Where is Cabo? Los Cabos is a famous Mexican municipality located in Baja California Sur. It is known for warm crystal-clear waters year ‘round, and that does not describe the migrating whales, the quirky and luxury shopping to be done, and many sports and outdoor opportunities at one’s fingertips. The area’s prime destinations are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, connected by Tourist Corridor of golden beaches and swank resorts. Beach-hopping, golfing, and sightseeing are a few popular activities there, and, of course, the photogenic El Arco (Land’s End) is a must. The beach houses in Cabo are incredible.

But where is Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo? You’ll be surprised to learn that is not a trick question.

Finding Cabo

Los Cabos is at the southern tip of Baja California Sur, in the northwestern corner of Mexico. You’ll find the region sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) in the east, and the US-Mexican border in the north.

Cabo San Lucas, the largest resort city in the region, is 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of La Paz, the capital of the Baja California Sur state. San Jose del Cabo, the municipal capital, is 22 mi/35 km distant from Cabo San Lucas in the northeastern direction.

Traveling to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo by Road

Up for a riveting road trip? Pack the cooler and take the route over 1,000 miles from Tijuana – across the border from San Diego — to Ensenada and La Paz and onto Cabo.

Along the way, consider visiting the following places:

• Ville de Guadalupe near Ensenada is the most productive wine region in Mexico.
• La Bufadora, also near Ensenada, is a natural phenomenon staging a geyser-like spectacle.
• Set in an oasis, Mulege is a town in the mountains of Baja California Sur featuring cobbled streets and colorful habitats.
• El Mogote, in the vicinity of La Paz, is a peninsula popular among kayakers that boasts mangrove trees.
• Todos Santos, roughly halfway between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, is a cultural landmark teeming with art galleries and crafts shops.

When you get to La Paz, you’ll be just over two hours from the Cabo’s golden Tourist Corridor.

Traveling to Cabo by Air

You can fly from major cities on the US West Coast – San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego – to San Jose del Cabo directly in less than three hours. Phoenix also maintains non-stop flights to the Cabo’s capital, while you’d need to catch a connection when flying from Las Vegas. For private flyers, the becomes an easy destination with amenities that include seamless private transfers from Airport Cabo San Lucas International (MMSL) to your private villa rental or resort suite.

What Makes Los Cabos an Ideal Vacation Destination?

Many factors joined forces to make Cabo the perfect vacation destination, and these are some of them:

Los Cabos on Location

Los Cabos is among the nearest foreign vacation destinations to the US West Coast. Thus, traveling to Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo is pretty straightforward. And, it consumes less time when compared to trips to Hawaii, Cancun, or any Caribbean destination, for example. Located beneath the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, Cabo boasts diverse landscapes. There, you can spend mornings sunbathing and swimming, afternoons exploring the mountainside, and evenings stargazing in the desert, for example.

Activities to Try in Los Cabos

Traveling to Cabo San Lucas and the rest of Los Cabos would be worth it for tourist activities, if for no other reason.  Due to its diverse countryside and location, Los Cabos teems with outdoor opportunities.

Swimming and snorkeling are rewarding activities because of the rich marine life, especially in the Sea of Cortez, dubbed “The Aquarium of the World.” There, you can see whale sharks, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, and rooster fish, among other aquatic species – and even swim with them.

Hiking and ATV rides reveal a stunning coastal, desert, and mountainous scenery teeming with cacti, white-sand beaches, and verdant greenery. While inland, you may spot a fox, roadrunners, owls, and rabbits. Moreover, you’ll relish ocean and sea views from various viewpoints in the mountain.

Also, did you know that Los Cabos boasts some of the world’s finest golf courses outside the USA? And quite a few of them are masterpieces of legendary designers, such as Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.

Finally, kayaking, boating, parachuting, and skydiving are a few other activities popular among travelers.

Los Cabos Attractions

Los Cabos’ many and diverse attractions are some of the reasons why travelers choose Cabo for their warm weather vacation. While there, we recommend you to visit the following points of interest:

• El Arco is the most photogenic and recognizable landmark of Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos by far. Located where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes meet, it is a popular spot among sightseers and sea lions basking in the sunshine. You can explore the famous arch by boat or surfing board.
• Nearby Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor) is by many the most attractive beach in Cabo. As its name suggests, it is the ideal place for romantic picnics and wedding photo sessions. Also, this pristine beach offers premium snorkelling.
• Fox Canyon, approximately 50 miles/80 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas, is an attraction beloved by hikers, in particular. It has a signposted trail leading through a mountainous setting and introducing desert plants and wildlife. Granite stones flanking a pond are the highlight of Fox Canyon.
• Cabo Pulmo, located some 60 miles/100 kilometers northeast of San Jose del Cabo and 80 mi/130 km of Cabo San Lucas, is a national marine park. Go there to explore the attractive underwater world brimming with rays, whales, turtles, and the widest coral cover in the Gulf of California.
• Medano Beach (Playa el Medano) is a two-mile (three-kilometer) beach strand and is often the epicenter of Cabo San Lucas’s social life. You can find many eateries, stores, and water sports opportunities there.

Destination Cabo: the Breakdown

Now that you know where Cabo is and how to get and what to do there, buy yourself a couple of swimsuits, golf and snorkeling equipment, and good hiking boots.

Most vacationists travel to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, but these are far from the only places you can choose for your base. Any place or resort along the Tourist Corridor is likely to meet your expectations and needs, no matter how high they may be.

See our Los Cabos villa rentals here.

Mexico, including Los Cabos, is wide open for business. Tianguis 2021 has come and gone as the gathering spot for leaders of Mexico’s robust tourism industries, but remains a window into what to watch and where to go as the popular tourism zone emerges from Covid with some very strong trends. As tourism ministers and directors mixed with the latest in destination attractions across Mexico’s 31 states and 15 popular tourism regions, we found some exciting reasons to be hopeful about the year ahead, although the tourism conference’s time-frame in mid-November meant that the Omicron variant had not yet been identified.

Still, given the tough two years that has hit most tourism industries and destinations in the gut, we sat down with Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director for the Los Cabos Tourism Board, to see why the resort location at the bottom of the Baja has had so much to offer during this age of COVID, and what the destination has done right.

In numbers, Los Cabos is open — touting a remarkable 100 percent recovery in tourism with spikes as much as 20 percent in recent months above other popular tourism spots in Mexico. In September 2021 alone, Los Cabos showed nearly 118,000 international arrivals – marking its most successful September month ever with a 40 percent increase in international arrivals compared to 2019.

While Cabos is open and its travel industry’s successes have been impressive, the region’s marketers are not sitting on their laurels. Safety protocols remain in place, especially as new virus variants show up in hot spots around the world. Still, Los Cabos has some radical approaches to this unprecedented era we navigate, bolstered by tight cooperation from tourism industry suppliers and hospitality purveyors.

