You could travel to the ends of the earth to discover your ideal getaway, but if your dream destination involves a tropical climate, expansive beaches, luxury hotels, resort condos galore, plenty of golf, water sports, fine dining, local color and friendly people, look no further than the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.

Located at the end of the world’s longest and perhaps most majestic peninsula, Baja California, Los Cabos remains a hidden gem, not yet fully discovered by the vacationers who flock instead to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun. A vibrant vacation destination with a rich history, Los Cabos is about 136 miles south of La Paz; about 685 miles from the U.S border. It is comprised of two small, very distinct towns separated by a 20-mile seacoast corridor — San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The corridor connecting the two towns is by no means no-man’s-land. Instead, it’s a scenic highway lined on one side by seemingly endless ocean views and on the other by expansive desert vistas winding past grand resorts, intimate hideaways and world-class golf courses.

Once a sleepy mission town, San Jose del Cabo has retained much of its authentic appeal. The original mission church still presides over the village square which today plays host to an assortment of concerts, dances and craft markets. The town has developed into an artists’ colony, home to an array of galleries and studios showing and selling works by both local and international artists and artisans.

At the other end of the spectrum, Cabo San Lucas rocks to a different beat. It’s where visitors flock to dance their cares away in a hopping nightclub, shop till they drop and catch rays while sipping margaritas in the company of like-minded individuals. This is, after all, the place that inspired Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar to found the Cabo Wabo Cantina and its namesake tequila.

LODGING

MARQUIS LOS CABOS

The Marquis Los Cabos combines contemporary Mexican architecture and an extensive, one-of-a-kind art collection with traditional Southwestern Santa Fe style to create an elegant, comfortable design. All guestrooms are suites and feature a choice of reversible firm or soft mattress, Bulgari amenities, Frette linens, goose down comforters, Internet access and hydro-massage bath with an ocean view. The beachfront property, a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World, is located in the Cabo Real section of Los Cabos near the Robert Trent Jones II-designed Cabo Real golf course.
MARQUIS LOS CABOS
Carretera Transpeninsular KM 21.5
Los Cabos
tel 011 52 624 1442000
fax 011 52 624 1442001

PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET BEACH RESORT & SPA

Bonito Los Cabos is a luxury beachfront resort with a casual, laid-back atmosphere. Situated right on El Médano beach, Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos offers safe swimming (a bonus in a region where rough surf can make ocean swimming a challenge), glorious views and a multitude of water sports activities. The resort features 30 suites, all with a private balcony or terrace, living room area and a fully equipped kitchenette. $$$$
PUEBLO BONITO SUNSET BEACH RESORT & SPA
Playa El Médano
Cabo San Lucas
tel 011 52 624 1429797
fax 011 52 624 1431995
www.pueblobonito-loscabos.com

SHERATON HACIENDA DEL MAR RESORT & SPA

Cobblestone lanes and winding paths interspersed with fountains and squares give Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa the feel of an authentic Mexican village. Guestrooms, done in warm terracotta and cream tones, feature Sheraton’s signature Sweet Sleeper bed. Other amenities include private balcony, Jacuzzi, high-speed Internet access and a full-service spa and a selection of four dining venues. $$$$
SHERATON HACIENDA DEL MAR RESORT & SPA
Corredor Turístico KM 10
Cabo San Lucas
tel 011 52 624 1458000
fax 011 52 624 1458002
www.sheratonloscabos.com

DINING

FRENCH RIVIERA

The French Riviera Restaurant features masterfully designed open architecture complemented by incredible views of the Sea of Cortez and the world famous El Arco, the Arch at Land’s End. The kitchen is in full view of the dining area, allowing guests to see the magic orchestrated by Chef Jacques Chretien and his staff. His love of fine food and his French sensibilities bring the art of dining to a new level in Cabo. Try the roasted Sonora beef tenderloin served with chatequ potatoes and green asparagus with aged oporto sauce or the pan-seared loupon served with baby links with mint tea and hazelnut vinaigrette. Be sure to save room for dessert — melted chocolate cake served with pear puree is a favorite. $$$$
FRENCH RIVIERA
Carretera Transpeninsular KM 6.3
Cabo San Lucas
tel 011 52 624 1043125
www.frenchrivieraloscabos.com

EL CHILAR

A casual setting, interesting wines and a selection of tequila complements the “nouvelle” Mexican fare presented by El Chilar Chef Armando Montano. Chilies of every variety add spice — but never too much — to popular entrees prepared using the freshest possible seafood. Shrimp in roasted garlic with Guajillo chili sauce is a favorite. $$-$$$$
EL CHILAR
Calle Juárezde Morelos
San José del Cabo
Tel 011 52 624 1422544

CANTO DEL MAR

French Chef Thierry Dufour presides over the kitchen at Canto del Mar, the fine-dining establishment at Los Cabos, Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas Resort. Dufour, who recently earned the renowned Maitre Cuisinier de France designation Master Chef of France, creates a fixed-price menu that changes daily. Specialties prepared using local fish and vegetables include duck consommé with morels and roasted king scallops with a crunchy potato in cream sauce. Canto del Mar also boasts an extensive international wine list. $$$$
CANTO DEL MAR
Marquis Los Cabos
Carretera Transpeninsular KM 21.5
Los Cabos
tel 011 52 624 1442000
www.marquisloscabos.com

DIVERSIONS

Fast becoming a golfer’s nirvana, Los Cabos is home to six 18-hole, one 27-hole and one nine-hole course — all located along the corridor that connects San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. And there are four new courses in the works including one designed by Jack Nicklaus and another designed by Greg Norman.

