Where to Stay

Up until 300 hundred years ago, pirates from around the world chose this area for their anchorage. Today the pirates are gone, and it is a more benign traveler who seeks repose in this sheltered port town. Considered one of the best vacation destinations in the world, Cabo offers a small-town feel with all of the activities, accommodations, beautiful weather and beaches that any tourist expects. Your selection of where to stay is quite varied; part of your selection process, however, should be based on what you plan to do while here. While choosing to stay in one area over another does not limit your options, it is possible to narrow down the choices based on the atmosphere and nearby attractions.

The most important thing to do is to first decide what area of Cabo San Lucas you want to stay in depending on your interests and lifestyle. Almost every price range and level of accommodation is located in each area and the hotels listed represent only a sampling of the available choices.

Pacific Ocean/Pedregal Hills

Starting north of town, in the Pacific Ocean/Pedregal Hills area, you can choose between three hotels: the Solmar Suites, Hotel Finisterra and the Terra Sol Beach Resort. These exclusive resorts share the Solmar Beach. This beach is dangerous because of undertows, but delightfully peaceful for sunning and relaxation. Minutes from downtown, these spots offer a break from the busy streets, but are still close to nightlife and other activities. The Finisterra offers views of both the bay and the Pacific Ocean, as it spans the top of the Pedregal Hills. The cliff-side rooms offer direct views of the ocean and the authentic decor is tastefully displayed. In contrast, the Solmar Suites focuses on creating a more romantic ambiance. All suites are oceanfront and there is a lovely Italian restaurant called Romeo & Julieta. Staying at the Terra Sol Beach Resort will introduce you to unparalleled privacy and tranquility. Nearest of the three to the water's edge, and the most deluxe, the hotel attracts a particularly sophisticated crowd seeking peace and sun on their vacation.

Downtown

The hotels in the downtown area tend to be a little less expensive than some in the other areas. These hotels don't have adjacent swimming beaches, although the Chile Pepper Inn, with its lovely garden courtyard, and the romantic Los Milagros both have pools. The first of these, and the less expensive, is stylishly decorated with chili pepper motifs. The second offers larger rooms and gardens so lovely that many people choose to be married here. Another option in the area, the Best Western Hotel Cabo Las Flores, provides a pool, restaurant and quality accommodations.

Marinas de Baja

Adjacent to downtown and near the Marinas de Baja are several beautiful hotels, such as the Marina Fiesta. While its views are largely of the marina and there is no swimming beach, the massive swimming pool with gorgeous patio more than compensates. Nearby, the Marina Cabo Plaza and the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel are all within two blocks of downtown and just steps away from the Medano Beach.

Medano Beach

Following the bay to the east brings you to Medano Beach. Nearest downtown and right on the beach, the well-established Melia San Lucas offers luxurious accommodations and an enduring reputation for quality service. Take advantage of its delightful activity and rental area. The Melia offers all sorts of water sports and the staff will assist you in planning and making reservations for your offsite activities. Some of the higher class offerings on this beach are the Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort, the Hacienda Beach Resort and the Villa Del Palmar. Each of these has massive spas and offers all manner of pampering, and excellent restaurants.

San Jose

Continuing east for the next several miles towards San Jose, there is a selection of more secluded hotels with plenty of dining options, activities in-house and facilities, including car and equipment rentals. The lovely Hotel Twin Dolphin is nine miles from downtown and sits high upon a bluff overlooking the ocean. It has an easy footpath down to the popular and safe Santa Maria snorkeling beach. One of the earliest hotels to be built in this area, it provides its own fleet of sport-fishing boats for guest use. In an eco-friendly gesture of melding with its natural surroundings, this hotel offers raked sand, flowering desert bushes and stone step paths rather than the typical manicured lawns. Beyond the Twin Dolphin you will find the Sheraton's Cabo Del Sol/Hacienda Del Mar, the Melia Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort and other hotels of equal grandeur.

Outside San Jose

Hotels continue to dot the edge of the bay all the way to San Jose. Golfing has grown tremendously here in the last ten years and many of the resorts that continue east along this stretch to San Jose have golf courses attached or nearby. If your focus will be golfing rather than downtown nightlife, it would be wisest for you to choose this area. Each hotel offers markets and restaurants, so there is no need for you to go into town at all if you choose not to. Of the many hotels in this area, the Westin Regina Resort is perhaps the best known. Its man-made beach compensates for the undertow of the ocean in this area and offers safe swimming for its guests. Its spectacular architectural structure looks like two towers joined by a several-storied bridge. Just another mile along the beach is Las Ventanas al Paraiso. Built in 1997, it is the epitome of contemporary design. Its spacious rooms are each more than 1000 square feet (93 square meters) and suites offer telescopes for viewing whales and ships, whirlpool tubs and fireplaces for a cool evening.