Los Cabos is often considered the ‘Lands End’ of the Baja California peninsula. Yet with average flights times from the states being less than 3 hours, Los Cabos is the perfect location for a quick getaway with your friends. The two towns of Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, offer beautiful landscapes and action-packed activities. From La Sierra de la Laguna mountains to dry desert and finally the Pacific ocean, there isn’t much that you can’t do in Los Cabos. It’s no surprise that this is one of Mexico’s top 5 travel destinations.

5* resorts line the coast and bring the two towns together. Including spa resorts, adults only and family friendly choices, there is a resort for everyone. However, for an authentic yet luxe stay at Los Cabos, a luxury villa rental is also a great choice.

While the two towns of Los Cabos are generally referred to as ‘Cabo,’ they both have distinct personalities. Your stay in Los Cabos will no doubt include a mix of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, as they are separated by a mere 20 miles of coastline. But it’s good know the difference when you decide where you want to stay.

• Cabo San Lucas:The louder, gaudier town of the two, Cabo San Lucas is always ready for a party. San Lucas relies heavily on tourism and so, unsurprisingly, you will find tourist shops, bars and beach parties on every corner. As a result, San Lucas is a hit with the younger crowds looking for adventure. The majority of the action takes place around the marina. Activities include: Snorkeling, diving, quad biking and dune buggy riding, zip-lining, fishing, sailing and a plethora of watersports.
• San José del Cabo: A mere 20 miles can make a world of difference in Mexico. San José del Cabo is the older, more mature of these towns and this is reflected in the town’s very atmosphere. 250 years is no small age gap, and so San José del Cabo has taken on a more sophisticated, grown-up approach to tourism. Cobblestone streets, authentic eateries and local culture make this part of Cabo a laid-back and luxe destination. Activities include:sampling authentic Mexican cuisine, perusing the local galleries and wandering around the marina.

The best thing about Los Cabos is that you really do have the best of both worlds. If you like a party but need your time to relax, staying in San José del Cabo gives you the downtime you need. If you love being the life of the party but also enjoy a few hours looking at impressive local art, then you can stay in San Lucas and head over to San José for your culture fix.

Within San José del Cabo there are many exclusive communities that offer luxury rental villas.  The Puerto Los Cabos development is home to many such communities. Fundadores is a great example that offers stylish villas with unbeatable ocean views. The Los Cabos corridor joins the two towns and also offers many unique vacation rentals. Developments along the corridor include beautiful Punta Ballena. Cabo San Lucas is known for it’s famous developments such as the Pedregal. Often frequented by celebrities and socialites, Pedregal is home to unique and innovative villas that leave a lasting impression.

Wherever you decide to stay, there are some things to keep in mind when visiting Los Cabos:

• Be Aware at the Beach- Due to the strong currents of the Pacific ocean, not all beaches in Los Cabos are swimmable and some can be very dangerous. San Lucas has better (and more swimmable) beaches than San José but they are also busier.
• Haggling is a Thing-With Los Cabos attracting so many tourists, there are many sellers offering over-priced souvenirs and local wares. Feel free to ignore or politely decline their offers. However, if you are interested in an item, haggling effectively will save you some cash.
• Adventure Tours-Many tours are available for all of the different activities available in the area. Booking a tour in person will always be cheaper than online versions as you can once more negotiate the price.
• Rentals – Luxury vacation rentals are aplenty in Cabo, however be aware of the location. As the center of the action Cabo San Lucas is generally more in demand and therefore more expensive than San José del Cabo.
• High/ low season – As with all tourist destinations in Mexico, Los Cabos has a high and low season. Generally speaking, the high season runs from October to March/April while the low season is April/May to October. Weather is temperate year round, with slightly more rain in the summer months. If crowds aren’t your thing, travelling towards the end of high season or during the low season will pay off.

If you and your friends have your hearts set on a fantastic Mexican getaway but you’re not sure where, Los Cabos is a clear contender. It’s true, there are many amazing destinations in Mexico but how many can offer you a mix of majestic mountains, desert dunes and the rolling waves of the Pacific ocean? If you still need convincing, here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pro’s-

• Accessibility: Los Cabos is a short, direct flight from the States. It is especially accessible from the west coast.
• Two in One:Los Cabos is literally a two in one vacation. Visitors can choose how much time to spend in each town, making the most of the distinct personalities.
• Unlimited Adventure:Los Cabos’ unique blend of landscape means there’s not many adventure activities you can’t do here. From whale watching and deep sea fishing to riding over the desert on your choice of vehicle – Los Cabos was made for adventure.
• Safety:Los Cabos is generally considered safe as a travel destination. Beware of hangovers above all.
• Choice of Accommodation: Los Cabos offers a range of accommodation options in different areas along the tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

Con’s-

• Popularity: Los Cabos is a very popular destination. If you’re looking for a less touristy destination, head for San José del Cabo.
• Sea Safety:As with many awe-inspiring things, the Pacific ocean can also be very dangerous. Many beaches are off-limits to swimmers so waterbabies may find this frustrating.
• High Season, High Prices:Accommodation and activities usually cost more during peak season.

Whether you choose Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo, you and your friends are guaranteed a memorable stay. With so much on offer every day is different in Los Cabos, creating a vacation you won’t forget in a hurry.