Cabo Pulmo from Cabo San Lucas
Cabo Pulmo National Park (Parque Nacional Cabo Pulmo) lies in the municipality of Los Cabos. The park was decreed on 6 June 1995 and protects a coral reef in the Gulf of California. It is not the same place as El Arco. The arch sits at the tip of the peninsula, while Cabo Pulmo is a separate reef on the eastern coast.
Most visitors reach the park as a day trip with a guide. If you want to book one, compare the current offers under snorkeling tours from Cabo San Lucas or the full list of Cabo excursions. The park has its own fee and visiting hours, and the tour price comes on top.
Our pick: Cabo Pulmo from Los Cabos
The day trip covers the marine park by kayak and snorkel, with transport from Los Cabos.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cabo Pulmo and snorkeling day trips
Snorkeling and day trips from Cabo San Lucas, with live prices and availability.
Getting to Cabo Pulmo
Distances to plan around.
Road distances
The road from San José del Cabo is 98.1 km and the road from La Paz is 167 km. The nearby village of La Ribera is 26.6 km from the park. Cabo San Lucas lies at the far end of the 20-mile corridor to San José del Cabo, so allow for that stretch on top of the 98.1 km.
Drive time and road condition
There is no fixed drive time from Cabo San Lucas that you can count on. Ask your tour provider for the pickup time and the length of the transfer, and check the state of the road before you drive yourself.
Driving yourself
Take extra care at badly marked speed bumps (topes), leave no valuables in a rental car and carry enough liability insurance. The emergency number is 911. For rental cars and parking at the airport see the Los Cabos airport guide.
Park fee, hours and who pays less
Amounts in Mexican pesos.
| Visitor | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard visitor | 125 MXN per person and day |
| Children under 12, older people, retirees, people with a disability | Free, with proof if asked |
| Students and teachers with a valid ID | 75 percent discount |
| Mexican nationals and foreign residents with official proof | 50 percent discount |
Do not assume that discounts can be combined. The tour price is a separate cost, so a day trip costs the tour fee plus the park fee unless the listing says the fee is included. Read what each offer covers before you compare prices. For most visitors, the standard 125 MXN is the figure to plan with.
Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Diving can run longer under the park's management program, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. by day and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at night. Ask your provider which window applies on your day.
Cabo Pulmo or snorkeling near Cabo San Lucas
Two different kinds of snorkeling day.
| Option | How you get there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cabo Pulmo | Long road trip, usually with a guide | National park with a 125 MXN fee per person and day, plus the tour price |
| Santa María | By car or by boat from the marina | A protected bay on the corridor, reachable overland |
| Chileno | Along the corridor | Generally used for swimming, but the daily flags decide |
| Pelican Rock at Land's End | On a boat trip toward the arch | A snorkeling stop on some boat programs, not a swim from the marina |
For most visitors with only one free day, snorkeling in a bay near Cabo San Lucas is the easier choice. Choose Cabo Pulmo when the reef itself is the reason for the trip and you are happy to spend a long day on the road. Do not assume the park fee applies at Santa María or Chileno, because it is a separate charge for the national park.
Snorkeling rules in the park
Habits that protect the reef.
Use an authorized guide
Use authorized service providers and follow the signs and the marked zones. Zones can differ in what is allowed, so listen to the briefing before you enter the water.
Life vest and distance
Wear a life vest while snorkeling over the reef, as guest or guide, and keep at least 2.5 m from rock and coral. Gloves are not allowed except in regulated cases. Ask your guide what applies on your day.
Land only where it is allowed
Land only at permitted, signposted places.
No promises about conditions
Check the current rules with your provider, including any visitor limits and reef sections that may be closed. A listing with free seats does not tell you what the water is like on the day, so allow a spare day if your schedule is tight.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other places and trips nearby.
Cabo Pulmo: frequently asked questions
Is Cabo Pulmo near the arch at Land's End?
No. The arch is at the southern tip of the peninsula inside the Cabo San Lucas protected area. Cabo Pulmo is a separate national park with a coral reef on the Gulf of California.
How much does it cost to enter Cabo Pulmo?
The park fee is 125 MXN per person and day. Children under 12, older people, retirees and people with a disability are exempt, students and teachers get 75 percent off and Mexican nationals and foreign residents get 50 percent off. A guided tour costs extra.
What are the opening hours?
Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Diving hours can be longer, so ask your provider which window applies.
How far is Cabo Pulmo from Cabo San Lucas?
It is 98.1 km by road from San José del Cabo and 167 km from La Paz. Cabo San Lucas is at the other end of the corridor from San José del Cabo, so the trip is longer than 98.1 km. Check the transfer time with your tour provider.
Do I need to book in advance?
Guided trips run through providers, so check availability for your date before you plan around it.