Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo Travel: Which Is Better?

Unsure if you should choose Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo for your next vacation? Or, are you not sure what the difference is between these two towns altogether? Here we’ll compare Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo to ensure that your trip is nothing short of unforgettable.

Most tourists don’t realize that Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are two separate areas. These two areas offer distinct experiences, each catering to different types of tourists.

I’ve been regularly visiting Los Cabos for well over a decade now. As a seasoned traveler with a passion for exploring Mexico, particularly the diverse landscapes of Baja California – I understand the distinct differences between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the key factors you need to consider to make an informed decision before your trip.

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What Is “Los Cabos?”

It can be confusing to hear names like “Los Cabos,” “Cabo San Lucas” and “San Jose del Cabo” thrown around. They all sound fairly similar, and if you’ve never visited before, you may not know the difference!

So is Los Cabos the same as Cabo san Lucas? Not exactly.

The term “Los Cabos” is an umbrella term that describes the Los Cabos municipality. This umbrella covers several different towns, like the two most well known ones – Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. But also lesser known towns, like Cabo Pulmo and Santiago.

Though little more than 30 minutes apart, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo couldn’t feel more different! Here are the general factors to consider.

A Quick Overview: Comparing San Jose del Cabo vs. Cabo San Lucas

This table will lay out the basic differences between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. And below, I’ll dive in even further into each item.

Feature:	San Jose del Cabo	Cabo San Lucas
Tourists & crowds:	Not too many.	Lots of tourists!
How close to the ocean:	A 40-minute walk.	Right on the water.
Who you’ll meet:	Mostly locals.	Mostly tourists
Parties & Fiestas:	Not many.	Lots of parties!
Arts and culture:	Absolutely!	Not so much.
Luxury shopping	No.	Yes!
Hassles & harassment:	Very little.	Likely more.
Luxury resorts:	Not really.	Yes, definitely.
Local eateries:	All around!	Some / not as many.
Typical age of visitors:	Older crowd / families.	All ages / college crowd.
Rental car needs:	Potentially high.	Low, very walkable.
Tours and excursions:	Some but limited.	Many available!

Where Is Los Cabos?

Before we go any further, it is important to see both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas on a map.

Los Cabos is found at the southern tip of the state of Baja California Sur, which is one of two states on the Baja Peninsula. The Pacific Ocean stretches out to the west and the Sea of Cortez to the east.

Cabo San Lucas is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, exactly where the two bodies of water come together.

San Jose del Cabo, on the other hand, is about 30 minutes northeast, up the side of the peninsula.

Main Differences Between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo

If I had to sum it up nicely, I would say that Cabo San Lucas is generally regarded as the party town, and San Jose del Cabo is generally quieter and calmer.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular spring break destination lined with raucous bars and luxury accommodations. It is easily the more popular of the two towns and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

While San Jose del Cabo is the quieter of the two, that doesn’t mean you should write it off! This town offers a more “authentic” experience.

Tourists visiting Los Cabos generally choose one over the other as a home base depending on what type of trip they are looking for.

Below, I will break down the common reasons you might choose Cabo San Lucas over San Jose del Cabo, or vice versa, so you decide which town is right for you. We will cover where to find the better beaches, nightlife, activities, and more.

Cabo San Lucas’ vs San Jose del Cabo’s Beaches

There is no denying it – most tourists who visit Los Cabos are looking to relax at the beaches, take boat tours, and swim in the blue sea. If you are a mermaid at heart, this is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing between San Jose del Cabo vs. Cabo San Lucas!

While the beaches on both sides of the peninsula are beautiful, here is what you should consider and be aware of before choosing.

Pro Tip: Some beaches in this area are quite rough, with strong riptides and currents. Often there are no lifeguards on site. Always check the tide report before swimming.

Cabo San Lucas Beaches

If you want amenities like beach loungers, umbrellas, souvenirs and cold beers, then I recommend Cabo San Lucas for you. Beach touts will be available to sell you anything you need and loud music will likely be playing from nearby clubs.

