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Tranquil Baja del Sur: Traveling in Mexico, Beyond Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is the bright and glittery jewel at the tip of the Baja peninsula. It’s full of energy and hustle, the kind of place with its own “what happens in Cabo, stays in Cabo” possibilities. But, there is another world just beyond the bright lights and bars, where the Hard Rock Cafe seems very far away — and it’s this world that I love to explore.
The International Airport (SJD) is located a thirty-minute drive from downtown Cabo San Lucas, in nearby Cabo San Jose. Many travelers pass straight through this charming city without stopping to get to know its airy town square, small, intriguing shops, and lovely cafes. The main square in Sabo San Jose is adjacent to the Cathedral, which looks down on the heart of the city. Music festivals and other entertainment events occupy the square on a rotating schedule in synch with frequent festivals dedicated to popular saints, and there is plentiful parking just behind the square.
Driving west along the coast from Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find a string of well-run “all-inclusive” resorts, including the Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa, Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf & Resort, and Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos Golf & Spa. These all-in-one destinations are a great option for family-oriented activities. I’ve heard enthusiastic reports describing world-class restaurants, pristine white-sand beaches, spacious pool and spa facilities, and nightly entertainment. These resorts offer so much to do that you might want to never leave. But, in Baja del Sur, you also have the freedom to explore nearby areas on short day-trips.
I’m a huge fan of Mexican art and crafts, and the nearby coastal town of Todos Santos, to the north, has become a well-known art destination. In the past few decades, many artists have made Todos Santos home, bringing in a fascinating variety of small galleries. In addition to these local, often ex-pat potters and painters, Todos Santos merchants display a wealth of Mexican arts and crafts from indigenous peoples and skilled artisans from the mainland states of Oaxaca and Michoacan, across the Sea of Cortez. Prices in Todos Santos can reflect…