…

How has this past year been for Los Cabos. How were you able to not just survive, but thrive?

Well, we know that we have to work together to collaborate to overcome adversities. That’s been the case in several occasions in natural disasters and other situations. So the floor was set before COVID, with team challenges that meant working in unison to implement the highest standard protocols.

When we reopened Los Cabos in June 2020, we really aimed at that time to position Los Cabos as the best option for travel in the context of COVID-19. We knew we would have to have the best environment and the safest environment for our travelers as they often rely on the destination and travel frequently to Los Cabos (20 percent of our visitors come four times or more during the year).

When word of mouth about destination started to spread last year we launched a marketing campaign called Los Cabos Rules, aimed at the United States. It entertained a double meaning throughout: like Stay at Home but make that home in Los Cabos; Wear a Mask, but that mask is a snorkel mask in the water. And for Keep Your Distance, we showed a lone paddle boarder floating peacefully in the Sea of Cortez.

And then we have been evolving the messaging, so now we launched a campaign that says: Set Yourself Apart. We did this especially for the US market, as we knew that the concern about traveling was not over, and visitors really want to separate themselves but be in a place that is unique, not crowded.

So where are things now?

Locally, we are in the last part of the Los Cabos reopening plan and 85 percent of the community 18 and older as vaccinated. We continue implementing the protocols and the number of cases has been super low. What we see going forward is that we cannot relax and that the quality needs to be maintained. We are now having bigger numbers than what we had in 2019. In October, for example, we had 30 percent growth vis-à-vis October of 2019. But we cannot take for granted that we will be having the same type of growth moving forward. So we keep innovating and at the same time being very assertive in our communications.

Are you offering new products to bring people back?

Yes, we need to keep innovating. One of the new products that we have just launched is called District 23 400. That is the zipcode of the downtown area of San Jose del Cabo.

 

It’s a fantastic area, all the renovated, and we created a chic district focused on the gastronomic experience. Some 30 restaurants belong to the program, all within walking distance of each other in the downtown part of the town. This is at the northern end of the tourism corridor. We have a specific section in the Visit Los Cabos ecosystem for this where we feature, the chefs, their recipes, and the special menus they offer on Tuesdays – we call it “Tasty Tuesdays.” We promote the freshness of the area organic farms and farm-to-table experiences, the fresh seafood you can have with the very talented cooks and chefs that have been moved to Los Cabos from all around Mexico in the world. And it appeals to the very select audience of travelers that come to Los Cabos.

There has been a big renaissance for downtown San Jose del Cabos. Visitors will see this district on Tuesdays. They already know about Thursdays arts markets and these are usually totally full. That’s why we did we created the Tasty Tuesday option, to have a different day of the week for people to come and walk around and experience the fun. And then we’re going to have another part of this program that will focus on street food in this area.

What are some of the audiences you seek to reach?

We have seen an evolution in the travel, especially on the high end with the evolving high-end traveler. Those are people who travel a lot and can go anywhere in the world. We have seen that there is a big evolution in the things that they are looking for in a vacation.  We are also working on the factor of inclusion. We have three tracks there, one on LGBTQ, another is on accessibility, and then we have a focus on black travel, which is another big trend we are seeing in Los Cabos. And one final focus is on community engagement. Everyone wants to know what is happening with the community and how they can engage with the community. They want to visit the ranches where the people actually live and know the story behind the story. So those are the new channels in travel we’re working on.

What are some of the new experiential trends afoot?

A big trend we see is in sustainable vacations. We have, very close to Los Cabos, hiking trails with natural waterfalls and natural reserves that people can explore on their own and they won’t need a four by four vehicle to get to these places.

And we are also looking at the adventurous toys people like to play with in the waters. For instance, there’s a company that has been coming up, and they want to be environmentally friendly. And they have a lot of toys, but they are all electric. They are called Caboelectric and they use something called an eFoil that is a surfboard with an electric propeller that powers the board to move through any water. And they have paddle boards and a variety of other boards and equipment and it’s all geared for sustainability. So this is one of those only in Cabo ways to have fun in a unique way and still stay friendly to the environment.

What are some trends in hospitality gaining traction in Los Cabos?

The whole villa concept is taking off in Cabo. So that’s actually fairly unique, and helping to create a Mediterranean experience there. And we have variety, such as villas inside such luxury resorts as Rosewood, and other villa-focused developments that are owned and leased out through various companies.  To stay in a villa is different from a stay in one of the resorts in Los Cabos. Maybe the guests are coming in by private plane and coming with many members of the family. For other guests, sometimes they want to simply stay in a resort so they can play golf or just relax in a wellness program.

What about airline travel to Los Cabos?

Currently, we have 45 percent more lift than we did during the same time in 2019, and from more gateways. We used to have 21 gateways from the United States with nonstop flights. Now we have 26 gateway cities in the United States and more frequencies. We went from 350 flights on a weekly basis to 500 weekly frequencies and we have been diversifying, especially the Northeastern U.S.  I think the demand is there now, because the airlines follow the demand. But we cannot take this for granted. Now that visitors have experienced the destination, we need to make sure that they come back.

How are meetings managing in Los Cabos? Are they coming back?

We have seen a big, big comeback in meetings, especially involving incentive programs and small corporate meetings. And again, there are a couple of interesting dynamics that we have here that are different from other destinations. If you make a check of average daily rates on meetings in various locations, usually the bigger bulk of rooms, the lower the average daily rate. In the case of Los Cabos, the average daily rate of meaningful incentives is higher, say $465 a night, and the average daily rate for meetings is $250. But that is because the incentive programs and the corporate meetings prefer to work with premier product when they come to Los Cabos as it’s an aspirational destination and a great way to reward an employee.

But we have seen some changes, the incentive groups are now smaller, and they break up. So instead of bringing 150 people, they break up into sections of 50. Or if they are coming for a corporate retreat, they want to have a much more meaningful type of connection or reflection or experience when they come to Los Cabos.

Many conferences have been taking place with very specific protocol — everyone that comes goes through an arrival team test before getting access to the meeting. And then when these attendees go back to the United States, they need to go through another COVID test. We make it very easy because all the hotels offer this service on site through a certified facility.

What happens if a visitor tests positive for COVID-19 and must quarantined. Who pays for that?

In the beginning, it was popular for visitors to have insurance and many hotels also offered this option. More recently the incidents of a positive result have been super minimal. But we have a specific protocol for hotels and hospitality members and they need to advise the state medical authority immediately when somebody tests positive – once false positive results have been ruled out. Once confirmed positive through a PCR test, the guest must quarantine at the hotel. Medical authorities have to get in touch with the patient on the phone to assess the condition and needs, including food. The patient cannot leave the room, they need to stay there for the stated duration. But many hotels and resorts and villa companies are cooperating by offering at least a 50 percent discount if the guest does not have insurance.