Playa Medano is the epitome of everything mentioned above. It is the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, and it is blanketed with tourists in the peak season.

Everyone loves to visit the famous Lovers Beach (Playa de los Amantes) in Cabo San Lucas. It features stunning rocky outcrops and the famous El Arco rock arch. Or, Divorce Beach, found on the opposite side, is just as beautiful.

Both can be accessed via the regular water taxis at the marina near the resorts (here) or via tours, if you’d like a done-for-you experience.

There are several water taxi services that will take you to any and all Cabo beaches, including the top two mentioned above. Expect to pay roughly $10 each way, depending on the company and the season.

San Jose del Cabo

If you want a more quiet, secluded beach to relax the day away, then San Jose del Cabo is for you.

Long stretches of tan sand await, primarily visited by locals. There are no beach vendors and oftentimes no amenities – so pack your lunch and snacks! Keep in mind, you will likely need a car or taxi unless your accommodation is close enough to walk.

In San Jose del Cabo, the closest swimming beach is Playa Palmilla, which is technically between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Playa Santa Maria and Playa El Chileno are also great beaches with long stretches of sand and tall cliffs.

If it is your first time visiting, then I actually recommend visiting both areas’ beaches to experience a mix of the lively crowd and the quiet solitude.

Activities in Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo

The Los Cabos area has so many options for guided tours and excursions, and both towns have plenty to see and do. But, again, they both offer something completely different.

San Jose del Cabo

Since San Jose del Cabo is quieter and more local-filled, you won’t find the same buzz of tour activity. You may need to book excursions ahead of time as you won’t see many vendors around.

Pro Tip: my favorite Los Cabos tours can often be found here. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure that the tour operator picks you up from San Jose del Cabo!

However, this area hosts a weekly art walk, with interesting and affordable (and more authentic!) souvenirs. The art walk occurs every Thursday night.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas easily has better access to guided tours and excursions, basically on every corner. If you walk around town, you will come across several tour operators selling things like party boat rides to sunset cruises to ATV rides.

Pro Tip: Check out my article on all of the best Cabo San Lucas things to do! The excursions are one of the best parts of visiting this peninsula.

Cabo San Lucas is colorful and lively. It’s filled with souvenir shops on every street, as well as bright restaurants, loud bars, and famous dance clubs. If you are looking for a party, this is the place to be.

If you plan to book lots of tours and excursions, you should choose Cabo San Lucas for your home base.

Culture in San Jose del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas

If you’re seeking a more “authentic” cultural experience, San Jose del Cabo is easily the place for you.

San Jose del Cabo is not necessarily tourist-focused, which means that you will be mixing among more locals and seeing more historic architecture and culture.

The center of town is filled with cute art galleries, and this is where the weekly Art Walk (mentioned above) takes place. Every Thursday evening from October through June, the street is closed off so vendors can set up tables full of authentic crafts and goods. The galleries stay open until 9 pm, so visitors can explore to their heart’s content.

The historic Art District is charming, to say the least. The cobblestone streets and colonial buildings are simply stunning, and Plaza Mijares features local food stalls each night. Personally, this is my type of Cabo!

Pro Tip: Take a Cultural Walking Tour if you want to learn firsthand about this historic town from a local. This evening walking tour visits the heart of San Jose del Cabo and shares little-known stories and native legends. Book your tour here!

Cabo San Lucas, on the other hand, features more of a “spring break” culture. Tequila shots are plentiful, and nightclubs blast loud music late into the night.

While downtown Cabo San Lucas does have some cute authentic spots, overall you come here for the party. Not the culture.

Shopping in Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo

When comparing Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo’s shopping scene, both offer a completely different experience.

For art and souvenir shopping, visit San Jose del Cabo. The Art Walk mentioned above is hands down the place to go. It is full of locally made items, from pottery to paintings to jewelry. The items you find here are one-of-a-kind. Some are a bargain and other boutique shops can get pricey.

The quality of what you can buy in San Jose del Cabo is much nicer than what you typically see in Cabo San Lucas. Los Cabos has the factory made goods like colorful hats and sunglasses, but you won’t commonly see local arts and crafts.

