What to Expect
Ships anchor in Cabo San Lucas Bay and tender to the marina pier. The marina is at the east end of the hotel strip; the main town is immediately north, and Médano Beach is along the bay east of the marina. Water taxis to El Arco (the arch) and Lover's Beach run from the marina: $10–15 per person each way, 15 minutes. Lover's Beach is on the Pacific side of Land's End (the rougher Divorce Beach on the other side of the rocks is on the Gulf of California — for viewing only). Glass-bottom boat tours include the arch and a reef viewing element.
Getting Around
Water taxis are the primary way to El Arco. Taxis from the marina: to Médano Beach ($5–8), to the Zona Hotelera ($10–15). To Todos Santos (80 km north, a colonial art town): $80–100 one way — a long day trip but Todos Santos has a distinctive food and art scene. ATV tours into the desert: $50–75 per person for 2 hours. Snorkel/scuba at the sand falls (an underwater river of sand cascading off the arch into the Pacific) departs from the marina.
Tipping and Currency
Mexican pesos; USD accepted widely. Tip 15% at restaurants. Water taxi operators: $2–3 tip. Snorkel/scuba guides: $10–15 per person. ATMs at the marina and throughout the marina shopping district.
What to Eat
The food court restaurants at Puerto Paraíso mall are a reliable and affordable option for a port-day meal (fish tacos around $3 each). For better food: the historic district of downtown Cabo San Lucas, where restaurants on Hidalgo Street serve Baja-style seafood and Mexican dishes to a local clientele. Baja's ceviche — raw seafood cured in citrus, typically made with fish, shrimp, or octopus — is the area's most authentic dish. The marina strip has restaurants at predictable tourist prices; walk one block inland and costs drop.
Beaches
Médano Beach begins 500 meters east of the marina and stretches north for 2 km — the main public beach in Cabo, lined with beach bars and rental services. The water is calm in the protected bay. Lover's Beach (water taxi from the marina) is wilder and more isolated, on the Pacific side of Land's End — spectacular setting with no services. Divorce Beach on the Arco's opposite face has strong Pacific current and is for viewing only. Resort hotels north of town have private beach areas on Médano Beach available to day guests for a fee.