However, the number of cases has been so low that many properties are promoting the amenity that guests contracting COVID can quarantine for free. They can do this because the number of positive cases are so so few that is makes a strong promotional statement.

For some visitors who may be staying with friends and relatives in a $5,000/night villa, though, the prospect of spending only $2,500 a night to quarantine may still be a little high. So, we have some business class hotels with special rates so those who need to quarantine can do so without too much financial pain. We have not had a positive case ion a very long time, but it’s something we need to protect.

Do you have any kind of a closing thoughts about Los Cabos and 2022?

We believe that 2022 is going to be a year with a lot of challenges. Los Cabos is open for business and we need to keep making sure that Los Cabos will still be considered the best and safest option for anyone looking to come. That’s the word and we need to keep working on it to make sure that it remains. See our Palmilla vacation rentals with chefs here.

There is so much more to the Los Cabos food and restaurant scene than just tacos, melted ice, and tortilla buffets in identical resorts for those seeking the best restaurants in Cabos San Lucas In fact, Los Cabos offers some of the best cuisines from across the globe. The city has some of the best seafood in the Baja, with exquisite chocolate clams, juicy lobsters, and irresistible smoke marlin — delicacies that give the peninsula bragging rights.

Los Cabos is also well known for its brilliant flourish in fusion cuisines and Pan-Pacific culinary orientations. If you are looking to fully experience Cabo in all its culinary glory, then read on to find the best restaurants in Cabos San Lucas.

 

Nik-San

Simply put, Nik-San is one of the best Japanese Mexican fusion restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. The original restaurant opened downtown in Cabo San Lucas back in 1994, and since then, it has become one of the city’s most popular local sushi spots and remains on of its best restaurants. The restaurant’s superstar chefs, Ángel Carbajal and Masayuki Niikura, do not disappoint when creating the most beautiful and innovative fusion of Mexican and Japanese elements.

There are two Nik San restaurants in Los Cabos: one at the Shoppes at Palmilla near the One & Only Palmilla, and the second at the Plaza de la Danza in Cabo San Lucas. For most visitors, having sushi in Mexico might seem like an odd way to spend time at this popular Mexican beach resort destination. However, Nik-San prioritizes ambience, sanitization, and topnotch service. If you want a one of a kind dinner, choose the Omakase, a multi-course chef’s choice array that will explode your tastebuds.

 

El Farallon

Nothing beats enjoying a wonderful meal in a breathtaking cliff-side setting. Dining in El Farallon, hands down one of the best restaurants in Los Cabos if only for the setting, gives you the magnificent opportunity to enjoy great cuisine while looking over the stunning Pacific Ocean. Aside from this breathtaking scenery, El Farallon couples an intoxicating romantic atmosphere with the best fresh locally sourced seafood. The rustic, elegant atmosphere pairs wonderfully with the chef Gustavo Pinet’s market concept, in which diners get to pick the main course market style from a presentation of fresh catch on shaved ice. You will get to choose from a delectable assortment of sea bass, red snapper, tuna, dorado, lobster, shrimp, and clams.

Your entree choice is then weighed and taken to the chef to create a beautiful dish with exquisite soups and salads for you. For those who want to enjoy the ocean view without seafood, the menu is just as extensive and exquisite. The romantic feel in this restaurant is nearly unmatched and it is absolutely an unforgettable way to experience Los Cabos’ fine dining scene. Don’t want the meal? Choose the Champagne instead. The terrace above the rocks overlooking the ocean from this tight Cabo San Lucas vantage at the Pedregal is the right setting to sip from a menu of some 15 different champagnes ranging from Blanc de Blancs to Rosé and vintage champagnes, guided by a dedicated sommelier and complemented by a selection of moles and artisan salts.

 

Restaurant Cocina de Autor

When translated to English, the Spanish phrase “cocina de autor” means “signature cuisine.” In many ways, the name of this restaurant already promises you a memorable experience. Cocina De Autor, another of Los Cabos’s best restaurants, is the perfect place to experience the signature touch of renowned chef Sidney Schutte’s playful but artful menu. Each dish made in this restaurant has been artfully created with fresh local ingredients and unusual but somehow perfect pairings like clam and chocolate. Find this restaurant at the Grand Velas Resort above Cabo San Lucas along the Tourist Corridor marking the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez.

Wine pairings are also included for diners above the age of 18, offering an impressive and diverse selection. The eclectic menu focuses on what can be done with octopus, prawns and New York steak but there is also a vegan menu to consider, a rare option in Mexican dining. Price fixe multi course choices run around $170 per person.

 

Nobu Los Cabos

Long before its premiere in November 2019, the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos had been highly anticipated mostly because of the promised Nobu Los Cabos restaurant. Headed by the culinary world royalty, Nobu Matsuhisa, this restaurant promises a creative fusion of Peruvian ingredients and elements with Japanese cuisine. This seamless integration is presented with style, class, and high quality.

The sophisticated atmosphere is accented with unmistakable Japanese detailing in the wood, and the stunning Pacific Ocean views. Accompanying the celebrated menu is a lengthy and impressive wine list. Should you prefer a less fancy and less pricey option. Malibu Farm is also operating at this resort that is partially owned by Robert Di Nero. Malibu Farm offers an eclectic menu of Mexican delights fused with fresh catch, organically grown vegetables and healthy side dishes in an airy indoor-outdoor romantic setting.

 

Edith’s

Edith’s is a precious secret tucked into the heart of Cabo San Lucas and a fun experience in dining with excellent food, pleasant service, and a beautiful setting. The cozy setting brings beautiful rustic wood tables, thatched ceilings, and an overall barefoot ambience. You can find a beautiful combination of flavorful Baja home-grown recipes and elements from Edith’s hometown in the Guerrero mountains.

Seared at One&Only Palmilla

Seared by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his internationally renowned, culinary style to contemporary wood-fired cuisine. The restaurant is convenient to guests staying at Elegant Mexico’s Villa’s del Mar properties as it is just a two-minute ride away for guests via their provided villa golf carts and they have signing privileges at all One&Only Palmilla’s restaurants.

Seared showcases the finest cuts of meats, the freshest seafood and delectable sides with one of the most extensive wine lists in all of Mexico. But the chef is wide and varied in his talents and offers such options as aromatic artichoke tagine with kumquats and corn nut crusted salmon.

Caviar, too, is on the menu – Daurenki, which is the result of pairing two sturgeon species found in a lake that borders both Russia and China that produced a wonderful new caviar. It is offered with egg toast and herbs or chive crème fraîche on warm blinis. Not a caviar fan? Try oysters from Laguna San Ignacio in La Paz.

