How to spend a weekend in Cabo, Mexico: a 3-day Cabo itinerary
I never thought one weekend in Cabo would become a permanent living! Cabo wasn’t precisely what I expected, and so far, I love living here! Here’s a daily guide on spending a fantastic weekend in Cabo San Lucas.
Please know that this weekend guide is for Cabo San Lucas, not San Jose del Cabo. These two are often referred to as Los Cabos, but since I only have experience in Cabo San Lucas, don’t confuse this guide with SJC – they are two different areas!
I still would like to help you decide how to spend your weekend in Cabo. SJC is a famous resort area where families with kids often travel.
You don’t have to think about anything here because it’s all-inclusive. You can stay in the resorts without worrying about anything. Which automatically means this guide isn’t for you.
For those who want to go out and have an experience with the Cabo nightlife, then you should definitely go to Cabo San Lucas.
Most people who visit San Lucas are groups of friends, girls at bachelorette parties, and young people.
As opposed to San Jose del Cabo where you’ll spend your weekend in Cabo inside the all-inclusive resorts, Cabo San Lucas is more dynamic and social.
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🗺️ How to use this weekend in Cabo itinerary
Where to eat in Cabo San Lucas
I know there are lots of options on where to eat in Cabo San Lucas but in this weekend in Cabo itinerary, I will categorize them by days – feel free to mix and match.
Meaning, I will put a mix of Mexican, seafood, and international cuisines. I only moved here in August 2021 but I already tried almost all of the restaurants!
Note that since you are coming for a weekend in Cabo, you always have to call for reservations in the restaurant. They speak English so don’t worry about securing a table!
Things to do in Cabo San Lucas
I already have a big list of things to do in Cabo that you can refer to but I will still suggest a few Cabo activities according to the number of hours that you need in order to do them.
Remember, you only have a weekend in Cabo so the suggestions here are the ones you can do easily while on vacation. I will not put a lot of adventure stuff since this is a vacation but you can refer to my other article about things to do in Cabo to see your options.
Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas
All the hotels I included in this post are within the Cabo San Lucas area, near Medano beach and near the center where all the happenings are.
If you want to stay in an all-inclusive hotel, those are in San Jose del Cabo, which is another 40 minutes away from Cabo San Lucas.
Of course, all-inclusive stays have their own weekend in Cabo itinerary so this isn’t probably for you if that’s the kind of vacation you want to do.
However, I can still personalize some suggestions for you! Just e-mail me and we can plan it together!
🏖️ Best hotels for a weekend in Cabo
When booking your hotel or resort in Cabo, please don’t ONLY look at the pictures but try to see where they are located too.
The problem with these listings is that they don’t explain very well where it is located so you’ll end up renting a car unexpectedly or being so far away from the center (where you want to be for a weekend in Cabo).
You’d like to stay downtown and that’s the area I live in! I am super close to the parties and I know some good hotels in my area. Here are my top suggestions:
- Hacienda Encantada: best all-inclusive near downtown
- Bahia Hotel: best in value
- Medano Hotel and Suites: less than $100 USD per night
- Cabo Inn: less than $50 USD per night
- Capital O Dos Mares: less than $30 USD per night with pool
I also recommend looking at Vrbo in Los Cabos if you are looking for a big place for a group. Airbnb has ridiculous tax/processing fees so I don’t use it anymore.
You can also check out our best selection of Los Cabos Hotels if you need more options. My team and I handpicked the best ones and divided them into categories!
✈️ Cabo Weekend Getaway Day 1 (Friday)
Most people fly on Friday morning as the majority of the flights depart in the morning. I will discuss the flight times and prices in the latter part of this article for you to have an idea of prices and flight duration.
Ideally, you’d like to get on a direct flight since you only have a weekend in Cabo but if you have more than a weekend, flights that stop are way cheaper.
It is very uncommon for Americans to fly out on a Thursday but if you have an extra day off, flying out of your city will make this trip worth it.
