Top 5 Stores You Must Visit in Cabo San Lucas

Even in a destination endowed with superlative natural beauty and an incredible array of land and sea adventures, many visitors to Cabo simply like to shop. Industry surveys routinely rank shopping as the No. 1 vacation activity for many travelers. Yes, more than paddle boarding and zipline tours and horseback riding on the beach.

Here’s our pick of the Top 5 retail outlets in Cabo San Lucas.

Minerva’s Baja Tackle. Even if you don’t fish, duck your head inside this well-established (1976) fishing tackle shop in downtown Cabo San Lucas to see where serious fishermen buy their equipment, particularly if big-game fish like marlin and tuna are their quarry. On display is a selection of VERY sturdy rods that resemble graphite telephone poles; large, shiny international-class reels with sturdy cranks; spools of 130-pound test line; and brightly colored neon and iridescent skirted lures and cedar plugs designed to resemble baitfish or squid. Minerva’s also offers top-class fishing charters. And, it’s a great place to buy a T-shirt for the aspirational angler back home.

J&J La Casa del Habano Cabo. Even if you don’t smoke cigars, this establishment in the center of town is a must-see. The most reliable source in Cabo for authentic (vs. counterfeit) Cuban cigars since 1996, J&J’s friendly staff will guide you to just the right smoke (from mild to robust) in its walk-in humidor. Best of all, J&J is more than a cigar store. It also has a bar featuring premium 100% blue agave tequilas and its all-time classic "Big Papa Mojitos,” Hemingway's signature drink. Smokers can enjoy their purchases on a park bench in front of the store. J&J’s motto? “LIFE IS SHORT, PLEASURE IS FOREVER.”

Ultrafemme. Located in Luxury Avenue Los Cabos on the marina, Ultrafemme carries the best selection of high-quality fragrances and cosmetics in town. Despite the name, this spacious emporium carries superb products for women as well as men. This is THE place for the trendiest colognes, finest perfumes and bust-the-budget cosmetics, led by the Swiss company La Prairie. Choose from top fragrance brands such as Creed, Chanel, Guerlain, Armani, Gucci, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

Cabo Wabo Cantina. This famous club, founded in 1990 by Sammy Hagar (then a member of the rock group Van Halen), has endured, prospered and is now a certifiable Cabo San Lucas landmark. If you can’t make it to one of the club’s legendary live shows (Sammy himself performs on occasion), drop by the gift shop to pick up a Cabo Wabo T-shirt and maybe a bottle of top-shelf Cabo Wabo tequila for your rock ‘n roll pals.

Sergio Bustamante Galleries. Tucked away in Puerto Paraiso Mall, a giant three-level, air-conditioned mall on the marina that houses more than 100 shops and businesses, this eclectic art gallery displays furniture, sculptures and jewelry by the eponymous Mexican artist. The sun and the moon are consistent design motifs in Bustamante’s distinctive gold- and silver-plated jewelry, including bracelets, cufflinks, chokers, earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and studs.