Playing in Cabo San Lucas

🌟 Introduction: Why Cabo Is So Popular

Some cruise ports are known for history.
Some for culture.
Some for adventure.

Cabo San Lucas manages to deliver all three — with sunshine and ocean views added in for good measure.

With dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, world-class golf, and a lively marina, Cabo is designed for visitors who want to enjoy themselves.

We arrived ready for a full day — and Cabo did not disappoint.

🚢 Arriving in Cabo: A Scenic Beginning

We arrived in Cabo at 9:00 a.m., passing the famous rock formations, which include Arch de Cabo, called El Arco, by the locals.

Cabo doesn’t have a traditional cruise pier, so ships anchor offshore and passengers arrive by tender.

Even this felt like part of the experience.

As we crossed toward shore, we enjoyed sweeping views of:

• Rocky headlands
• Golden beaches
• Luxury resorts
• Fishing boats and yachts
• Amazing marine life

It was a beautiful first impression and set the tone for the day.

⛳ The Main Event: Golfing in Paradise

Cabo is home to some of the most scenic golf courses in Mexico, many designed by legendary architects and set directly along the Sea of Cortez. Today our choice was the iconic Palmilla de Cabo Golf Resort.

After a $45 taxi fee from the port south to the course, we arrive at the first tee, it was clear this wouldn’t be an ordinary round.

The course resembles Arizona’s desert courses, where we often hit from one part of the fairway over waste areas to another section of the fairway. There were also several elevated tees, which are always fun to hit from. The fairways were typically wide and hilly. The greens were fast but didn’t have much break.

We played surrounded by:

• Ocean cliffs
• Desert landscapes
• Mountain backdrops
• Endless blue horizons

Every hole offered postcard-worthy views.

The courses here are challenging but fair, and the facilities are first-class. Staff were welcoming, carts were well-equipped, and everything ran smoothly — which is especially important on a cruise day schedule. Snacks and drinks were free at the halfway house – bonus!

It was easily one of the most memorable rounds of golf we’ve ever played. neither of us played great but our scores were respectable considering we hadn’t played in three weeks.

We were able to order an Uber for the return drive to the port for $37.00. The port area is a little complex and the driver was not sure where our ship tender would be, so we ended up walking quite a distance with our clubs to get back to the correct pier. After laughing at he lounging seals on the pier, we dropped off our clubs with the Viking staff supervising the tenders.

Our plan was to head back to the tourist shops to find a magnet and a great Mexican restaurant overlooking the harbor. Enjoying a plate of Nachos and a margarita, we talked about the high and low-lights of our golf game. It was a fun day, but we weren’t finished yet.

Cabo is also famous for it’s amazing scuba diving featuring whales and other pelagic species such as Manta Rays and sharks. I would have loved to dive here and wish we had another day, but today was for Bob and golfing.

🌊 Land’s End & El Arco: Cabo’s Iconic Landmark

After golf, we made time to see Cabo’s most famous natural feature — El Arco, the dramatic rock arch at Land’s End where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. We hoped to pass by El Arco at the perfect time this evening to catch the sun through the arch, but it wasn’t in the cards as we left too late.

These towering granite formations are stunning up close and serve as a symbol of Cabo.

Seeing them in person helped us appreciate just how dramatic this coastline really is.

🏛️ From Fishing Village to Resort Destination

Before becoming a major resort town, Cabo was a small fishing village and safe harbor for sailors navigating the Baja Peninsula.

For centuries, the area was known for:

• Fishing and pearl diving
• Sheltered coves
• Small coastal settlements

Pirates once used these waters as hiding places, and later, fishermen built the early community.

Everything changed in the 1970’s when improved highways and air travel opened Cabo to tourism. Resorts, golf courses, and marinas followed, transforming the town into the destination it is today.

Despite the growth, Cabo still reflects its roots:

• Fishing boats in the marina
• Fresh seafood on menus
• Local crafts in shops
• Family-run businesses

Learning about this history gave us a deeper appreciation for what we were seeing.

🌴 Time on the Water & Beach

We also spent time enjoying Cabo’s beautiful coastline, by walking down to the nearest beach.

The water here is clear, refreshing, and inviting — especially after a morning on the golf course.

It was the perfect balance of activity and rest.

🍹 Marina Walk & Waterfront Dining

Later, we wandered through Cabo’s lively marina district.

This area is the heart of town, filled with:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Shops and galleries
• Tour boats
• Street vendors

It’s an easy place to spend an hour or two just soaking in the atmosphere.

🧭 Practical Tips for Visiting Cabo

🌍 Continue Our World Cruise Journey

Cabo was another memorable stop on our global adventure.

Follow more of our journey here:

➡️ Viking 23/24 World Cruise

Each destination adds another chapter to the story.