On the very southern tip of the Baja Peninsula lie Los Cabos, sister cities that draw vacationers from around the globe for heat climate, lovely seashores, and unbelievable seafood. We visited the jap metropolis of San José del Cabo and had a implausible time absorbing the solar and Mexican tradition. Learn on for a useful information to the perfect locations to eat, keep, and see when you go to.
IS THERE MORE THAN ONE CABOS?
Should you’re new to the area you is perhaps shocked to be taught that there are literally two Cabos – Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.They’re about half-hour aside, alongside the southern coast.
We visited San José del Cabo since – we have been in Mexico for a marriage that was held at Secrets and techniques Resort in San José.
Each cities supply oceanfront views and the identical heat climate, and quick access to water sports activities. We didn’t spend time in Cabo San Lucas so I can’t converse to their variations personally, however Cabo has a repute for being extra of a nightlife centric metropolis. Then again, San José del Cabo is best identified for its many galleries and common artwork reveals, which I can attest to!
WHERE TO EAT IN SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO
Should you get pleasure from seafood, you’ll adore it in San José del Cabo. Right here’s the place we ate throughout our household trip/marriage ceremony visitor trip:
Casa Don Rodrigo
A historic home constructed within the Twenties and run by the identical Rodrigo household at present. The menu gives up Mexican delicacies that characteristic their speciality cheese, made in home. Pair your cheese platter or cheese dish with a pleasant wine, tequila, or Mezcal Margarita or a successful meal.
Deal with: Calle Francisco I. Madero 1240, Zona Central, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
Hours: 7am-10pm, every day
Go for: Mezcal Margaritas, Fettucini de Casa Don Rodrigo
Mama-Mias
This outside restaurant was a couple of blocks from our condominium. The great meals, inexpensive costs, and beachfront views meant our group of six got here 4 days in a row for breakfast. We have been by no means round for the lunch/dinner menu, however we loved every part on the menu we tried (and we tried almost every part between us all).
Deal with: Carretera Transpenínsular Km 29.5. Zona Hotelera San José del Cabo.
Hours of operation: 8am-10pm
Go for: Chile relleno, fritata; and waffles
West Coast Tequila Co
That is your spot within the arts district for tequila tasting! The workers that work there are very pleasant, together with their pet pug who frequents the place. We discovered some actually good qualities of Tequila by our tasting expertise. This was a spot that had set costs for his or her tequilas with much less bargaining than you’ll discover in different memento outlets, which I personally desire.
Deal with: Blvd. Antonio Mijares 41, Centro, 23400 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Hours: 10am – 10pm, every day
Go for: Tequila tasting, beaded bottles made by Indigenous artists in conventional Mexican kinds, and tequila bottles you may’t get within the US.
George’s Restaurant @ La Marina Inn
Recent seafood dishes on a “sea to desk menu” and scrumptious cocktails made this place a bunch favourite, and favourite amongst Cabo locals for over 20 years. You’ll be able to even deliver your individual freshly caught fish to the restaurant and have their cooks prepare dinner it for you!
Deal with: Calle S / N, Mantarraya La Playa, San José del Cabo B.C.S., 23403
Hours: 8am-10pm every day
Go for: Grilled octopus tacos, sashimi, Octopus al pastor, or Fish Your Approach.
SEE ALL MY RECOMMENDATIONS ON MY INTERACTIVE GOOGLE MAP
SEE THE MAP NOW
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO, MEXICO
We spent half of our time in Cabo at Las Mamanitas condominium, and the opposite half at Secrets and techniques Resort. We additionally visited La Marina Inn for dinner twice. Right here’s what I assumed:
We stayed right here as a result of it was giant sufficient for our six particular person group and was strolling distance from the ocean, plus a convent journey to Secrets and techniques Resort for the marriage we have been attending. With a stunning pool space, massive rooms, and nice landscaping, we actually loved our time right here. Among the condos are owned by everlasting residents so it’s a quieter, extra residential really feel that’s properly suited to a peaceable household trip.
🌴 Take pleasure in strolling by the rigorously maintained cacti & succulent gardens throughout the property.
A preferred selection for an all-inclusive trip, and rather more suited to the social butterfly or particular person searching for the get together vibe.
