Vacationing in Los Cabos
Los
Cabos
A
beautiful area of pristine beaches and resort hotels located at the tip
of the Baja Peninsula, south of La Paz and southwest of Tijuana, the two towns
are commonly referred to together
as Los Cabos, although they could not be more different. San Jose del
Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are separated not just by 30 km (20 miles), but also
by their attitudes and personalities. Cabo San Lucas focuses mostly on
sports and fiestas, whereas San Jose del Cabo remains a tranquil small
Mexican town.
This serene colonial town was the only one here for many decades and
supported Indian communities before Spanish colonization in 1730 when a
Jesuit mission was established.
San Jose del Cabo offers the best of traditional Mexico: graceful,
tree-lined pavements, small cafés, smiling locals and an unhurried pace
of life. It has a beautiful, fairytale town hall in its centre with
murals of old Baja decorating its inner corridors and its two-storey
courtyard shaded by a large Mexican laurel. As you stroll through the
streets you can enjoy art exhibitions and live concerts by traditional
Mexican bands in the tiled plaza. There are plastered and columned old
colonial buildings with their paseos, or inner courtyards, full of shops.
Since its regentrification in the past decade, Cabo San Lucas has become
host to some of the best resorts in the world. The beaches here are
magnificent, colored a variety of pinks, yellows and oranges as the sun
sets. It is also a place where nature lovers can watch turtles lay their
eggs, hike in the estuary, birdwatching or just collect shells on the
seafront. This gorgeous landscape, a mix of unspoiled desert, white sandy
beaches and dramatic rock outcroppings, including the distinctive 'El
Arco' at the tip of Land's End - the most famous
geographic landmark of the area where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of
Cortez - will blow you away.
Between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas there are more than 20
beaches to explore including Playa Palmilla; Santa Maria Bay, with its
protected cove and marine sanctuary; Playa Chileno, known for its fine
swimming and snorkeling; and Playa del Amor, accessible only from the
sea near 'El Arco'. Whether you are looking for seclusion or nightlife,
the two towns of Los Cabos have something to appeal to every visitor.
The best time
to visit Los Cabos is during January and February, when grey whales often
spout close to shore.
