This post is made possible in part by my Patreon supporters, for Rasmussen Travels for setting the trip up, and also by my gracious wedding guests. Thank you.
This is the final post in a series. This means this is a conclusion and a summary of the previous posts. If you want more detail, please read the previous posts here:
Other than owing to the fact that this was my honeymoon, I overall enjoyed this trip. For lodging, we were given time as a wedding gift to stay at Villa del Arco resort. I am not one to stay at resorts (though I did enjoy a lot of the amenities there. Why would I not?), so I took this opportunity to explore the localities around. While Cabo san Lucas itself is a city that caters to a more party, Spring Break like crowd, there was still a lot for us to enjoy.
Los Cabos is the municipality (similar to counties here in the United States) in the state of Baja California Sur, and is located at the southern most tip of the Baja California peninsula. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of California to the east. The municipality contains the two cities of Cabo san Lucas and San José del Cabo (the municipality seat). It is where the Mexican desert meets the Sierra de la Laguna mountains meet where both the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf of California. It all culminates in a beautiful arch of rock over the meeting of the waters, created by erosion over time.
Life stands still in Los Cabos. It is often too hot to go outdoors during the afternoon, so staying put and having a margarita is a very tempting part of the afternoon. If not, then taking a siesta and coming back out when it cools off considerably during the evening. However, there are a lot of touristy things to partake in, and usually water-based. From the marina at Cabo, you can hope a tour boat for lunch and enjoy snorkeling and swimming with the fish amount the coral. For dinner, there is another tour boat, Caborey, from the same marina that brings you around the arch and Land’s End, as it is called, where you get to enjoy a premium dinner while watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. There is also a beach that is on both the Gulf and the Ocean called Lover’s Beach, called Divorce Beach on the Pacific side, and it is only obtainable by boat. Unfortunately for us, the seas were so choppy that week, that all the beaches, including Lover’s Beach, was closed due to strong undertow. Sadface.
As I stated above, Cabo definitely catered to the American tourist very well. Most people spoke English as well as Spanish, signs were in English, and the American dollar was often more accepted than the Mexican peso. I was actually disappointed about that. Granted, I do not speak Spanish very well, so I was grateful for the great amount of English speaking there, but I really prefer to see more local establishments instead of tourist traps. I honestly felt like I was at an American party city instead of visiting a Mexican city. With that said though, even beyond what was provided from the marina, I still enjoyed what I did there. Any fan of Sammy Hagar will know that this is where Cabo Wabo, his bar that he opened with other Van Halen members, is located at. The food was delicious and of course the margaritas were amazing. They offer live music daily to enjoy when the sun goes down and the electric lights go up. Plus, the only microbrewery in Baja Mexico Sur, the Baja Brewing Company, has two locations in Cabo: the rooftop of Cabo Villas and on the marina. My recommendation: go to the rooftop, enjoy a cold one, and soak in the best view of the Gulf in all of Los Cabos.
While I was disappointed in Cabo san Lucas for what I was looking for, I thoroughly enjoyed San José del Cabo. It is only a quick thirty minute drive up the highway, and it offered exactly what I was looking for. We were initially drawn there for a swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, just outside of town. This was a place that I could see myself spending a lot of my remaining life, provided I can get used to the heat. Nordic family background and all. There was so much to see in such a small town, and everything was right off of, and centered around, the town square. Go to a pub called the Downtown Pub (yes, in English, but too small for a website), have a margarita made by Dominic, and let him tell you a story. For dinner, go up the hill and get fresh seafood from El Toro Güero (also, no website). In the evening, enjoy the many art and artisan shops surrounding the square. Bring pesos! While some shops will take the American dollar, most only take the local currency. If you are there on a Thursday evening, also take a stroll through the town art walk on the town square. The locals will bring their art to sell.
Even though Cabo san Lucas itself disappointed me a little, I still loved Los Cabos. It was very beautiful and scenic, and I fell in love with San José del Cabo. I will definitely come back for more, and next time, I will remember to bring my party spirit to enjoy Cabo.