 

Food in Focus

Dining in Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas can be an adventure in luxury with restaurants to pin on your “been there, done that” list. With these curated restaurants in Los Cabos, the choices are easy and the meals are memorable. See our Palmilla vacation rentals with chefs here.

Christmas in Mexico is Christmas like no place else. Combining elements of Catholic Christianity and indigenous (Mayan) culture, it runs longer than anywhere else in the world. It typically lasts from December 12 to January 6, with the final celebration taking place on February 2. During this time, Mexicans and travelers partake in musical concerts, processions, carol singing, and other performances.

Mexican Christmas traditions also feature decorated Xmas trees, displays of nativity scenes (the birth of Christ), and a lot of traditional specialties. Needless to say that tequila flows in abundance.

So, maybe you won’t have much snow to accompany your Christmas celebration in Mexico. But you’re still in for a great time while visiting Mexico City, Merida, Cancun, Los Cabos, or any other of the nation’s top tourist destinations.

Christmas Traditions in Mexico

Christmas time in Mexico lasts approximately a month, and we could divide this traditional celebration into the following stages:

Christmas in Mexico: Virgin of Guadalupe 

Virgin of Guadalupe is a feast accompanied with parades, fireworks, and other festivities. Held on December 12, it offers various insights into multi-layered Mexican culture.

The focal point of the celebration is the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which welcomes pilgrims from all over the country. The basilica contains an image of the Virgin Mary and is located at the exact spot where the Holy Mother of God appeared to an indigenous man in 1531.

Christmas in Mexico: Las Posadas

Las Posadas, taking place from December 16-24, is a re-enactment of Jesus’s parents’ (Joseph and Mary) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Children dressed like angels and wearing outfits reminiscent of these ancient times carry candles and sing carols.

They go from one house to another and ask for admittance. The celebration ends at a different home every day. There, the participants treat themselves with various specialties and delicacies stored in piñatas – dedicated vessels made of paper, cloth, or pottery.

Starting from December 16, the nativity scenes called Nacimientos decorate Mexican homes.

Christmas in Mexico: Noche Buena

On Xmas Eve, or Noche Buena (Good Night in Spanish), on December 24, you’ll admire floral arrangements throughout town and city centers and in Mexican houses. The locals have festive dinners in the evening and attend a midnight mass known as the Mass of the Rooster.

During Christmas celebrations, you are likely to hear carols you are unfamiliar with. While some are translations of well-known Silent Night, others may be local carols, such as Los Peces en el Rio (The Fishes in the River) and Canta, Rie, Bebe (Sing, Laugh, Drink).

Christmas in Mexico: Day of the Holy Innocents

After Christmas, on December 28, Mexicans commemorate the mythical massacre of male children ordered by Herod, the King of Judaea. According to legend, it was his reaction upon learning of the birth of Jesus, who was destined to become king of Jews.

This Mexican Christmas tradition pretty much resembles Fools Day celebrated in April in the USA.

Christmas in Mexico: Three Kings Day

On January 6, Mexican kids receive gifts symbolizing those brought to baby Jesus by three wise men (kings).

Christmas in Mexico: La Candelaria

On La Candelaria – 2 February – the Mexicans take Jesus Christ figurines to the church to receive blessings. After that, you can attend festivities and parties, or feast at your host’s home.

Christmas in Los Cabos

To celebrate Christmas in Mexico even longer, visit Los Cabos. Here, the celebrations start from December 1 and run until February 2. And don’t worry about cold weather, a pullover or a light jacket is the warmest outfit you’ll need.

Christmas Weather in Cabo 

Daily temperatures in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo typically range between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C) during December and January. As for water activities, you’ll have great swimming, snorkeling, and diving since sea temperatures usually fluctuate from 72°F (22°C) to 77°F (25°C).

So, if you fancy warm weather during Xmas, the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor is your ideal destination.

Christmas Traditions in Los Cabos

Christmas and New Year celebrations and traditions in Los Cabos are similar to the rest of Mexico. Thus, you can attend Las Posadas, Holy Innocents Day, and other ceremonies.

Also, you’ll admire nativity scenes on the streets, private residences, and commercial areas and take part in the festivities. Along the way, spice up your holiday mood with delicious food, such as Buñuelo (fried dough) and Tamale (a traditional dish), and beverages (tequila, for example).

In San Jose del Cabo, take a walk along the main plaza and relish opulent decoration. Also, discover the Art Walk in Gallery District.

For something entirely different, attend Cabo San Lucas Nautical Christmas Parade held around mid-December for a few days.

To enjoy such a unique spectacle, go to the marina or the nearby beach and watch sailing boats and yachts featuring Christmas lights. A fireworks display may be staged while the vessels return to the marina to lift Xmas spirits further.

Finally, don’t miss whale-watching, which kicks off around mid-December in Los Cabos and lasts way longer than Christmas celebrations in Mexico do.

Celebrating Christmas at Cabo Restaurants and Resorts

You can also consider having a Xmas dinner at eateries and resorts in Los Cabos. Many hospitality facilities offer meals brimming with delicious courses and desserts. Of course, carol singing is a part of the program, while some establishments offer you dining under the open, starry sky.

Best Christmas Shopping in Los Cabos

As elsewhere, shopping is an important Christmas tradition in Cabo. You will find many opportunities to buy gifts to place under your Christmas tree along the Tourist Corridor. But, to get yourself spoiled, prioritize Cabo San Lucas.

For example, you can shop Xmas presents till you drop at Diamonds International – one of the world’s largest duty-free jewelry stores. For Cuban cigars, pay a visit to J&J Habanos. If you prefer spending Christmas and New Year wearing swimsuits instead of winter coats, stop by Zingara Swimwear.

The boutiques and plazas are bright with lights and festive decor leading up to and after the holidays, and there are always great bargains to be had in souvenirs and spirits throughout the holidays and other times of the year.

See our Palmilla vacation rentals with chefs here.

What’s the best time to go to Cabo? Pretty much any time would be the right answer for those seeming warmth, sun, pampering and adventure in a quick vacation. But like any destination, Los Cabos has its optimized times according to what you may be wanting most from your Los Cabos vacation.

In general, the best time to go to Cabo is from May to June. This period is right after Spring break and before the rainy season sets in. The wintertime crowds have already left by this time, but the summertime storms have not yet made their entrance.

October and November are also good months to go on vacation as it comes after the rains but before the crowd rush for Thanksgiving and Christmas. As such, crowds are smaller, and you can get good deals on flights and hotels.

The fun activities you can enjoy are endless, ranging from whale watching and fishing to diving and surfing. Vacationing in Cabo promises to be a great experience.

