REVIEW · SAN JOSE DEL CABO
Los Cabos: City Tour San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Alex Tours Los Cabos · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Two coastlines in one day.
If you want a fast, friendly orientation to Los Cabos, this tour gives you the big photo ops plus real stops you can appreciate on foot, in the workshop, and at the tasting bar. I particularly like the glass-bottom boat ride toward the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and the sweeping views from Finisterra, where the Pacific and the Sea of Cortés feel like they’re facing off. The main catch: you take a 30-minute boat ride, so if you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll want to skip this one.
What keeps it feeling worth the money is how tightly they pack the day: hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guided flow that moves you through Cabo San Lucas, then San Jose del Cabo, without wasting hours. You’ll likely get an English or Spanish guide (examples from recent days include Alex, Armando, Jesús, and Pedro), and the best ones make the scenery make sense, from rock formations to local history. One more practical note: meals and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want a plan for snacks and hydration.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Use
- Los Cabos in Six Hours: what this day covers
- Arch of Cabo San Lucas: the glass-bottom boat and the rock-spotting game
- Finisterra Viewpoint: Pacific vs Sea of Cortés in one stop
- Glass-Blowing Factory: watching craft you can actually take home
- Scenic Highway Drive: why the ride is part of the tour
- San Jose del Cabo: mission history and old-town free time
- Tequila tasting with real range: from silver to aged
- Price and value: what $89 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
- Getting picked up smoothly: timing that matters
- Who should book this tour, and who should skip it?
- Should you book this Los Cabos city tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Los Cabos city tour?
- Where do pickups happen, and what are the pickup times?
- Does the tour include the boat ride to the Arch?
- What is included in the price?
- Are meals included?
- What time of day does the tour typically start?
- Is the tequila tasting included, and what kinds are offered?
- Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Use
- 30-minute glass-bottom boat ride to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, plus rock formations like Pelican’s Rock, Scooby Doo, and Porky Pig
- Finisterra viewpoint with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortés on the other
- Glass-blowing factory visit where you can see hands-on craftsmanship and shop after
- San Jose del Cabo old mission stop tied to the Jesuit Padre Tamaral and the 1773 founding
- Free tequila tasting with multiple styles like silver, smooth, and aged
Los Cabos in Six Hours: what this day covers
This is a classic “hit the essentials” tour, but it’s not just a drive-by photo walk. In about 6 hours, you’re stitched together with transport, viewpoints, and two hands-on cultural stops: a boat ride and a glass workshop.
The route balances Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. You start with coastal scenery and iconic landmarks, then you shift into the older town vibe around the mission area. Along the way, you’re getting big-sky ocean views from multiple angles, which is the point in Los Cabos—this place is about how the water and rock shapes the whole experience.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in San Jose Del Cabo
Arch of Cabo San Lucas: the glass-bottom boat and the rock-spotting game
Your morning starts with a 30-minute boat tour aimed at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. From the way the route is described, this isn’t just a quick pass; it’s timed to let you look around at the formations and get those wide, postcard-friendly angles.
On the boat route, you’ll also see rock formations named for animals and pop culture. Pelican’s Rock is one of them, along with formations like Scooby Doo and Porky Pig. I like stops like this because they turn the scenery into a game: even if you’re not a “boats” person, you’re suddenly scanning for shapes and silhouettes, and that keeps the time from feeling short or rushed.
Important reality check: it’s still a boat ride. If you’re among the seasickness-prone, this is not the day for you. The tour specifically notes that it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness, so believe that warning.
Finisterra Viewpoint: Pacific vs Sea of Cortés in one stop
After the boat ride, the tour heads to one of the most dramatic switches you can experience in the region: Finisterra. Here, you get a viewpoint where the Pacific Ocean stretches out on one side and the Sea of Cortés opens on the other.
This kind of stop is valuable because it changes your mental map of Cabo. People often treat Los Cabos like one coastline. This viewpoint helps you feel the difference between two water worlds that sit side by side—something you can’t get from hotel pools or street-level walking.
You’ll also feel why this area draws travelers who like scenic drives. Even when you’re sitting on the bus later, you’ll be looking out at the ocean with a better sense of direction and scale.
Glass-Blowing Factory: watching craft you can actually take home
Next is the glass-blowing factory stop. The goal here isn’t just to see something pretty. You’re watching handcraft in action—art made in real time—so the pieces you buy later feel earned instead of random souvenirs.
This stop works especially well if you enjoy watching skilled work. You’re not stuck doing a silent museum-style viewing. It’s a more active experience where you can ask questions, watch the technique, and then decide if you want to bring a piece back with you.
One tradeoff: a factory visit usually means you’ll have less time for wandering on your own. But if you want one hands-on cultural stop on your first visit, this is the kind that’s easy to remember.
Scenic Highway Drive: why the ride is part of the tour
Between stops, you’ll ride the panoramic scenic highway. This matters more than it sounds. Cabo is built around views—golf courses, hotel strips, and coastal bends that you’d miss if you only traveled by walking or taking short transfers.