So far, I have not seen any red-eye flights from the US. I think the carriers designed it this way and I keep wondering why! It will be so convenient to arrive in Cabo in the evening!
Getting to Cabo San Lucas from San Jose del Cabo Airport
It will take about 30 minutes on a private car to get to Cabo San Lucas from San Jose International Airport. Airport taxis start at $200 USD (I know it’s a lot, especially if you are traveling by yourself).
Airports in Mexico have a co-op and taxi companies need to pay a certain fee in order to operate inside airports. Mind you, they’re not cheap.
With this, Ubers are not allowed inside San Jose del Cabo International Airport (or any airport in Mexico for that matter).
If you want to order an Uber, you have to go out of the airport which is not a hassle considering you’ll only pay from $50 USD vs the $200 USD airport taxi. The walk to the exit where the Uber driver can meet you is less than 2 minutes.
Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas by bus ($4 USD)
If you’re a budget traveler, you can take the bus at the bus stop just outside the airport. It will take you all the way to the city center and it only costs $4 USD.
Just look for the yellow and purple bus that says ‘ruta del disierto.’ The ride is about an hour (or 1.5h if there’s traffic). This is definitely the best way to experience local life in Cabo upon arrival.
This bus is very Mexican but it is so comfortable and convenient! The only problem with this bus is that they don’t have a luggage compartment so your bags should go with you. There is a space in the middle where people put their luggage but you have to stand up the entire ride.
If you’re staying in the city center, you’ll have to go down to Puerto Paraiso. Just tell the driver to inform you when it’s your stop.
From there, you can take an Uber or walk to your hotel. When you are already downtown, Uber costs less than $2 USD. Make sure you download the app and you activate your data roaming services.
US mobile work in Mexico and can receive calls. Depending on your provider, you can also avail unlimited Internet.
Most of my American friends say they call their providers for activation prior to arrival but when they arrive, it doesn’t automatically work!
Alternatively, you can rent a portable wifi device in case your own sim card does not work upon arrival in Mexico. It’s really a lifesaver, especially if you’re in the middle of the crazy heat without data service.
Check-in your hotel
Check-in for hotels in Cabo San Lucas is usually between 3:00 – 4:00 PM. Too late, if you ask me! Your hotel can store your luggage if you arrive before check-in time so no worries about carrying it around!
If you’re staying in an all-inclusive resort, you can already avail lunch upon arrival but if you are staying in a hotel, there are a lot of amazing restaurants in Cabo that you can try!
Late lunch in Cabo San Lucas + beach: Corazon Beach Club
I love Corazon and this is where I usually go for Sunday brunch and day drinking. I find it really cheap for Cabo standards. They have fantastic seafood that starts at $5 USD per plate!
Upon arrival in Cabo, you should eat seafood because this is what we are known for. At Corazon, you can order King’s Ceviche ($15 USD) which is a mixed seafood ceviche with shrimp, fish, and octopus.
Most of my American friends find it weird to eat octopus (as it is very uncommon in the US) but they begin to like it and order it often in every restaurant in Cabo. It’s really delicious!
Together with the raw seafood, I always order their Chardonnay from Mendoza, Argentina which costs $10 USD per glass.
Their menu also includes sushi and oriental dishes like teriyaki chicken so if you’re not feeling seafood, you have other options. Sorry, they do not have pizza or burgers but they have a big clubhouse sandwich for only $7 USD!
Corazon is also located on the beachfront and they have an ocean club where you can lay all afternoon. On Thursdays, they’re not usually full so you can definitely score a beachfront seat with umbrellas. If not, you can just stay at the restaurant and sit at the tables.
To stay at the beach club, there is a minimum spend of $25 USD per person, which you’ll definitely consume if you spend a full afternoon here. There are DJs every weekend and they stay open up to 10:00 PM.
Day 1 dinner suggestions/options (Mexican, seafood)
- Tres Sirenas: One of the best seafood restaurants in Medano beach with live bands every Friday. This is actually the most expensive (local) restaurant I’ve been to but you’d love to come here for the experience. My favorite here is their fresh oysters and octopus tostadas. They also have a great wine selection!
