When I first booked this trip last fall, I was hesitant about bringing our kids with us to Mexico. However, I’m so glad that I did. We spent quality time together as a family and created memories that will last a lifetime. Plus, it was the perfect escape from the negative 30-degree weather we were experiencing in Fairbanks, Alaska. If you’re planning on traveling to Cabo with kids (or even without), you’re in the right place. Read on for tips on where to stay, what to do, and more!
Where to Stay
We stayed at the Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa, and I cannot recommend this resort any more highly. This is especially true if you are traveling to Cabo with kids. From breathtaking oceanfront rooms and views of Land’s End, waking up here every morning was a dream. Above all, the Hacienda Encantada offers world-class service. Several staff members became friends in our short week and they even went above and beyond to help our daughter when she suffered an allergic reaction to a bug bite during our stay.
There is so much to see and do at the resort alone, it makes it hard to want to leave and explore other areas of Los Cabos. We opted for the all-inclusive package and it was well worth it for us. This option allows you to dine freely at any of the eight restaurants on-site as well as seven restaurants near the resort’s sister location on the marina. Even our three-year-old, the pickiest eater you’ve ever met, found food she liked at each restaurant we visited. The all-inclusive package also included a few free activities offered through the resort as well. Friday morning horseback riding on the beach, anyone?
Tip: Under the all-inclusive package, all meals are included but lobster tails and steaks may have an extra charge.
For those of you traveling to Cabo with kids, the Hacienda Encantada has you covered. There are several pools on-site complete with games and toys, including a children’s pool, a splash pad, and playgrounds. There is even a babysitting service for those times you may want a few hours child-free. In addition, the resort is situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean and Land’s End, and we were able to watch whales and dolphins play in the water every morning. There is also a great, non-swimmable but private, beach where we took our littles to collect seashells.
Tip: Whale-watching season in Cabo San Lucas typically runs from November – April. We booked our trip for the first week of March, just before the Spring Breakers arrived and the perfect time to enjoy 80-degree weather.
What to Do
There are so many different activities offered in the Los Cabos area that the hardest part for me was trying to schedule it all in! If you are traveling to Cabo with kids that are older, there are obviously many more options available. I recommend checking out Cabo Adventures for a huge list of activities geared for older kids and adults.
Before your trip, be sure to check out children’s books set in Mexico to prepare kids and immerse them in the culture. It’s also a great carry-on item for the plane ride over!
Related:
- 7 Reasons Why Navarre Beach is Florida’s Best Kept Secret
- Things to Do in Fairbanks, Alaska
- How to Navigate Motherhood When Your Spouse is Deployed
However, if you are also traveling with littles, rest assured that there is plenty to for them to experience. My kids are 8-months-old and three-years-old and we did not run out of things to do. Here’s a list of some of our favorite activities when traveling to Cabo with kids!
The Buccaneer Queen Pirate Adventure
My three-year-old is all about the pirates (seriously, her third birthday party was Jake and the Neverland Pirate themed), so I knew I could not miss out on a chance to take her on a real pirate ship. The Buccaneer Queen is one of two pirate ships in the Cabo San Lucas marina and this is the more family-friendly of the two.
In booking a pirate adventure, there are a few options to choose from, including a breakfast snorkeling trip or a sunset dinner cruise. Since my littles are too young for snorkeling, we chose the latter. Even though this cruise was for my daughter, I was surprised to have a great time. The crew does an excellent job of catering to both kids and adults and the sunset views around Land’s End and the famous El Arco are to die for. Dinner and drinks are included but keep in mind it is difficult to eat on a swaying ship. The food was nothing to write home about, but it wasn’t the reason we booked. At the end of the two-hour cruise, the crew puts on a great show and dance.
Tip: While this cruise is family friendly, there is an open bar and drinks are given out freely. This may be a problem for some families and if it is for you, there are other sunset cruises available to consider.
You can check out more information on the Buccaneer Queen here.
Cabo Sky Tours
Flying with Ernesto on his powered hang glider was one of the absolute highlights of my trip. While not for young children, he has several options for how long your flight lasts. My husband and I both took turns doing the 10-12 minute flight while the other stayed with the kids, which made it perfect for our situation.
