So what does Los Cabos hold for me at the cultural level?
Historically, Los Cabos itself was founded as a resort in the 1950s. For a lot of years it was a watering hole for the very rich, including yacht owners and movie stars, as well as a small number of fishermen and hunters. Over a period of 2 decades (the 1980s and the 1990s), as air service into Mexico expanded, new resorts opened and the infrastructure improved. Now there are 3 developed areas of Los Cabos. The one most likely to attract me for its culture is San Jose del Cabo, the historic center.
San Jose del Cabo features a low-key village atmosphere, according to the Mexican Tourism Board. It is considered a tranquil, tropical, traditional colonial village which was founded in 1730 by Jesuit missionaries. The colonial style is evident in the Municipal Palace, near Plaza Mijares. The Plaza is the scene on Sundays where local artists sell their works such as paintings, sculpture and crafts between 10AM and 2PM. Facing the palace is a long, narrow fountain which is lit by colorful lights in the evenings. There is a newly renovated “zocalo”, with its shaded courtyard and white gilded bandstand. And there is a Catholic church called Parroquia de San Jose that was built in 1940 on the site of the original 18th century mission. Just east of downtown is a placid freshwater lagoon, the Estero del San Jose. Centuries ago roving pirates and treasure-laden galleons replenished their water supplies from this lagoon. There is a 125 acre estuary & game reserve that nearly 100 species of birds call home. The town is ideal for unique shopping, leisurely walking, varied dining and getting to know the local people. Commercialism and the nightlife is low key. I like getting to know local people and how they live. That makes a place more “real” to me.
