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San José del Cabo is the municipal
headquarters for the two Los Cabos towns, and the downtown area with its
adobe houses and jacaranda trees still maintains the languid pace of a
Mexican village, although bumper-to-bumper traffic often clogs the streets
during weekday business hours. Most of the shops, services, and
restaurants are located between Avenida Cárdenas and the waterfront.
Connecting the two towns, the Corridor has developed as a distinct
destination with a number of legendary fishing lodges, exclusive resorts,
and three championship golf courses. The highway has been widened to four
lanes and is in good repair most of the time, but tends to flood
occasionally between August and November.
The sportfishing fleet is headquartered in Cabo San Lucas, and cruise
ships anchored off the marina dock so that passengers can visit the town.
Trendy restaurants and bars line the streets, and massive hotels have
risen on every available piece of land along the waterfront. To become
acquainted with Los Cabos, take a short boat ride out to the natural rock
arch and Playa de Amor, the beach underneath it.
There are few sites of cultural interest in any part of the area. The
attractions are all in the nature of outdoor entertainment and relaxation.
Cabo San Lucas
El Arco
A spectacular natural rock arch at the point of intersection of the Gulf
of California and the Pacific Ocean is visible from the marina and from
some of the hotels, but is most impressive from the water.
Cabo Acuadeportes
Hotel Hacienda, Playa Médano
114/3-01-17
offers diving trips along with all other water sports. Also arranges whale
watching tours along the shore.
El Faro De Cabo Falso
Lighthouse of the False Cape, built in 1890 and set amid sand dunes, is a
little bit farther on from El Arco. You need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to
reach the lighthouse by land. The best way to view it is from a boat ride
on the water.
Beaches
Playa De Amor
Playa De Amor is a secluded cove at the very end of the peninsula, with
the Sea of Cortés on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. The
contrast between the peaceful cove on the Sea of Cortés and the pounding
white surf of the Pacific is dramatic.
Playa Hacienda
Playa Hacienda in the inner harbor by the Hacienda Hotel, has the calmest
waters of any beach in Cabo San Lucas and good snorkeling around the rocky
point.
Playa Médano
Playa Medano just north of Cabo San Lucas, is the most popular stretch of
beach in Los Cabos and possibly in all of Baja. The 2 mile long span of
white sand is always crowded, especially on weekends.
Playa Solmar
Playa Solmar fringing the Solmar Hotel, is a beautiful wide beach at the
base of the mountains leading into the Pacific, but it has dangerous surf
with a swift undertow.
Fishing
Most hotels will arrange fishing charters, which include a captain and
mate, tackle, bait, licenses, and refreshments. Charter companies include
Gaviota Fleet at marina, 114/3-04-30 or 800/521-2281; Minerva's at Marina
And On Madero Between Blvd. Marina And Guerrero, 114/3-12-82, FAX:
114/3-04-40; Pisces Sportfishing Fleet at marina, 114/3-12-88; and Solmar
Fleet Solmar Suites Hotel, Blvd. Marina, 114/3-35-35, 114/3-00-22, or
800/344-3349, FAX: 114/3-04-10; 310/454-1686 in the U.S..
The Corridor
Bahía Chileno
Baha Chileno an underwater preserve, which is inhabited with a variety of
marine life and is a wonderful place for snorkeling and diving. Visitors
must bring their own equipment.
Bahía Santa María
A picture-perfect white-sand cove protected by towering brown cliffs, has
superb snorkeling, with hundreds of colorful fish swarming through chunks
of white coral. A concession stand on the beach rents snorkeling gear. It
does not keep regular hours, so plan alternative activities in case it is
closed the day you are there.
Costa Azul
Costa Azul is the most popular surfing beach in Los Cabos. A few small
campgrounds and casual restaurants line the beach facing the waves.
Jig Stop Tours
800/521-2281
books fishing trips for several Los Cabos fleets.
Victor's Aquatics
114/2-10-92
FAX: 114/2-10-93
has a fleet on the Palmilla resort's beach.
San José del Cabo
City Hall
There is a small, shaded plaza beside the little yellow building that
serves as the municipal center. There are a few café tables in front of
small restaurants.
Iglesia San José
The town's church is located on a hill above the city hall plaza. The
front of the building displays a tile mural of a captured priest being
dragged toward a fire by Indians.
Los Lobos Del Mar
Brisas del Mar RV park, on the south side of San José, 114/2-29-83
provides kayak tours and rentals. The tours paddle along the Corridor's
bays and are especially popular in the winter months when gray whales pass
by offshore.
Beaches
Playa Hotelera
Playa Hotelera is the stretch of beach that most of the finer hotels use.
It's beautiful, but the current is dangerously rough, and swimming is not
advised. At the east end of the beach, near the Presidente
Inter-Continental, there is a freshwater lagoon filled with tropical birds
and plants. One of the attractions to the birds is the abundance of
insects for food. Visitors may ewact differently to the swarms of insects,
and may wish to come prepared with a coating of insect repellent.
Playa Palmilla
Playa Palmilla is the best swimming beach near San José. It is protected
by a rocky point just south of town. The northern part of the beach is
filled with boats and shacks. Farther south is the Hotel Palmilla beach, a
long stretch of white sand and calm sea.
Plaza San Lucas
Locals and travelers mingle at this large central plaza, with a white
wrought-iron gazebo and green benches set in the shade. Buildings around
the plaza house galleries and restaurants.
Estero de San José
Located at the end of the tourist area of San José del Cabo, this is where
the freshwater Rio San José flows into the sea. The estuary is a natural
preserve closed to boats. More than 200 species of birds can be seen here.
A building on the edge of the estuary serves as a nature center with
exhibits explaining the culture of Baja's indigenous people. |