I have to admit, I’m a little scared of heights and terrified of the open ocean. However, I could not get past the hundreds of positive reviews on TripAdvsior promoting Cabo Sky Tours as the best part of their vacation. Ernesto kept reassuring me, “You will love it!” Once we were up in the air, all of my fears disappeared. If you are traveling to Cabo with or without kids, this is an experience you cannot miss out on! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Tip: The beach is directly across the street. If you plan accordingly, one parent and the kids can hang out at the beach while the other enjoys a longer flight.
You can book your flight with Ernesto in the ultralight here.
Dolphin Encounter
Another activity for my dolphin loving daughter. Touristy? Yes. Worth it? Also, yes. Playing with the dolphins was one of my bucket list items as well and I was not disappointed. In Los Cabos, there are two dolphin centers run under the same company, one in Cabo San Lucas and another in San Jose del Cabo. We opted for the dolphin encounter in Cabo San Lucas because of its location, right on the beautiful harbor marina.
At Cabo Dolphins, there are different experiences offered and some depend on your child’s age. Because my daughter was three at the time, we were limited to the dolphin encounter but children as young as four can swim and ride. Our activity included information on the dolphins and preserving our beautiful ocean life, learning commands for our dolphin, Frida, and lots of pets, dancing, and kisses. Bonus: Cabo Dolphins is committed to educating and protecting our wildlife while promoting access to these activities to special needs, lower income, and at-risk youth in their local communities.
Tip: You cannot wear sunscreen or lotion in the pool as it can cause harm to the dolphins so leave it off before you go!
You can check out all of the activities Cabo Dolphins has to offer here.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
When traveling to Cabo San Lucas with kids, prepare to be bombarded by salespeople promoting tours, cruises, services, and jewelry. We knew we wanted to take a private boat out around Land’s End and the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, but were overwhelmed by our options. That is until we met Justin Neal, a local boat owner who splits his time between giving tours in Cabo and working the commercial fishing boats in our current home state of Alaska.
We ran into Justin quite accidentally and after talking for a few minutes, promptly booked a private tour in his glass bottom boat. Call it fate but it was an unforgettable experience and one of the best happenstance decisions we made on our trip. While we weren’t able to see any whales on our tour due to weather conditions that day, we were treated to tropical fish, seals, pelicans, and up-close views of the famous El Arco.
For those traveling to Cabo with kids and littles, Justin is equipped with child and infant life jackets, and there is plenty of room on his boat for baby bags, strollers, and any other kid gear you may be lugging with you. The four of us and all of our stuff were super comfortable and even stopped for snacks for the kids before heading out on the water.
Tip: Bring your camera and a sense of adventure. Ask to jump off Pelican Rock at Pelican Beach if you dare!
There are many options for glass bottom boat tours, but be sure to check out our American friend, Justin Neal. You can book a tour by checking out his Facebook page, Good Time Tours, or by calling 001 907 8210380. If calling from the U.S., dial 01152 624 110 2271 to reach Gabriel, his assistant.
San Jose del Cabo
Located about 25 minutes from the hustle and bustle and tourist traps of Cabo San Lucas is San Jose del Cabo. This historic and charming town offers a quiet and more authentic Mexican vibe. This was one of my favorite parts of our trip. I loved it so much I made sure we visited twice!
Before you go, be sure to check out this amazing guide on authentic Mexico souvenirs by External Expat.
In addition to the cute shops and cafes, restaurants, and delicious street foods, San Jose del Cabo is full of history and culture. For those traveling to Cabo with kids, there is plenty of room for strollers and family-friendly, educational experiences. The community often gathers in la plaza enjoy singing, dancing, puppet shows, and more talent put on by the locals.
Art District
By far my favorite part of San Jose del Cabo, however, is the art district. There are so many beautiful and various art galleries to explore and I’m saddened that I couldn’t see them all. Be sure to stop by my favorite local artist, Ivan Guaderrama’s gallery. Not only are his pieces amazing, but everything is interactive as well! From art that plays music when you touch the words to canvases that turn to life when placed in front of Ivan’s app, you do not want to miss this gallery!
Check out Ivan’s interactive art magic in the video below.
Tip: Kids are welcome and will love interacting with his art as well! Stroller friendly and any pieces purchased are available to ship back to the U.S.
You can check out some of his work and store hours here.
There is so much more to do and see when traveling to Cabo with kids, and I cannot wait for new experiences on our next trip there.
Have you been to Cabo San Lucas? What was your favorite experience? Let us know in the comments below!