However, Cabo San Lucas does have luxury shopping malls, so if that is your thing, you can find it here!

Comparing Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo’s Food Scene

I have had delicious eats in both towns. So the good news is, you will not be missing out no matter which you choose. But, you just need to know where to look.

Directly in the tourist center of Cabo San Lucas, most of what you find will be – well – less than stellar. It is typically overpriced and under-flavored. Not at all the authentic and spicy Mexican food of your dreams.

But, if you walk several blocks away from the main drag, you will find many tasty local restaurants packed with all the best flavors. I find this to be true in most countries – the better and cheaper food is just a ways off of the tourist track.

Since San Jose del Cabo is not tourist-centric, you can more easily find authentic food. And, it doesn’t have to be expensive.

The main square sets up local food vendors every night to sell individual tacos, elote, tamales, and churros, among other things. They are nothing short of flavorful and very easy on the wallet!

You can also find Mexican fine dining in San Jose del Cabo, too. So there is something for everyone, if you take the time to look.

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So Which Is Better: Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo?

Though only 30 minutes apart, both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas offer something uniquely different from one another.

Cabo San Lucas is the trendier of the two areas, filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, music-filled bars, and loud night life. Swanky resorts line the oceanfront.

The vibe of Cabo San Lucas is very “Spring Break.” This area is young and festive. During actual Spring Break weeks, Cabo San Lucas is typically packed with college students walking the streets in all levels of sobriety (or lack thereof.) In one word, it’s wild!

One of the best aspects of Cabo San Lucas is the walkability. If you are someone who likes a lively scene, easy walkable access to tours, shops, and restaurants, then Cabo San Lucas might be for you. It’s hard to have a bad time here.

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San Jose del Cabo is the quieter of the two towns, and is much less traveled by tourists. It is a quaint and more authentically “Mexico”, in terms of architecture and population. Less locals speak English and the area is not meant to cater to foreigners.

And that’s the beauty of it!

There are still plenty of great restaurants, shops and bars to be found in San Jose del Cabo. But, they are more likely to be local mom-and-pop style on this end of town.

Additionally, San Jose del Cabo is not quite as walkable. The local beaches, for example, are a bit more spread out and may require a rental car or taxi ride.

I personally prefer having a car when I visit San Jose del Cabo so that I can explore the area to my heart’s content. The town offers gorgeous and open-to-the-public beaches, with easy turnoffs and free parking all along the freeway.

San Jose del Cabo is less densely packed with tourists and overall more quiet and calm. Its the perfect spot if you are looking to relax.

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The Bottom Line: Comparing Lost Cabos

When choosing between Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo, it really depends what you’re looking for. Every traveler is different and prioritizes different experiences and environments.

Here is a helpful chart that highlights the bottom line.

Cabo San Lucas	San Jose del Cabo
The town of Cabo San Lucas is right on the waterfront, and most attractions are easily accessible by foot.	San Jose del Cabo’s city center is a ways back from the beach. It can be around 40 minutes to walk there, depending on your accommodation.
Los Cabos International Airport is further away from Cabo San Lucas. It will take roughly 45 minutes by car.	San Jose del Cabo is closer to the airport. It is roughly 20 minutes by car.
Cabo San Lucas is crowded and loud. There are a lot of tourists here, particularly the college aged crowd, and the party never stops.	San Jose del Cabo is beautiful but less popular. You will find visitors and locals of all ages.
Local vendors and beach touts are practically guaranteed. Restaurateurs invite you in. Beach touts sell you sunglasses. Vendors sell tours. Someone is always hassling you in Cabo San Lucas.	San Jose del Cabo has very little of this. The beaches are largely free from vendors, and you can walk the town freely without constantly being hounded to buy something. On the flipside, you have to make more of an effort to book tours or get to the beach.

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I hope that this article helps you choose which area is right for you! When choosing Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo, it al comes down to personal preference. But they are both absolutely lovely to explore, and have so many unmissable things to do!

Which area would you prefer – Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo? Let me know below!

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