San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Choosing between Local and Luxury
There’s just something special about Baja California Sur, the Mexican state home to Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, and San José del Cabo. If you came here thinking that all of Cabo is the same – don’t worry! You’re not alone. Even though the majority of the population thinks that San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are interchangeable, that couldn’t be further from the truth!
Cabo San Lucas is a more luxurious destination, perfect for extravagant vacations and special events such as bachelorettes and honeymoons. San José del Cabo is a more sophisticated destination, with more cultural attractions and less big-budget accommodation options. Both cities share great beaches and good transport links. To ultimately help you decide which to visit, we’re going to delve a little deeper into the similarities and differences between San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas.
Keep reading to find out which is the better suited destination for your next trip to Mexico!
This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Getting there
Both destinations are easily accessible, with good infrastructure for tourists. Los Cabos International Airport is ~8 miles from San José del Cabo and ~27 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Both are easy to get to, especially if you arrange transportation beforehand.
On my last visit, I used GetYourGuide (like I always do) to book roundtrip transportation to/from Los Cabos. When I cleared immigration, I went outside to some big green umbrellas and easily found my driver. I highly recommend using this service for a hassle-free experience getting to your airbnb/hotel.
If traveling by land from another part of Mexico, then you’ll likely find yourself driving along Federal Highway 1, also known as Mex 1. It runs the entire length of the Baja California Peninsula, starting at Tijuana on the US border and ending in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip.
Summary: It’s easy to reach both cities by car or by air. However, San José del Cabo is the closer destination to the airport.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Accommodation
As we have alluded to, there is a rich choice of accommodation options in both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. For big budget, luxury trips, you will find more options in Cabo San Lucas and along the Tourist Corridor, which is home to a number of all inclusive resorts.
San José del Cabo offers a wider variety of small boutique hotels, and thanks to its late arrival on the tourist scene compared to its neighbor, it also has a large and growing number of newer hotels (like the super dreamy Drift hotel) and accommodation options that have sprung up in recent years. Click here to check out the full review of my recent stay at Drift Hotel in San José del Cabo.
You won’t be short of accommodation options in either city, it comes down entirely to your preference.
Summary: There are plenty of accommodation options in both cities. Cabo San Lucas is home to bigger, more expensive hotels and all-inclusive resorts, whilst San José del Cabo has better boutique offerings.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Beaches
Because of the geography of the Baja California Peninsula, many beaches in both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are often closed to swimmers, due to wild waves and strong currents. But both destinations are home to secluded bays and coves where you can enjoy a swim. And you don’t need to be able to get in the sea to enjoy sunbathing on the Baja Peninsula’s beaches! Popular beaches in San José del Cabo include Playa Palmilla and Playa Santa Maria, whilst Playa Medano and Playa del Amor are the best options in Cabo San Lucas.
The choice you have to make is whether you want to sacrifice amenities and facilities for peace and quiet. The beaches of Cabo San Lucas are busier, especially in summer, with beach bars and beach clubs blaring out music and a host of restaurants and sun loungers to rent. On the other hand, the more grown-up San José del Cabo offers much quieter beaches. Hotels line many of the beaches, but there is far less in terms of bars and restaurants to make use of.
Ps. If you have extra time, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Los Cabos to Balandra Beach, also known as the most beautiful beach in Mexico.
Summary: You’ll find good beaches in both cities, but swimming can sometimes be off limits due to the conditions. For busy beaches with lots of amenities including all-inclusive beach clubs, head to Cabo San Lucas. For a bit more peace and quiet, take in one of the beaches of San José del Cabo. (If you’re like me and want the best of both, I would recommend booking a day pass at one of the beach clubs in Cabo San Lucas José del Cabo).
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Food
While there are numerous dining options in both cities, you will find more authentic (and in my opinion, much better) restaurants in San José del Cabo. There are definitely more choices in Cabo San Lucas due to its larger tourist infrastructure. However, many of these restaurants are tourist-centric, serving Western cuisine rather than regional dishes.