- Edith’s: Edith’s is actually owned by Tres Sirenas but they have a different menu. The place is also very Mexican with splashes of pink and blue, decorated with Mexican banderitas. At Edith’s, you can order authentic Mexican dishes that you’ve never tried before (and not necessarily seafood).
- Mi Casa: Located downtown right in front of the Cabo Plaza, Mi Casa is a great place if you want to try many dishes. Their plates are small so what you can do here is order a bunch of plates and share them with your group. They also make the tortilla fresh (literally in front of you)! I always bring visiting friends here and they always love it!
Nightlife in Cabo: where to go on Fridays
Fridays are usually super busy in Cabo so you’ll always find a place to go after hours. Even though I live here, I really don’t go out every night (to party) but I know a few places that are super cool to go to on a Friday.
- La Vaquita (extreme partying): For those of you who are looking at the best partying (until dawn), La Vaquita is a super famous bar downtown and they are also in Puerto Vallarta so this place might be familiar to you. In La Vaquita, you need to reserve a table that table comes with drinks.
- Nowhere Bar (smaller club for dancing): If you want a more chill vibe but also want to dance, Nowhere Bar has a dance floor and DJs every Friday. They don’t charge an entrance fee like the other clubs. This place is also not so big but it can get packed.
- Cock’s Cantina (chill drinks night): On chill nights, I usually sit at the bar at Cock’s Cantina. No dancefloor but they have DJs at the top floor every weekend. Locals also come here so there will be a chance for you to socialize. This place is small so this is the best place to avoid big crowds. The bartender’s name is Hardy and he’s a good friend of mine (actually one of my first friends since I moved here!) He speaks English and can suggest what to drink.
🧭 Cabo Weekend Getaway day 2 (Saturday)
Cabo hotels always have breakfast included in the booking but if you want to go out for breakfast, the good thing is the beach restaurants will be empty since 95% of the tourists are having their breakfast in the hotel.
I love eating breakfast by the beach in the morning because my dogs can be unleashed. In case your breakfast is not included, here are some great options by the beach:
Breakfast recommendations for Cabo itinerary day 2
- Milky Beach Club: One of my favorite cafes by the beach is Milky Cafe. If you don’t want to be on the sand, you can sit on their third floor and have a view of El Medano beach. For those who love strong coffee, this is the place! Their menu is mostly Mexican breakfast (huevos arracheros).
- Casasola Cafe: Casasola is the best breakfast spot in Cabo! This is right next to my pilates gym so I go here as often as I can. The only problem is they close at 2:00 PM so there’s always a long line outside! Casasola has all types of breakfast so you will have a big selection. They have more international breakfast options and these plates are big!
Arch tour + 2 beaches visit
This is an activity you shouldn’t miss in Cabo. The arch is the most iconic of Los Cabos – you’ve probably seen this in many pictures of Cabo. To tell you the truth, there are many ways to visit the Arch.
This is included as a stop in booze cruises, sunset cruise lunches, yacht tours, etc. But I honestly won’t recommend you to do the cruises if you only have a weekend in Cabo.
The best way to visit the arch is in the most local and cheapest way: take the shared boat taxi for less than $25 USD. They will take you on a tour around the island and after that tour, you can tell them to leave you in Playa Divorciada and Playa Amor.
You can rent umbrellas and stay on the island for as long as you want. It is so big so I suggest you stay for 3-4 hours. You have to tell your boatman to go back for you and you will agree on a certain time with them.
There aren’t stores there or vendors who sell food so you can do a sandwich takeaway from any of the breakfast places I mentioned above.
I have a picture in the arch on Instagram and a lot of people (even locals) don’t know where it was taken. They said they’ve never been! Tourists always choose to do the cruise (aka be on the boat for hours) instead of staying in the arch.
The waves are super strong so be careful when swimming. There are many different beaches on the island that you can visit. I swear you’d rather do this than take part in an expensive cruise!
