San Jose del Cabo Holidays

Meet San Jose del Cabo, the quiet next-door-neighbour of Cabo San Lucas. San Jose del Cabo isn’t glitzy – in fact, the only glitter you’ll see here is when the sun reflects off the sea. What it does have, however, is lots of Mexican charm and narrow streets lined with pastel-coloured townhouses. It's such a traditionalist, in fact, that you'll see a whopping Mexican flag billowing above the belltower-topped town hall.

The plaza’s the beating heart of San Jose del Cabo. It’s got a rich and colourful history dating back to the 1700s, and today, it lines up a pretty church, a bandstand and plenty of pavement cafés. Stroll through the narrow, quiet alleyways that branch off, and you’ll stumble upon dinky stores, family-run bars and craft breweries. There's an up-and-coming artisan feel to some streets, where fusion kitchens serve grilled cheese tacos and a Mexican twist on Greek lamb gyros. You'll find most of the locals heading to low-key cantinas or craft beer houses in the evenings.

East of the town is the San Jose Estuary, a nature reserve that’s home to hummingbirds, ibis, and herons. There are walking trails here, too. Easy afternoons can be spent wandering around the marshy lagoon. If you’re lucky, you might spot a turtle in the water. A 15-minute drive along the coastline keeps things secluded, but you'll ATVs instead of avian sights. The 'Green Desert' trails near East Cape Beach are a popular spot for quad biking trips, which run parallel to the sand and deliver thrills and sea views in equal measures.