Skip the party strip — San José del Cabo is Baja's artsy, unhurried alter ego, with a 1730 mission church, open-air galleries, a wildlife estuary, and some of Mexico's best farm-to-table kitchens.
Your ship anchors off Cabo San Lucas and tenders you to the marina — San José del Cabo is a 30-45 minute ride away.
💡 Pro move: Uber operates in Los Cabos (~$20-30 USD) but cannot legally pick up inside the marina zone — walk outside the security perimeter first.
There is no pier in San José del Cabo itself — all cruise ships use Cabo San Lucas as the tender landing point.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, MSC, etc.) | Cabo San Lucas Tender Pier, Marina📍 | Tendered |
| Smaller expedition ships | Cabo San Lucas Marina📍 | Tendered |
From Cabo San Lucas you can head into SJD's galleries and estuary, or stay on the corridor for beaches and adventure tours.
Stroll cobblestone Calle Álvaro Obregón and the streets around Plaza Mijares, lined with high-end galleries showing Mexican and international painters, sculptors, and Huichol beadwork artists. Free to explore on your own.
Find Los Cabos art tours →A protected freshwater lagoon where the river meets the sea, just east of the hotel zone. Over 200 bird species have been recorded here. Walk the boardwalk in the cool morning for herons, egrets, and ospreys.
Find Los Cabos nature tours →San José del Cabo anchors one of Mexico's best farm-to-table scenes. Flora Farms is a 25-acre working organic farm; Acre is a lush jungle-like retreat. Both require reservations well in advance — only realistic on longer port calls (7+ hrs).
Find Los Cabos food tours →Founded in 1730, this Spanish colonial mission faces the main plaza. Entry is free. The stained glass is striking and the plaza's shaded benches and gazebo are a perfect mid-day rest stop.
Find Los Cabos historical tours →Ride ATVs or UTVs through Baja's desert into arroyos and onto beach stretches. Tours depart from the Cabo San Lucas area, so you don't even need to travel to SJD.
Find Cabo ATV tours →Playa Palmilla is the only Blue Flag-certified swimmable beach on this stretch of coast — calm, family-friendly water with lounge chairs available. A short taxi ride between SJD's town center and Cabo San Lucas.
Find Los Cabos beach tours →San José del Cabo's historic center is compact and flat — everything from the plaza to the galleries fits in a leisurely 30-minute stroll.
Start at Plaza Mijares, visit the Mission church, then head east on Calle Álvaro Obregón through the gallery district. Turn south to the artisan market on Bulevar Mijares and loop back to the plaza. Cobblestones — wear comfortable shoes.
From the east end of the hotel zone, follow the estuary boardwalk along the lagoon edge. Best in the morning when birds are active. Bring a hat — little shade mid-day.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 60°F / 16°C | 1 | 7:02 AM | 5:54 PM |
| Feb | 78°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 1 | 6:50 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Mar | 81°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 1 | 6:27 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 67°F / 19°C | 0 | 5:58 AM | 6:39 PM |
| May | 86°F / 30°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 | 5:37 AM | 6:52 PM |
| Jun | 89°F / 32°C | 76°F / 24°C | 2 | 5:33 AM | 7:05 PM |
| Jul | 91°F / 33°C | 80°F / 27°C | 5 | 5:42 AM | 7:06 PM |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 80°F / 27°C | 10 | 5:55 AM | 6:50 PM |
| Sep | 88°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 10 | 6:05 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 3 | 6:16 AM | 5:52 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 2 | 6:32 AM | 5:33 PM |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 63°F / 17°C | 1 | 6:52 AM | 5:35 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Official taxis wait outside Puerto Los Cabos pier. No meters — always agree on the fare before getting in. Cash (USD or pesos) preferred.
Uber is available in San José del Cabo and is often cheaper than street taxis. Request from near the pier entrance; drivers may not enter the port zone.
Local buses run between the airport, San José del Cabo, and Cabo San Lucas. Budget option but not cruise-pier-specific — a short walk or taxi to the bus stop is needed.
Pre-booked private vans offer door-to-door transfers between the Cabo San Lucas cruise pier and San José del Cabo. Best for groups wanting flexibility.
Shore excursion tours typically include round-trip transport from the pier, a bilingual guide, and stops at the historic church, Art District, and Cabo San Lucas landmarks.
Upcoming cruises that call at San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.