Note that the shared boat rides to the arch start at 9:00 AM. This is the best time to go there since the boat cruises start at 10:00 AM. The shared boats can only accommodate you until 2:00 PM because the island closes at 4:00 PM.
I can arrange this tour for you – just send me a message and I will find the best price for you! I have the most local contact here that doesn’t charge more than $25 USD. She’s also my neighbor so I am trying to support her.
Cabo itinerary day 2: lunch and lounging
The good thing about eating lunch in Cabo is that you don’t have to do it separately with lounging. All beach clubs have great food!
After you finish the arch tour and island visit, up to you if you want to go to your hotel to change. I’d usually just go straight to lunch because you always wear swimming clothes in Cabo anyway!
The best place to have lunch and lounge by the pool is The Rooftop 360. The minimum spend is $50 USD per person and you’ll have all afternoon lounging, eating, and drinking! I really love this place and I go here every Saturday. This is my favorite place for day drinking!
You need to reserve in order to come here. Make sure you ask for a poolside chair! The number to call is +52 624 163 7860. Make sure to reserve at least 48 hours before you come.
For those who don’t want to spend hours in a pool club, here are my other suggestions:
- Aleta: seafood and has a beach view. They also have steaks and special menus per day and you can also go day drinking here afterward. They don’t have seats on the beach but Aleta is also owned by Corazon (suggested in day 1 of this itinerary). You can go to Corazon instead.
- Birrieria Los Paisas: Alright, you need to eat tacos when you go to Cabo and this is the most high-quality local place that I recommend. It’s right in front of Cabo Land, you won’t miss it. But I always recommend it to foreigners who are looking for a more local experience. Birria is a very iconic Mexican taco and it only costs $1 USD here! I swear you’ll love this!
- Sur Beach Club: So you don’t want to go to the pool club and stay by the beach? SUR is a great ocean club in Cabo (but honestly not my favorite). I don’t go here a lot because they don’t accept pets (unlike Corazon Beach Club). They also have a $50 USD minimum spend at Sur. They have a great variety of food and drinks.
Cabo itinerary day 2: dinner options (international cuisine)
- Bar Esquina (pizza): They are well-known for their pizza. Everyone comes here for it even though there are many Italian restaurants in town. What I love about Bar Esquina is that they have a great selection of wine! You can reserve at Bar Esquina using this link. They are usually busy so a reservation is needed no matter what day of the week.
- Chamuyo (steak, Argentine): If you know me personally, you’d know that steak is my favorite food and Argentine is my favorite cuisine! This Argentine restaurant not only has the best steak in town but also has empanadas (really the best!). Other Argentine dishes include chorizo and the famous dessert called alfajor.
- Salvatorre Gs (pasta, Italian): Probably the best Italian restaurant in Cabo (although there are a lot!) I don’t really go to Salvatorre Gs for pizza but I always come here for the pasta and other Italian dishes! They are known to serve big plates so be careful in ordering. All the plates are for 4 people sharing so it’s always great to come here with friends. My takeaway food from Salvatorre Gs always lasts 3 meals!
Nightlife in Cabo: where to go on Saturdays
Saturday is actually a more chill night in Cabo but downtown, as usual, never sleeps. Depending on your mood, just walk around downtown and you will see all the bars blaring loud music.
Even if you’re not going to the clubs, it’s still nice to walk around town (after a heavy meal) to see how crazy our nightlife in Cabo is.
I won’t suggest anything for Saturday nightlife but I’ll let you explore yourself. If you find something interesting, let me know because I want to hear about your experience!
Saturdays are also super popular for bachelorette parties so expect a lot of limousines, brides (and bridesmaids) getting drunk around town.
🌊 Cabo weekend getaway day 3 (Sunday)
On Sunday, there is no other place to go but The Office, a super popular breakfast and brunch place at the beach. If you went out on Saturday, you can come here for brunch.
Otherwise, come here early morning and enjoy the beach. You can also go swimming while waiting for your food! It’s super hard to get the ocean (front) table here so make sure to call.