For traditional Mexican cuisine, you are better off visiting San José del Cabo, which offers a better selection of quality restaurants and authentic Mexican cuisine. Some of my favorite restaurants in this area include Don Sanchez, Kitchen Table, Flora Farms, Acre Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Pezgallo (for brunch), and La Lupita (they also have a location in Cabo San Lucas).
Summary: If it’s traditional Mexican cuisine you’re after, head to San José del Cabo. There are more restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, but they are far more tourist oriented.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Nightlife
We can keep this one simple. If you’re coming to the Los Cabos area for a party, you’ll want to head to Cabo San Lucas. The area surrounding Playa Medano buzzes with bars, restaurants and clubs virtually 24/7, with all manner of drinks deals, bar crawls and other activities for revelers to enjoy. Bagatelle, Mango Deck, Taboo Beach Club, and Mandala are some of the establishments you’ll definitely want to visit. Reservations are highly recommended especially if you’re with a larger group!
There is no comparable nightlife scene in San Jose del Cabo, but maybe that’s not what you’re after. If you’re like me and prefer chiller vibes, live music, and delicious handcrafted cocktails – then make sure you check out SAGE Baja, Santoro, Simaruba Rooftop Bar, and the onsite Kitchen + Mezcal Bar located at the Drift Hotel.
Summary: For wild nightlife and clubbing, go to Cabo San Lucas! For a quieter night out with trendy cocktails, go to San José del Cabo!
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Cost
Both cities offer a variety of options for travelers, and it’s completely possible to enjoy an affordable trip to both destinations. However, Cabo San Lucas is far more touristy and during peak seasons such as Spring Break it gets much busier than San José del Cabo.
This can drive up prices in restaurants and for accommodation. It is also home to a larger number of expensive, luxury accommodation options when compared to its neighbor. It is for this reason that as a general rule, you can consider San José del Cabo to be the more affordable destination.
Summary: Cabo San Lucas caters far more to tourists than San José del Cabo, and as such it tends to be pricier, especially in peak seasons.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Things to do
If your ideal vacation is less party animal and more culture vulture, then San José del Cabo is the destination for you. Compared to its neighbor, it’s the far more sophisticated settlement. Travelers to San José del Cabo can delve into the cobbled streets and colonial architecture of the Art District or relax with a coffee in the central town square, Plaza Mijares.
There are also numerous art galleries to explore. Each Thursday evening November – June from 5 – 9pm it is possible to join an art walk, taking in a number of the best art galleries in the city, enjoying a drink and meeting local artists. For sports enthusiasts, San Jose José Cabo is also home to some of the world’s finest golf courses, including Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club.
In terms of other activities, it is possible to book water-based excursions and day trips such as whale watching, snorkeling and glass-bottomed boat rides in both cities. But as you would expect, there is far more choice in Cabo San Lucas. You will find a plethora of operators down at Medano Beach offering a wide variety of excursions for you to book.
If visiting Cabo San Lucas, there are two activities that I definitely recommend. The first is a trip to see El Arco, a natural rock arch just a short boat ride from the city. The second is a morning hike on Mt. Solmar with a local guide and a bunch of adorable rescue dogs. This is totally a one-of-a-kind experience and an absolute must for dog lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The hike starts promptly at 8am so make sure to get there 10-15 minutes early!
Summary: San José del Cabo is the more cultural destination, with a rich history, colonial architecture and a plethora of art galleries. For exploring the coast or embarking on day trips, you will have more choice in Cabo San Lucas.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Final Thoughts
Despite being close together on the same peninsula, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are extremely different destinations. There are some similarities – both offer great weather, a number of beaches and a wide array of accommodation options. But whilst Cabo San Lucas is an established party destination, with more Western food, all-inclusive resorts and a wild nightlife scene, San José del Cabo is more traditionally Mexican. It’s a more cultural destination, with a vibrant arts scene, authentic Mexican cuisine and a historic main square. To decide which to visit, you need to first establish which sort of vacation you are looking to enjoy – party or culture?
Did you get a chance to visit either town? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF MEXICO?
Check out my other travel guides on Mexico here.
LOOKING FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION TO SOMEWHERE ELSE?