Cabo in May and June

The weather in Cabo San Lucas in May and June is considered the best for visiting Los Cabos. There are fewer people visiting, so you can also enjoy reasonable rates in activities and experiences across the city.  During this short period, the city is just recovering from a busy winter crowd rush and getting ready to face a potentially stormy summer. Cabo weather in this period is nice and comfortable, and you will find temperatures hovering somewhere in the mid-80s on most days, with May being the driest month of the year. As the weather in Cabo during June brings little or no rain be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen. June is the last comfortable month of the year in terms of weather before summer hits in full force.

Best Activities in Cabo: May and June

Cinco de Mayo: Although frequently mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the nation’s victory over France when the battle of Puebla was fought. not many municipalities or towns celebrate this holiday outside of Puebla. However, to entertain tourists, some hotels and bars in Cabo host fun fiestas with music, drinks, and food.

 

GastroVino Food and Wine Festival: This is an annual three-day festival held in Todos Santos. There are special events at the best restaurants and wineries the city can offer, including wine tastings, a distinguished ball, and a silent auction for a local charity.

Los Cabos Surfing Open: In June, the surfing competitions start in earnest. This six-day event brings tourists and surfers from all across the globe, with free concerts and food festivals.

Fiesta de la Música: Every year on the solstice, June 21, this live music festival is a wonder to behold. The festival occurs at various locations in San Jose’s Art District, offering all musical styles and encouraging all experience levels to participate.

Stars and Stripes Tournament: The Stars & Stripes Tournament is an annual deep-sea fishing and golfing tournament organized with a fun music festival. Proceeds gathered at the event are often distributed for the benefit of the seven chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Mexico and California.

Best Activities in Cabo: July to September

Cabo Weather in July

July ushers in the first real month of summer in Cabo. Cabo Weather in July is very hot, with nearly every day starting and ending muggy. The rain has not yet come, but the skies are often clouded. July marks the start of the hurricane season, while the water is warm and great for surfing. While the summer heat might not be all that enticing, the sweet summertime discounts may be worth sticking to your beach chair.

The rain finally makes its appearance in August but the month only ushers in the rain sporadically. Muggy days and high heat give August a bad rap as the most uncomfortable month of the year in Cabo. Los Cabos weather in September is the rainiest of the entire year. September is the last month in the hurricane season, although the city typically experiences tropical storms instead.

Summer in Cabo: What to Do

Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen: This festival lasts all day and celebrates the Virgin Mary. The day is filled with cultural craft vendors, an afternoon parade of children, and a fishing tournament in The Cabo San Luca marina. If it catches your interest, bullfights are held in downtown areas as well.

 

Festival of St. James: This July festival celebrates the patron saint of Spain, St. James. It begins with a beautiful parade of riders on white horses and ends with evening street parties. Other fun events include the Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore fishing tournament, the Los Cabos Tennis Open for men, and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all in August.

Mexican Independence Day: This is the most important event in September. The celebrations begin on September 15thy at night with huge crowds in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose.

Best Times to Go to Cabo: October, November

Cabo Weather in the Fall

From October to November, Cabo San Lucas’s weather promises warmth. Although October remains a little muggy, the rain decreases drastically, thus making those cloudy days perfect for snorkeling and welcoming the first whale sharks of the season. November brings in cooler temperatures and decreased humidity with far less frequent rain. The first Humpback whales make their appearance now.

Cabo in October and November: Top Things to Do

Fishing events are at an all-time high during this season. In October, you have two major fishing tournaments:

The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament and the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament bring on the anglers and dole out generous jackpots.

Fiesta de Cabo San Lucas is held on October 18 to celebrate the city’s patron Saint with music, parades, food, and dancing.

Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is held on November 1-2 in remembrance of deceased family and friends. It’s a festive time of celebration rather than mourning. Tip: cleck out  the Secrets of the Catrinas festival from October 31 – November 2 in San José del Cabo. The period is elevated through art installations, performances, cooking classed and workshops,

The Los Cabos Jazz Experience brings the ultimate experience for jazz lovers in the city.

Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament is yet another fun fishing event with cocktail parties and big money jackpots and usually happens around the beginning of November.

Dia de la Revolución (Revolution Day) comes later in November to celebrate the 1910 start of the Mexican Revolution with parades, food, and rodeos.

Best Times to Go to Cabo: December to April

Los Cabos Weather: December to April

Cabo Weather in December is nice and comfortable as the low humidity returns fully for winter and spring. December is the busiest tourist month here as rain is rare and the water temperatures cool down. There is plenty to do and see for snow lovers – the Humpbacks start calving while the Whale Sharks and Gray Whales start migrating across the area. Spring Breakers start coming in as well. March marks the last month to snorkel with whale sharks.

Cabo in Winter: Top Things to Do

December

* Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe)
* Christmas Posadas
* Sabor a Cabo Restaurant and Food Festival: More than 3000 people gather at this time to taste sumptuous selections created by some 60 restaurants, as well as sample products from Baja’s wineries, as well as mezcal and tequila distillers. The event closes with a spectacular concert.

Other winter activities include:

January

• Feast Day of San Antonio de Abad
• La Ventana Classic

February

• San Jose Jazz Weekend
• Todos Santos Open Studios Tour

March

• Festival of San Jose marks an 11-day festival starting on March 8th that honors the city’s patron saint, San Jose.
• Festival de Cine de Todos Santos is the place to be if you are a lover of Latin cinema.
• Gala de Danza brings dance and dance culture to light with Dancers, choreographers and musicians from 20 different countries congregating in Los Cabos for some memorable performances. 

April

Paws ‘n Claws Open Golf Tournament happens at the Palmilla Golf Course in early April. Format is unspecified with various challenges that make it fun and interesting.

See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Playing golf in Los Cabos is among the top leisure activities in this part of Mexico. Golf enthusiasts can find 18 first-class Cabo golf courses and, of these, can test four that were ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world (the USA excluded) by Golf Digest in 2018.

Golf courses at the tip of the Baja Peninsula feature stunning scenery, with views encompassing nearby mountains, desert landscapes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Sea of Cortes. And renowned designers – the likes of Jack Nicklaus (the Golden Bear), Greg Norman (the Great White Shark), and Tom Fazio – built many of them. What’s more, many iconic golf tournaments, such as PGA Senior Grand Slam, took place in Cabo.

Also, weather conditions, featuring cool ocean breeze and sunshine, favor golfing in Los Cabos most of the year. Because of these and other reasons, many renowned players, such as Tiger Woods, have often played here.

Cabo courses are either public, private, or accessible with some limitations. And since passionate golfers outstrip members, we’ll give an overview of the best golf courses in Los Cabos that welcome guest players.

Best Golf courses in Los Cabos

One&Only Palmilla

Palmilla is among the top golf clubs in the Cabo region. Boasting a signature design by Jack Nicklaus, it features diverse landscapes throughout its three courses – Mountain, Ocean, and Arroyo. The club has 27 holes, and each course has 18-hole combinations.

