Off the Beaten Path Cabo San Lucas

Our Local Expert Says:

Look for the skeleton of the grey whale.

Description:

Just two blocks north of downtown and the marina is this lovely pocket of Mexican culture. The park has a lovely gazebo, many shade trees and benches where locals will rest for a few moments in the heat of the day. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beauty of this place before stepping into the Museum de Californias next door, or the historic 1746 mission church, Iglesia de San Lucas. Nearby Mexican restaurants Mi Casa and Pancho's are both excellent choices.

Our Local Expert Says:

Unique artwork and truly a piece of Mexico. This unique style is guaranteed to capture your imagination.

Description:

Continuing with their traditions of artwork and lifestyle, the Huichol Indians practice the traditional art of beading, by first creating a form of an animal, then covering it with wax that they set lines of beads into. The unique finished product is always very bright and colorful. This small museum has a Huichol spokesperson on-site to answer questions, as well as other staff to guide you through the exhibits of lifestyle and artwork of this group of indigenous people.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located down by the tour boat docks this is a great place to go on a Sunday. Be prepared to bargain there are lots of great deals to be had on souvenirs and local art.

Description:

Plenty will catch your attention here. If you are a good bargainer, maybe you can avoid too much pocketbook damage. Ever had a hankering to hang in a hammock? This is your chance to find a beautifully hand-woven, brilliantly dyed hammock. Blankets, hats, serapes and more are here to keep you covered from the sun or the chillier evenings. Take a walk through the pottery and glass shops and keep your eye open for some of the locally made wares. The typical selection of leathers and jewelry (silver) are also available.

Description:

La Casa del Dorado serves up delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine and atmosphere hidden away from the vendors and other distractions that pervade the downtown area. A local favorite as it is a bit off the beaten path, and since it is not situated in the heart of the tourist area, and the ambiance is casual yet elegant with Mexican decorations that provide a very welcome, festive atmosphere. Live Mexican music and fine wines are the perfect romantic accompaniment for that special dinner. If you want to try something new and different from the other Mexican restaurants, La Casa del Dorado will whisk you off to another world within minutes.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best chilaquiles in town.

Description:

There are two surefire hangover cures in San Lucas. One is the pozole verde at Chabelita, the other is the chilaquiles at Lolita. The chilaquiles are tortilla strips with beans, sauce, cheese, and two eggs over easy. The huevos rancheros are excellent here as well, and this is one of the best breakfasts in town. This is just off the downtown loop near the elementary school, and is the kind of place you can't walk by without wanting to go in. Perhaps it is the charming decor, with wooden furnishings, bright paint, the deer hunting mural with the stuffed deer head underneath, the display of liquor bottles, or the fact that you can see the cook grilling through the red brick pillars. There is no better or more comfortable place to relax in the mornings. It is very affordable, and popular with lovers of Nabokov. Lunch and dinner feature traditional Mexican fare.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best artwork and furniture of any inn in Los Cabos.

Description:

This is a lovely little downtown bed & breakfast. All the rooms are individually decorated, with charming appointments and Mexican artwork, and are named after Mexican women of note (Frida, por ejemplo). It is the room appointments that really set this place apart. The amenities are quite basic, with queen beds, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito netting, wardrobes, televisions and DVD players, as well as alarm clocks and adjustable shower heads. There is a beautiful courtyard with a lush garden and tiled fountain. Rates are very reasonable, with rooms available from 80 USD in-season, 55 USD during the summer months. The Mexican Inn is located near the downtown area, but is tucked away on a quiet street in a local residential area, which combines with the decor to give the place a quaint, authentic Mexican feeling that is quite absent in most local inns.

Description:

Watch the city wake up and visit with the locals at this social, market event. You can taste from a wonderful array of food stalls here with all kinds of fresh, seasonal fare. Most of the cuisine offered is traditional Pacific Rim and Mexican preparations , although there is a variety of international foods too. Arrive early if you want the best to choose from.

Our Local Expert Says:

Bulls, horses, music, color and tradition….the good part is they do not kill the bull!!

Description:

Join the bullring fiesta every Wednesday and Saturday nights at 4p. If you have never seen a bull fight, it is well worth the experience, and, contrary to what happens elsewhere, these bulls are not killed. These shows are absolutely colorful with displays of folklore, music and charros (dancers) that take place before and after the fight; this is a true favorite for Baja culture lovers.

Description:

This restaurant and bar combination has pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Bring your swimsuit and enjoy cool drinks before dinner. The atmosphere is quite casual and the food is remarkable. Try the grilled lobster or choose from a selection of specials that always includes at least one Mexican and one seafood dish. Sea bass or tuna, fajitas or fresh salsa-topped burritos, you will not be disappointed by the food, the view, or the prices.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best artwork and furniture of any inn in Los Cabos.

Description:

This is a lovely little downtown bed & breakfast. All the rooms are individually decorated, with charming appointments and Mexican artwork, and are named after Mexican women of note (Frida, por ejemplo). It is the room appointments that really set this place apart. The amenities are quite basic, with queen beds, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito netting, wardrobes, televisions and DVD players, as well as alarm clocks and adjustable shower heads. There is a beautiful courtyard with a lush garden and tiled fountain. Rates are very reasonable, with rooms available from 80 USD in-season, 55 USD during the summer months. The Mexican Inn is located near the downtown area, but is tucked away on a quiet street in a local residential area, which combines with the decor to give the place a quaint, authentic Mexican feeling that is quite absent in most local inns.

