REVIEW · CABO SAN LUCAS
Los Cabos Deluxe City Tour: San Jose, San Lucas and The Arch
Book on Viator →Operated by Gray Line Los Cabos · Bookable on Viator
Glass, tequila, and the Arch in one day. This tour is built like a greatest-hits reel: you’ll get clear-bottom boat views of Cabo San Lucas, then head into San José del Cabo for historic square time, with artisan glass and tequila along the way.
I love how the day starts with something you can actually watch happen at the glass-blowing factory. And I really like that the schedule mixes big sights with a guided tequila tasting plus a proper restaurant lunch (not just snacks and a shrug).
One thing to consider: the day is packed. You should expect some time that leans toward shopping and presentations, so it’s not ideal if you want a slow, wander-only day.
In This Review
- Key points that help you decide
- A 6-hour loop through Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo
- Price and what $119 really buys you
- 8:00 am pickup and the rhythm of the day
- Stop 1: The glass-blowing factory and why it feels worth the time
- Cabo San Lucas Arch on a clear-bottom boat: the main event
- Bay views: Medano Beach, marina hotels, and the Cabo coastline
- Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo: short, historic, and walkable
- Tequila tasting and lunch: the part that makes the day feel human
- What I’d watch out for: shopping time and packed pacing
- Who should book this tour—and who might skip it
- FAQ
- How much does the Los Cabos Deluxe City Tour cost, and how long is it?
- What’s included in the tour price?
- Is there an extra dock fee?
- What are the main stops during the day?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- What should I wear or bring?
- Should you book the Los Cabos Deluxe City Tour?
Key points that help you decide

- A guided mix of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in about 6 hours
- Clear-bottom boat time focused on rock formations and iconic views
- Tequila tasting plus lunch with 1 included drink at a local restaurant
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from most Los Cabos hotels (start time is 8:00 am)
- Small-ish group size with a maximum of 30 travelers
- A short, scenic town stop at Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo
A 6-hour loop through Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo

This is a classic “first visit” style day: you get a snapshot of both sides of Los Cabos without renting a car or building your own route. You’ll move from the Cabo San Lucas marina area to historic San José del Cabo, with a boat segment and tequila tasting in between.
If you want to tick off the Arch and still feel like you saw real town life, this hits the sweet spot. If you’re the type who likes to linger for hours on one beach or one neighborhood, you’ll probably feel the time pressure.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in Cabo San Lucas
Price and what $119 really buys you

At $119 per person, the value comes from the bundle. You’re not paying extra separately for the boat ride, the tequila tasting, lunch, and hotel transport.
Here’s what’s included in the base price:
- expert bilingual guide
- lunch and 1 drink (lemonade, soda, or beer)
- bottled water and sodas
- tequila tasting
- clear-bottom boat ride to see the Arch and rock formations
- San José and San Lucas tour
- hotel pickup and drop-off
One more important cost: there’s a dock fee you must pay at check-in—MXN 100.00 (or about $5 USD) per person. It’s not in the $119 headline price, so I’d mentally budget for it to avoid a surprise.
When the tour works best is when you’d otherwise spend money on transport plus a guided boat outing. If you already have a plan to do the Arch from a private boat, or you’re skipping tequila and lunch, the value changes.
8:00 am pickup and the rhythm of the day
Start time is 8:00 am. You’ll get pickup from most Los Cabos hotels, and the tour returns you to your hotel area afterward.
That early start matters because it gives you daylight for the Arch and bay views. It also keeps the boat segment from getting swallowed by late-morning crowds.
The group size is capped at 30, which is a comfort point. Still, it’s a shared day. You’ll be listening, boarding, and hopping on a schedule—less independent, more guided.
Stop 1: The glass-blowing factory and why it feels worth the time

The first stop is the glass factory. Plan on about 30 minutes there, and the admission ticket is free.
This part is popular for a reason: you’re not just looking at finished glassware behind a counter. You can watch artisans work, and that changes your attention. It’s easier to appreciate the effort when you see the hot glass shaping in real time.
Practical tip: glass factory stops are busy and bright. Wear something comfortable and be ready for hands-on demonstrations (even if you don’t buy anything). If you’re picking out a souvenir, you’ll often have better luck making decisions after you’ve seen the process.
Cabo San Lucas Arch on a clear-bottom boat: the main event

The most iconic moment is the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. You’ll spend about 40 minutes on the boat, and the admission is included.
A clear-bottom boat is a smart way to do this if you want great views without committing to a long hike or a complex plan. You’re also more likely to see fish and movement through the water below—one of the fun little bonuses people mention is the amount of sea life around the ride.
Photo note: the Arch is iconic, but angles matter. Give yourself a few minutes to settle into where you’re sitting before you shoot. Wind can kick up near the water, so keep your phone secure and your hands free.
Also, this is a ride-by kind of experience. You’re seeing the landmark and rock formations from the water, not standing on a remote lookout for ages. That’s a feature, not a flaw—it keeps the day moving.
Bay views: Medano Beach, marina hotels, and the Cabo coastline