To enjoy mountain views under the clear skies between holes, head to Mountain Course. At holes four and five, take some time to admire a scenic water reservoir. Mountain Course occupies a 3,602 yards area.

If you prefer canyons and deserts over mountains, Arroyo Course is where you should go. This fairway measures 3,337 yards and prides itself in “The Three Best Holes in Los Cabos” (sixth, seventh, and eighth). Besides centuries-old cacti, you may spot roadrunners, hawks, and other wildlife as you advance.

To get from the first to the sixth hole of the 3,572-yard Ocean Course, you have to overcome an elevation change of 600 feet. Along the way, admire the Sea of Cortes and palm trees. When you get to the ninth hole, the mountainous and desert landscapes will welcome you.

The best part of playing at One&Only Palmilla is the convenience. For guests of Elegant Mexico, the access is open, privileged and ready to go with your own dedicated cart to take you from your villa on the sea to the undulating greens with all your clubs and provisions. Plus, guests of Elegant Mexico have full signing privileges for all dining, spa and activities offered at the stunning One&Only Palmilla resort, a verified member of the Forbes Travel Guide Luxury portfolio.

Cabo Real Golf Club

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Cabo Real is the only golf club in Los Cabos that hosted two PGA events so far (in 1996 and 1999). And the appearance of whales near the green during the former made this golf course famous throughout the world.

Located along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, the 18-hole Cabo Real boasts fairways climbing the mountainside almost 500 feet above sea level. In accordance, you’ll relish rewarding vistas of the Sea of Cortes while enjoying your favorite pastime.

The 7,037 yards golf course also features seaside holes, and each of them offers sea views. But don’t let these distract you since you’ll have to deal with arroyos and sand traps along the way.

Cabo Real Golf Club caters both to beginners and advanced golfers. Due to the club’s popularity, you would do well to make early reservations, preferably no less than seven days in advance.

Vidanta

Vidanta is the oldest and the most affordable golf course in the Cabo region. It measures 3,153 yards and is pretty flat compared to other courses that make Los Cabos famous. It has nine holes, moderate bunkering, relatively narrow fairways, and a substantial water hazard.

Vidanta boasts an attractive location, with the Sea of Cortes, desert landscapes, and Sierra de la Laguna mountains flanking the golf course. And well-manicured greens run between those while palm trees and other vegetation dot the area.

You are sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you get from one hole to another. However, other golf clubs scattered throughout the region typically boast more spectacular views than Vidanta does. Still, that is the price you pay for a budget-friendly golfing in Cabo.

If you need to brush up on your skills before getting to the course, use an on-site practice ground.

Campestre

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, just like Palmilla, Campestre is minutes away from the San Jose del Cabo downtown and among the most popular golf clubs on the Baja Peninsula. Occupying the undulating hills of the Sierra de la Laguna, Club Campestre has a 7,055-yard course with 18 holes. The landscape combines mountain, desert, and sea views.

While playing golf, expect to find green fairways, sandy areas, omnipresent big bunkers, and curved arroyos. Also, you’ll have to contend with elevation changes in the process. If you like to challenge yourself, you will enjoy the par-5 7th, par-3 11th, and par-4 18th holes, in particular.

Besides the golf course, Campestre boasts other facilities for a premium experience. A private beach, an infinite edge pool, and tennis courts are some of them. Note, though, that only club members can enjoy these additional facilities.

Puerto Los Cabos

Laid out by two legendary designers, Nicklaus and Norman, Puerto Los Cabos is another sought-after golf club in the Los Cabos region. At present, it features three nine-hole courses dubbed the Norman, Nicklaus I, and Nicklaus II courses.

Norman Course is a 3,590-yard signature design featuring a 400-foot elevation change. Nicklaus I measures 3,758 yards and stretches from mountain hills to the sea. Nicklaus II, flanked by dunes, covers 3,436 yards.

Besides views of the blue and turquoise waters from around 3/4 of the entire ground, you can benefit from tacos, burritos, margaritas, and other food and drinks from on-course comfort stations.

What Are the Most Popular Public Golf Courses in Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas Country Club, boasting Lands End views, is another course open to the public.

Cabo del Sol Desert Course is also publicly available. Yet, this may change in 2022 following the opening of a nearby Park Hyatt Los Cabos hotel. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Los Cabos may be all about the party, the beach, the boats, the endless margaritas and the marvelous sunsets savored from your villa patio or suite. But did you know Los Cabos was also all about adventures? Cabo adventures will take any vacation to new levels of enjoyment and provide plenty of thrills, chills and bragworthy moments to retell.

Whether you are a fan of water or extreme sports, you’ll feel at home in Los Cabos and find a series of Cabo adventures to keep you entertained and occupied, and absolutely wanting for more. Here’s a rundown of the best Cabo adventures available near and farther away from the Tourist Corridor, which connects resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Snorkeling in Los Cabos

The waters between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo abound with marine life. Because of their exceptional purity, you’ll be able to spot colorful tropical fish over long distances, typically no less than 50 feet (15 meters). And depending on the location, the coral reef may come as a big bonus.

Cabo diving is an option but for those untrained in the PADI ways, snorkeling is still a brilliant option. Some of the best places for snorkeling are Santa Maria Beach, Lover’s Beach at Lands End, and Chileno Beach. Arrive early to have all the underwater world for yourself, preferably no later than 9 am. The sea in Cabo is at least 70°F/21°C warm throughout the year.

Some aquatic species inhabiting the nearby waters are yellow porkfish, blue damselfish, and roosterfish. If lucky, you may spot whales during the migration season (January-April), too.

For premium snorkeling tours, check out Cabo San Lucas Tours or Dive Cabo.

Los Cabos Desert ATV Drives

If you prefer something shore-bound, maybe ATV tours, possibly combined with bungee jumping or some other fun activity, will do. Providers tend to offer round-trip transport from various destinations along Tourist Corridor to the starting point. When the ATV tour starts, adventure-seekers experience golden and white-sand beaches, desert landscapes, and nearby mountains.

Once you fill your lungs with fresh sea air while exploring the coastline and spot a waterfall or another landmark along the way, you’ll go to the desert. There, admire local flora and fauna, including cacti, birds, and possibly foxes and rabbits. Mountain trails lead to various viewpoints offering views of Cabo, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of California (the Sea of Cortes).

Driving the Baja 1000 race trail – where one of the world’s most challenging races takes place in November – is among the top activities for experienced drivers.

Some renowned ATV tours providers in the area are Cabo Adventures and G-Force Adventures.

Hiking in Los Cabos

Located in the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lucas and Tourist Corridor, Fox Canyon is a first-class destination for avid hikers. Before setting off on the hiking tour, be sure that you can stand high temperatures and aren’t afraid of snakes, tarantulas, and other such animals that might cross your path.

