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The Draw
• A breathtaking desert landscape plunging into the sea
• The call of the wild: from snorkeling in Jacques Cousteau’s beloved Sea of Cortez to reeling in marlins at Hemingway’s favorite sports-fishing hangouts
• World-class fairways in a spectacular seaside setting
The Scene
Those who picture Los Cabos as a never-ending MTV spring break won’t be disappointed by the jumping hot spots, but Baja’s southern tip proves as idyllic for restorative retreats as it is for rowdy surf adventures. Popular with Hollywood jet-setters looking for short breaks, Los Cabos is really two towns joined into one: the boisterous, festive Cabo San Lucas and the quieter, more traditional San José del Cabo, its narrow streets lined with quaint cantinas and boutiques. A 20-mile corridor of resorts and designer golf courses connects the two. Desert landscapes and clifftop views make Cabo something of a golfer’s mecca -- take your pick among three Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, a Tom Fazio, and a Robert Trent Jones II. And Cabo’s bevy of fabulous resorts now faces a formidable competitor, the One&Only Palmilla, which reopened in 2004 after a $100-million makeover. Famed hotelier Sol Kerzner has turned the Palmilla into a village unto itself, with stunning, authentic decor, a bell tower and two new dining options, Charlie Trotter’s C, and celeb-favorite Agua. Guests receive iPods to enhance their stay, preloaded with a customized selection of music and movies.
To Be Seen
• Cabo Pulmo. Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the “Galapagos of North America,” and Cabo Pulmo is its only living coral reef. Try a full-day kayak tour, snorkeling or scuba.
• Boulevard Hidalgo, San José del Cabo. The main boulevard of this colonial town is ideal for a stroll. Wander by adobe homes, charming boutiques and tree-lined streets.
• The Arch of Poseidon (at Land’s End). Perhaps Baja’s most famous single image, this natural rock formation is memorable and otherworldly.
• Playa Palmilla. Strong riptides mean that Los Cabos has only a handful of beaches suitable for swimming. Mile-long Playa Palmilla is sheltered by a cove. Santa Maria, on a horseshoe bay with pink sand, is another good bet for those wanting to take a plunge.
• Whale watching. If you happen to visit between January and March, don’t miss a voyage out on a small boat (or panga) to see the gray whales pass by.
For The VIP
• Charter a yacht. Possibly the best way to see this stunning coastal geology. Outlaw Company offers boats up to 62-footers, some with three bedrooms and baths, and jacuzzis to boot. They can also arrange dinner at sunset with private chef.
• Tour the East Cape on a private helicopter that can whisk you to crowd-free beaches.
• Take an ecotour. Cabo has an overabundance of these, with hikes to canyons, hot springs, caves with rock paintings, fossil beds. A back-country Jeep tour can get you out away from the masses. La Pastora biking tour takes cyclers past beautiful views and small farms.
• Hit the links. Robert Trent Jones II designed Cabo Real Golf Club to blend mountain, desert and ocean views. Move on from there to any one of Cabo’s six other championship courses.
Overrated
A premier destination for party-seeking tourists, El Squid Roe nightclub and restaurant packs them in -- young, old, married, single -- until there’s hardly room to breathe.
Underrated
La Paz. Baja’s capital is a quiet, authentic port with more of a small-town ambiance than you will find at the megaresorts. The town can serve as a nice base for a number of ecoadventures -- even big game fishing -- and the Museo de Antropologia displays a wealth of pre-Columbian artifacts.
Don’t Miss
C, Charlie Trotter’s new fusion restaurant at the One&Only Palmilla resort, offers a spectacular triple threat: impeccable service, exquisite Caribbean-Mexican cuisine and a phenomenal view.
When To Go
Sporadic hurricane rains can sweep in from July to October. Otherwise the Baja Cape is pleasant year round, with whale watching between January and March.
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