From the description, you’ll be seeing the “best hotels and golf courses” from the road, and that helps you understand where Cabo’s energy concentrates. It’s also a nice breather after the boat ride, because you’re seated, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and the scenery keeps changing without you having to navigate.
If you’re the type who gets motion-sensitive, plan for it. You’re on an air-conditioned vehicle, but you’ll still be moving along roads with lots of viewpoints.
San Jose del Cabo: mission history and old-town free time
The heart of the second half is San Jose del Cabo, starting with a visit to a very old mission founded in 1773 by the Jesuit Padre Tamaral. That’s a strong anchor for the day because it shifts you from modern Cabo’s resort imagery to a longer timeline.
After the mission visit, you get free time to explore the older town center on your own. This is where you can slow down—pick your pace, look at street life, and decide what you want to spend time on. In a tight tour like this, that free period is more valuable than it looks on paper.
Practical note: comfortable shoes are a must. Even if the walking isn’t described as intense, old-town areas usually mean uneven pavement and quick strolls between viewpoints, shops, and the mission area.
Tequila tasting with real range: from silver to aged
If you like tequila, the stop after old-town sightseeing is the one you’ll remember for taste, not just scenery. The tour offers a free tequila tasting that includes multiple styles: almond, caramel, chocolate, coffee, silver, smooth, and aged tequila.
That variety matters because it lets you compare flavors instead of just sampling one default pour. Even if you’re not a super-tequila expert, it’s a useful way to learn what different processing and flavoring styles feel like in a tasting glass.
If you’re booking this for a group, it’s also a good equalizer—people who love tequila feel included, and people who don’t want to go heavy still have a guided sampling format.
Don’t forget: meals and drinks aren’t included. If tequila tasting is part of your plan, it still helps to have water and a snack strategy earlier in the day.
Price and value: what $89 buys you (and what it doesn’t)
At $89 per person for about 6 hours, you’re paying for a packaged day that includes hotel pickup/drop-off around Los Cabos, a 30-minute boat ride, air-conditioned transportation, a certified tour guide, and the tequila tasting.
Here’s why that can feel like good value: doing a boat ride, a viewpoint stop, a glass-blowing visit, and guided town time on your own is the kind of day that turns into multiple tickets, timed logistics, and extra waiting. This format bundles those pieces and keeps the day moving.
What’s not covered is also important. Meals and drinks aren’t included, so plan on spending some extra money for lunch/snacks. In Los Cabos, you’ll find plenty of options, but you don’t want to be hunting late in the day with low energy.
Getting picked up smoothly: timing that matters
Pickup is included in Los Cabos hotels, and the tour runs at different times depending on where you’re staying:
- 8:00 am in San Jose del Cabo
- 8:30 am at Corredor turistico
- 9:00 am in Cabo San Lucas
Plan to be ready. The tour notes that you should wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time, and they’ll contact you to confirm your pickup point.
Also, this tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is great if you need that support. It’s still a road-and-views day, so even with accessibility, you’ll want to bring a practical attitude about walking time and steps.
Who should book this tour, and who should skip it?
This is a strong fit if you’re visiting Los Cabos for a short time and you want the major sights without piecing together your own day. It’s also a good match for first-timers who want an overview of both Cabo San Lucas and the older feel of San Jose del Cabo.
I’d especially like it if you:
- want an iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas moment without renting a boat
- like hands-on craft watching at a glass-blowing factory
- enjoy guided context, not just wandering
Skip it if:
- you’re prone to seasickness
- you have medical conditions that make boat travel or long road time risky
- you’re looking for a slow, independent day with lots of unscheduled wandering
Should you book this Los Cabos city tour?
If you want one organized day that checks the big boxes—coastline icons, ocean viewpoints, a craft stop, old-town history, and a tequila tasting—this tour is an easy yes. It’s long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, but short enough that you’re not exhausted by dinner.
Just be honest about the boat. That’s the one part that can make or break the day for some people. If the idea of a 30-minute ride sounds fine, you’ll likely come away with a clear sense of Cabo’s two-coast personality and a few souvenirs you actually understand.
FAQ
How long is the Los Cabos city tour?
The tour duration is 6 hours.
Where do pickups happen, and what are the pickup times?
Pickup is included for hotels in Los Cabos, with scheduled times of 8:00 am (San Jose del Cabo), 8:30 am (Corredor turistico), and 9:00 am (Cabo San Lucas).
Does the tour include the boat ride to the Arch?
Yes. It includes a 30-minute boat tour to see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas.
What is included in the price?
Included are hotel pick-up and drop-off, the 30-minute boat tour, an air-conditioned vehicle, a free tequila tasting, and an expert certified tour guide.
Are meals included?
No. Meals and drinks are not included.
What time of day does the tour typically start?
Starting times depend on pickup location, and you’ll see the day begins at 8:00 am, 8:30 am, or 9:00 am based on where you’re picked up.
Is the tequila tasting included, and what kinds are offered?
Yes. The tour includes a free tequila tasting with options listed as almond, caramel, chocolate, coffee, silver, smooth, and aged tequila.
Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?
No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and it also notes it isn’t suitable for people with pre-existing medical conditions or people over 95.
