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San José del Cabo, Mexico, is a lovely city to walk around. The streets of the center are lined with art galleries, shops, and excellent bars and restaurants. Since it’s hot for much of the year, it’s important to cool off with ice cream after exploring. Here are my favorite places for ice cream in San José del Cabo, Mexico, including local heladerías serving traditional paletas and scoops, as well as newer shops offering creative flavors and gelato.
Many San José del Cabo food tours include a stop at a local ice cream shop. Find the best San José del Cabo food tours here!
The Best Ice Cream in San José del Cabo, Mexico
Nicolina Gelato Cuore
On a San José del Cabo street corner sits a gelato shop lit up like a dinner. From a certain view, it resembles Nighthawks by Edward Hopper.
Inside Nicolina Gelato, you’ll find the creamiest treats in town, with rich gelato and sorbet flavors packed with a punch.
I enjoyed the salted caramel, gianduja, and macadamia orange.
Address: Alvaro Obregon 1304, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
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Nuba Gelato
Nuba Gelato is another excellent gelato shop in San José del Cabo.
Located in the Zona Hotelera, it’s a great option for a beach treat or dessert after having tacos at the excellent Lateral Crudo y Asado or Claro Fish Jr. on the same street.
The shop smells lovely. It also has pretty pink walls and a thatched ceiling.
I enjoyed the dulce de leche along with the cookies and cream, while my girlfriend enjoyed scoops of coconut and passion fruit.
Both were creamy and decadent. It was a perfect stop after the taco shop next door.
Address: P.º del Estero 6B, Zona Hotelera, 23405 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
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Paleteria Pinguino
Now that we’ve covered the more expensive, trendier styles of ice cream, it’s time for something more traditionally Mexican.
Spend time in downtown San José del Cabo, and you’ll spot guys pushing around small ice cream carts branded with Paleteria Pinguino.
Paleteria Pinguino also has a small shop in a quieter area of town. It’s worth the detour.
Inside, there are freezers filled with paletas and ice cream scoops. It’s the most authentically local ice cream shop in San José del Cabo.
Since the selection at the heladería is always changing, there’s no sign listing the flavors. You’ll just have to look for something interesting and ask what’s available. That’s part of the fun.
I opted for the cookies and cream, which had entire cookies embedded inside.
Address: Calle Benito Juarez S/N, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
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Flora Farms
Los Cabos is home to several excellent farm-to-table restaurants. Flora Farms is much more than that.
In addition to the main restaurant, Flora’s Field Kitchen, it has a whole resort and condo complex, including shops, a spa, and, yes, a farm.
Right outside the restaurant is an ice cream stand called Flora’s Ice Cream Cart.
The cart sells homemade, seasonally flavored ice creams and sorbets made with dairy from their ranch.
Address: Carretera Transpeninsular San José del Cabo Km. 30 Las Ánimas Bajas, 23407 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
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La Sabrosa
For something a little different, La Sabrosa is a Greek frozen yogurt shop that also offers gelato.
The froyo has a variety of toppings. On my visit, the flavors available were mango and taro.
I opted for the gelato, getting three scoops: vanilla, chocolate, and Oreo. I’m realizing now I kept going for cookies and cream on this trip. What can I say? I guess I was in that mood.
I know vanilla is boring, but it (along with all the other flavors) was packed with flavor.
There are three La Sabrosa locations in San José del Cabo, plus a few more in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Address: Av Centenario, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
Address: Blvd. Don Guillermo, Monte Real, 23444 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
Address: Chedraui Selecto Col. Club Campestre, 23046 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
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Plaza Mijares
One of the highlights of San José del Cabo is the Art Walk that takes place every Thursday evening from November to June.
The centerpiece of this art and community fair is Plaza Mijares. The plaza is lively on many other evenings, too.
Inside the square, you’ll find pop-up stands selling arts and crafts, food, and more.
Some of the most popular food stands sell churros, elote, and, of course, ice cream.
If the main ice cream truck isn’t open, one of the guys from Paleteria Pinguino can also often be found in the area.
Address: Blvd. Antonio Mijares, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico (map)
