Cabo proposal ideas: 9 spots on the water and in town, and how to set each one up

Our first pick for a proposal in Cabo San Lucas is the Arch at golden hour, seen from a private yacht. The Arch is 1.2 miles from Marina Cabo San Lucas, the best angle on it is from the water, and a two-hour charter on the Bayliner 30 (up to 6 guests) costs USD 549 (MXN 10,499), boarding at Dock 1-A (Zaidas) by Captain Tony's. Below are nine spots in all, on the water and in town, with the distance from the marina, the best hour and what each costs. Yacht prices are per boat with the 16% tax included; the 15% crew tip is extra.

For how to ask on a boat (keeping it secret, the ring, the signal to the captain), read how to propose on a boat in Cabo. The couples experience page has the trips we set up for two.

The nine ideas at a glance

1. The Arch at golden hour

The Arch is the granite arch at the very tip of the Baja peninsula, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Every route passes it, and the late light turns the rock gold. On a two-hour charter that leaves about 90 minutes before sunset, the captain slows at the sea lion colony and then holds position at the Arch, which is when most people ask. The trip guide has the sunset time for your date.

2. Anchored off Lover's Beach

If you'd rather ask on a still deck, Lover's Beach is a strip of sand on the calm bay side of Land's End, reached by boat, 1 mile from the marina. The captain anchors off it and cuts the engine. Divorce Beach is on the other side of the same rocks, facing the Pacific, with big surf that looks good behind you in photos and a strong undertow, so nobody swims there. A three-hour charter on the Bayliner 30 covers the Arch first and then the anchor stop, for USD 799 (MXN 15,199).

3. The Pacific sunset toward Cabo Falso

The two-hour Pacific route rounds Land's End and faces the sun as it drops toward the Cabo Falso lighthouse, the 1905 lighthouse on the dunes at the westernmost point of the cape. The loop is about 12 miles round trip, and the sun goes down over open water. The boat moves more out there than in the bay, so if either of you gets seasick, go with idea 1 or 2. Our sunset cruise guide compares the two routes.

4. Sunrise breakfast on the water

Departures start at 7 AM and the water is usually calmest early. Fewer people expect a proposal over breakfast at anchor than at sunset. Order in the planner: chilaquiles and beans, huevos rancheros, French toast or banana pancakes, at MXN 325 each (cash prices; card adds 16%). The Chaparral 28 is USD 519 (MXN 9,799) for two hours, and the Bayliner 30 is USD 549 (MXN 10,499), with a cabin to hide the flowers in.

5. Dinner at anchor off Médano Beach

Yachts sail until 8 PM, and yachts from the marina may stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM. Ask after the sunset, then eat at anchor off Médano Beach with the hotels and the town lit up behind the sand. A small cheese board from the menu is MXN 780, and your own bottle goes in the cooler (guests 18 and over; the yachts don't sell alcohol). Our anniversary dinner guide plans out the same evening.

6. A chef on board: McKinna 70 or Azimut 70

If the proposal turns into dinner with both families, book one of the two 70-footers, where the crew hosts. The McKinna 70 has a chef who cooks a multi-course menu on board and complimentary drinks served by a crew of five, from USD 4,499 (MXN 85,499) for three hours. The Azimut 70 has a set menu, complimentary beer and cocktails, two cabins and an A/C salon, from USD 4,199 (MXN 79,799) for three hours. Both take 12, so the families fit. The luxury yachts page compares the largest yachts in the fleet.

7. Médano Beach, on foot

Médano Beach is Cabo's swimming beach, 0.8 miles from the marina, with beach clubs along the sand facing the bay. The afternoon charters come back past it as the lights come on. If you want a sunset without a boat, this is the place, though you won't have it to yourselves.

8. Art Walk, San José del Cabo

Every Thursday from November to June, 5 to 9 PM, the galleries behind the mission in San José del Cabo stay open and the main street closes to cars. It's free, about 30 minutes by car from Cabo San Lucas, and quieter at 5 PM before the crowd arrives. Our Art Walk guide has the details.

9. Todos Santos

Todos Santos is an hour up Highway 19 on the Pacific side. It has been a Pueblo Mágico since 2006, and you can walk the center in an hour or two. Propose in the afternoon and drive back before dark, because the highway has no lights. Our Todos Santos day trip guide covers the route.

Why the water beats the beach for the photos

On the beach you'd have to hire someone or hand your phone to a stranger. On the yacht, a professional photographer can join for USD 180, with all the photos from your charter, paid directly to the photographer, and we tell them when you're going to ask. Our engagement photos on a yacht guide covers the light and the angles.

On deck you can have cardstock decorations and a sign. The Port Captain no longer allows balloons on board, and loose confetti and glitter aren't allowed either. Flowers (a bouquet or petals on deck) and a cake are extras quoted separately when you book.

When to do it

The couples trips work best in January, February, March, June, November and December. Whales start arriving in November and stay through April, so a winter sunset charter may spot one. Most harbor closures happen between September and mid-October; the Port Captain closes the harbor only under a storm threat, and if it closes you get a new date or a full refund. Plan the proposal early in the trip so there's room to move it.

Booking the proposal

Open the planner, pick the yacht, the date and two or three hours, and write "proposal" in the notes with the spot you want and anything you're bringing. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +52 624 300 8029. We reply in writing within two hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time, and send a secure Stripe link once the date is confirmed. For two, start with the Bayliner 30; our best yacht for 2 guide compares the small boats by time of day.

Yachts in this guide

Bayliner 30Cabin cruiser · up to 6 guestsfrom $549 / 2 hChaparral 28Sport boat · up to 10 guestsfrom $519 / 2 hMcKinna 70Luxury motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $4,499 / 3 hAzimut 70Flybridge motor yacht · up to 12 guestsfrom $4,199 / 3 h

Questions people ask

Where is the best place to propose in Cabo San Lucas?

The Arch at golden hour, from a private yacht. It's 1.2 miles from Marina Cabo San Lucas, the best angle on it is from the water, and a 2-hour charter on the Bayliner 30 for USD 549 (MXN 10,499) gets you there.

What are some proposal ideas in Cabo that aren't on a boat?

Médano Beach at sunset, 0.8 miles from the marina; the Thursday evening Art Walk in San José del Cabo, November to June; or a day in Todos Santos, an hour up the Pacific coast. For the ring at the Arch itself, you need a boat, since it sits at the tip of Land's End.

Do I need a proposal photographer in Cabo?

On a private yacht with us, you add one in the planner. A professional photographer joins for USD 180, with all the photos from your charter, paid directly to the photographer. Tell us it's a proposal when you book so the photographer and the captain know when it's happening.

How much does a proposal in Cabo cost on a yacht?

From USD 519 (MXN 9,799) for two hours on the Chaparral 28 or USD 549 (MXN 10,499) on the Bayliner 30 with a cabin, per boat with the 16% tax included. Flowers and a cake are extras quoted separately; the 15% crew tip is not included.

Plan your day on the water

Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Check availabilitySee the fleet