Why go
Los Cabos hiking runs from a free, in-town climb with sunset views over the marina to a guided trek into the Sierra de la Laguna for a desert waterfall — most of it overlooked by visitors who assume this is a beach-only destination.
Choosing a hike near Los Cabos
If you want something free and require zero planning, Cerro de la Z (a steep, mostly-paved climb above Cabo San Lucas) and Estero San José (a flat boardwalk trail through mangroves) cover both ends of the effort spectrum, and neither needs a reservation. Cañón de la Zorra is the one worth building a morning around — a real hike down to a desert waterfall and swimming hole — and it's reachable either on your own or through a guided tour like Good Trips Baja if you'd rather skip the logistics.
For something further out, Pegaso Expediciones runs a proper guided hike into the Sierra de la Laguna from Todos Santos — a different kind of terrain than anything closer to the marina, and worth the drive if hiking is the main reason for your trip rather than an add-on to a beach day.
Cañón de la Zorra – The Marquee Waterfall Hike
Place
Cañón de la Zorra
A seasonal waterfall and swimming-hole canyon in the Sierra de la Laguna foothills near Santiago, reached by a short hike from a ranch entrance (also known locally as El Chorro).
Also known locally as El Chorro, this seasonal waterfall and swimming hole sits in the Sierra de la Laguna foothills near Santiago, reached by a short but steep hike down from the Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo entrance. Reviewers describe it as a genuine oasis in the desert — cool water, a swimming hole, and a small restaurant on site — reached via an accessible dirt road and a hike most visitors call short but real (bring shoes you can hike in, not sandals). Multiple visitor reports put the entrance fee around $250 pesos (roughly $15 USD), paid in cash at the ticket booth. Running water is most reliable October through February.
Good Trips Baja – Guided Waterfall & Sierra de la Laguna Hikes
Place
Good Trips Baja (Surf, Hike, Explore)
A San José del Cabo guiding company running surf lessons, Sierra de la Laguna hiking/waterfall trips and Todos Santos day tours.
A San José del Cabo guiding company that runs a Sierra de la Laguna waterfall hike into the Santiago canyon country — the same general area as Cañón de la Zorra — with private round-trip transportation, a certified guide, the natural-reserve entrance fee, and water and snacks included. An authentic Mexican lunch is offered as an extra-cost add-on. Good option if you'd rather not drive yourself or navigate the entrance on your own.
Pegaso Expediciones – Guided Sierra de la Laguna Hike from Todos Santos
Place
Pegaso Expediciones
Based in central Todos Santos, offers horseback riding, boat trips to Espiritu Santo Island, kayaking and hiking excursions.
Based in central Todos Santos, Pegaso Expediciones runs a 3-hour Sierra de la Laguna hiking tour (2-person minimum) listed on their site at $2,800 MXN per person — roughly $160–170 USD at current exchange rates. They also run horseback riding, kayaking, and boat trips to Espíritu Santo Island out of the same office, so it's a reasonable base if you want to pair a hike with a second activity while you're in town.
Two Free, Self-Guided Trails
If you don't want to book a tour, these two are free, require no reservation, and are easy to reach on your own:
Place
Cerro de la Z
A hillside overlook in the Pedregal/Paraíso Escondido area above Land's End, reached via a steep paved-then-dirt hiking trail; the summit gives panoramic views of Cabo San Lucas Bay, the town, and the Pacific.
Place
Estero San José
A nature reserve around a tropical estuary at the mouth of the San José River, with a boardwalk and hiking trails through mangroves and reed beds known for abundant resident and migratory bird life.
Planning Notes
- Cerro de la Z
- Free, about an hour up a steep-but-mostly-paved trail from Paraíso Escondido; park at the bottom and walk up. Sunrise, sunset, and (in season) whale sightings from the top
- Estero San José
- Free, open 24 hours; a boardwalk and trail through mangroves roughly a 30-minute walk from downtown San José del Cabo, good for birdwatching. Some sections can flood after rain
- Heat
- Every trail on this list is exposed for at least part of the route — start early and carry more water than you think you need
Before You Go
Los Cabos Hiking Questions
Do I need a guide to hike in Los Cabos?
No — Cerro de la Z and Estero San José are both free, well-trafficked, and easy to find without one. Cañón de la Zorra is also reachable on your own, though a guided tour (Good Trips Baja) handles transportation and the entrance fee for you. The Sierra de la Laguna interior is the one place worth a guide (Pegaso Expediciones), since routes are less marked.
Is there an entrance fee for these hikes?
Cerro de la Z and Estero San José are free. Cañón de la Zorra charges an entrance fee (visitor reports put it around $250 pesos) at the ranch entrance you hike down from.
Keep exploring
Best Horseback Riding in Los Cabos
Beach, desert, and estuary trail rides from family-run ranches across Los Cabos — from a 45-minute beginner ride to a three-day retreat.
Los Cabos' horseback outfits trade the resort pool for real terrain — desert arroyos, an estuary trail, and long stretches of open sand — and the range runs from a 45-minute beginner ride to a three-day ranch retreat, almost all of it at small, family-run operations rather than a hotel activities desk.
Best Todos Santos Day Trips from Los Cabos
Art galleries, a Jesuit mission, and Hotel California — a full day out of the tourist corridor, guided or on your own.
Todos Santos trades the resort strip for adobe streets, working art galleries, and a genuinely different pace — several Cabo- and San José-based operators run it as a guided day trip, so you don't need a rental car to see it.
Nearby alternatives
Best Horseback Riding in Los Cabos
Beach, desert, and estuary trail rides from family-run ranches across Los Cabos — from a 45-minute beginner ride to a three-day retreat.
Los Cabos' horseback outfits trade the resort pool for real terrain — desert arroyos, an estuary trail, and long stretches of open sand — and the range runs from a 45-minute beginner ride to a three-day ranch retreat, almost all of it at small, family-run operations rather than a hotel activities desk.
Best ATV, Zipline & Desert Adventures in Los Cabos
Dune-riding, zipline canyons, and adventure parks for the days you want dirt under your tires instead of sand between your toes.
Los Cabos isn't only a beach destination — the desert terrain just inland from the coast is genuinely dramatic, and a handful of well-run outfitters turn it into a full adventure-park day: ATV/UTV dune riding, zipline canyons, and bungee jumps, all within a short drive of the marina.