Our Local Expert Says:

Ask your concierge to book an ATV tour to this interesting locale. Don't let the witchcraft stuff scare you!!

Description:

This is definitely a must see! The old village of Candelaria is in the mountains 25 miles north of Cabo. It remains a center for the ancient practices of witchcraft, and is known for the abundance of exotic palms, bamboo and mango trees here. Both trips, up and back, are magnificent because of the different views. Most ATV rentals offer a guided tour to this location or you can make arrangements with most of the local hotels for other forms of transporation. See it before it dissapears.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is one of the first dive shops in the Cabo area and a truly experts at their trade. Very dependable.

Description:

Dive into Cabo with this full-service dive and rental shop. The staff handles everything including horseback rides, kayak trips, boat trips, quad runners and more, but their specialty is diving and snorkeling. Each tour comes with all the diving essentials plus transportation, drinks and a bilingual guide. Take one of its classes if you want to learn to dive while in Cabo.

Description:

Since 1993, this has been a National Marine Preserve designated to protect the underwater ecosystem. Attractive to visitors for several reasons, it offers clear water and coral reefs below the surface that provide outstanding scuba diving and snorkelling views. Kayakers regularly arrive here and enjoy close sightings of the sea lion colony nearby. Several resorts are in this area if you choose to stay nearby and many watersport guides and tours are available. This is a good spot for whale viewing in January through March.

Description:

La Casa del Pozo is a delicious and intimate restaurant rich in traditions with a wonderful kitchen consistently dishing up authentic Mexican flavor. The relatively small dining area provides a comfortable ambience with colorful, festive decorations that inspire the extensive celebrations of tequila that permeate from the adjacent tequila bar. Dining at La Casa del Pozo is like eating a wonderful home cooked family meal in mainland Mexico, with secret recipes and ingredients that separate this Mexican eatery from all other restaurants in Los Cabos. The service is attentive and the menu is extensive, offering authentic Guadalajara dishes that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else in Cabo. Try the house specialty of Damiana Shrimp or Damiana fish, Drunken fish, or the delicious mango fish served up in a rich sweet and sour sauce. La Casa del Pozo specializes in steaks and seafood.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best artwork and furniture of any inn in Los Cabos.

Description:

This is a lovely little downtown bed & breakfast. All the rooms are individually decorated, with charming appointments and Mexican artwork, and are named after Mexican women of note (Frida, por ejemplo). It is the room appointments that really set this place apart. The amenities are quite basic, with queen beds, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito netting, wardrobes, televisions and DVD players, as well as alarm clocks and adjustable shower heads. There is a beautiful courtyard with a lush garden and tiled fountain. Rates are very reasonable, with rooms available from 80 USD in-season, 55 USD during the summer months. The Mexican Inn is located near the downtown area, but is tucked away on a quiet street in a local residential area, which combines with the decor to give the place a quaint, authentic Mexican feeling that is quite absent in most local inns.

Description:

This very scenic beach sits at the end of the hotel zone of San Jose del Cabo. What makes it especially interesting are the cliffs and the wildlife. The beach has been set aside as a protected reserve for more than 200 species of birds that migrate here every year. The beachfront is open to pedestrian traffic; however, the surf and tides are extremely powerful; swimming is therefore discouraged. Many people simply come to see the sea lions (during the month of June) and take photos.

Description:

Fall for fabulous fauna at San Jose's Estuary and Bird Sanctuary. Located a few minutes from downtown San Jose, the estuary is home to about 200 species of exotic birds such as ospreys, egrets, moorhens, herons and brown pelicans. Watch the birds from water in a rented kayak. Sunrise and sunset fill the scenic sanctuary with vibrant color, and there is an interpretive center with expert guides. The estuary is located east of Presidente Forum Resort and there is no charge for admission.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great tour as it allows you to see the beauty of the desert. If you have never been on a desert tour I would recommend this one.

Description:

Take a two to four hour All Terrain Vehicle tour of this reserve through desert and mountains (up to 2000 ft). See beautiful natural springs, sand dunes and incredible views of the Sea of Cortez. This area is adjacent to the Melia Cabo Real and is a terrific way to see another side of Cabo and the Baja area. No experience is required in operating these four-wheeled vehicles and instruction is provided before departure.

Our Local Expert Says:

Very casual atmosphere, really good food.

Description:

Come on in for some all-you-can-eat treats. You may have your fill of steak, lobster and shrimp all prepared at the massive grill on the edge of this patio-style dining room. Well-loved for the homemade tortillas, entrees and salsa selection, it is necessary to make reservations in advance. Sneak a peek at the B.B.Q. grill then try to decide between the chicken, seafood and beef entrees that they offer.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best artwork and furniture of any inn in Los Cabos.

Description:

This is a lovely little downtown bed & breakfast. All the rooms are individually decorated, with charming appointments and Mexican artwork, and are named after Mexican women of note (Frida, por ejemplo). It is the room appointments that really set this place apart. The amenities are quite basic, with queen beds, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mosquito netting, wardrobes, televisions and DVD players, as well as alarm clocks and adjustable shower heads. There is a beautiful courtyard with a lush garden and tiled fountain. Rates are very reasonable, with rooms available from 80 USD in-season, 55 USD during the summer months. The Mexican Inn is located near the downtown area, but is tucked away on a quiet street in a local residential area, which combines with the decor to give the place a quaint, authentic Mexican feeling that is quite absent in most local inns.