Best Things to Do in Cabo with Kids

How we picked

Every activity on this list clears the same bar: it has to be genuinely enjoyable for kids between roughly 4 and 14 years old, manageable for parents, and available through established operators with safety protocols in place. We weighted swimmability, shade availability, minimum age requirements, and tour duration. Anything that requires open-ocean roughness, extreme heat exposure with no relief, or adult-only policies didn't make the cut.

We also prioritized variety. A week-long trip needs more than one beach day, so the list spans water activities, wildlife, adventure parks, and a boat excursion that gives kids a geography lesson without feeling like one. For resort and hotel advice, see the where to stay by area guide, which includes family-friendly resort notes by zone.

The shortlist

Médano Beach , Médano is the safest beach for young swimmers in the entire destination. It's a protected bay in Cabo San Lucas with calm, gentle water and a long sandy stretch where kids can wade in without worrying about surf or currents. Beach clubs line the shore with chair and umbrella rentals, and water toys including kayaks and pedal boats are available for rent directly on the sand for roughly $15–$30 per hour depending on the equipment. The vibe is lively, and the wave height rarely exceeds knee-to-waist for kids. Best for: all ages, including toddlers. One insider note: arrive by 9 a.m. to get a shaded palapa spot before the day heats up in summer. See the full best beaches guide for a comparison of swimmable options across the region.

Chileno Beach , About 12 miles northeast of Cabo San Lucas along the Corridor, Chileno is a Blue Flag-certified cove that rivals Médano for calm conditions. The water is clear, the cove is sheltered, and the rocky edges on both sides make for excellent snorkeling even at shallow depths. Shaded palapas and restroom facilities are available on-site. This is one of the few free public beaches in Los Cabos with reliable infrastructure and safe swimming, which makes it exceptional value. For families staying at Corridor resorts, it's often a 5–10 minute drive. Best for: ages 5 and up. Insider tip: the snorkeling is best in the first two hours after the tour boats leave in the morning, usually by 11 a.m.

Glass-bottom boat to El Arco , This is the iconic Cabo experience that translates perfectly for kids. Water taxis and short boat tours depart from the marina in Cabo San Lucas and cruise out to Land's End, giving everyone a close-up view of El Arco (the natural stone arch) and the sea lion colony that lounges on the rocks below. Glass-bottom boats let kids see colorful fish and reef formations without getting wet. Tour duration runs about 45 minutes to an hour. Prices typically range from $10–$20 per adult and $5–$10 per child, though rates vary by operator. Best for: ages 3 and up. The sea lion colony at Pelican Rock is consistently a highlight with younger kids. Plan the tour for mid-morning when light hits the arch directly.

Whale watching , If your trip falls between mid-December and mid-April, whale watching belongs on the list. The Sea of Cortez fills with gray whales and humpbacks during this window, and tour operators run 2–3 hour excursions out of the Cabo San Lucas marina. Naturalist guides narrate the encounter, and sightings on these tours are frequent enough that most operators offer a return trip guarantee if you don't see a whale. Estimate $55–$90 per adult and $30–$50 per child depending on the operator and vessel size. Best for: ages 6 and up (younger kids can get restless on a 2-hour boat ride; plan snacks and a small activity). This is one of the genuinely unmissable seasonal experiences in Cabo San Lucas.

Snorkeling at Santa Maria Beach , Santa Maria is a horseshoe-shaped cove and marine sanctuary about 13 miles from Cabo San Lucas. The reef just offshore is shallow and full of tropicals, making it one of the best beginner snorkel spots in the region. Most snorkel tours include equipment, a guide, and instruction for first-timers; half-day tours typically run $45–$75 per person. Note that Santa Maria has no facilities on the beach, so everything comes with the tour. Best for: ages 7 and up with basic swimming ability. If your kids have never snorkeled before, this cove's calm, clear, shallow water is the right place to start. See the best beaches guide for more on Santa Maria's setup.

Cabo Dolphins , Cabo Dolphins operates at the Cabo San Lucas marina and offers structured dolphin interaction programs ranging from shallow-water encounters to full swim-with-dolphins experiences. Programs are tiered by age and swim ability, so there's an option for non-swimmers and young children who just want to observe from poolside. Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially December through March. Estimate $80–$160 per person depending on program type. Best for: ages 2 and up depending on the program tier. The facility is clean, professionally run, and the interactions are structured to minimize stress on the animals. It's a reliable crowd-pleaser even for skeptical tweens.

Wild Canyon Adventures , Wild Canyon is an outdoor adventure park located in the hills above Cabo San Lucas with zip lines, a bungee jump, rappelling, ATV tours, camel rides, and a sky bridge. The range of activities means different family members can choose their own experience. The camel trek in particular is unusual enough to genuinely surprise kids who have done every other adventure experience before. Most zip line circuits run $60–$90 per person; camel rides are typically $40–$60. Minimum ages and weight limits apply to specific rides, so check current requirements before booking with young children. Best for: ages 6 and up for zip lines, all ages for the camel experience and observation areas. The views from the canyon rim over the Pacific are worth the drive alone.

Sunset cruise , A late-afternoon cruise departing from the Cabo San Lucas marina doubles as a geography tour and a photo opportunity. Most family-friendly catamaran cruises circle Land's End, pass El Arco, and cruise along the Pacific-facing coast before returning at dusk. Open bar is typically adult-only but kid-friendly snacks and soft drinks are included. Prices range from $55–$100 per adult and $25–$50 per child depending on the vessel and length. Best for: ages 4 and up. Two-hour cruises are easier on younger kids than three-hour options. If you've already done the daytime El Arco water taxi, this is the best way to see the same landmark in completely different light.

A day trip from the region , For families staying a full week, one or two best day trips from Los Cabos stretch the experience beyond the resort stretch. Todos Santos on the Pacific side, about an hour north, has a central square, colorful buildings, and a calmer pace that older kids often appreciate. La Paz, two to two and a half hours north, adds whale shark swimming (highly regulated, seasonal, October through May) and Balandra Beach, a flat turquoise lagoon that's ideal for young swimmers. A La Paz day trip is long but delivers experiences that aren't available anywhere in the Cabo San Lucas area.

Quick comparison

Here's a fast-reference breakdown of the picks above, organized by minimum practical age and approximate cost per child:

Médano Beach , All ages, free to $30 depending on chair and toy rentals. No advance booking needed.

Chileno Beach , Ages 5+, free public beach. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent locally.

Glass-bottom boat / El Arco , Ages 3+, $5–$10 per child. Walk-up availability most mornings but earlier is better.

Whale watching , Ages 6+, $30–$50 per child. Seasonal: mid-December through mid-April only.

Santa Maria snorkeling , Ages 7+, $45–$75 per person. Book at least a day ahead in peak season.

Cabo Dolphins , Ages 2+ (varies by program), $80–$160 per person. Book 1–2 weeks ahead December through March.

Wild Canyon , Ages 6+ for most activities, $40–$90 per person. No advance booking required for general admission; specific rides may require it.

Sunset cruise , Ages 4+, $25–$50 per child. 2-hour options easier for younger kids.

Day trips (Todos Santos, La Paz) , All ages; costs vary widely by activity. Rental car simplifies logistics significantly.

The activities above stack well into a 5–7 day family itinerary without overlap. Days 1–2 can cover beach time at Médano and Chileno, Day 3 works for the El Arco boat and a sunset cruise, and later days handle Wild Canyon and a snorkel tour. For restaurant suggestions around the family activities, browse the Restaurants directory for options near the marina and the Corridor.