REVIEW · SAN JOSE DEL CABO
Cabo Highlights
Book on Viator →Operated by CalypsoTrip · Bookable on Viator
This is the kind of Cabo day that keeps moving without feeling rushed, with snorkeling gear included and hotel pickup that cuts down the hassle. You’ll hit big-name sights like El Arco, then trade the road for water time at Santa Maria Bay and along the Sea of Cortez. One thing to plan for: you need to bring your own towel, and the snorkeling timing will depend on day-of water conditions.
What I really like is how the day mixes a proper boat experience with land time for culture-shopping. You get lunch and unlimited drinks during the main boat stretch, plus tequila tasting and a stop at a blown glass factory where you can actually see the work up close.
In This Review
- Key points worth knowing before you go
- Cabo Highlights in plain terms: what kind of day is this?
- Price and what it covers: the $125 breakdown that matters
- Stop 1: El Arco and the “quick photo, clear context” approach
- Stop 2: Santa Maria Bay snorkeling—gear included, time to actually swim
- Stop 3: Sea of Cortez catamaran cruise—relaxing, with food and drinks
- Stop 4: Marina Cabo San Lucas—tequila tasting and shopping with breathing room
- Stop 5: The blown glass factory—watch artisans at work
- What I’d call the real strength: balance, not just sights
- Getting there without stress: pickup and meeting time
- What to bring: small choices that make the day better
- About photos: what can go wrong and how to protect yourself
- Group size and vibe: how it feels in the real world
- Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
- Should you book Cabo Highlights?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the experience?
- Is hotel pickup available?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need to bring a towel?
- Are photos included?
- Is there an age limit for drinking alcohol?
- How many people are in the group?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key points worth knowing before you go
- Santa Maria Bay snorkeling with gear provided, so you can pack light and get in the water fast
- Lunch and unlimited drinks onboard during the main boat ride (not just snacks)
- El Arco stop is quick, which is great if you want photos without sitting on a bus all morning
- Tequila tasting plus shopping time in the Marina area means you choose how much time you spend walking
- Blown glass factory visit adds a hands-on artisanal stop beyond the usual tourist checklist
- Max group size of 20 keeps it more manageable than the huge-boat crowds
Cabo Highlights in plain terms: what kind of day is this?
This is a 6-hour, San Jose del Cabo–based mix of sea time and downtown time. You start in the morning (9:00 am) and keep a steady rhythm: landmark stop, snorkeling in a famous bay, a catamaran cruise along the Sea of Cortez, then Marina-area time for tequila, shopping, and blown glass.
If you like your Cabo days to feel like a day (not a half-day tour) this hits that sweet spot. It’s also structured so you don’t need to be “on” every minute. You’ll snorkel, then you’ll have a relaxed cruise where the pace slows down, you eat, you drink, and you take photos when there’s a good moment.
The value angle is strong for the price point. For $125, you’re not only buying sightseeing—you’re also getting snorkeling equipment, lunch, and unlimited drinks during the water portion, plus tequila tasting and a glass-factory visit.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in San Jose del Cabo.
Price and what it covers: the $125 breakdown that matters
At $125 per person, you’re paying for three things at once:
- A guided day with air-conditioned vehicle pickup/transportation
- A boat experience where you get lunch and unlimited drinks during the main ride
- Included activities on land: tequila tasting and a blown glass factory visit
That matters because many Cabo tours at similar prices are either mostly driving and stops, or mostly boat time without additional add-ons. Here, you get both. The day feels fuller without turning into a checklist sprint.
What’s not included:
- Towels (bring your own)
- Photos (if you want pictures beyond your phone, there’s a separate photographer and picture package process)
Stop 1: El Arco and the “quick photo, clear context” approach
El Arco is the Cabo icon you’ve seen in postcards. Here, you get about 10 minutes to see it and the surrounding points of interest—Lovers Beach, Pelican Rock, and the sea lion colony rock.
That short stop is a deliberate style choice. You’ll get your bearings fast and take the photos you came for, but you won’t lose your whole morning waiting for the perfect angle. The trade-off is also simple: if you want a long, leisurely walk, this portion won’t be the one.
Practical tip: plan on using your camera fast. With only about 10 minutes, everyone piles in for shots at the same time, so quick decisions help.
Stop 2: Santa Maria Bay snorkeling—gear included, time to actually swim
Santa Maria Bay is the heart of the water portion. You get about 1 hour 15 minutes here, and the good news is that the tour provides snorkeling equipment, so you won’t have to rent gear separately or bring it from home.
This is one of the most valuable parts of the day because you’re not just sitting on a boat. You’re in the water with a set amount of time to snorkel, swim, or lounge. And while you’re out there, the overall mood of the trip is relaxed—this is not a race to a spot.
A simple consideration: snorkeling quality can shift based on conditions. The overall experience does require good weather, and water visibility can vary. The tour still gives you time to enjoy the bay even if you snorkel for a shorter stretch than you planned.
What you’ll want to bring mentally: bring your curiosity more than your expectations. Expect a fun, well-paced snorkeling stop, not a scientific research expedition.
Stop 3: Sea of Cortez catamaran cruise—relaxing, with food and drinks
After the bay time, you move into the cruise along the coastline aboard a spacious and comfortable sail catamaran. You’ll get another 1 hour 15 minutes here, which is plenty of time for pictures and for that classic Cabo “on a boat” feeling.
This is also where the onboard comfort pays off. The tour includes lunch and unlimited drinks during the boat ride, so you can eat without planning your next meal, and you can settle in without feeling like you’re constantly tracking the schedule.
Drawback to keep in mind: because this portion is about cruising and relaxing, you won’t be doing a nonstop activity. If you hate sitting and prefer constant action, this might feel more leisurely than you’d like. For most people, though, it’s a nice balance after snorkeling.
