Los Cabos – San Jose del Cabo, , Sea of Cortez, Mexico
Los Cabos is a desert along the Sea of Cortez at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. The Sea of Cortez separates Baja California from mainland Mexico, giving the peninsula its unique shape. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its biodiversity and stunning natural beauty.
We flew into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) and from there our ride to the resort in San Jose del Cabo took about 30 minutes. Arriving at the resort, we were immediately struck by the desert-meets-ocean landscape, with cacti, vibrant flowers, and the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez stretching out before us. San Jose del Cabo felt quiet and relaxing, the perfect place to settle in for our Do Nothing trip.
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Endless sand along the Sea of Cortez
Morning Walks Along the Sea of Cortez
The resorts here are all along the Sea of Cortez, famous for its marine life, so much so that it is called the Aquarium of the World. Our first exploration from the resort was the beach itself. It is a long walking stretch extending several kilometers in both directions. Early one morning, just as the sun began to rise, we stepped onto the beach with our camera ready. The sun appeared like a golden ball rising from the sea, the perfect start to our day.
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The sun just rose, over the Sea of Cortez
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A bright sundog crowns the sun
Walking along the beach became our daily routine. We loved watching pelicans dive into the water in groups to catch fish, as well as spotting hundreds of other birds along the shore. Among them, Least Sandpipers were darting everywhere in fast, teasing flocks, almost daring us to capture them on camera. Shekar and I had our cameras ready and even made a little bet on who could record the better video. The sandpipers were
so quick and abundant that we missed them repeatedly, and it took some dozen attempts before we finally got it right and captured a few good videos.
The sand in this area is quite gravelly, so we walked closer to the water where it was softer. The long, uninterrupted stretch of beach was a perfect motivator for daily walks.
As we walked, we noticed something unusual in the sky. A rare sundog appeared as a glowing arch around the sun, softly lighting up the early morning sky and making the sunrise feel even more magical.
The Sea of Cortez was swimmable, though the waves were rough, so we only swam one day for about an hour.
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Morning walk along the beach
One afternoon, I joined a Zumba class in the resort pool. The instructor stood on the deck giving directions, while we tried to follow along in the water. With everyone bouncing, slipping, and occasionally bumping into each other, it quickly turned into a hilarious, chaotic workout, but so much fun.
Exploring Local Town Life
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Desert plants meet tropical blooms everywhere
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Mexican handcraft Plaza
One day, we walked about 20 minutes to Plaza Artesanos, a traditional Mexican handcraft mall filled with colorful bags, souvenirs, and ceramics. We shopped and also visited the Wellness Spa massage centre, which offered affordable and authentic massages.
Resort Relaxation and Fireworks
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Pool, palm trees, and sea views
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Welcoming the new year with fireworks
We were lucky to spend New Year’s Eve at the resort, and the fireworks were spectacular, truly out of this world. We have spent New Year’s Eve at several resorts before, but this one was extraordinary. The resorts in the area all had wonderful fireworks visible from everywhere, creating an excellent display in the dark with the Sea of Cortez as a breathtaking backdrop.
Magical Moments in the Sky
Halo around the moon at night
On another quiet night, while sitting on a poolside bench, we looked up and noticed a glowing halo encircling the moon. The soft ring of light against the dark sky was mesmerizing, bringing a peaceful close to the day.
Marine Life Along the Beach
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Baby turtles finding their way to the sea
During one of our beach walks, we noticed tiny turtles starting their first journey into the Sea of Cortez. Watching them crawl and sometimes flip upside down in the waves was hilarious. You can read the full story of the lagoon, turtles, and other wildlife in the Aquarium of the World.
A Day Trip to Cabo San Lucas
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Cabo San Lucas Arch
Of course, it was our Do Nothing trip, relaxing by the resort, enjoying the beach, and soaking up the sun, but we could not resist a quick adventure to Cabo San Lucas. We wanted to see the famous Arch, take in the vibrant harbor, and enjoy a few water activities. Even on a Do Nothing trip, sometimes a short excursion is just too tempting to pass up. You can read about our Cabo San Lucas adventure here.
Tips and Advice for Visiting Los Cabos
About Los Cabos Region
Los Cabos is the region at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula where the two main resort towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, are located. Both towns are very close to each other (about 25 min drive away) and offer different experiences for travellers.
Cabo San Lucas vs San Jose del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas is lively, known for nightlife, restaurants, and water activities. San Jose del Cabo is quieter, more affordable, and closer to the San Jose Lagoon, making it ideal for relaxing beach walks.
Getting There
When visiting Los Cabos, you will fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which serves the entire region. It is about 40 minutes from Cabo San Lucas and 30 minutes from San Jose del Cabo. There is also the smaller Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSL), but it is primarily used for private flights. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is the airport you will use.
Beach Tips
The beaches in this region have very coarse, gravelly sand that can be hard on your feet. Regular sandals may not work well, so it’s best to bring tight-fitting slip-on water shoes that stay secure while walking along the beach or in the shallow water.
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