.
Day 7: last swim and a farewell dinner
A slow morning, some shopping in town, and a final dinner with a view: Sunset Monalisa, Manta or El Farallón. Fly out on day eight, leaving for SJD three hours before an international departure.
Where to base a week
For a week, space matters more than on a long weekend. A villa gives you a kitchen for breakfasts, a laundry for beach clothes and a pool for rest days. Villa 1 at Hacienda Beach Club sits on Médano Beach, a walk from the marina, and sleeps eight in four en-suite bedrooms. Weeks at Christmas and New Year's have a 7-night minimum; see the holiday villa page or check your dates.
Seasonal swaps for a week
Whale season (mid-December to mid-April): add a second whale trip on a small boat, and consider a gray whale trip to Magdalena Bay if you're willing to travel far; it's a long day or an overnight. October: plan an evening at the marina for tournament weigh-ins. Summer: prioritize morning activities and swap the La Paz trip for Cabo Pulmo, where the water is at its clearest and warmest. Late October and November: Día de Muertos altars and events in early November add a cultural day; see Día de Muertos in Los Cabos.
Budget and pacing for a week
A week lets you mix expensive and cheap days. Day trips by rental car cost less than guided tours for a group, but factor in fuel, tolls and Mexican insurance. Taco lunches and beach days balance out the big dinners. For groups, a villa kitchen saves real money over seven breakfasts out.
Don't overplan. The best moments of a week here are often the unplanned ones: a long lunch that turned into a sunset, or a lazy afternoon in the hot tub. Leave at least two half-days empty.
Getting around for the day trips
For Todos Santos, the drive is straightforward on a good highway; leave by 9 to have the morning in town. For La Paz, allow two to two and a half hours each way and start early, since whale shark tours run in the morning. For Cabo Pulmo, the last stretch is a dirt road; drive slowly and avoid it after rain. On every trip, carry cash for tolls, parking and small restaurants, and don't drive back after dark if you can help it. Tours with hotel pickup are the easier option if nobody wants to drive.
