A tale of two Mexican towns – Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Los Cabos is set at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. San José del Cabo, also known the “Sportsman’s Paradise” has been transformed from a sleepy colonial village into a cultural hot spot full of galleries and stylish shops. Use this Los Cabos travel guide to find your place in this special corner of the Baja Peninsula.
Once the harbour of a tuna cannery is now a bustling downtown with a crowded marina and tequila-fuelled party bars. The 20-mile Tourist Corridor—yes, that’s what it is called—separates the two towns and is lined with glamorous resorts. In 2014, the Hurricane Odile hit Los Cabos hard causing so many damages, and went through a full recovery with new hotels and luxury villas. A record numbers of visitors descending on this oasis where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Easy reach from Los Angeles (about a two-hour flight) and an airport that is private-jet friendly, Los Cabos attracts celebrities and travellers all year round. George Clooney loves the area so much that he built a beachfront compound here and sold the property to a Mexican billionaire for a princely sum.
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Wherever you decide to stay, Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, or—most likely—somewhere in between, Los Cabos delivers the quintessential Mexican beach vacation. It’s a combination of luxury hotels, luxury villas for rent, trailblazing restaurants, world-class golf courses, and outstanding fishing, all with views that will make you want to send a postcard home.
From Cabo San Lucas, transportation is directed along a perfectly manicured coastline and a modern four-lane highway (commonly referred to as the corridor) that makes up about 20 miles connecting with the municipality of San Jose del Cabo. The city of Cabo San Lucas is the most populated in the area and is thriving with countless restaurants, boutique shops, and an ultra-modern shopping mall situated alongside the famous fishing marina.
The nightlife is comparable to most metropolitan cities in the U.S. and bumping into a Hollywood celebrity is a normal occurrence in this Mexican hot spot. Names like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Brad Pitt are frequent visitors. Living in Cabo San Lucas is a real treat for the locals. From the quaint little casitas on the outskirts of town to the ultra-mansions that are built on the cliffs of the Pedregal.
WHEN TO GO
With its pleasant desert weather (dry and hot days, cool nights), there’s really no bad time to visit Los Cabos. But the peak travel season is December through April, when the weather is a bit cooler. Bonus: This is also prime season for whale watching. For fewer crowds, go in spring or fall, when temperatures are still mild and rain is less likely. Summer is hot, but you still get those consistent ocean breezes—and the rates are at their lowest.
HOW TO GET THERE
Cabo is connected through the Cabo San Lucas International Airport and the Los Cabos International Airport, the latter located 20 minutes from Downtown San José del Cabo.
WHERE TO STAY
Located south of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, it is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the country.
Although Cabo San Lucas is the main city in the area, the name “Cabo” extends to several nearby towns and resorts. The stretch of road between Los Cabos and San José is known as “The Corridor” and is home to several upscale hotels, residential developments and golf courses.
The most popular beach is Médano Beach, also the safest bathing and swimming area and a top spot for water sports, nightlife, and entertainment.
This region is considered an ideal destination for family holidays and romantic getaways with so much natural wonders such as Arco Cabo San Lucas, gorgeous beaches, impressive world-class golf courses, and water sports. The hotels, resorts and villas are scattered along the Tourist Corridor with its atmospheric views of the coastline. If shopping and gallery hopping are more your thing, head in the direction of San José del Cabo. But no matter where you stay, it’s just a 20-mile drive between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, so you’re not that far from anything.
Visit our villas where to stay when in Los Cabos https://hauteretreats.com/luxury-villa-rentals/los-cabos/
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WHAT WE LOVE
Being a destination full of contrasts, this involves cuisine too. Los Cabos has experienced a complete mix of culinary influences from all over the world. Mexico’s varied and lauded cuisine is well represented throughout Los Cabos, with restaurants expertly preparing dishes that hail from a number of the country’s states, proudly celebrating national traditions.
WHERE TO TASTE GREAT FOOD
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal
A rustic-chic restaurant in the center of San José del Cabo. The simple taco-focused menu—stuffed with fish, al pastor, and more—is best washed down with a local craft beer. If you dare, try a Oaxacan grasshopper taco. You might need a shot of artisanal Mezcal after that.
La Patrona
In the heart of San José del Cabo, a sophisticated restaurant offers an artfully prepared menu that changes daily and can include dishes like fried goat cheese with Parma ham and honey or seafood “estofado”( shrimp, lobster, and fish simmering in a spicy guallijo broth). The candlelit patio with a fire pit gets extra points for its romantic ambience.
Los Tres Gallos
Traditional cuisine here delicious—hand-rolled tortillas, mole dishes, house-made salsas—it’s also affordable. Dine in the intimate hacienda-style courtyard shaded by tangerine and mango trees.
Mi Casa
Mi Casa has been serving up serious Mexican cuisine with a side of entertainment (mariachis, magicians) for more than 20 years in Cabo San Lucas. Dishes range from white-fish ceviche to shrimp tacos al pastor to carne asada.
The Office on the beach
This is casual dining at its best: a beachfront joint with tables right in the sand. This family-friendly place fills up fast, so reservations are strongly suggested.
Aleta
Our Los Cabos beach hotel’s signature restaurant is the perfect spot for relaxing and savoring the flavors of Cabo, with a striking view of beautiful Medano Beach and the Sea of Cortez. Our delicious menu offers a variety of options for everyone. An open kitchen with a seafood market-feel, Aleta Seafood & Steakhouse is a Los Cabos restaurant that features fresh, daily-caught seafood, where you choose your fresh catch from local fishermen and select how you want it prepared; fire-grilled, steamed or fried. For starters, the Restaurant features sushi and raw bar offering an array of made to order sashimi, rolls, delicious oysters, local clams, ceviches, and other seafood delicacies.
BEST SHOPPING
El Armario
In the heart of the San José del Cabo Gallery District is El Armario. Sip a fresh brewed coffee and nosh on a homemade chocolate chip muffin as you browse through the selection of colorful souvenirs: plastic market bags, pottery, candles, and more.
J&J La Casa del Habano Los Cabos
When you walk through the doors of this stogie paradise, you quickly realize this isn’t your average cigar shop. Browse the wide selection of rare cigar varieties from across Cuba while you sample an artisanal blue agave tequila. There’s also a garden out back where you can puff and try the house drink: a Big Papa Mojito, named for legendary cigar connoisseur Ernest Hemingway.
Galeria Corsica
Galeria Corsica is one of the most respected galleries in Los Cabos. Corsica—featuring more than 50 Mexican artists, including world-renowned sculptor Jorge Marin and surrealist painter Leonora Carrington—has become a must-stop for collectors from around the globe
THINGS NOT TO MISS:
You can experience water sports like snorkelling, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, kite boarding, and a lot more. You can also enjoy fun-filled water parks like Playa del Carmen Water Park or the Sea Life Park. If you like to spend your vacation in a seaside resort, then come to Cabo San Lucas, because this is the ideal place for you.
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