Cabo San Lucas

Cabo's icon and unmissable sight — El Arco (the Arch), a dramatic natural rock arch where the desert cliffs of Land's End tumble into the sea at the very tip of the Baja peninsula, marking the meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Take a short glass-bottom or water-taxi boat from the marina out to the arch and the jagged rock formations, spotting sea lions basking on the rocks and pelicans overhead, and drift right up to (or through, when the tide allows) the famous arch. It's a quick, spectacular and essential trip. Iconic and beautiful. Go in the morning for the calmest water.

The heart of Cabo's beach fun — Medano, the main golden-sand beach curving along the calm, swimmable bay, backed by a lively strip of beach clubs, bars and restaurants and looking straight across to the Arch. It's the place to spend a sun-soaked day: swim in the sheltered water, claim a lounger at a beach club with a margarita, watch the parasailers and jet-skis, and party on into sunset as the DJs fire up. Busy and boisterous rather than tranquil, it's Cabo's sociable beach at its best. A fun, quintessential beach day. Lively and gorgeous. Expect vendors and a party vibe.

A only-in-Cabo natural wonder near the Arch — Playa del Amor (Lovers Beach), a beautiful hidden cove reachable only by water taxi from the marina, where a slim neck of golden sand separates two seas: the calm, swimmable Sea of Cortez on one side and, a few steps over the rocks, the wild, crashing Pacific 'Divorce Beach' (where you should never swim). Take the boat over, swim and snorkel in the sheltered cove beneath the dramatic cliffs, and scramble across to watch the Pacific surf pound the far side. A gorgeous, dramatic and unforgettable spot. Simply stunning. Arrange a pickup time with your boat.

One of Cabo's greatest natural spectacles — every winter, thousands of grey and humpback whales migrate down to the warm waters off Baja to breed and calve, and from December to April the sea around Los Cabos fills with breaching, spy-hopping and tail-slapping giants. Take a whale-watch boat out of the marina (often with marine biologists aboard) for thrillingly close, respectful encounters, with mothers and calves swimming right alongside; you'll often spot them from the beaches and clifftops too. It's an awe-inspiring, only-in-winter highlight, and among the best whale-watching anywhere. Unforgettable. Book a small-boat tour for the best experience.

Cabo's nightlife is legendary, and diving in is half the fun — the downtown and marina strip is packed with high-energy bars and clubs, from Sammy Hagar's famous Cabo Wabo Cantina (live rock and tequila) to the notorious El Squid Roe party palace, plus rooftop lounges, beach clubs and tequila joints. It ranges from wild spring-break energy to slicker cocktail bars; bar-hop the strip, catch live music, and let the tequila and the party carry you into the small hours. Loud, fun and unapologetically boisterous — a big night out, Cabo-style. Wild and memorable. Pace the tequila and watch your tab.

For the best underwater world in Los Cabos, head to the protected coves along the Corridor — Santa Maria and Chileno bays, horseshoe-shaped, calm and gin-clear, are marine sanctuaries with reefs of tropical fish, rays and the odd turtle just off the beach. Snorkel straight from the sand (bring or rent gear) in the sheltered turquoise water, or join a boat snorkel trip. Being the meeting of two seas, the marine life around Cabo is spectacularly rich. It's a beautiful, easy and family-friendly break from the party, on some of the area's prettiest swimmable beaches. Gorgeous and relaxed. Go early to beat the crowds and wind.

The cultured, charming antidote to Cabo's party — the historic town of San José del Cabo, with its pretty pastel-and-adobe streets, palm-shaded main plaza and lovely 18th-century church, is home to a celebrated Gallery District of art galleries, boutiques and design shops. On Thursday evenings from November to June the neighbourhood comes alive for the Art Walk, when galleries throw open their doors with wine, music and local artists in a festive street party. Wander the colonial lanes, browse the art, and soak up the authentic Mexican atmosphere and superb dining. A delightful, cultured highlight. Charming and relaxed. Time your visit for a Thursday Art Walk.