The well-signposted trail starts at Sol de Mayo and traverses the landscape revealing an abundance of desert plants and clusters of verdant greenery in a mountainous setting. A tour guide will elaborate on the most interesting flora along the way.

Keep your eyes open for various birds, such as roadrunners, Xantus hummingbirds, and cape pygmy owls. If very lucky, you’ll spot a deer, puma, or a fox, but these are usually active at night.

For most hikers, a tour highlight is refreshing in a pond flanked by granite stones, beneath a cascading 50-foot (15-meter) tall waterfall.

For the guided tour, check out High Tide Los Cabos or Cabo San Lucas Tours.

Cabo Mountain Biking

Mountain biking in the Baja desert and mountain environment reveals some of California’s most diverse scenery. Cycle paths are available near Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo resort towns, a short distance from Tourist Corridor. Their difficulty levels range from easy to difficult, so everyone gets a chance to enjoy one of the most rewarding activities in the area.

Cycle trails near Cabo San Lucas are between 0.3 and 1.1 miles (0.5 to 1.8 kilometers) long, while those around San Jose del Cabo are up to 4.7 miles (7.5 kilometers) long. As you get around, you’re bound to spot tall cacti, boojum trees, and agaves, among other plant species. As for wildlife, you may encounter foxes, rabbits, roadrunners, hawks, and ospreys. Also, you’ll enjoy panoramic views from vantage points encompassing the Atlantic Ocean and the Sea of Cortes.

Depending on the difficulty level, you may need to overcome steep rocky or sandy hills as you navigate dirt paths.

To pedal your way in relative solitude, book your mountain biking tour between September and May. If you come during spring, you may experience desert flowers dotting the landscape.

Pure Cabo and Cabo Adventures are a few providers of mountain biking in the area.

Cabo Skydiving

There is Cabo diving and there is Cabo skydiving. Adrenaline enthusiasts wishing to take a road less traveled can try some dips in the air go with skydiving. This terrific adventure allows daredevils to experience the beauty of Cabo San Lucas and its environment in full. And Cabo skydiving is available for people of all ages and difficulty levels. If you are a novice or aren’t confident in your skills, licensed professionals will assist you all the way, from jumping from an airplane to landing on a beach.

 

After take-off from Cabo Airport, relish views of the Gulf of California, the endless ocean, and the resort town as you rise to the 10.000-foot (approx. 3.000-meter) elevation.

When you reach the required altitude and jump from the airplane, you’ll drop at the speed of 125 mph (200 kph) for about a minute before opening the parachute. From then on, enjoy uninterrupted views of the Cabo coastline and try to pick out points of interest as you glide through the air.

Pure Cabo and Cabo Skydive are some providers of this thrilling activity.

Cabo Adventures: The Wrap

Should your taste for adventure run deep, there are many other Cabo adventures to check out. How about bungee jumping above a canyon or rock climbing the Baja mountainside? For something less adventurous, maybe camping and sleeping under the starry sky would do. Remote and wild it will still be an adventurous time.

Either way, Cabo is a great place for connecting to nature in any way you see fit and disconnecting from everyday life, if that’s what you seek. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

The Los Cabos Tourism Board is touting a remarkable 100 percent recovery of its travel and tourism activity with a 20 percent growth in tourism arrivals managed in the last quarter from July to September 2021 as compared to the same period in 2019. In September 2021 alone, Los Cabos showed nearly 118,000 international arrivals – marking its most successful September month ever with a 40 percent increase in international arrivals compared to 2019.

Los Cabos is Mexico’s leading destination in tourism recovery and logging in some 20 percentage points higher in visitation recovery numbers in September 2021 compared to Mexico’s other top tourism destinations. The strong indicators are connected to Los Cabos’ safety-focused approach to recovery that included color-coded classification systems managed by hotels, restaurants, bars, tours, and convention centers, determining safety levels and openings/closings, complemented by strongly enforced social distancing protocols – all leading to certifications by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

As a result of its recovery, the destination has been able to recuperate all of its formal hospitality jobs, which are critical to the tourism activity of Los Cabos. The COVID-19 health and safety protocols included the adoption of the destination’s community vaccination program, resulting in near 90 percent vaccination numbers for the population aged 18+ in having received at least one dose to date.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for travel destinations across the world and we are energized to see Los Cabos achieve a full recovery since tourism is at the heart of what we do,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “We will hold tight to the health and safety efforts that got us here. As we head into the holiday season of higher travel activity, it’s our goal to continue to offer the same safer travel environment.”

More Flights to Los Cabos

Looking ahead, there is a 45 percent increase in scheduled seats from the U.S. to the Los Cabos International Airport taking place in the next six months – November to April — vis-a-vis to the same timeframe in 2019 to 2020. Similarly, forecasted bookings for the final winter months of 2021 are estimated to boost the destination to not only reach, but surpass, pre-pandemic levels. To that end, Los Cabos is continuing to see a trend in short booking windows with reservations secured only one month out.

Currently, there are some 500 weekly direct flights to Los Cabos with direct connectivity from 24 U.S. cities in place for this winter season. Increases in scheduled seats the next six months (compared to 2019) are seen mostly in these gateway cities:

*LAX (+73.9 percent)

*PHX (+49.4 percent)

*HOU (+31.1 percent)

*DFW (+33.1 percent)

*DEN (+102.3 percent)

*SEA (+64.9 percent)

International visitors are flowing from four main source cities in the next four months:

• Los Angeles (21 percent of the market)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (11 percent of the market)
• Houston (11 percent of the market)
• Phoenix (9 percent of the market)

Newer discount airlines are getting in on the action as well. Swoop Airlines, for instance, considered an “ultra low-cost carrier,” is launching routes from Edmonton and Toronto in Canada to the Baja, twice weekly from Toronto and once a week from Edmonton, for as low as $139 CAD each way starting November 20.

 

Accommodations in Los Cabos

While the resort destination showed a 52 percent occupancy rate across hotels in September 2021 average daily hotel rates in September 2021 were $276 USD vs. $244 USD in September 2019, combining demand with safety and social distancing protocols in place.

Private flights to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo skyrocketed this year — up 48 percent in March 2021 alone relative to the same month in 2019. Private vacation villa rentals have also been given their time in the sun as families and pods of friends and relatives anxious to get away during the pandemic found safe and scintillating haven in large estate homes near the beach along Baja’s Golden Corridor, where groups could party and relax along the Sea of Cortez.

As for new hotel development, here are the ones to watch:

*Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa Los Cabos – December 2021
*The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort – 2023
*Hotel Park Hyatt Los Cabos – 2023
*A 2nd Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol – late 2023
*Amanvari – 2024

Los Cabos: More Things to Do

In 2021, Los Cabos travelers have been most interested in a mix of outdoor adventure, luxury and personalized experiences that are environmentally safe and give back to the local community.