During the boat segment, you’ll also admire the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. You’ll see Medano Beach, plus the marina, hotels, and restaurants lined along the bay.
This is the “postcard reality check” part of Cabo. From land, the coastline can feel like a strip of buildings and resorts. From the water, you understand how the coastline curves and why the area looks the way it does.
Timing matters here too. About 40 minutes gives enough time to enjoy the view without feeling trapped on the boat. If you get motion-sensitive, you might still find this manageable since the main sightseeing is time-limited.
Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo: short, historic, and walkable

After the Cabo San Lucas side, you’ll head to San José del Cabo. One stop you get is Plaza Mijares, about 20 minutes.
Plaza Mijares sits in the historic district, and it’s right by the older mission area. Even in a short visit, it gives you a feel for San José del Cabo’s slower rhythm compared with the busier marina zone.
This is a good stretch if you want:
- a quick grounding in local architecture
- a few photos in a less chaotic setting
- a simple way to say you visited the heart of San José
If you like to browse, this is also where your brain starts thinking about what you want to eat next. Just don’t expect a long, independent wandering day. The tour is built for highlights, not extended free time.
Tequila tasting and lunch: the part that makes the day feel human

The tour includes a tequila tasting and a lunch at a local restaurant, plus 1 included drink (lemonade, soda, or beer). Bottled water and sodas are also included.
Tequila tastings on tours are sometimes hit-or-miss. The good ones give you a quick framework: how tequila is made, what to look for, and how to taste it without feeling like you’re being rushed. In this case, guides are repeatedly described as friendly and informative, and people single out the tasting as a highlight.
Lunch is where the tour becomes more comfortable. Instead of snack stops, you get a full meal with drink included. Many couples also mention the restaurant experience as a strong ending to the day, especially once the walking and boat time are done.
Quick comfort tip: even if you ordered a soft drink earlier, stay hydrated. The combination of morning pickup, sun by the water, and tequila tasting can sneak up on you.
What I’d watch out for: shopping time and packed pacing
This is a full day, so the main drawback is how everything is scheduled to fit in. Some tours build in shopping stops, and it can feel like a detour if your plan is simply to see sights.
A few people also point out that not every stop is equally compelling—like jewelry or souvenir-style stops. That doesn’t make those stops bad. It just means your enjoyment depends on whether you like browsing or prefer sightseeing-only time.
My advice: decide before you go what you’re willing to tolerate.
- If you’re fine with short shopping breaks and love the idea of artisanal glass or tequila, you’ll probably enjoy the flow.
- If you get impatient with sales-oriented stops, you may wish there were more time in San José del Cabo instead.
Who should book this tour—and who might skip it
Book this if you want a guided day that checks the big Los Cabos boxes: the Arch, the bay views, glass-blowing artistry, tequila tasting, and a real lunch. It’s especially good for first-time visitors who don’t want to plan logistics.
It’s also a strong choice if you’d rather have someone else manage the timing. Hotel pickup plus drop-off is a big deal in Los Cabos, where travel time can eat your day if you’re self-guiding.
Consider skipping or swapping to something else if:
- you hate shopping interruptions
- you prefer a longer visit to one town neighborhood
- you want an unstructured day with minimal presentations
If you do book, you’ll likely be happiest with a flexible attitude. Think of it as a well-paced highlights sampler—not a slow travel day.
FAQ
How much does the Los Cabos Deluxe City Tour cost, and how long is it?
It costs $119.00 per person and runs about 6 hours (approximately). The tour starts at 8:00 am.
What’s included in the tour price?
The tour includes an expert bilingual guide, lunch and 1 drink at a local restaurant, bottled water and sodas, tequila tasting, clear-bottom boat ride to see the Arch and rock formations, and a San José and San Lucas tour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included.
Is there an extra dock fee?
Yes. You must pay an additional dock fee of MXN 100.00 per person (or 5 USD) at check-in.
What are the main stops during the day?
You visit a glass factory, see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas from a clear-bottom boat, enjoy views of the bay including Medano Beach during the boat ride, and spend time at Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What should I wear or bring?
Wear casual, comfortable shoes. It’s also smart to be ready for sun and water time since you’ll be on a boat during the day. Service animals are allowed.
Should you book the Los Cabos Deluxe City Tour?
Yes, if you’re after a guided, high-yield day that mixes the Arch and bay views with hands-on artisan glass and a tequila tasting, capped by lunch in San José del Cabo. The $119 price makes the most sense when you want the boat segment and don’t want to figure out transport on your own.
Just go in knowing it’s a packed highlights tour with some presentation-style stops. If that matches your vacation style, you’re likely to have a fun, photo-friendly day in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.




























