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Los Cabos |
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Los Cabos
Have you ever known a pair of siblings so different it’s hard to believe they’re even related? So it is with the “twin” Baja Peninsula towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, collectively known as “Los Cabos.” (The name means “the capes.”) They’re both surrounded by the stark beauty of the Sonoran desert, and were developed at about the same time. But these twins each have their own personality. Luckily, their proximity to each other means you can get to know both during your vacation.
Activities and Attractions:
Think of Cabo San Lucas as the wild and crazy sibling, the life of the party who never seems to take anything very seriously. While some people would find a visit exhausting, it is almost always a blast.
Unlike some Mexican resort towns, the fun in Cabo San Lucas centers around bars and restaurants. Though these establishments may lack the throbbing sound systems of Cancun’s dance clubs, nightlife still continues until the daylight hours. Along the town’s Bulevar Marina, it’s almost always hora alegre (happy hour) somewhere.
You should try to take part in Cabo San Lucas’s daytime activities, though. Sport fishing is what originally put Los Cabos on the map, and you can still charter a boat and try your luck with marlin, wahoo, tuna, and sailfish. Or go snorkeling or sea kayaking among the rock formations just offshore. Book a whale-watching excursion. End your day by watching the sun fall into the sea at Land’s End, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
If the Cabos are siblings, then San José del Cabo is the quieter, more contemplative one. Which is not to say that San José del Cabo isn’t a lot of fun—it’s just a lot more low-key. There is a lot of good shopping, especially for art and crafts, along Bulevar Mijares and Zaragoza. Among the pastel-hued buildings, you’ll find galleries, as well as shops specializing in silver jewelry, ceramics, and glass.
The beaches are excellent, and you usually don’t have to go any further than Playa Hotelera, right in town. If you see a sign warning about currents or undertow, try Pueblo la Playa, two miles east. This more rural stretch of beach feels more authentically Mexican, and is frequented by fishermen hauling in their daily catch. From March through November there is surfing, and scuba diving is good year-round. For an adventure, try the deep drift dive at Gordo Banks, where you might spot hammerhead and whale sharks.
For a slightly tamer wildlife experience, Estero (estuary) San José offers the opportunity to view up to 250 different types of birds in a peaceful botanical setting. It’s just the kind of quiet, relaxing activity that San José del Cabo excels at. (You can always go have a drink later in Cabo San Lucas.)
Insider Tip:
The 21-mile stretch of Highway 1 between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is known universally as “The Corridor.” It’s beautiful, winding through the hills and offering stunning ocean vistas, which often include whales spouting in the distance. A daytime drive is a real thrill. But the highway is not illuminated, so we recommend you limit your late-night carousing to one Cabo or the other to avoid driving it at night.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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