Although I am not sure if they are taking reservations on Sundays. They’re really a Sunday hit! They closed for renovations during the summer of 2021 and I felt really incomplete living in Cabo without it!
If you are one of the people who are leaving on a Monday, please note that most restaurants are closed on Sundays so you better check the hours. Restaurants by the beach will be guaranteed open so just walk and you will find something!
✅ Weekend in Cabo itinerary summary
Some people fly out of Cabo on Mondays but the majority leave on Sundays so I am cutting this weekend in Cabo itinerary to three days.
Again, if you need a more personalized itinerary, you can always contact me.
I do one-on-one customization of itinerary not just in Cabo but most parts of Mexico! I really hope you enjoy your weekend in Cabo and I would like it very much if you get in touch so we can meet!
I honestly saw very little difference between high and low seasons here. People love to go to Cabo for a weekend. Period.
Unlike Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta where you really notice there are not a lot of people during the summer. Cabo is always everyone’s favorite!
💲 Cabo weekend getaway budget
You can easily spend US$200 per day for a weekend in Cabo. If you are staying in an all-inclusive and you don’t want to think about anything, that can go up to US$500.
Young people who sign up for my itinerary planning are always asking for the best way to have fun and at the same time, don’t spend crazy amounts for a weekend. Below are some realistic costs for a stay in Cabo.
Accommodation costs in Cabo
Expect to spend US$150 per person. If you want a great and affordable hotel, the best one for me is Bahia Hotel Beach House. It’s well located and its rooms are really nice!
Food costs in Cabo
You can easily spend $25 USD per person per meal in Cabo restaurants. Street tacos are about $1 USD per piece. Let’s say you’ll spend about $100 USD per day if you are eating out 3x a day and/or your breakfast is not included in the hotel (which usually is).
Tour costs in Cabo
Tours can be from $25 USD – $100 USD depending on what kind of tour you which to do.
But since this is just a weekend, I really recommend you to just visit the arch and save the other activities for when you come back to Cabo with more days to spend. Alternatively, you can see my things to do in Cabo list to see your options.
Drinking costs in Cabo
If you buy beers at the convenience store, a 6-pack beer is only $5 USD. If you are drinking it in a beach club (ocean view), it costs $6 USD per bottle (Corona, Victoria, Pacifico, Modelo, or anything similar).
A glass of wine at an ocean club costs $7.50 USD. The same price goes for margaritas and tequila shots. I don’t know how much you drink so this is really up to you!
✨ Weekend in Cabo tips
Don’t be scared to eat raw seafood
Most of the seafood in Cabo are top of the line so you won’t get sick from it. The restaurants source it daily from local fishermen. You will even see it every morning by the wet market!
Also, take note that Cabo is the fishing capital of the world where the annual Bisbee is held. The fish that you will eat here during your vacation is guaranteed fresh.
Don’t buy souvenirs from children
There will be a lot of children selling souvenirs on the beach. Really, as young as 2 years old! Don’t buy from them because they are usually victims of exploitation and child labor from syndicates. Better to do your shopping downtown.
Travel insurance
Most American credit cards offer insurance but if you don’t have this program with your credit card, you may use SafetyWing.
I only pay $40 USD a month for the travel insurance and COVID is covered! I pay by the month because I always travel for a one-month period. You can get a cheaper plan if you’re only traveling to Cabo for a weekend!
Don’t buy drugs at all costs
As an American destination, you will see a lot of people on the streets selling drugs in Cabo. Do not engage or even talk to them because this is the reason why Mexico is labeled as an unsafe country.
Once you engage in drug transactions here, there’s no turning back. Better ask a local about this and only ask someone you trust.
Well written and informative post. One of the best I’ve read so far in my research on Cabo. Especially appreciate that it’s current and personal.
Thank you for reading, Cheryl! If you ever go to Cabo, I am still planning to stay another year before moving back to Puerto Vallarta. Feel free to get in touch – I’d love to meet! I can also see you are a photographer so definitely would love to collaborate!