There’s just something special about Baja California Sur, the Mexican state home to Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, and San José del Cabo. If you came here thinking that all of Cabo is the same – don’t worry! You’re not alone. Even though the majority of the population thinks that San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are interchangeable, that couldn’t be further from the truth!
Cabo San Lucas is a more luxurious destination, perfect for extravagant vacations and special events such as bachelorettes and honeymoons. San José del Cabo is a more sophisticated destination, with more cultural attractions and less big-budget accommodation options. Both cities share great beaches and good transport links. To ultimately help you decide which to visit, we’re going to delve a little deeper into the similarities and differences between San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas.
Keep reading to find out which is the better suited destination for your next trip to Mexico!
This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Getting there
Both destinations are easily accessible, with good infrastructure for tourists. Los Cabos International Airport is ~8 miles from San José del Cabo and ~27 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Both are easy to get to, especially if you arrange transportation beforehand.
On my last visit, I used GetYourGuide (like I always do) to book roundtrip transportation to/from Los Cabos. When I cleared immigration, I went outside to some big green umbrellas and easily found my driver. I highly recommend using this service for a hassle-free experience getting to your airbnb/hotel.
If traveling by land from another part of Mexico, then you’ll likely find yourself driving along Federal Highway 1, also known as Mex 1. It runs the entire length of the Baja California Peninsula, starting at Tijuana on the US border and ending in Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip.
Summary: It’s easy to reach both cities by car or by air. However, San José del Cabo is the closer destination to the airport.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Accommodation
As we have alluded to, there is a rich choice of accommodation options in both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. For big budget, luxury trips, you will find more options in Cabo San Lucas and along the Tourist Corridor, which is home to a number of all inclusive resorts.
San José del Cabo offers a wider variety of small boutique hotels, and thanks to its late arrival on the tourist scene compared to its neighbor, it also has a large and growing number of newer hotels (like the super dreamy Drift hotel) and accommodation options that have sprung up in recent years. Click here to check out the full review of my recent stay at Drift Hotel in San José del Cabo.
You won’t be short of accommodation options in either city, it comes down entirely to your preference.
Summary: There are plenty of accommodation options in both cities. Cabo San Lucas is home to bigger, more expensive hotels and all-inclusive resorts, whilst San José del Cabo has better boutique offerings.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Beaches
Because of the geography of the Baja California Peninsula, many beaches in both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are often closed to swimmers, due to wild waves and strong currents. But both destinations are home to secluded bays and coves where you can enjoy a swim. And you don’t need to be able to get in the sea to enjoy sunbathing on the Baja Peninsula’s beaches! Popular beaches in San José del Cabo include Playa Palmilla and Playa Santa Maria, whilst Playa Medano and Playa del Amor are the best options in Cabo San Lucas.
The choice you have to make is whether you want to sacrifice amenities and facilities for peace and quiet. The beaches of Cabo San Lucas are busier, especially in summer, with beach bars and beach clubs blaring out music and a host of restaurants and sun loungers to rent. On the other hand, the more grown-up San José del Cabo offers much quieter beaches. Hotels line many of the beaches, but there is far less in terms of bars and restaurants to make use of.
Ps. If you have extra time, I highly recommend taking a day trip from Los Cabos to Balandra Beach, also known as the most beautiful beach in Mexico.
Summary: You’ll find good beaches in both cities, but swimming can sometimes be off limits due to the conditions. For busy beaches with lots of amenities including all-inclusive beach clubs, head to Cabo San Lucas. For a bit more peace and quiet, take in one of the beaches of San José del Cabo. (If you’re like me and want the best of both, I would recommend booking a day pass at one of the beach clubs in Cabo San Lucas José del Cabo).
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Food
While there are numerous dining options in both cities, you will find more authentic (and in my opinion, much better) restaurants in San José del Cabo. There are definitely more choices in Cabo San Lucas due to its larger tourist infrastructure. However, many of these restaurants are tourist-centric, serving Western cuisine rather than regional dishes.
