Cabo San Lucas was once just a sleepy Mexican village and pirate hideout. Today, it has been transformed into a major tourist destination featuring water sports, top-notch sport fishing, golf courses and multi-million dollar vacation homes. If your family is heading south of the border to San Lucas, here are five things you won’t want to miss.
Take a Beach Break
What better way to spend your time in Mexico than on one of the many soft sand beaches? San Lucas is the perfect beach destination for families. The kids can enjoy building sandcastles at Medano Beach or watching divers at Playa Palmilla. Playa del Amor offers a quieter retreat for families with older kids and teens. There’s also plenty on San Lucas’ beaches for mom and dad to do, including snorkeling, ATV tours, swimming and diving, sun tanning and parasailing. Looking for a less touristy beach? The Cannery Beaches cater to the locals and are less crowded and commercialized. Just don’t forget the sun block and skip a spring break visit.
Go Whale Watching
Ever wanted to reach out and touch a humpback whale? San Lucas is famous for their whale watching adventure tours. Numerous companies offer excursions on everything from large ferries to catamarans and even small speed boats. If you are travelling with smaller children or prone to seasickness, stick to the large ferries as they are more stable in the choppy waves. Whale watching also offers the family the ideal opportunity to view the rocky formations in the bay up close and maybe see a sea lion or two. Since you’re dealing with nature, there are no guarantees that you will actually see whales, but even if you come up empty handed, the kids will love the excitement of the trip.
Vitrufusion Glass Blowing Factory
Are your kids mesmerized by magic? Take a visit to the Vitrufusion Glass Blowing Factory and watch local artisans magically turn San Lucas’ soft sand into beautiful works of art. The factory is a bit off the beaten path, but everyone knows where it is, so just ask. The factory offers on-site glassblowing demos, tours, stained as well as blown glass and individual demonstrations. You may even be invited to blow the glass yourself. Be aware that the factory does not ship, so you will have to carry your purchases with you or make other arrangements.
Swim with Dolphins
If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins, a trip to San Lucas offers the perfect opportunity to fulfill your dream. There are several family friendly dolphin programs to choose from, including the popular pool-based Cabo Dolphins. If you want a more authentic experience, Dolphin Discovery at Los Cabos offers the chance to interact with dolphins in their natural environment, an ocean cove.
Learn About Sea Turtles
Sea turtles have lived in the waters off San Lucas for more than 200 million years. Each September, enormous numbers of sea turtles flock to San Lucas to nest on the sandy beaches, offering visitors an opportunity to get up close. Make sure you visit the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja where visitors can explore sea turtle camps, spend time with biologists and learn about the efforts to save the endangered turtles. Rancho San Cristobal Nature Reserve offers a great multi-day sea turtle experience, although it requires advanced registration and can be quite pricey.