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Fun in the surf and sun is the life of Los Cabos, an area that stretches between the town of Cabo San Lucas to the west and San Jose del Cabo to the east along the southernmost coast of Baja, California and Mexico. In between lies the “Corridor,” a string of cozy hotels, championship golf courses, winding horse trails and white-sand beaches (note: a sneaky undertow renders many of them too rough for swimming).
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Passport that’s valid for at least six months from the date of entry and a tourist card (usually included in the price of your flight)
Language: Spanish
Currency: The Mexican peso is the official currency, though US dollars are accepted at some places.
Flight time: 9 hours from New York City; 2.5 hours from LA; 5 hours from Chicago; 3 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Bus, car and taxi
When to Go: Los Cabos at its best
Best weather: October to May
Best prices: June to October (exact dates vary by hotel)
Festival highlights: Semana Santa, which begins in March or April, leads up to Easter and is celebrated with parades and passion plays; Cinco de Mayo (May 5) commemorates the defeat of the French in 1862; Mexico’s independence is celebrated in mid-September with fireworks and parties.
What to Do
Scuba dive and snorkel: Whether you’re catching one or communing with hundreds, the wide array of fish that ply the waters off Los Cabos is a main attraction. Underwater sightseers will love Chileno Beach’s snorkeling reefs that are just offshore; Bahia Santa Maria, a picturesque cove surrounded by cliffs; fishing at Gordo Banks; El Arco, called “Land’s End,” where sea lions dart about; and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park for a close encounter with a shark.
Take romantic day trips: Take a water taxi or private yacht over to Lover’s Beach for a picnic lunch, some sand under your toes and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
San Jose Del Cabo: The quieter of the two main towns, San Jose is an old Mexican village built around the Colonial-style church Iglesia San Jose and a charming town square still filled with vendors. Just around the corner, the lush and serene Estero de San Jose, a freshwater estuary, hosts more than 200 bird species.
Cabo San Lucas: Once the anchorage of choice for celebrities seeking a quiet getaway, this lively town is now the mecca for those who seek a fishing charter (many Corridor hotels also have their own fleet of boats), whale-watching excursion (January to March), glass-bottom boat ride, or snorkel or dive trip. Nightlife and shopping are big draws. Be forewarned that cruise ships anchor here, often bringing crowds of passengers.
