A striking land of contrasts, Los Cabos offers an intriguing blend of natural splendor, modern amenities and traditional hospitality.

There are few places in the world where whales leap and play in pristine waters within sight of towering desert cacti—and where luxurious resorts, world-class marlin fishing, traditional hospitality and legendary nightlife coexist in harmony. In Los Cabos, the natural and man-made have coalesced to create one of the world’s most remarkable vacation destinations: a place where you can snorkel with manta rays in the morning and dance the night away—with a celebrity sighting or two—that same evening.

Just a short flight from most major U.S. hubs, Los Cabos is situated at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula. Surrounded by miles of dramatic desert terrain to the north, the unspoiled Sea of Cortez to the east and the Pacific to the west, Los Cabos enjoys year-round sunshine and an island-like isolation from mainland Mexico.

Perhaps nothing is more emblematic of the contrast at the heart of this beautiful region than the unique personalities of its two municipalities. Los Cabos encompasses the two very distinct cities of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. A delightfully relaxed pace awaits in San José del Cabo, the graceful, colonial elder sister with cafés and art galleries lining the side streets around its historic town square. Home to the iconic rock arch at Land’s End, Cabo San Lucas is a vibrant star, with the bustling beachfront of resort-lined El Médano, the luxurious shops of the marina and the endless nightclubs studding downtown. Between the two cities lies the Tourist Corridor, an 18-mile stretch of exclusive resorts, white sand beaches and vistas of the mysterious desert hills.

Long before Los Cabos exploded into the prestigious destination of today, it had already drawn a diverse stream of inhabitants and visitors. Originally home to the Pericú tribe, subsequent waves of European explorers, missionaries and pirates left their indelible mark on this corner of the world. In 1537, Francisco de Ulloa, Hernán Cortés’ navigator, was lured to the area by tales of pearls and gold. For centuries, the area of San José was an important fresh-water stop for Spanish ships plying the Manila trade route.

Cabo’s simultaneous feeling of remoteness and convenient accessibility have long made it a favorite getaway for Hollywood’s elite. In the early part of the twentieth century, Los Cabos was home to sleepy fishing villages and small ranchos. In the 1940’s, sport fishermen with private yachts and planes began to travel to this isolated paradise where the marlin catches defied belief. Before long, and despite the absence of a highway system or international flights, more wealthy individuals traveled to the region to build second homes. Among them were the Hollywood greats of film’s golden era, including John Wayne and Clark Gable. At lovely Rancho las Cruces near La Paz, Bing Crosby and Desi Arnaz built vacation homes in the community that’s home to ESSV’s Hacienda Santa Cruz.

Today, Cabo’s varied charms continue to draw all sorts of visitors, each seeking their own vision of paradise. Nature lovers enjoy exploring the magic of the desert back roads, kayaking to peaceful coves, or releasing baby sea turtles with local conservation groups. Anglers arrive to fight monstrous marlin and dorado with experienced charter crews. Foodies indulge in the dazzling culinary spectrum of Cabo’s fine dining options. Golfers are drawn by championship greens designed by the biggest names in the game, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and the Dye Corporation. And, for those simply looking to relax, the incredibly luxurious private villa rentals and exquisite resorts of Los Cabos offer lavish accommodations, ocean views and sparkling swimming pools.

In Los Cabos, modern amenities, exciting activities, desert vistas and the aquamarine sea mingle with rare allure. Come and discover the treasures of Baja.