Why Visit the Arch of Cabo San Lucas?
Known to the locals as El Arco (guess what that means?), this spectacular rock formation is a popular spot for local residents and tourists alike. Located right on the edge of the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, this arch is over three stories tall and was created gradually as the rock eroded away. But there are beautiful limestone archways all over the world; why should you visit the Arch of Cabo San Lucas? There are lots of reasons and we’d like to spend a little time exploring exactly what makes this place so special. If anything in this blog inspires you to consider a vacation to Los Cabos, then please check out High Tide’s Los Cabos Adventure Tours.
The End of the Third Longest Peninsula in the World
Baja California is the third longest peninsula in the world. Mexico’s substantial peninsula stretches along the western coast of the country for 800 miles. To its east, you’ll find the Gulf of California, which is a safe haven for an extremely rich array of wildlife, and to its west is the vast Pacific Ocean. El Arco marks the meeting points of these two bodies of water and the farthest tip of this immense peninsula. However, while you can see the Arch from land, you can’t get there without crossing the water. This is why our snorkelling and glass-bottom kayak tours of the Arch of Cabo San Lucas are so popular!
It’s impossible to Take a Bad Photo of the Arch!
While it’s important to be in the moment when you’re on holiday, we think it’s also vital that you take a few great photographs to look back on later (or just to make people a little jealous on Instagram). This is where the Arch of Cabo San Lucas really shines as it’s almost impossible to take a bad photo of this beautiful rock formation. There’s a rugged charm to the arch that is offset against the relatively calm waters on the Gulf of California side. And given that the sun is almost always shining, then you’ve got the perfect set up for some of the greatest vacation photos ever.
Meet the Local Wildlife
The Gulf of California is rich with sea life as the sheltered waters house one of the most diverse aquatic ecosystems in the world. You can see plenty of animals both above the water and below it, with seabirds and sea lions on the surface, and lots of tropical fish below. This is why a lot of people opt for our guided stand up paddle board and snorkel tour at the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. You’ll find living coral reefs that eels, turtles, and groupers call home, and you may even see a whale shark — the biggest fish in the world. (Note: the name ‘whale shark’ sounds scary, but they are completely harmless to humans.) But the stars of the show are the local sea lions as they love to spend time around the pristine waters surrounding the Arch. Sea lions are very friendly to humans and you may even get lucky enough to see some sea lion cubs!
The Arch of Cabos San Lucas is Iconic
While we’re sure there are many other reasons to visit El Arco, the last one we’d like to discuss is the Arch’s iconic status. More and more tourists visit Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula each year; it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular spots in Mexico and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas is a kind of rite of passage for visitors who want to say they’ve truly had the Cabo experience.
So, why should you visit the Arch of Cabo San Lucas? You should visit if you like epic views that make for beautiful photos, and if you appreciate a diverse range of wildlife. And you should visit if you love getting out on water that is perfect for paddle boarding, snorkelling, and kayaking. This stunning place has become iconic for a reason and we hope we’ve encouraged one or two people sitting on the fence to finally book their trip to Los Cabos! If you have any follow-up questions for us about this blog or about our tours, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
