The beach. The sunshine. The clear waters. We can just picture it now. Can you? If you’re planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas on a limited budget, we’ve got you covered! There are so many things to do in Cabo San Lucas.

Check out these 6 tips for vacationing in Cabo on a budget!

Look Up Free Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas

You don’t necessarily have to spend a ton of money everywhere you go. Cabo San Lucas has a lot of things to do in the area that actually won’t cost you a dime – unless you need snacks or transportation while you enjoy them.

There are many specific and popular sightseeing opportunities you can enjoy. Go check out the Museum of Natural History in Plaza Amelia Wilkes Cesena. This museum hosts displays that share the geological and archaeological history of Baja California and more.

Another great place you should check out is the Estuary of San Jose del Cabo. The estuary branches off near the San Jose River, and the result is a gorgeous desert area that is loaded with area wildlife.

You can enjoy watching the exotic birds frolic and see other wildlife like turtles or fish as well. There are more than 100 total species that take advantage of this space. In addition to the desert area by the estuary, there are walking trails that you can enjoy.

Here are some more free activities you can look up while you’re there.

  • Whale watching from the beach
  • Visit the Playa Santa Maria beach
  • Take in the historical Parroquia San Lucas Evangelista building
  • See the Tropic of Cancer monument
  • Enjoy the Thursday night Art Walk at San Jose Del Cabo

Travel in the Off-Season

It’s a good idea to plan your trip in an off-season to save yourself some money. If you visit Cabo in a peak season, you will most likely see that reflected in the prices in the area.

Common times like long holidays and spring break tend to be the busiest. The good news is that you can go to Cabo anytime from December through April and most likely get beautiful, sunny days while you’re there.

Of course, there are sunny days at other times of year too, but this is the timeframe for the mildest temperatures and abundant sunshine.

Cabo’s peak tourist time typically falls from February through April each year. So, you can plan your trip in December or January and still get the gorgeous weather without being right in the middle of the peak season.

However, you can also hit up the area using a May or June vacation and probably get an even better deal. This is the point where their wintertime crowd has headed out, but the summertime storms have not yet moved in.

Choose Restaurants Carefully

Many tourists come to the area with the expectation that the restaurants will be incredibly expensive. This certainly can be true, but there are genuine treasures to enjoy that cost less.

The best way to enjoy the food in Cabo without overspending is to stay away from the seaside restaurants. You should totally splurge one night for the experience, but you can enjoy your other meals downtown and spend a lot less money.

The downtown area in Cabo San Lucas has authentic dining places that are absolutely delicious. These are typically owned and operated by locals, so it’s a great way to support the area.

You will spend less money on food and still get to enjoy the authentic tastes of Cabo.

sliced green fruit on green ceramic bowl
Photo by T. Kaiser on Unsplash

Find Lodging Off the Strip to Better Enjoy Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas

We know you really want that oceanside view from the hotel or the all-inclusive resort amenities, but these can cost a pretty penny.

If you’re heading to Cabo San Lucas on a budget, plan to stay in town rather than at one of the expensive hotels. You definitely pay a lot of extra money for the view. While the view is enjoyable, you can experience the same view with a walk along the strip or a trip to the beach.

The hotels in the main part of town are much more affordable and still give you easy access to the beaches. It’s a win-win when you see the savings!

Visit the Beaches When Vacationing in Cabo

When it comes to things to do in the area, you will find beaches are the main attraction. Those white sandy beaches are really Cabo’s claim to fame and the reason that most people come to the area.

Of course, you should enjoy some of the local life and attractions, but one of the cheapest activities you will find is visiting the beach!

The beaches are all free. While you will have the option to rent cabanas, umbrellas, and similar items, you certainly don’t have to. Some hotels even offer their guests free beach towels to use on the beaches.

Walking and Public Transit in Cabo San Lucas

Finally, another great way to save some money in Cabo San Lucas is to either walk or use the buses whenever you possibly can.

If you choose to go on tours, save your funds for those tours and then use the buses or walk to various areas while you’re there. It’s a fairly small city, so you should be able to get around easily.

A bus ride is less than $5 per person, but the shuttles can potentially cost up to $20 per person. This is one of the best ways to plan your spending and save a few dollars while you’re there.

There Are So Many Things to Enjoy Here!

As you look for things to do in Cabo San Lucas, remember that you can have an enjoyable and affordable trip if you simply know some of the tricks. We hope you can put these to great use!