Finding where is Los Cabos located for me is challengeing in a place where many of the names in Mexico run together, especially in the Baja Peninsula. While the plane ride to Mexico might be short, sometimes the cultural and linguistic barriers for tourists can be massive. The Spanish names for places often designate the type of location and where it is on the map, but if you don't know Spanish it holds no meaning! So, what is the difference between Los Cabos and Cabo, where is Los Cabos located and how do Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo fit in there?
So Many Cabos!
Los Cabos, meaning "the capes" in Spanish, is often shortened to Cabo. Cabo is located at the very southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. It is a region that includes the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Both are up the coast to the east with an approximately 20 mile tourist corridor between them.
This beautiful peninsula, known for its stunning desert coasts that run to the sea, is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California, to the east. This gulf is the youngest and most biologically diverse sea in the entire world.
The one highway that runs along this coast, through the corridor connecting the two towns, Highway 1 (Carretera Transpeninsular #1), is a great place to go off the beaten path and find attractions other than beach and surf. While you can find great, private, beaches here, you can also find excellent desert scenery, art-centric colonial towns and organic farms where you can stop for dinner and even rent a culinary cottage for the night.
Navigate through these wonders by rental car, bus or taxi. This highway is relatively safe as well, as is the whole peninsula, because of Los Cabos's isolated location from the more turbulent parts of Mexico. For safety tips while traveling in the Baja Peninsula, click here.
The Two Cities
San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas provide the best of the tourism world by offering history and fun all in one region. San José has remained quaint, while San Lucas is a bit rowdy; where the nightlight can be found. Visitors can experience both in a short time by utilizing the Corridor highway.
Conveniently, Mayan Rentals has a resort located in San José, called the Grand Mayan Los Cabos. It's a more intimate resort, with all rentals having a view of the pool or the ocean. For more rental options click here.
San José del Cabo is located at the foot of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range and is 80 miles SSW of the state capital city, La Paz. Being the municipal government seat for the area, it has remained quiet and more historical, featuring cobblestone streets, adobe houses and a central square with a cathedral dating to the 1700s. It also has a robust art scene, attracting Mexico's contemporary artists to its many galleries that are open late into the night.
Cabo San Lucas is the more well known of the two towns, often being confused with the term Los Cabos all on its own. San Lucas is more commercial, with no cathedral or traditional town square. It's best known for its nightlife, fishing and whale watching opportunities. Its beach also falls along the Costa de Oro, or
Golden Coast, which includes the great beaches: Los Frailes, Buena Vista, Agua Caliente, Puerto Chileno and Punta Colorada. Visit Chileno Beach for simple, clean swimming, or Santa Maria, which is one of our favorites. We have a blog post on safe swimming in Cabo. If you're looking for water sports, such as parasailing and jet skiing, and beach bars, Medano Beach or Cabo Pulmo is recommended. For less crowd, find Palmilla Beach along the highway.
The beach in Cabo San Lucas has also been nicknamed Lover's Beach because of its romantic setting and great scenery, like its many rock formations. Its most famous rock formation, El Arco, or "The Arch" is readily recognized by many and is often used to represent the whole region.
Recent Changes
While Hurricane Odile caused sever damage to some parts of the peninsula in 2015, rebuilding has progressed at a record pace, and most places are returning to business better and with more to offer. There is even new golf courses opened since last fall, one of which is the El Cardonal, Tiger Wood's design course at Diamante. Also, for traveler's convenience, Delta Airlines began offering seasonal direct flights from JFK in December.
The question, "Where is Los Cabos located?" is much more interesting than just a spot on a map. It is a region that encompasses places as different as night and day, San Lucas and San José, each enjoyable in their own way. Whether you're looking for history, art and everything refined, or sand, surf and sport, You'll be glad you asked "Where Is Los Cabos Located"