There are a lot of amazing things to do in San Jose del Cabo, the quieter, less touristy area of Los Cabos. It is only 25 miles away from the bustling Cabo San Lucas, but the vibe is completely different. With open, green spaces, a quaint old town, and a general feel of authenticity, calm, and well-being, the San Jose area is a great place to explore for the conscious traveler.
This article covers things to do for those who want to experience a more sustainable side of Cabo travel.
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Is San Jose del Cabo worth visiting?
There is a common misconception that “Cabo” is Los Cabos. When people say “Cabo” they are generally talking about Cabo San Lucas (CSL), which is just one part.
Once you leave the busy tourist area of Cabo San Lucas and make your way to San Jose del Cabo, you notice a change. The pace slows down as the space opens up.
For those who want to see a more authentic side, with boutique shops, and amazing farm-to-table restaurants, it is definitely worth visiting San Jose.
Is it better to stay in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo?
The types of accommodations differ between the two areas. San Jose has a new wave of stylish and conscious accommodations that tie into the farm to table experience of the region. It boasts places like Acre Resort, which has chic, treehouse-style accommodations with natural ventilation, a king-sized bed, and an outdoor shower. All nestled into a palm jungle oasis, the accommodation has a focus on local produce while also sheltering local animals.
It depends on the kind of trip that you are looking for, however, in summary, the two areas can be generalized as:
| Cabo San Lucas | San Jose del Cabo |
| Large resorts Party vibe Bustling beaches | Smaller boutique resort Wellness and relaxing vibe Quiet beaches |
San Jose del Cabo quick history
San Jose del Cabo, located near the southernmost point of the Baja California peninsula, was the sole permanent settlement there for hundreds of years.
Before the Spanish arrived, the region was teeming with Indian settlements and hundreds of different types of fauna because of a natural freshwater oasis that flowed into tree-lined lagoons on the coast of the Sea of Cortés.
Before the Spanish colonization of the Americas, this area served as a watering and provisioning stop for ships carrying precious goods, silks, and spices from the Far East.
Sustainable things to do in San Jose del Cabo
Whether you are staying in San Jose del Cabo or just doing a day trip, there are some amazing things to do for the conscious traveler. While Cabo San Lucas has jet skis and ATV tours, San Jose has some great culinary tours, surfing, and wellness spas.
San Jose has a real sense of local support, highlighting amazing artisans, chefs, and musicians.
Conscious travel is done in a responsible manner. It motivates us to avoid having a negative influence on the areas we visit and to seek out opportunities for true human connection. In this way, we are able to have a constructive effect.
Sustainable tourism, or eco travel, encourages longevity. By supporting local activities and businesses that are doing good for the environment and local community, you are actively contributing to the longevity of sustainable tourism in the area.
1. Experience a farm to table tour and cooking class
The “farm to table” (or “farm to fork”) social movement encourages restaurants to source their ingredients directly from farms in their area.
Most restaurants that use traditional methods of cooking bring in their food from other countries. It is common practice to harvest these items before they are completely grown or to freeze them to prevent deterioration during shipment due to the long distances they must travel. Due to this, there is a decline in both the flavor and nutritional value of the food that is transported long distances.
Farm-to-table restaurants, on the other hand, often employ locally grown food that was picked at its peak of flavor and nutrients. Produce from farm-to-table restaurants is generally fresher and more flavourful than imported alternatives.
The following venues offer amazing food and experiences as farm to table Los Cabos restaurants.
- Flora Farms: The original farm to table venue in the San Jose area. Flora Farms makes for a great half-day visit. More than just a farm, it is a small community of boutique shops, al fresco dining areas, and amazing culinary treats. The cooking class and farm tour are fantastic if you enjoy learning while eating (and drinking freshly made tequila cocktails).
- Acre Resort: Originally a mango orchid, this property has expanded its farm to include a stunning boutique resort and restaurant with an array of dining and event spaces. They have a cute shop at the entrance (a converted bus) with locally made jewelry and clothing, as well as reef safe sunscreen and more. You can visit their animal shelter and even adopt a dog while you’re there too.
- Tamarindos: This property has a beautifully resorted farmhouse built in 1888 that overlooks the farmland, palm tree, and mountain backdrops. It is a great spot for a sunset cocktail as they have a rooftop area or thatched roof bar with handmade local chairs. It has a rich history, amazing food, and a great selection of Mexican wine to try. All the produce (except for the meat) comes right from the property so you know you’re getting the freshest food possible. Their staff lives locally and many are related which adds to the family-style feel of the place!
2. Have a Surfing Lesson at Playa Costa Azul
Surfing is a great way to connect with the natural world. It’s one of the things to do in San Jose del Cabo that can really elevate your trip experience to something spectacular and memorable.
There are a few surf instructors in the area, however, we joined a surfing lesson with High Tide and they were great! As a beginner, the instructor, Hugo was very patient and helpful. It made catching waves super easy.
The water was warm (we only needed a bathing suit, no wetsuit), and High Tide had chairs with umbrellas and coolers on the beach. Overall, it was a great experience. The waves at Playa Costa Azul can vary in size and difficulty level, but for the most part, they are good for beginner to intermediate levels of surfing.
3. Experience Scuba Diving and Snorkelling at Pelican Rock
Los Cabos is famous for its sport fishing. They have large international fishing competitions annually. But, if you’re like us and would rather appreciate the beauty of the fish in their natural habitat, then scuba diving or snorkeling is the perfect activity to do. This is the only activity that took place from Cabo San Lucas; however, you can request pickup or transportation from your dive operator.