Stop 4: Marina Cabo San Lucas—tequila tasting and shopping with breathing room
Once you’re back on land, the day shifts gears. In the Marina area you’ll have around 2 hours for:
- Tequila tasting
- Shopping/free time to explore
- A stop that leads into the blown glass factory visit
This land segment is helpful because it gives you options. You can focus on the tasting and then browse shops on your own. Or you can use the free time just to regroup—Cabo sun adds up fast.
Tequila tasting is also one of those activities that feels more fun when it’s not rushed. You’ll get a structured moment to learn and sample, then you can decide how much more you want to buy.
One more practical note: Mexico’s minimum drinking age is 18. If you’re not 18, you’ll want to plan your day accordingly.
Stop 5: The blown glass factory—watch artisans at work
After the Marina time, you’ll spend about 40 minutes at the blown glass factory. This stop is worth putting on your “yes” list if you like souvenirs with an actual story.
You get to see the amazing Mexican artisanal heritage in action rather than just buying something off a shelf. Even if you don’t buy a glass piece, watching the process can be satisfying because it’s visual and hands-on in how you can follow what’s happening.
What to consider: blown glass items can be tempting, but they’re also fragile and can be heavy depending on what you purchase. If you’re flying home, you might want to think about packaging and how you’ll carry it.
What I’d call the real strength: balance, not just sights
Plenty of Cabo tours check boxes. This one tries to deliver a balanced mix of:
- a landmark stop that’s quick and photo-friendly (El Arco),
- a water-focused highlight you can actually enjoy (Santa Maria Bay snorkeling),
- a relaxing boat cruise with built-in comfort (food + unlimited drinks),
- and land time that adds cultural craft (tequila tasting and blown glass).
That combo is especially good if you’re staying around San Jose del Cabo and want to avoid the feeling of doing Cabo as two separate trips.
Getting there without stress: pickup and meeting time
This tour offers pickup. You’ll want to coordinate in advance by reaching out to CalypsoTrip at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled activity to validate your booking and coordinate transportation.
If you booked within 24 hours of your activity, contact the provider right away. The goal is simple: make sure your pickup details are confirmed and you’re not guessing where to meet.
Meeting time starts at 9:00 am, and the tour is designed for a full day (about 6 hours). If you’re staying at a hotel that’s not listed for pickup, you can still contact the provider for pick-up details.
For you, that means less early morning chaos. For them, it means fewer no-shows.
What to bring: small choices that make the day better
Based on what’s included and what’s not, here’s your practical checklist:
- Towel: not provided
- Swim gear: wear what you’ll need or plan to change quickly
- Sun protection: Cabo sun is strong, and you’ll be outside for multiple segments
- Phone/camera: you’ll want photos at El Arco and from the catamaran
- Cash or card for shopping: the tour gives you time to browse, but shopping itself isn’t included
Also plan for the fact that photos are a separate thing. The tour does not include photos, and if you buy into a photographer package, it may involve a picture vendor process that’s handled separately from the boat crew.
About photos: what can go wrong and how to protect yourself
One downside that showed up in feedback is disappointment when a paid photo package wasn’t delivered as expected quickly. The response from the company pointed to a supplier/picture-vendor process and asked for specific details so they can help.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
- If you purchase a photo package, keep your receipt details.
- When you contact support, provide the name on your reservation, the date of the activity, and the name of the person who sold you the package.
- Use the message center so the provider can route the request to the supplier.
It’s not about assuming something will go wrong. It’s about knowing the system, so you’re not stuck.
Group size and vibe: how it feels in the real world
With a maximum of 20 travelers, this is a more manageable group size than the giant cattle-call style tours. That tends to translate into smoother movement and less time waiting in crowded knots.
On the boat, crew matters. Feedback highlighted that the onboard crew makes a big difference to how the day feels. When the crew is attentive and the boat experience runs smoothly, it turns an ordinary sightseeing day into something that feels genuinely fun.
Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
This tour fits you best if you want:
- a snorkeling stop with gear included
- a catamaran cruise where lunch and drinks are handled
- a mix of famous Cabo sights and hands-on craft time
- hotel pickup to reduce early-day logistics
Consider skipping if you:
- hate any snorkeling time and want a purely land-based tour
- want extended time for El Arco beyond quick viewing
- expect photos to be included in the price
If you’re traveling as a couple, a small group of friends, or even solo and you don’t want to handle separate bookings for snorkeling + boat + tequila + craft, this structure is a strong match.
Should you book Cabo Highlights?
I’d book it if you want one organized day that strings together Cabo’s main hits without requiring you to plan multiple separate activities. The biggest reason is the combination of Santa Maria Bay snorkeling with included gear plus a catamaran ride that includes lunch and unlimited drinks. Then you top it off with tequila tasting and a blown glass factory stop that’s more interesting than yet another photo spot.
Book it with two expectations set correctly:
- Bring your own towel and plan for photos to be a separate purchase.
- Treat El Arco as a quick must-see, not a long exploration.
If that matches your style—yes, this is a solid value for San Jose del Cabo and a fun way to spend a full morning to mid-afternoon/evening (about 6 hours total).
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 9:00 am.
How long is the experience?
It runs for about 6 hours.
Is hotel pickup available?
Pickup is offered, but you’ll need to confirm pickup details by contacting CalypsoTrip at least 72 hours before your activity so they can validate your booking and coordinate transportation.
What’s included in the price?
It includes lunch and unlimited drinks during the boat ride, snorkeling equipment, tequila tasting, a blown glass factory visit, free time for shopping, and air-conditioned vehicle transportation.
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own.
Are photos included?
No. Photos are not included.
Is there an age limit for drinking alcohol?
The minimum drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old.
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
