Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) is where you'll find beachfront hotels and resorts in San Jose del Cabo.

The Hotel Zone on Paseo Malecón

For those looking for accomodations on the beach in San Jose del Cabo, the Hotel Zone along Paseo Malecón is probably you're best choice. Playa Hotelera is a wide, sandy beach that starts just past Zippers - a famous spot for surfing - that ends at an estuary loaded with bird life of all kinds. The beach is not swimmable as strong undertows can and will pull you off your feet and into rip currents so stay out of the water and pay attention to the waves!

On the ocean side of Paseo Malecón is where you'll find the bulk of hotels and resorts in this area. On the opposite side you'll find a wide variety of shops and restaurants in mostly new construction. Plaza Pescador is a great option with loads of shopping opportunities and some great restaurants. Heck, there's even a bar and restaurant owned by Gene Simmons of Kiss fame called Rock n' Brews – plus many more eateries to enjoy.

Plaza Pescador across the road from the beachfront resorts is well worth a visit.

One of the more popular family-oriented resort properties here is the Hyatt Ziva. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive stay that goes a step beyond most all-inclusives – Hyatt Ziva's plan includes not only food and drink, but activities as well. They bill it as "All you can eat. All you can drink. All you can do. All, included in your room rate." Large and well appointed suites will give you and your family plenty of room and with 7 restaurants, you'll have plenty of dining options.

Perhaps one of the better reasons to stay here is that you'll be within reasonable walking distance of San Jose del Cabo's Historic Center. That gives you quick access to wonderful events like Art Walk along with the opportunity to stroll along the streets of this remarkable colonial town with tremendous history.

Artwalk and the Los Cabos International Film Festival are great reasons to stay in San Jose del Cabo.

Staying in San Jose del Cabo Centro

San Jose del Cabo's 'Centro Historico' is often referred to as the calmer, slower paced side of Los Cabos. You won't find the plethora of nightclubs and bars that you will in Cabo San Lucas and for many, that's a welcome thing. The thing about staying in the historic center is that aren't that many options for accomodations.

We've had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Casa Natalia in the past and enjoyed the boutique hotel very much. Owned and operated by Loic and Natalie Tenoux, this charming 18 room hotel is set right by the center square of San Jose del Cabo. The pair have managed to create an oasis in town that melds European style and gastronomy with Mexican charm and hospitality. Loic is also the head chef of the onsite restaurant, Mi Cocina, which recently expanded to include the Baja Oyster Bar serving locally sourced organic oysters farmed in the Vizcaino Lagoons. If smaller, more intimate settings are your cup of tea, you need to check them out for a stay.

ABOVE LEFT: Hotel Casa Natalia     RIGHT: Drift Hotel - Both located in San Jose del Cabo, Historic Center  

A new addition that we have yet to visit is Drift. They've received plenty of positive press about their new offering in San Jose by way of their experience in developing 3 Drift Hotels in Santa Barbara and Palm Springs, California as well as one in Nashville, Tennessee. Hip, trendy, intimate are some of the terms used by notable travel mags like Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure. With room names like the Baja Room, Paradise Cove and Surfer's Hideout we think they'll do well and look forward to a visit in the future.

View from the Puerto Los Cabos golf course shows its more secluded and exclusive environment.

Seclusion in Puerto Los Cabos

Across an expansive bridge over a huge arroyo then beyond the Puerto Los Cabos marina you'll find the master planned development of Puerto Los Cabos. Here you are well away from the crowds, shops, clubs and hoopla. It's quiet here... some say even a bit lonely. But, what it lacks in action it more than makes up for in luxury, exclusivity and seclusion. This area is one of the most expensive in Los Cabos and has drawn world-renown luxury resort brands to its shores.

This area of Los Cabos isn't for those on a budget. Accomodations here are in ultra-luxury 4 and 5 star properties that come with 4-5 star price tags. But my oh my are the digs here something to behold. If you're a fan of Marriott properties then you'll want to take a look at the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort and Spa. For fans of Secrets Resorts will want to consider their Puerto Los Cabos Golf and Spa Resort. Look for special packages that include golf days – they don't always offer them but take advantage when they do.

One drawback to a stay in Puerto Los Cabos is you'll be far from many of the sites and activities so if you plan on venturing away from the resorts we'd suggest renting a car.

The small boat marina at La Playita is home to San Jose's famous panga boat fishing fleet.

Staying in the Marina Area

If you're looking to be close to the fishing boats and yachts then a stay within the Puerto Los Cabos Marina area is right up your alley. There are two spots we suggest for your stay here. For a hip, rock and roll style stay take a good look at Hotel El Ganzo set right on the marina. Founded by Pablo Sanchez Navarro and built to be an artist and musician utopia the hotel has live artist installations and an in-house recording studio. As such don't be surprised to spot music celebs spending time here creating new tracks.

ABOVE LEFT: Hotel El Ganzo - RIGHT: La Marina Inn, both within the Puerto Los Cabos Marina area.

The other options we recommend is La Marina Inn which sits almost directly across the road from El Ganzo. This is an older facility but it is very well kept and exudes an old Mexican charm that is only topped by the wonderful staff. An old friend, George Armstrong, opened this place decades ago and just recently past but the place is still managed by folks close to George's heart. So much so that the on-site restaurant was renamed after him. George's Restaurant is a great spot for a meal and some drinks with truly terrific food. If you're a fan of sport fishing, check out package deals the hotel offers that make a fishing getaway an affordable vacation.

Awarded 3rd Sexiest Hotel in the World by Cosmopolitan Magazine, the treehouses at Acre Resort are probably the most unique accomodations in all of Los Cabos.

How about a room on a Farm?

Farm-to-table restaurants are nothing new and Los Cabos has joined the movement with several such culinary offerings. But what about staying on the same farm you had that incredibly fresh, locally sourced meal? If that interests you then we have good news. There are three to choose from on our list of places to stay in and around San Jose del Cabo.

You'll find all three in an area is known as Animas Baja – its literal translation being low spirits, something we've never found ourselves in whenever we've had the pleasure of a visit. On the contrary, Acre, Flora Farms and Tamarindos are places that lifted our spirits with great food and drink and a healthy dose of nature. Acre Resort has the treehouses and also villa rentals, Flora Farms has options from studio to 3 bedroom rentals, and Tamarindos has farmside bungalows. If you're coming to Los Cabos for more a week, why not reserve at least one night of your trip for a visit.