Has anyone ever combined these two into one trip? It does not look like we have much time in Cabo San Lucas and we definately want to experience the whales but as luck would have it- Cabo Wabo is my husbands favorite drink, it is made in Cabo, and we are there on New Years Eve!! Why not start the party at Cabo Wabo?!

Could anyone who has been there please give me directions from the pier and any other suggestions you might have as a must do in Cabo.

 Hi Pam,

The first of January is a little early for whale watching in Cabo. From what I could see the excursions usually run two hours from 9:00 or so until 11:whatever. If you do get to go there will be plenty of time to get to Cabo Wabo as well and still get back to the dock by 2:00 to get in the long line for the last tender.

From the pier Cabo Wabo is about a 15 minute walk - Follow the marina walk until you get to the building shaped like a lighthouse. Turn left and walk through the walkway between the buildings. When you get to the main street (Lazaro Cardenas) walk across to the little street that is almost directly across but slightly to the right of you. Walk one long and 1/2 a short block and you are there! You could also take a taxi but they jack up the prices when the cruise ships are in.

Here's the building on Google maps. Unfortunately they don't have street names... but Cabo Wabo is on Calle Guerrero.

For me, the must-dos in Cabo are sport fishing, chilling on the beach, eating at The Office (if you can ignore the unending stream of trinket vendors and pesky waifs with gum), and partying. Unfortunately the party scene is only decent at night, and even if you were interested the ship lets you off too late to head out on a proper sport fishing expedition.

There's a swim with the dolphins experience in town, nice tours of the harbor and Land's End (where the famous arch is found; you get really close), excursions to Lover's Beach (which gets crowded on cruise ship days), ATV tours to the desert (they used to be fun), pretty much everything on the Carnival list of excursions is decent in Cabo.

~ MattInSoCal

This year I went the first week of January and when we got to the pier, I hired this old man who looked like someone out of a Hemingway novel to take 3 of us to the whales - 35 bucks apiece. We took some beer and hadn't been in the little boat more than 15 minutes when a HUGE whale breached right in front of us. I was so excited I just stood up and screamed and totally forgot to take any pix. The official Carnival excursion was way ahead of us and they saw it but were not right next to it as we were. It was the only whale we saw up close but we can't say the man didn't try, motoring here and there and following spouts, trying to get to another whale as it breached. He didn't speak any English or have any teeth but a constant smile and I felt really safe being out with that old salt. After, he takes you to the beach by the sea lion colony and Los Arcos and you can swim/snorkel for a short time before he brings you back.

The three of us agreed that one whale sighting was worth the price of the entire trip to Mexico - just thrilling!

Matt has obviously been there many times and I would take his advice about Cabo Wabo but one thing I enjoyed a lot on our trip the year before was the glass-blowing factory where they use only recycled materials (hand blown glass muddlers I use for iced tea when I'm setting a fancy table and beautiful icicles for your Christmas trees - just a buck or two for each), then I stopped at a very cool resort where you can have a cold one overlooking the bay, then went up the coast to San Jose Del Cabo - good silver and tanzanite jewelry there and a very interesting misson church decorated with native art. When you get back, you have time for the beach, Cabo Wabo, whatever. Of course, my suggestions are fairly tame and you may want to be more active there. Also, that was on HAL but Carnival does offer a similar tour combined with a boat ride.

We had a lively couple on the tour who requested to be let off at Cabo Wabo and they must have had a good time - I heard the P.A. calling their names several times before we left - late. They must have arrived on the last tender I saw hurrying out to the ship because we left in short order.

I know you'll have a wonderful time and enjoy that tequila!

Suzie

Matt and Suzie thank you so much for all of the advice! The old man in the sea story was great. There is always so mucgh to do on the port visits and so little time. At Cabo we only have about 5 hours total...but it is New Years Eve so I am sure there is plenty to do for the rest of the night!! :)