LOS CABOS

To get to know Los Cabos is to understand its two distinct personalities: San José del Cabo, the calm older sibling, and Cabo San Lucas, the wilder, younger child. The original destination town in the area, San José del Cabo is known for its surfing and more serene environments. Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy port city in the 1950s but today is full of nightclubs and nightlife. A 20-mile Corridor links the two towns and is lined with world-class resorts. The 30-minute drive along 22 miles of beautiful beaches is a perfect way to acquaint yourself with the picturesque area.

GETTING THERE

The recently upgraded Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is approximately 20 miles north of San José del Cabo. Direct flights are available from the U.S. West Coast; East Coast flights connect via Mexico City. Hotel pick-ups can be arranged by many area resorts; the other most convenient option for reaching your destination is yellow and white mini shuttles, about $8–15 depending on your destination. A taxi (purchase a ticket inside before departing the terminal) is around $80.

GETTING AROUND

To fully experience both San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, a rental car is a must. Car rental agencies are available at the airport, in hotels and downtown. A cab between the two areas is around $36; look for red and yellow cabs in San José del Cabo and blue and green ones in Cabo San Lucas. Public buses, up to $2 one way, are a one-hour shuttle along the Corridor.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

El Arco
Known as Lands End, this marks the exact spot where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Sea lions often gather near the distinctive rock formation. Ironically situated between Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach, the rough winds and seas once responsible for this formation are now perfect for snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. From the shore, watching the sunset is a must.

Baja Mission Route
Spanish, Jesuit, Franciscan and Dominican missionaries attempted to colonize the native people of the Baja Peninsula since the late 1600s. Today, more than 28 missions still stand as a reminder of those times. The original Jesuit mission is in downtown San José del Cabo. The route can be traced throughout the area, from La Paz and Loreto to San Ignacio and Todos Santos.

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
About 60 miles from the heart of Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park offers a different type of beach experience. Surrounded by a mountain range, the beaches open to a shallow bay with one of three living reefs in North America. The area is known for scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking and is also a good spot for whale-watching January through March.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Annual Los Cabos Billfish Tournament
Fishermen try their luck at fishing for the biggest blue, black and striped marlin; yellowfin tuna; wahoo; and dorado. Parties and prizes make the event one of the pre-eminent in its category.

Carnaval de la Paz
The five days preceding Ash Wednesday are a party on the Baja Peninsula. Carnaval signifies the end of eating meat prior to the Lenten observance. The celebrations include parades, floats, music and dancing. The culmination is a Mardi Gras celebration.

Festival of San José del Cabo
March 8 kicks off a yearly 11-day festival honoring St. Joseph, the patron saint of San José del Cabo. Food venues are scattered about the downtown area throughout the festival, but the real fun begins on the weekends with carnivals and parades.

RESOURCES

For more information, visit visitloscabos.travel