Romance, Tacos & Sunsets: An 8-Day San José del Cabo Itinerary for Couples
I adore Mexico—the weather, the beaches, the tacos, the margaritas. For years, our adventures pulled us toward the Caribbean side, but this was our first trip to the Pacific coast. San José del Cabo didn’t disappoint. October brought searing afternoons and sweater-weather evenings, perfect for dining outdoors beneath the stars. From balcony breakfasts with coffee and pastries to tacos worth daydreaming about and sunsets that felt like pure theater, the days unfolded with a mix of simple pleasures and unforgettable moments.
Here’s how we spent eight days savoring the flavors, scenery, and rhythms of Baja.
Day 1 – Arrival & Poolside Bliss
We landed in San José del Cabo and checked into Cabo Azul Resort, our home base for the week. Right away, the contrast with lively Cabo San Lucas was obvious: San José del Cabo exuded charm, calm, and a slower pace.
That evening was simple perfection: cocktails and dinner by the pool, easing into vacation mode as gentle waves lapped at the shore nearby.
Day 2 – Exploring San José del Cabo on Foot
Our mornings settled into a sweet routine: coffee and pastries on the balcony, a tradition The Hubs cherishes (and even overthinks after 20 years of marriage).
Being Sunday, the town was quiet at first, but soon it buzzed with an art festival and a skateboarding competition. We dove into a self-styled food and cocktail tour, hitting every spot on our list:
Habanero’s – Frazzled shrimp with a margarita.
Shooters Sports Bar – Chips, salsa, queso, and guacamole (plus a football game for The Hubs).
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal – Suckling pig taco and the unforgettable cheese-crusted pastor taco with mezcal. The Hubs still calls it one of the best bites of his life.
Mi Cocina – Light and fresh ceviche with sangria, perfect for patio dining.
La Revolución – Oysters for me, venom-infused sotol for him. We learned how rattlesnake venom is traditionally infused into sotol, once thought to have medicinal properties.
By the end of the day, we’d eaten and sipped our way through San José’s rich culinary history.
Day 3 – Cabo San Lucas Marina & Churros by the Sea
We spent the day in Cabo San Lucas, where the marina thrummed with vendors, yachts, and sea lions basking in the sun.
Lunch at Baja Cantina was a revelation: tacos gobernador with a tangerine margarita. Later, a leisurely stroll along Playa El Médano revealed Cabo’s lively beach scene.
Before returning to our resort, we stopped for the best churros of the trip at Hacienda Cocina. Dinner was back near the hotel at La Forchetta— pizza and fettuccine diavolo under a blanket of stars.
Day 4 – Adventure at Wild Canyon
Time for thrills at Wild Canyon Adventure Park. Our pass included a UTV ride across rugged desert terrain (ending with a daunting suspension bridge), a camel ride with an interactive presentation, and ziplining for The Hubs. We also visited the on-site animal sanctuary, where we held friendly local animals.
Lunch was casual, the beers were cold, and the photo package gave us some keepsakes worth framing.
Dinner back in San José was at Latino8—cocktails and shared small plates, my favorite style of dining.
Day 5 – Estuary Walk & Sunset on the Cliffs
We fueled up at La Mexicana Restaurant y Cantina—loaded molletes with chorizo for me, and ranch eggs for him—before walking the Estero San José del Cabo trail, spotting birds along the way.
That evening was pure magic: a 7-course sunset tasting menu at Sunset Mona Lisa, perched on a cliff above the Pacific horizon. The food was divine, the view cinematic, and the atmosphere dripping with romance. Reservations are essential—if nothing else, go for the sunset ceremony and a cocktail.
Day 6 – Poolside Rest & a Speakeasy Night
After several busy days, we let ourselves relax: reading, naps, snacks, and cocktails by the pool as the sun warmed our skin.
That night, we ventured to Cabo San Lucas for La Botica Speakeasy at the lavish Las Ventanas al Paraíso Resort. A hidden entrance, prohibition-era vibes, and exquisite (if pricey) cocktails; the experience was worth it. The return cab ride took hours due to an accident, reminding us why San José makes for such a peaceful base.
Day 7 – Kayaking to Land’s End
We joined a kayak tour to El Arco (Land’s End), the iconic rock formation where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Our trip included snorkeling at Lover’s Beach (crowded, but beautiful), and, by lucky chance, our tour turned out to be private.
That evening, we wrapped up our trip with a home-style Mexican dinner at Cuervo's House: carne en su jugo, a tangy cantarito cocktail, and a bottle of the family’s own tequila to take home.
Day 8 – Sea Turtles at Sunrise & Farewell
San José is a nesting ground for sea turtles, and October is peak hatching season. We took walks on the beach at sunrise and sunset, hoping to witness the miracle. On our last morning, our patience was rewarded—tiny hatchlings made their determined dash to the sea. Watching them vanish into the waves felt like the perfect farewell to Baja.
Reflections
As our week in San José del Cabo came to an end, I realized the trip had been about more than tacos and sunsets; it was about rhythm. The slow mornings with coffee on the balcony, the lingering meals that stretched into conversation, the pulse of the waves as tiny turtles hurried toward the sea. Baja’s flavors, scenery, and quiet charm left their mark on us, weaving memories we’ll carry long after the suitcases are unpacked.
From cheese-crusted tacos to mezcal lore, from cliffside sunsets to sea turtle hatchlings, every day reminded us why food and travel are the best storytellers. This trip is one I’ll carry home in my heart, and one I hope will inspire others to chase flavors and sunsets of their own.
I hope this inspires you to travel, to eat, and to join me as I continue sharing my journey through seven continents and infinite foods.
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If You Go – Quick Itinerary
Day 1
hotel pool/dinner
Day 2
San Jose del Cabo
Food/Cocktail tour
Habanero’s (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
Mi Cocina (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
La Revolución (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
Day 3
Cabo San Lucas
Walk the marina
Baja Cantina (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
Hacienda Cocina (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
Playa El Medano
La Forchetta (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
Day 4
Latino8 (takes reservations)
Day 5
Estero San José del Cabo
Sunset Mona Lisa (takes reservations one month out)
Day 6
hotel pool
Day 7
Cuervo's House (takes reservations, but we didn’t make one)
**I would highly recommend that you make reservations in advance when available. I always book scheduled activities and typically make dinner reservations in advance. I’ve indicated with a parenthetical any restaurants that take reservations.