In order for you a spot to have a good time an enormous occasion and also you’re not too enthusiastic about leaving the property, you’ll adore it right here. All-inclusive meals and drinks make for an indulgent getaway, and also you’ll discover folks having fun with libations in any respect hours within the giant pool and swim-up bar.
They provide a number of eating choices which are additionally included in your resort charge, plus free actions like Zumba or Water Volleyball all through every day. Whereas this isn’t our standard trip fashion, we had a stunning time dwelling giant for a couple of days. I believe the meals was higher outdoors of the resort than San José del Cabo, and perhaps even higher in La Paz the place we spent a couple of days earlier than Cabo. That mentioned, the grounds and views are fairly breathtaking and it’s exhausting to think about somebody not having fun with their keep right here.
💵 These rooms are PRICY however you received’t spend a lot cash when you’re right here aside from ideas and extras (spa service, anybody?)
I’d additionally advocate La Marina Inn, a really self-describe Classic Cabo lodging, only a 2 minutes stroll from the marina. We didn’t keep on the lodge however we did eat at George’s Restaurant (see overview above), which we have been very impressed by. Fantastic seafood dishes with extremely contemporary substances, and pleasant cocktails! We did use the general public restrooms which have been very clear, so if the rooms are as good as the remainder of the property, it could be a implausible keep.
La Marina Inn looks like a way more boutique lodge expertise than the mega resort or condominium fashion we stayed on this journey, and would in all probability be a greater match than our decisions for a small group who actually needs to discover San José del Cabo.
🚌 Tremendous near the marina the place fishing and boating excursions take off, in addition to the aspect of city with the humanities district
WHAT TO DO IN SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO, MEXICO
ENJOY A MEAL ON THE WATER – Truthfully, that’s the principle factor we did and I might do it once more if I might. There isn’t an enormous road meals scene however you may positively discover some snacks alongside the boardwalk. There are sufficient worthy eateries to maintain you busy for weeks although. It is a shoe-in vacation spot for pescatarians and taco lovers. Ceviche is simple to search out too and each restaurant we tried made it in another way.
TRY A DEEP-SEA FISHING TOUR – I don’t think about myself somebody who actually enjoys fishing, however as I’ve shifted my weight-reduction plan towards pescatarian through the years, I’ve felt compelled to no less than perceive what it takes to get my meals. We went on a half-day fishing tour whereas in Cabo and I used to be shocked how a lot I loved it. Granted, I didn’t do a variety of the precise fishing. I did catch one fish although, and what we caught we really used for our lunch and dinner the following few days, which made the journey really feel helpful somewhat than wasteful.
GO SHOPPING IN THE HISTORIC ARTS DISTRICT – There are many cute artisan boutiques within the arts district which make this space the proper place for souvenirs. Some outlets on this space promote mass-produced souvenirs that seemingly don’t come from Mexico or Mexican artists. Loads of others are artisan outlets the place you may see conventional Mexican craftsmanship on show. It is a great place to get high-quality jewellery at a superb worth too, however store rigorously for the perfect costs and qualities.
Choya Rose was one in all our favourite boutiques we got here throughout throughout our buying journey.
It’s on this neighborhood which you could see the historic buildings relationship again to the 1700s, when San José del Cabo was one of many solely cities within the Baja Peninsula.
VISIT THE ART WALK – Each Thursday from 5-9pm within the Arts District, November-June. Take pleasure in wine and tequila tastings, and gallery openings with probabilities to satisfy the artists.
SNORKELING AND DIVING – We weren’t capable of make diving work for us this journey, however we heard numerous nice issues in regards to the diving and snorkeling within the space, particularly throughout seasons of animal migrations. Sure rays, seals, sharks, and whales move by the Sea of Cortez by the yr and Isla Espiritu Santo, a well-liked dive sight and one other UNESCO web site, a pair hours north of San Jose del Cabo.
TRY A TEQUILA TASTING – Is a visit to Mexico full with out a correct tequila tasting? Should you head to the humanities district, you’ll discover loads of outlets and eating places that supply tastings starting from a casual shot to a sit-down tasting with directions.
I like to recommend Casa Don Rodrigo for a terrific tasting expertise if you happen to’re wanting snacks; you will get a cheese plate or keep for dinner. (Be sure that to strive the Mezcal Margarita!)
