Cabo Calling

Say buenos dias to Los Cabos, Mexico’s newest family-friendly destination, where humpback whales, mountain ziplines and pirate ships keep everyone entertained

By Jayne Trainor

ANIMAL KINGDOM EXPERIENCE

© WILD CANYON ADVENTURES

Mexico is awash with great family-friendly destinations such as Cancún and Tulum, but recently, a new region has appeared on the radar. Los Cabos has seen a tourism boom in 2022, with more than seven million visitors expected before the end of the year. The main city of Cabo San Lucas is home to some of the best beaches, landscapes and outdoor activities in the world, not to mention almost year-round temperatures of 30 degrees Celcius. Many great family-friendly resorts have popped up which welcome kids, including Grand Solmar with its own kids’ club and the Hilton Los Cabos, which offers movie screenings, a beach club and a dolphin pool.

HILTON LOS CABOS BEACH & GOLF RESORT

© HILTON

THE AQUARIUM OF THE WORLD

Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium,” due to its diverse marine life, coral reefs and unexplored islands. Kids and adults alike will love all the water-based activities on offer in Los Cabos. Whether you want to snorkel or go on a wildlife safari, there’s no shortage of activities sure to please every member of the family. Whale watching is the most popular activity, with almost guaranteed sightings of humpback whales, as well as dolphins, turtles and whale sharks. Glass-bottomed boats and submarines are a fun way to experience the peninsula, especially for younger children who can’t swim. Or book a themed cruise where kids can get dressed in their best swashbuckling outfits and head out on an authentic pirate ship for the day.

CABO IS WELL KNOWN FOR WHALE WATCHING

MEXICO’S BEST BEACHES

The coastline of Baja California Sur is bursting with stunning white sand beaches, many of which are located in Cabo San Lucas. Tides can be strong, however, so look for private resort beaches with protected swimming areas. The Cannery beaches are popular due to their shallow and calm waters. They also have plenty of shops, eateries and activities nearby for the whole family. Médano Beach has the same great amenities but should be reserved for confident swimmers. For a little more adventure with older kids, take a boat out to Lover’s Beach, one of the prettiest in the area. It’s ideal for swimming, snorkelling and some peace and quiet.

MÉDANO BEACH, CABO SAN LUCAS

A CHANCE TO GET ACTIVE

For kids craving an adrenaline boost, Cabo San Lucas has virtually unlimited options. Water sports such as jet-skiing, parasailing and surfing are available along the coast. Meanwhile, in the region’s famous Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, they can go quad-biking, ziplining and bungee jumping. The whole family can enjoy horseback riding through the hills. Those with little ones should experience Wild Canyon Adventures, which has a waterpark and an animal sanctuary. For any dads keen to share their love of fishing with the kids, try a hosted fishing trip created specifically for parents and children. Those special tours stay close to the shore.

THE MONSTER ZIPLINES OF BAJA

© WILD CANYON ADVENTURES

A FAMILY UTILITY TASK VEHICLE (UTV) EXPERIENCE

© WILD CANYON ADVENTURES

CUISINE FOR EVERYONE

We know finding something that kids will want to eat can be a little tricky sometimes, but Los Cabos has every cuisine under the sun. You can easily find popular Mexican foods, but there are also sit-down pizza joints, waterfront Italian restaurants and casual takeaways. For families who can’t settle on one thing, El Merkado has a diverse mix of outlets, offering everything from burgers and Mexican favourites to sushi. For those missing the food at home, The District fits the bill, serving pasta, sandwiches, pizza and classic Asian dishes everyone can enjoy.