For traditional Mexican cuisine, you are better off visiting San José del Cabo, which offers a better selection of quality restaurants and authentic Mexican cuisine. Some of my favorite restaurants in this area include Don Sanchez, Kitchen Table, Flora Farms, Acre Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Pezgallo (for brunch), and La Lupita (they also have a location in Cabo San Lucas).
Summary: If it’s traditional Mexican cuisine you’re after, head to San José del Cabo. There are more restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, but they are far more tourist oriented.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Nightlife
We can keep this one simple. If you’re coming to the Los Cabos area for a party, you’ll want to head to Cabo San Lucas. The area surrounding Playa Medano buzzes with bars, restaurants and clubs virtually 24/7, with all manner of drinks deals, bar crawls and other activities for revelers to enjoy. Bagatelle, Mango Deck, Taboo Beach Club, and Mandala are some of the establishments you’ll definitely want to visit. Reservations are highly recommended especially if you’re with a larger group!
There is no comparable nightlife scene in San Jose del Cabo, but maybe that’s not what you’re after. If you’re like me and prefer chiller vibes, live music, and delicious handcrafted cocktails – then make sure you check out SAGE Baja, Santoro, Simaruba Rooftop Bar, and the onsite Kitchen + Mezcal Bar located at the Drift Hotel.
Summary: For wild nightlife and clubbing, go to Cabo San Lucas! For a quieter night out with trendy cocktails, go to San José del Cabo!
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Cost
Both cities offer a variety of options for travelers, and it’s completely possible to enjoy an affordable trip to both destinations. However, Cabo San Lucas is far more touristy and during peak seasons such as Spring Break it gets much busier than San José del Cabo.
This can drive up prices in restaurants and for accommodation. It is also home to a larger number of expensive, luxury accommodation options when compared to its neighbor. It is for this reason that as a general rule, you can consider San José del Cabo to be the more affordable destination.
Summary: Cabo San Lucas caters far more to tourists than San José del Cabo, and as such it tends to be pricier, especially in peak seasons.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Things to do
If your ideal vacation is less party animal and more culture vulture, then San José del Cabo is the destination for you. Compared to its neighbor, it’s the far more sophisticated settlement. Travelers to San José del Cabo can delve into the cobbled streets and colonial architecture of the Art District or relax with a coffee in the central town square, Plaza Mijares.
There are also numerous art galleries to explore. Each Thursday evening November – June from 5 – 9pm it is possible to join an art walk, taking in a number of the best art galleries in the city, enjoying a drink and meeting local artists. For sports enthusiasts, San Jose José Cabo is also home to some of the world’s finest golf courses, including Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club.
In terms of other activities, it is possible to book water-based excursions and day trips such as whale watching, snorkeling and glass-bottomed boat rides in both cities. But as you would expect, there is far more choice in Cabo San Lucas. You will find a plethora of operators down at Medano Beach offering a wide variety of excursions for you to book.
If visiting Cabo San Lucas, there are two activities that I definitely recommend. The first is a trip to see El Arco, a natural rock arch just a short boat ride from the city. The second is a morning hike on Mt. Solmar with a local guide and a bunch of adorable rescue dogs. This is totally a one-of-a-kind experience and an absolute must for dog lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The hike starts promptly at 8am so make sure to get there 10-15 minutes early!
Summary: San José del Cabo is the more cultural destination, with a rich history, colonial architecture and a plethora of art galleries. For exploring the coast or embarking on day trips, you will have more choice in Cabo San Lucas.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: Final Thoughts
Despite being close together on the same peninsula, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are extremely different destinations. There are some similarities – both offer great weather, a number of beaches and a wide array of accommodation options. But whilst Cabo San Lucas is an established party destination, with more Western food, all-inclusive resorts and a wild nightlife scene, San José del Cabo is more traditionally Mexican. It’s a more cultural destination, with a vibrant arts scene, authentic Mexican cuisine and a historic main square. To decide which to visit, you need to first establish which sort of vacation you are looking to enjoy – party or culture?
Did you get a chance to visit either town? Let me know in the comments below!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF MEXICO?
Check out my other travel guides on Mexico here.
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