option 2 of 10 — the resort week
Cabo San Lucas
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Desert meets sea — the famous Arch, golden beaches, and margaritas at sunset.
Estimated Cost
$2,900 – $3,800
Length
7 Days / 6 Nights
Getting There
~4.5 hrs direct from Minneapolis (MSP → SJD)
Best Time to Go
October – May
The Trip
The other Mexico: dramatic desert cliffs dropping into the Sea of Cortez, the iconic Arch at Land's End, boat days, beach clubs, and some of the best food and margaritas anywhere. The lowest-cost trip on the list — which means the nicest hotel.
The Real Budget
For both of us, flights from Minneapolis included. Prices are realistic planning estimates — exact fares move with the season.
| Item | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flights | MSP → Los Cabos, 2 travelers, direct | $1,000 |
| Resort hotel | 6 nights near Médano Beach (~$160/night) | $960 |
| Airport transfers & taxis | Shared shuttle + water taxis + town rides | $150 |
| Food & drinks | Beach clubs, taco alleys, 2 fine dinners (~$110/day) | $770 |
| Boat to the Arch & Lover's Beach | Glass-bottom boat for two, Land's End | $80 |
| Snorkeling at Santa María Bay | Morning cruise w/ gear & drinks, for two | $140 |
| Todos Santos day trip | Shared tour to the artsy pueblo mágico | $130 |
| Sunset sail | Catamaran with dinner & open bar, for two | $150 |
| Couples massage | Resort spa, 60 minutes | $160 |
| Souvenirs & wiggle room | Vanilla, hot sauce, silver | $150 |
| Estimated total for two | $3,690 | |
| Comfortably under our $5,000 budget — $1,310 of breathing room for spontaneous ice cream. | ||
Where We'd Stay
Real places, checked against the budget — tap any of them to look around.
Médano Beach, Cabo San Lucas
Bahia Hotel & Beach House
Boutique hotel steps from the sand
A block off Médano Beach with a beloved beach club — the budget goes further here.
Visit their site ↗Médano Beach, Cabo San Lucas
Casa Dorada Los Cabos
Beachfront resort & spa
Right on the swimmable beach facing the Arch — the splurge-within-budget option.
Visit their site ↗Our Week, Day by Day
Day 1Land in the desert-by-the-sea
Direct flight to Los Cabos, shuttle to the hotel, and a first walk down Médano Beach with the Arch in view across the bay. Tacos and margaritas to make it official.
Moment of the day: First margarita with the Arch on the horizon
Day 2Pool, beach, repeat
A proper resort day — swim-up bar, beach loungers, a long lunch, and zero obligations. Dinner in the marina as the sport-fishing boats come in.
Moment of the day: Doing absolutely nothing, together, on purpose
Day 3The Arch & Lover's Beach
Glass-bottom boat out to Land's End: sea lions on the rocks, the famous stone Arch, and a drop-off at Lover's Beach — sand with the Sea of Cortez on one side and the Pacific on the other.
Moment of the day: Standing where two seas meet
Day 4Todos Santos day trip
An hour up the coast to the artsy little pueblo mágico of Todos Santos — galleries, cobblestone streets, the (maybe) Hotel California, and a slow lunch in a courtyard garden.
Moment of the day: Wandering galleries hand in hand
Day 5Snorkel day at Santa María Bay
Morning snorkel cruise to Santa María and Chileno Bay — calm, clear coves full of tropical fish — then an afternoon siesta and street tacos for dinner.
Moment of the day: A private-feeling cove all to ourselves
Day 6Spa & sunset sail
Couples massage in the morning, then the grand finale: a sunset catamaran along the coast, dinner and drinks on deck as the Arch glows gold.
Moment of the day: Slow-dancing on deck at golden hour
Day 7Last swim, then home
Sunrise walk on Médano Beach, one last swim and a long breakfast, then the afternoon flight back to Minneapolis.
Moment of the day: One more look back at the bay
is it this one?
Compare them all, or peek at the next option.
Destination photography via Wikimedia Commons — photo credits.