A camel caravan through desert terrain isn’t the first thing one thinks of when dreaming of a getaway in a Mexican seaside resort. But it's a popular activity in Cabo San Lucas. With a vast arid landscape that meets a shimmering ocean, the area is perfect for mounting the hump of the mighty beast and going on an excursion. A 15-kilometer ride from town brings you to the 500-acre haven of Rancho San Cristobal. Camel tours take you through a wide canyon that’s home to a lush oasis that seems right out of the classic tale One Thousand and One Nights. Continue for a leisurely lope along the picturesque shores of the Sea of Cortez.
If camels aren’t your thing, traditional horseback rides are popular in the stretches of nature around Cabo San Lucas. The region’s top equestrian center lies halfway between the two hubs of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Owned and operated by the same family for generations, the Cuadra San Francisco offers tours that set off from their ranch and take you through diverse nature experiences. Trot along woodland nature trails, through stretches of dusty desert against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs as you make your way to unspoiled beaches.
If you prefer your land exploration with a little more octane, an ATV ride is a good option. The wide-open land surrounding Cabo San Lucas is rich with long dusty runs of desert and dry riverbeds that snake along majestic mountains. Seemingly endless sand dunes are perfect for hopping onto an ATV and plowing through the Baja Outback. Ride solo, join a friend on a two-seater ATV or hire a motocross dirt bike on rides through marshy wetlands and along dramatic canyon trails.
While the trail up Mount Solmar lies on private property, it’s possible to get permission to hike the path that ascends the dramatic mount overlooking Cabo San Lucas. Just inquire at the house at the trailhead. And it's actually not just one trail but a series of small trails that all lead to the top. The hike up takes about 45 minutes and traverses a rocky landscape dotted by unique desert flora. At the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping 360 views over Cabo San Lucas and the marina, and Divorce and Lovers Beach and the shimmering ocean waters they meet.
Most offerings in the Cabo San Lucas area are out in nature but don’t forget about city exploring. A stroll through the town offers colonial architecture including the city’s main church which has been in use for hundreds of years. Shops are full of unique artisan works including handcrafted pottery and jewelry, while a trendy tequila outlet lets you sample locally crafted liquor as you learn how its made. For a view over the city, ascend a tower as the Casa de la Cultura. Head out of town to visit the Mission San José del Cabo. Founded in 1730, the outpost was the southernmost spot that the Jesuits established during colonial times.
What was once a small business to supply local restaurants and resorts has blossomed into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. More than 30 artisans make up the team that creates stunning glass artworks at the aptly named Glass Factory. The building qualifies as a work of art with arched ceilings of colorful stained glass, decorative windows and creative glassworks everywhere you look. You can get up close to the kilns in the workshop to see masters perform the time-honored art of glass blowing, watching them shape and add color to the unique creations.
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