You cannot go to Cabo San Lucas without visiting the Arch. This was one of Pink Bear’s top priorities, so we needed to see it from different perspectives. We decided that a daytime view and a sunset view were necessary for us. While seeing the Arch was our main goal, this tour showed us there is much more to Cabo than beaches and resorts. We explored the quiet estuary, wandered through colorful San José del Cabo, watched local artisans at work, and then finished with an up-close boat ride to one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks.
If you would like to read about all of Pink Bear’s adventures with D and Laura in Cabo, you can go to:
This Blog Includes:
- Overview of the Arch
- Visit to the Estuary
- Vibrant San José del Cabo
- Glass Bottom Private Boat Tour to the Arch
- Pink Bear Rating
- Final Thoughts
Overview of the Arch
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is a massive rock formation at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas. It is probably the most recognizable symbol of Cabo San Lucas.
This location is the extreme southern end of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The arch is locally known as “El Arco,” which means “the arch” in Spanish, or “Land’s End”. The Arch is made of granite and formed millions of years ago. It was carved by years of the constant, erosive forces of wind and waves.
There are a few well-known beaches in the area. The best known are Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach. The water surrounding the Arch is teeming with fish, and the rocks are home to a large sea lion colony. The Arch can be viewed from the shore; however, to get up close to the magnificent structure, a boat is necessary. There are many boat tours available to see the arch and visit the beaches. They leave from Medano Beach or Cabo San Lucas Marina.
For our daytime view of the Arch, we picked a private tour with “Tours by Locals”. Those of you who have been following Pink Bear’s Retirement Journey know we really love private tours and “Tours by Locals,” and Tripadvisor are our “go-to” sites. This tour included more than just the Arch; it also included a tour of Cabo San Lucas and its surroundings. The highlight of the day was a private glass-bottom boat ride to the Arch. Daniel was our guide, and he was fantastic. Instead of simply taking us to the popular attractions, he also introduced us to the quieter, local side of Cabo.
The Estuary
We started at the estuary, an area most tourists do not visit. The San José del Cabo Estuary (officially the Estero San José) is a protected ecological reserve located about 45 minutes northeast of Cabo San Lucas. It is a beautiful freshwater palm-lined lagoon. It is known for birdwatching. It is also a sanctuary for many animal species, including herons and egrets.
We learned that the freshwater estuary was the reason early settlers established a community here. The earliest known people who lived in this area were the Pericúes. They were a semi-nomadic people. They were driven out of the Cabo area by foreign explorers, mainly the Spanish. The estuary area is lush and green, and different from the rest of the desert-like mountainous Cabo. For a highly relaxed and different view of Cabo, this is a great place for retired travelers to visit.
Vibrant San Jose del Cabo
After the estuary, we visited San Jose del Cabo. We learned about its vibrant art culture in this beautiful city. Every Thursday there is a craft fair where street art is displayed mainly in the town square. It felt completely different from Cabo San Lucas—quieter, colorful, and much more relaxed.
town square
Ivan Guaderrama Art Studio
We visited an interesting art shop. Ivan Guaderrama offers a unique approach to art. By utilizing software applied to his works of art, his paintings not only produce sounds when touched, but also come alive. The application developed by Guaderrama is available for iOS and Android devices. The art is beautiful, and there are also other unique features, like a musical stairway and an old winged motorcycle. I recommend stopping by this place.
Mission San Jose del Cabo
Also, as part of our city tour, we visited the Mission San Jose del Cabo and the lovely town square where vendors set up on Thursday.
Mission San José del Cabo was the southernmost of the Jesuit missions on the Baja California peninsula, established in 1730. As a result of wars and revolts, the mission went through several transformations and was eventually closed in 1840. In the early 20th century, after being damaged by storms, it was renovated and serves as a Catholic Cathedral. We did attend mass here during our visit.
Glass Blowing Demonstration – San Miguel Studio
There are several glass blowing studios in the Cabo region. We love blown glass so opted to visit one as part of our tour. We visited the San Miguel Studio. We had an interesting glass blowing demonstration and then purchased a few unique pieces. We felt the prices were quite reasonable, and the blown glass made nice keepsakes and decorations for home.
Private Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Arch
After the glassblowing demonstration, we went to the marina for the small glass-bottom boat. Going to the arch on a small boat was a different experience than the larger catamaran we had the previous evening. We were able to feed the fish, see a turtle, and large schools of fish through the bottom, and we were much closer to the rock formations. Pink Bear loved it. I have been taking her on more excursions since she promised to behave. She has been good and has not jumped out of any vehicles in search of adventure. Another glorious day in Cabo.
Pink Bear Retirement Rating:
- City Tour: Calm, acceptable for all age groups, but as a walking tour must not have mobility issues: 9/10
- San Miguel Glass Blowing: Calm, acceptable for all age groups 10/10
- Small Boat Tour to Arch: Could be a little rough in the small boat and must be able to climb in, but the views are spectacular 10/10
- Pink Bear Approved: Yes, she loved it, but be aware of areas for walking and climbing in the boat
Pink Bear Tip: If seeing the Arch is on your Cabo bucket list, consider a small private boat rather than a large party cruise. The boat can get much closer to the rock formations, you’ll have far better photo opportunities, and the experience feels much more personal. Just be prepared to step into and out of a small boat.
Final Thoughts
This turned out to be one of our favorite days in Cabo because it combined so many different experiences into one relaxed excursion. We explored a peaceful estuary, wandered through the colorful streets of San José del Cabo, watched talented artisans create beautiful glasswork, and finished with an unforgettable ride to the Arch.
If you’re visiting Cabo for several days, I’d recommend setting aside one day like this instead of spending all your time at the beach. Seeing both the quieter, more traditional side of Baja California Sur and the dramatic coastline around Land’s End gave us a much better appreciation for the area.
And, of course, Pink Bear finally got her close-up with the Arch. After promising not to jump out of moving vehicles, she behaved herself beautifully, at least for this excursion.