The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol is a par-72, 7,037-yard beauty, with views of the Sea of Cortes from many of the holes. The 18-hole Cabo del Sol Desert Course is spread out over 140 acres of gently rolling desert terrain and provides sweeping ocean views. The Robert Trent Jones II-designed Cabo Real course is the centerpiece of the Cabo Real resort development, which includes five luxury resort hotels. The Raven Golf Club is a par-72 course situated on high ground overlooking famed Los Cabos landmark El Arco, the Arch at Land’s End. Designed by Tom Fazio, Querencia Golf Course is the first completely private course in the Los Cabos area. Querencia embodies a championship 18-hole course, a nine-hole short course plus a state-of-the-art practice facility and a private 26,000-square-foot clubhouse with views of the Sea of Cortes. Mayan Palace Golf Los Cabos is a nine-hole, 3,141-yard course designed for intermediate and beginning golfers.

Although golf is gaining ground, Los Cabos remains known for its world-class deep-sea fishing — especially marlin and billfish. Sportsfishermen from all over the world flock to Los Cabos to angle for striped, blue and black marlin, as well as sailfish, skipjack, yellowfin tuna, dorado, yellowtail and wahoo. Other popular activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Whale-watching is especially popular during the winter months.

Shoppers will delight in an abundance of traditional Mexican handicrafts ranging from souvenir-quality items to custom-made jewelry. Most of the shopping action in Cabo San Lucas is centered on the downtown area and marina district. Shopping in San José del Cabo tends to be concentrated on two main streets — Ignacio Zaragoza and Boulevard Mijares.

Baja Rhapsody

Known as the “Bohemian Baja” due to its reputation as a haven for artists and individuals who want to “get away from it all,” Todos Santos is a laidback alternative to the already laidback ambience of Los Cabos. Located about 42 miles from Cabo San Lucas (up to a two-hour drive given the winding nature of the roads in this region of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula), Todos Santos’ greatest claim to fame may be the fact that it is widely, though erroneously, be lieved to be the site of the hotel that inspired the Eagles’ classic hit, “Hotel California.” Though the legend may not hold true, there is, indeed, a hotel by that name in this tiny Mexican outpost which also boasts a great restaurant — Café Santa Fe — and shopping venues selling everything from hammocks and blankets to handmade silverware and jewelry, plus enough galleries selling original art to satisfy even the most discriminating collector.

Checking In with Antonio Vera
Vice President of Marketing for the Los Cabos Tourism Board

Global Traveler: There’s lingering confusion regarding nicknames versus city names versus regional names in and around Los Cabos — Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Cabo. Please describe for our readers the different areas, their official names and the nicknames that apply.
Antonio Vera: Los Cabos (translated as ‘‘The Capes’’) is comprised of two small and very different towns — San José del Cabo to the northeast and Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.

The picturesque and historic town of San José del Cabo, once a mission town established in the 18th century, appeals to those travelers seeking a more authentic Mexican experience. At its center is a village square where families congregate to socialize and concerts and craft markets presented by local artists are held.

Twenty miles down the coast and marked by the famed arch, the colorful Cabo San Lucas pulses ’round-the-clock with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and a lively marina. Those in search of activity-filled beaches, toes-in-the-sand dining, and live music with dancing to the wee hours will find what they are looking for in Cabo San Lucas.

Connecting the two towns is 20 miles of a seaside “corridor” along which are exceptional resorts, both grand and intimate, and a multitude of famous golf courses. The entire region, comprised of San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas and the corridor, has become affectionately known as “Cabo.”

GT: Los Cabos is in the process of significant development. What lessons have developers learned from other resort destinations (for example, pre-hurricane Cancun) that will ensure Los Cabos maximizes its potential while ensuring development does not compromise its natural appeal?
AV: The state of Baja California Sur is dedicated to the responsible growth of tourism in Los Cabos, which will ensure the pristine nature of our beautiful beaches and desert landscape for decades to come. Through the state’s strict monitoring of development and significant investment to fuel the growth of lesser-known yet tourist-friendly Mexican cities throughout the state such as La Paz and Loreto, Los Cabos is well protected from overdevelopment and will maintain its exclusive appeal and extraordinary natural resources for future generations to enjoy.

GT: What’s on the horizon for Los Cabos in terms of hotel development? What major hotel brands have properties in the planning or building stages?
AV: The Villa Group’s Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas will open its doors this summer and several other new resorts (including a Four Seasons hotel at Puerto Los Cabos) are on the drawing boards for new master-planned resort communities. These luxurious developments, to be located along Baja’s coastline from the Pacific side all the way to the East Cape on the Sea of Cortes, include Hotel Palmas de Cortez,Villas de Cortez, El Dorado Golf & Beach Club, Chileno Bay Club, Cabo Pacifica and Villas Del Mar and will feature residential homes, fine resorts and recreational amenities including championship golf courses and private marinas.

GT: Why should a frequent traveling executive choose Los Cabos as a vacation destination?
AV: Wherever one stays and whatever one’s interests, visitors relish the selection of hotels (from budget to luxury) and wealth of activities (from eco-adventure excursions to golf) found in our picturesque destination surrounded by sands of both desert and sea. There is always something new to discover in the diverse land of Los Cabos. And with newly expanded airlift to this destination, travel to “Land’s End” is easier than ever.

INFO TO GO

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is located eight miles north of San José del Cabo and about 30 miles northeast of Cabo San Lucas. With three terminals, the airport offers a selection of dining venues and some duty-free shopping. Taxi fare from the airport to Cabo San Lucas is about $50, so it’s a good idea to rent a car or use shuttle buses ($15 to $25 per person) that stop at hotels along the corridor. For more information, visit www.visitloscabos.org.