Going into 2022, however, the destination expects to see a rise in conscious travel with visitors looking for sustainable and environmentally friendly experiences. This includes activities, such as farm-to-table dining, sea turtle preservation programs, conscious use and respect for Los Cabos’ 22 Blue Flag-certified beaches, and choosing eco-friendly hospitality.

Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world’s most diverse tourism destinations encompassing a dramatic desert backdrop abutted by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. It adds to that a growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, legendary sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Any trip to Cabo San Lucas should include a visit to San Jose del Cabo. The two towns that make up this piece of the Baja Peninsula could not be more different in what they offer travelers who want to explore all that Los Cabos has to offer. San Jose del Cabo has the artsy spirit coupled with a sense of history, making it a destination on par with Mexico’s quaint Magic Towns for those who want to explore beyond the beach, the bars and the party buzz of the Baja.

For those staying in a villa with Elegant Mexico, as luck would have it, San Jose del Cabo is a short 13 minute drive away making it a convenient place to dine, sip, shop, browse and wander in the lazy afternoon hours.

Things to Do in San Jose del Cabo

Whether you’re looking for some fun in the sun, a place to relax, or everything in between, you’ll never be short on things to do in San Jose del Cabo.

You can’t visit San Jose del Cabo without spending time on the beach, and 350 days of sunshine every year means anytime is an excellent time to visit. The all-inclusive resorts lining Playa Hotelera offer beach loungers perfect for sunbathing or continue south along the coast to Costa Azul Beach for the best waves in town.

Experience the rich wildlife of Los Cabos by visiting the Dolphin Discovery Center to swim with dolphins or encounter numerous endemic birds and plants at the Estero San José.

Treat yourself to an afternoon of play and relaxation. Hopefully, the scenic views overlooking the Sea of Cortez at the world-class Vidanta Golf Course don’t distract you while going for par on the greens.

San Jose del Cabo offers plenty of history as well.  Plaza Mijares is a favorite place to meet up, hang out, or simply enjoy people-watching. This historical plaza is home to the iconic Misión San José del Cabo. The church dates back to 1730 and remains a symbol of the town and culture. Visitors are permitted inside to admire the ornate décor and religious-inspired art.

Join a walking tour of the town, starting in Plaza Mijares. Tours wind through cobblestoned streets and colonial buildings with a stop at the San Jose del Cabo town hall — one of San Jose’s historical landmarks. The building took nearly 40 years to construct and was inaugurated finally in 1927 (the clock tower was completed in 1930).

Stop by the colorful “Los Cabos” letter sign, considered a rite of passage for people visiting Los Cabos and an Instagram “must”.

Art and Culture in San Jose del Cabo

As if Mexico isn’t already known for its vibrant and colorful culture, you’re sure to see plenty of it while visiting San Jose del Cabo. It’s a place where art and culture are a regular part of life, and you can experience it from the street vendors to art galleries.

Visiting the Gallery District is one of the top things to do in San Jose del Cabo for browsing the best local talent on the peninsula. Contemporary works in Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery, peculiar sculptures in the Frank Arnold Gallery, or the fine art adorning the walls of Galeria de Ida Victoria make good places to start.

Plan to spend your Thursday evening at the weekly Art Walk hosted in the Gallery District, where a few blocks are closed off to cars so that locals and visitors alike can enjoy art displayed in the streets along with live music and eats.

Dining in San Jose del Cabo

If you’re ever stuck on what to eat in San Jose del Cabo or where to shop, simply head to Plaza Mijares, and you’ll quickly find tons of options lining the streets of the downtown district.

San Jose del Cabo is a foodie destination where the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine mix with international dishes to appeal to tourists. And you can’t forget about tasting some of the best seafood you’ve ever had, likely caught the same day it’s served.

La Lupita is a favorite taco spot (aside from street tacos) sample taste unique, artisanal-style tacos.  Alternatively, delight in the charming setting of Los Tres Gallos for home-cooked-style Mexican favorites.

Jardín Secreto opened recently and gives a cool, minimalist vibe amid firepits and tropical vegetation. Garden-to-table cuisine is on the menu but save room for the Wood-fired pizzas matched with an aromatic Baja wine.

Los Tamarindos is another spot that ranks high on foodie lists. It’s an organic farm and restaurant near the San Jose del Cabo estuary and operates out of a farm house dating back to the 19th Century. Similarly, don’t miss Flora Farms, a 25-acre organic working farm and home to Flora’s Field Kitchen serving locally grown and healthy ingredients in creative and inspired presentations. It’s a family affair with hay rides, tours of 100 percent sustainable living spaces, and shops.

Shopping in San Jose del Cabo

There are many small boutique shops around town where you’ll find unique gifts for yourself (or friends back home). Shop locally-made handicrafts at vendors set up in Plaza Mijares or visit the small boutique shops where the local shop owners love to meet travelers and share interesting facts about items in their stores.

Among the favorites is Shima Shima that specializes in Mexican-made finds. Find neon-colored pom pom necklaces and elaborate weaves from the Tenango Valley of Hidalgo, wide-brimmed beach hats and colorful cotton dresses.

Check out some crazy home goods at Caravane Cabo, a design lover’s paradise that is full of artisanal finds like scoop chairs that look like avocados (another Instagram must). Find an array of handcrafted straw bags adorned with sequined Day of the Dead skulls and brightly colored, wooden folk art sculptures from Oaxaca at Choya Rose.

Nightlife in San Jose del Cabo

When most people think about nightlife in Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas is always at the top of mind. But while Cabo San Lucas is full of international-style clubs and wild parties for dancing until the early morning hours, San Jose del Cabo delivers its own nightlife experiences that might be more of your speed.

San Jose del Cabo has plenty of places to enjoy an evening or night out with friends. In El Centro, near the Gallery district, you can find fun bars like Mixology and 12 Onzas that ser tasty cocktails. Also, if you hang around restaurants like Don Sanchez and Shooters long enough, the tables full of hungry patrons transition into ordering rounds of drinks at the bar.

If you’re looking for the best handcraft drinks in San Jose del Cabo, grab a seat at Dalton Gin Bar or Cuervo’s House and watch the bartender put on a crafty display of drink-making. And right next door to Cuervo’s House is La 29, where it only costs 29 pesos to have a fun night out!

Tequila tasting is also on the roster if you know where to look. The great grandson of Jose Cuervo hosts private tequila tastings and classes at his restaurant in downtown. Jorge is studied in everything tequila, and makes an entertaining, educating and spirited few hours for those who want new stories to share at their next dinner party.

San Jose del Cabo is a captivating destination if only for its beauty, history, color and very friendly locals. Visit San Jose del Cabo if you want to escape the trendy tourist areas of Los Cabos for some quirky local culture.