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Nerdventurists says
I actually gasped at seeing the pirate ship, talk about travel goals! This sounded like so much fun, and what a great tip about booking right before spring break season!
Your photos are so gorgeous as well!
Christina says
Thank you so much! It was an amazing time and I definitely try and beat the Spring Break crowd (especially with kids)!
Lara @ Find Your World Girl says
This looks like the most amazing trip! Kudos for travelling with your kids, you have very lucky little ones 🙂
Christina says
Thanks so much! They may not fully appreciate it now, but I’m so glad to be able to give them different experiences from around the world!
Serena says
This is lovely. It seems just as much fun for kiddies as it is for adults! The hang gliding sounded amazing, thanks for giving me some great travel ideas!
Christina says
Thank you, Serena! The hang gliding was so incredible, it’s one I would definitely do again and again!
Barb says
I’m going to Cabo next month so this was very timely! Great post! That resort looks like heaven!
Christina says
I wish I could go back again soon! I hope you have an amazing trip!
christina 🌍 (@BoldxBrunette) says
What a fun trip to bring your kids on!! They will remember it forever 🙂 Cabo is the best.
Christina says
Thank you, Christina! My daughter is still talking about it and still speaking a little Spanish even though we’ve been back for a few weeks now. It’s amazing what kids can pick up and hold onto!
Jan Limark says
This is a super fun trip. Seeing pirates is awesome!
Christina says
Thanks Jan! I loved the pirates, they did such an amazing job!
bbeautifullife17 says
Thank you for posting about traveling with kids. I love to travel but I have been worried about my travels being limited to Disney once I have a kid. I hope to be like you and expand my child’s experiences
Christina says
Thank you! I was the same way until I moved to Korea when my daughter was two months. After that, I quickly realized the thought of traveling with kids is a lot harder than actually doing it. Plus the experiences and memories are so worth the extra effort!
Lisa Sell says
Great photos! it looks like you all had plenty to do to keep you amused which is, of course, important on a family holiday.
Christina says
Absolutely! I’m not one to sit around and just relax on the beach (which is next to impossible with two little ones anyway), but it was an option too for those that are!
Charlotte says
This looks like such an amazing trip! The sunset photo of you and your daughter is gorgeous 🙂
Christina says
Thanks, Charlotte! It was something I won’t ever forget!
xxxgingerpawsoutdoorsxxx says
I really love reading blogs about travels. Like your blog post, I wouldn’t know about this place until I’ve read this. The dolphin encounter looks thrilling and as well as the pirate encounter! You also took lovely pictures. The sunset is my favorite!
Christina says
Thanks so much! I love to read the travel blogs too, it makes you realize how big the world really is and how much there is to see and explore!
C-Ludik says
Cabo seems to have beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, delicious food and countless adventure activities ! Seeing pirates is awesome 🙂
Christina says
It definitely does! Who knew?! The pirate adventure turned out to be one of my favorite activities!
Jamie says
Cabo always seems like a spring break or adult destination. Thank you for sharing that it’s also great for kids!
The Family Voyage says
Wow, this looks amazing! My kids are 3 and 5.5 and I can’t believe we’ve never made the trip from LA. Definitely adding it to the list 😀
Christina says
I was a little hesitant about bringing the kids due to Cabo’s Spring Break reputation, but I made sure to book right before that season and it ended up being such an amazing time. We flew out of LAX on one of our stops and it is such a short plane ride, you should definitely put Cabo on your travel plans!
mykidsintow says
That’s really cool. Cabo sounds great!
Christina says
Thanks so much, it was such an amazing experience for all of us!
Leah | Five for the Road says
Looks like an amazing time!! I love the baby & pirate picture!! SO cute!!
Christina says
Thank you! That is one of my favorite pictures! 🙂
Deloverly says
I love this! You’d never think to take kids to Cabo but looks like a great trip and so beautiful!!
Christina says
Thank you! It had never crossed my mind before either, mainly because it’s famous as a Spring Break destination, but I’m so glad I did my research and went for it. We all had a great time!
Miranda's Muses says
What a fun trip this looks like! I love family travel posts, it reminds me that someday when kids come along that it’s totally possible to continue travelling 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Christina says
Yes, it is absolutely possible and for me, it has been amazing to watch my kids learn and grow through each of their travel experiences!
Dianne Sivulka says
Great information here! Thanks for your thorough review!
Christina says
Thanks so much and I’m glad you enjoyed it!