There's no better way to end a Cabo day than out on the water — a sunset cruise from the marina, sailing out past the Arch and Land's End as the sky and sea turn molten gold and pink, with the desert cliffs glowing behind. Choose your style: a romantic catamaran sail with canapés and a bottle of wine, or a raucous booze-cruise party boat with an open bar, music and dancing. Either way you drink in Cabo's most spectacular scenery at its finest hour, drink in hand, often with dolphins or whales alongside. A gorgeous, fun way to round off the day. Magical at sunset. Book the vibe that suits you — romantic or party.

Cabo bills itself as the 'Marlin Capital of the World', and a day's sportfishing is a bucket-list thrill — the rich waters where two seas meet teem with striped, blue and black marlin, sailfish, dorado, tuna and more, and Cabo hosts some of the biggest, richest fishing tournaments on earth (Bisbee's Black & Blue). Charter a boat from the marina with an experienced crew, head out into the blue, and battle a big-game fish (most operators tag-and-release the billfish). Even if you're not an angler, the boat day out on the Sea of Cortez is spectacular. An exhilarating, iconic Cabo experience. Thrilling. Book a shared or private charter to suit your budget.

Baja is the birthplace of the fish taco, and eating your way through Los Cabos is a highlight — crispy beer-battered fish tacos topped with cabbage, crema and salsa; fresh ceviche and aguachile; grilled catch of the day; sweet local chocolate clams; and a shrimp 'taco de camarón', all washed down with an ice-cold cerveza or a tangy margarita. San José del Cabo and the downtown taco stands do it best; skip the resort buffets and eat where the locals do. Fresh, zingy and delicious — the real taste of Baja. Unmissable and cheap. Chase the food trucks and busy taquerías.

Los Cabos is one of the world's great golf-and-resort destinations, and indulging is part of the Cabo experience — the Corridor is lined with spectacular championship courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, where fairways tumble down to the sea with the desert and ocean as your backdrop, plus lavish clifftop resorts with infinity pools, spas and fine dining. Play a round with an ocean view, sink into a spa day, or simply enjoy a resort day-pass and a sunset cocktail at a swim-up bar. A glamorous, relaxed side of Cabo. Indulgent and beautiful. Book tee times and spas well ahead in peak season.

For an adrenaline hit in Cabo's dramatic scenery, hit the trails on an ATV or dune buggy — tearing along empty Pacific beaches, through cactus-studded desert, over dunes and up to viewpoints, often ending at a hidden beach or the old Migriño lighthouse. Tours range from gentle scenic rides to full-throttle dune-bashing, and many combine the ATV with camel rides along the beach, ziplining or a tequila tasting. It's dusty, exhilarating fun and a great way to see the wild Baja landscape beyond the resorts. A thrilling, only-in-Baja adventure. Fun and scenic. Wear closed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dusty.

The pick of the Corridor's beaches — Chileno Bay, a beautiful, gently curving cove of soft golden sand and calm, clear turquoise water that's one of the few beaches in Los Cabos both safe for swimming and excellent for snorkelling, thanks to a protected reef just offshore. With shade, restrooms and easy access, it's a lovely, family-friendly spot to swim, snorkel among the fish and laze on the sand away from the downtown crowds. Come early — the small parking lot fills fast. A gorgeous, relaxed and safe beach highlight. Beautiful and calm. Bring snorkel gear and arrive early.

Medano Beach is Cabo's watersports playground, and there's a thrill for everyone — parasail high above the bay for a bird's-eye view of the Arch, blast around on a jet-ski, get launched skyward on a flyboard, paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the calm water, or take a banana-boat ride. Operators line the sand, so you can pick your adventure on the spot, and the sheltered bay makes it all easy and fun. Combine a session with a beach-club day for the full Medano experience. A fun, active, only-on-holiday highlight. Exhilarating. Agree the price and duration before you start.

Cabo does the sunset-dinner spectacular like nowhere else — book a table at one of the dramatic clifftop or beachfront restaurants along the Corridor and downtown, where you sip a perfect margarita or a mezcal cocktail as the sun melts into the Pacific and the waves crash below. From the legendary open-air seafood terraces set into the cliffs to rooftop lounges over the marina, it's about the view, the drinks and the Baja seafood as much as the meal. Dress up, time it for sundown, and toast the end of a Cabo day in style. A gorgeous, romantic highlight. Magical at golden hour. Reserve ahead for the sunset tables.