I’ve visited Los Cabos many times, but it wasn’t until my most recent trip, when I checked into Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, that I stayed right in the heart of San Jose del Cabo. I was smitten.
Los Cabos is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations. The name evokes images of dramatic natural beauty, upscale hotels and exciting outdoor activities. But less experienced travelers might not realize that Los Cabos is a region, not a city — and it’s a region at the base of the Baja California peninsula that includes two distinct towns: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, each of which has its own unique vibe.
Cabo San Lucas is home to a sparkling marina, bustling nightlife and picturesque views of the iconic natural rock formation known as El Arco (the arch). Its counterpart, meanwhile, offers different charms.
"San Jose del Cabo is positioned more as a cultural destination,” said Howard Vazquez, a hospitality professional and longtime resident of San Jose del Cabo who’s preparing to launch a destination-management company. “There is a lot of culture, art and cuisine in San Jose. It’s known for exclusivity, luxury, farm-to-table dining and art.”
It appears the town’s appeal is catching on. San Jose del Cabo is the second-most popular international destination for U.S. travelers this summer, according to the Top Summer Travel Destinations Report from travel insurance and travel assistance company Allianz Partners US.
While that ranking may include bookings for stays in the general region, it’s also an indicator of the town’s growing popularity.
Here are some ideas for experiencing what makes this town so special.
The Arts Scene
San Jose del Cabo is a supremely walkable small town, and one of the first things that becomes apparent upon setting foot here is the large number of art galleries. The best time to get an overview of the town’s creative side is during Art Walk, which takes place every Thursday night from November through June. Studios throw open their doors, live music fills the air on the central plaza and artists set up shop on the street to display their latest works.
The artistic scene heats up even more during Art Baja, an annual event that brings art exhibits to additional venues, including hotels (it took place this year from late March through May, but dates for 2026 have not yet been announced).
The Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo takes place every Thursday night from November through June.
Credit: 2025 Los Cabos Tourism BoardArt lovers can find a variety of artistic styles on display at the galleries throughout the week, and year-round. Julie Byrd, president of Cabo Villas, a Nocturne Luxury Villas company, recommends venues including Galeria Corsica, which specializes in contemporary Mexican art, and Enrique Bascon, which features the work of the eponymous multidisciplinary artist.
Shopping
Local art galleries provide many tempting shopping opportunities, but there are lots of other interesting finds in San Jose del Cabo as well. Byrd of Cabo Villas praises local businesses such as Paulina Concept House — which stocks home decor, artwork and design — and Eclectic Array, where items include hand-embroidered shirts, beaded bags and hand-loomed throws.
Hospitality professional Vazquez also steers style-hunters toward shops such as Juan de Lascurain, which sells the work of the eponymous artist on clothing, accessories and as frameable art.
Culinary Hotspots
San Jose del Cabo’s sophisticated dining scene leans heavily on the farm-to-table concept, and with delicious results. I enjoyed a wonderful dinner one evening with Vazquez at Nao, a stylish venue that recently relocated to downtown San Jose del Cabo and features a menu with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences.
Vazquez’s favorites also include Come a Casa, a family-run Italian eatery; La Lupita Taco & Mezcal, where handmade tacos are the draw; and Lumbre, where a weekend tasting menu offers a perfect introduction to contemporary Mexican dishes that include seafood and grilled specialties.
The central plaza is where live music fills the air and artists set up shop on the street to display their latest works.
Credit: 2025 Los Cabos Tourism BoardClients will find more contemporary fare at Don Sanchez, which touts locally sourced ingredients, and Jardin Secreto, which offers a Mediterranean-Mexican fusion menu.
For a diverse gastronomic sample of the destination, visitors might want to attend Sabores San Jose; the event takes place on Tuesday nights and converts downtown into a veritable food fair, with tasting stations serving local cuisine, live music and dance performances.
Nature and Soft Adventure
San Jose del Cabo is also a rewarding place for relaxed nature expeditions. Just a few minutes from downtown, visitors can take sunrise walks along the paths at Estero San Jose, an estuary home to more than 100 bird species.
Day trips are also easy to arrange. I thoroughly enjoyed a fascinating Jeep tour with High Tide that included stops in Santiago, a mission-era town just over an hour north of San Jose del Cabo; a lush oasis; and the Tropic of Cancer visitor center, a perfect spot for photos.
San Jose del Cabo may be a small town, but it has big things to offer.