We dove with Nautilus Dive Co. who took us to Pelican Rock. It is a surprisingly short boat ride from the marina and full of sea life. Between November and April, you’re likely to spot sea lions here. They bask on the rocks and dive in and around the water, coming up close to check out the swimmers/divers. But be sure not to touch (or try to touch) the animals. They are wild, and it’s best not to physically interact with wild animals in general. Also, be sure to wear your reef-safe sunscreen as there is quite a bit of coral around the rock formations.
4. Experience the Trails by Mountain Biking
If you want to see the landscape in a conscious and sustainable way, try mountain biking. There is a mountain biking park in San Jose Del Cabo with over 40km worth of trails.
There are different trails for different levels of skill and fitness. So, you can cruise through the sierras or jump your way across ramps all while taking in the mountain views!
Check out Bike Park Sanjo MTB for more info.
Unique things to do in San Jose del Cabo
If you want to do something that you cannot do in Cabo San Lucas, here are a couple of unique things to do in San Jose del Cabo.
5. Go Baby Turtle Watching in San Jose del Cabo
There is a great movement in San Jose to protect the turtles. Although turtles by law are a protected species, their nests/eggs can be distributed by a range of external influences such as:
- Tourists themselves (walking over nests or riding ATVs on the beach)
- Animals, like dogs, cats, birds
So, there are organizations that keep eggs in fenced-off areas on the beach. They then release the baby turtles once they’ve hatched at sunset. The programs are run by volunteers and marine biologists; however, you can visit some of the programs with local tour guides such as Calypso Trip.
6. Go on a City Walking Tour around San Jose
There is a walking tour around old San Jose which offers a very thorough insight into the history of the surrounding area, the town itself, and even specific buildings. The walking tour lasts around 1.5 hours and takes you through the old town, looking at historical sites (with old images of existing structures). It offers guests a great understanding of why San Jose is the way it is. This type of educational experience is extremely beneficial in connecting tourists to culture and appreciation for the local ways.
We did a walking tour with Cabo City Tours, and with facts touching on local culture to modern day slang, it was a great way to experience the town.
Free things to do in San Jose del Cabo
If you just want to kick back and not necessarily spend any money for the day there are a couple of different areas you can head to.
7. Visit the Beach at Playa del Estero
If you want a quiet, all-natural beach away from development and other tourists, check out Playa del Estero. It backs onto the natural wetland area and has a mountain view behind it. It’s a nice spot for an afternoon walk away from the crowds.
The beach at Playa Costa Azul is also relatively quiet if you want a nice place to kick back for the day, and Palmilla beach is a great spot to snorkel and swim.
Is San Jose del Cabo swimmable?
Not all beaches in San Jose del Cabo are swimmable due to strong waves and powerful undercurrents, so you will need to check this beforehand.
8. Go Bird Watching at the Reserva Ecológica Municipal Esteró Wetlands
If you’re a bird lover check out the Reserva Ecológica Municipal Esteró de San José del Cabo. You can find species like the Osprey, pelican, Great Blue Heron, Ibis, Great Egret, Tri-Colored Heron, Black Neck Stilt, Coots, Sand Pipers, Grebe, Purple Gallinule, ducks, Sand Piper, etc.
9. Walk Around San Jose Old Town
Old town San Jose is cute, colorful, and full of interesting finds. The cobbled stone streets, boutique shops, and eateries make for a great afternoon/evening stroll. There is also an ‘art walk’ that showcases local talents.
Romantic things to do in San Jose del Cabo
Looking for a romantic getaway in San Jose? How about a treehouse escape?
10. Stay in a Treehouse at Acre Resort
Acre Resort has an amazing array of treehouse style rooms that are perfect for a conscious traveler’s romantic escape!
With natural airflow (there are screens between the gaps), an outdoor shower, and a king-size bed, you can enjoy a nice glass of Mexican wine on the deck and wake up to the sounds of birds chirping in the desert oasis. Be sure to hang by the pool and take a ride around the property on their complimentary bikes!
Must do in San Jose del Cabo
If you have to do one thing while you’re visiting San Jose this has got to be it.
11. Experience the Farm to Table scene
The farm to table scene in Los Cabos is on the rise. And for good reason. Fresh, fantastic food in beautiful settings. What’s not to like?
We had never done a cooking class before. But our experience with Flora Farms cooking class and farm tour was really a great time. It was interesting to learn about the history of the area, and the ways in which they naturally keep their farm organic, and of course, the food and cocktails were amazing too.
Is San Jose del Cabo dangerous?
This is more of a disclaimer note, as any part of the world has the potential to be dangerous. It all comes down to being aware of your surroundings and responsible for your belongings.
We were very comfortable walking around the old town of San Jose during the afternoon and evening. It was lively and energetic and had a great vibe. But you should not really go walking down dark alleyways at night by yourself in any city that you’re not familiar with.
Getting around Los Cabos
Car rentals are available in Los Cabos, and if you’re comfortable driving in foreign countries, this can be a good option if you’d like to explore off the beaten path. However, shuttles, taxis, and private services are also available. Throughout our stay, we traveled with Transcabo, who was dependable, punctual, professional, and friendly.
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Sponsorship Notice
For full transparency, our trip was part of a paid press trip with the Los Cabos Tourism Board. However, the views and opinions in this article are our own. We truly enjoyed the San Jose del Cabo area and highly recommend it for travelers that are looking for a relaxed, beautiful and interesting culinary vacation.
Aaron is one of the co-founders of The Dharma Trails. His background in marine eco tourism and writing have blended together to create the eco travel platform read by users around the world.
