Where to stay in Los Cabos
Los Cabos is a municipality at the tip of Baja California Sur, not a single town. Its seat is San José del Cabo; Cabo San Lucas lies at the other end of the Tourist Corridor, the coastal stretch along Highway México 1 that links the two. Most visitors sleep in one of three areas: the historic center of San José, a resort on the Corridor, or Cabo San Lucas near the marina. Todos Santos on the Pacific and the East Cape near Cabo Pulmo are quieter bases for people who want to be further out.
All-inclusive resorts are common on the Corridor and around both towns. All inclusive is a meal plan, not a location: it tells you nothing about the beach in front of the hotel or how far you are from San José. Decide on the area first, then on the meal plan. If you plan to join desert ATV tours or whale trips, check where the tours pick up, because many include transfers from hotels in Los Cabos.
The areas compared
Five bases, from walkable town to remote coast.
| Area | Character | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| San José del Cabo center | Historic center with Plaza Mijares, the mission church and the gallery district | Couples, Art Walk evenings, short airport transfer | Beaches are a drive or a longer walk away |
| Puerto Los Cabos | Marina and golf area near San José | Golfers, quiet stays close to town | A few minutes from the center by road |
| Tourist Corridor | Resorts along the coast between the towns, near bays like Palmilla, Chileno and Santa María | All-inclusive stays, families, beach days | You will need a car, taxi or bus to reach the towns |
| Cabo San Lucas | Town around the marina and the departure point for boats | Boat trips, whale tours from the harbor | Longest transfer from the airport |
| Todos Santos / East Cape | Separate towns and coast, far from the resort strip | Slow travel, surf, snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo | Long drives; Cabo Pulmo is reached partly on gravel |
For most first-time visitors, the Corridor or San José del Cabo is a good base: both are central, and the airport is close. Pick Cabo San Lucas if you plan several boat trips from the marina.
San José del Cabo all inclusive or town hotel
San José del Cabo is the municipal seat. Its historic center has Plaza Mijares, the Palacio Municipal and the mission church, with the gallery district behind the church and the main square. From November to June, the Art Walk takes place on Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m., when Álvaro Obregón street is closed to cars. A town hotel puts you within walking distance of all this.
Next to the town lies the Estero de San José, a protected estuary. The airport is about 11 km from San José, roughly 20 minutes by road, which makes this the most convenient base for short trips. Puerto Los Cabos, with its marina and golf area, is a few minutes from the center.
More on the town on the San José del Cabo page.
Our pick: a half day from your hotel
Whichever town you stay in, this Land's End outing picks you up at your hotel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours with hotel pickup in Los Cabos
Whale watching, quad and camel rides in the desert, Todos Santos and Cabo Pulmo trips, with live prices and availability.
All-inclusive stays on the Tourist Corridor
The Corridor is not a town but a coastline: a chain of bays and resorts along Highway México 1. Staying here means a beach-focused holiday, usually with a meal plan. Bays such as Santa María, Chileno and Palmilla are generally calmer, but swimming always depends on the flag on the day. Under Mexican law, beaches have free public access, though that does not give you the right to use hotel facilities or private car parks.
Travel times along the Corridor vary a lot by section, from about 15 minutes to around 50 minutes from the airport. The public bus line runs along Highway México 1 between San José and Cabo San Lucas, which makes trips into either town possible without a car. See the beaches page for the bays and the flag system.
Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos and the East Cape
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is built around the marina. Most boat trips, whale tours and sunset cruises leave from here. The Cabo San Lucas where-to-stay guide covers the town's areas in detail.
Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a separate town on the Pacific side, not a part of Cabo. It was named a Pueblo Mágico in 2006. Surf areas such as Cerritos and La Pastora lie nearby. It suits slower trips but makes daily excursions to the Cape longer. See Todos Santos.
East Cape and Cabo Pulmo
The East Cape is a remote coast. The road to Cabo Pulmo includes unpaved stretches, so this is no base for daily trips to San José or Cabo San Lucas. It suits people who want quiet and the national park.
Taxes and fees on your stay (2026)
Lodging tax
A state lodging tax of 4 % applies to the taxable accommodation amount (2026). Check your booking for what is included.
Environmental charge
The municipality of Los Cabos charges an environmental sanitation fee in 2026, set as a share of the UMA reference unit: 70 % for hotel rooms and 200 % for digital accommodation platforms. How it is billed depends on the property.
Embrace It
The fee is MXN 488 for 2026 for foreign visitors staying more than 24 hours, once per stay. It is separate from the lodging tax and from the national visitor fee, and a processing fee may be added.
Where to stay in Los Cabos: questions
Which area is closest to the airport?
San José del Cabo. The airport is about 11 km from the town, roughly 20 minutes by road. Cabo San Lucas is about 45 minutes away.
Is all inclusive a good choice in Los Cabos?
It suits beach-focused stays on the Corridor, where the towns are a drive away. If you want to walk to restaurants and galleries, a hotel in central San José or Cabo San Lucas fits better.
Can I use any beach in front of a resort?
Mexican law grants free access to beaches, but not to hotel facilities, parking or private paths. Always check the flag before swimming.
What taxes are added to my room?
A state lodging tax of 4 %, a municipal environmental charge and, for foreign visitors staying over 24 hours, the Embrace It fee of MXN 488 (2026), paid once per stay.
Should I stay in Todos Santos?
Only if you want a slower trip on the Pacific side. It is a separate town, and daily trips to the Cape take longer from there.