For a extra easy tasting expertise, designed extra for tequila buying than eating, strive West Coast Tequila Co. This spot is true on the artwork district strip and is a spot my mates have gone again to through the years.
VISIT EL ARCO – We weren’t capable of see this iconic pure arch on our journey nevertheless it’s price a go to if you happen to can swing it, and I want we’d match it in our itinerary.
WHAT NOT TO DO
DOLPHIN DISCOVERY EXPERIENCES – You will note these marketed throughout Cabo, however I wouldn’t advocate them. From the images exhibiting dolphins doing tips in aquariums, it suits all of the markings of an animal tourism cease that’s actually dangerous for the dolphins. This blogger’s review explains why she wouldn’t do it once more after having visited one of many Dolphin Discovery experiences, regardless of feeling just like the dolphins have been properly taken care of.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO
The Baja California Sur area is a desert! It’s sizzling and sunny.
The solar is extraordinarily robust. See level one. Don’t neglect your sunscreen. Convey protecting clothes – sunhat or cowl ups for the seaside to guard your pores and skin. Keep away from direct solar between 10am-4pm to remain out of the strongest UV rays.
You’ll be able to’t swim within the ocean on many seashores alongside the southern borders because of the energy of the riptides. Go for a stroll alongside the seaside and you will note why. The seashores in lots of areas are fairly steep, and the waves hit exhausting at a pointy angle. Take a look at seashores on the coasts or close to La Paz, like Tecolote or Balandra seashores, if you need a correct seaside day.
US TO PESO CURRENCY CONVERSION TRICK:
If going from peso to greenback, drop a zero & divide by two for a detailed estimate.
If one thing is 200 pesos, you may drop a zero (which provides you 20) after which divide by 2 (which provides you 10). Thus 200 pesos is about 10 {dollars}. 500 pesos is about 25 {dollars}. It’s a fast option to ballpark costs whenever you’re out and about with out pulling out your telephone for the calculator.
It might get costly, rapidly. Should you’re imagining Mexico as a funds vacation spot, I might throw that concept away within the Cabos.
The faucet water in Cabos is just not secure to drink. Which means until you might have a Lifestraw or one thing just like clear your individual water, you’re in all probability going to be utilizing plastic water bottles. We tried to get bigger jugs to refill our smaller bottles when potential, nevertheless it’s a sustainability problem right here as in anyplace with out potable water.
Main bank cards are accepted most locations, however small payments are useful for ideas. I like to recommend withdrawing from an ATM on the airport upon arrival. We used pesos or bank cards all the journey aside from ideas once we have been at Secrets and techniques Resort.
Heading to La Paz, Mexico? Learn this subsequent.
ECO-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO
Just a few issues you are able to do for a extra eco-friendly journey to La Paz, Mexico, a gem of a Mexican metropolis on the Sea of Cortez:
- As an alternative of flying into the La Paz airport, take a public bus or shuttle bus from the Cabo airport the place you’ll seemingly fly into if coming from outdoors of Mexico
- Be additional cautious to get rid of your waste correctly and hold it off of the seashores and out of the oceans
- Strive consuming vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian and benefit from the native substances
- Many locations don’t offer you straws, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to ask for no straw if you happen to can keep in mind (sin paja)
- Should you’re going scuba diving or snorkeling, deliver your reef-safe sunscreen. I’ve got some recs if you need them.
- E book excursions with native hosts and tour guides, and go away a overview if you happen to loved your experiences
- Convey a reusable masks and put on it anyplace that it’s mandated. It’s going to assist hold locals secure who haven’t but had entry to the vaccine
HELPFUL WORDS TO KNOW IN SPANISH
You don’t should be nice however a bit effort goes a great distance. Listed here are some fundamentals that may provide help to get round, order meals, and usually survive.
- Hey – Hola
- Goodbye – Adiós
- Excuse me – Perdoname, Perdon,
- How are you – [informal] ¿Cómo estás? [formal] ¿Cómo está? [to multiple people] ¿Cómo están?
- Thanks – Gracias
- Please – Por favor
- sure – Sí
- no – No
- The place is the toilet? – Dónde está el baño
- I would really like _____ – Quisiera
- Test, please. – La cuenta, por favor
- No straw – sin paja
LIKE THIS TRAVEL GUIDE TO SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO? SAVE IT & SHARE IT!
