Located along the Mexican Riviera, Los Cabos is where the desert meets the sea and where many of our guests experience their best vacations in Mexico. And while life is easy on its beautiful shores, choosing where to stay in Los Cabos can be a challenge, so I’m here to help.
Los Cabos is divided into three areas: Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and the Cabo Corridor. As we’ll see in this post, each has its own pros and cons, depending on what you’re looking for in a vacation destination.
Villa Bellissima, Pedregal
Staying in Cabo San Lucas
Thanks to its proximity to California, Cabo San Lucas has long been associated with Hollywood celebrities, Silicon Valley executives, and, in more recent years, spring breakers. But there’s more depth to this resort town than it’s often given credit for, and the best Cabo villas reflect the unique landscapes and atmosphere that make Los Cabos so intoxicating.
Pros of Staying in Cabo San Lucas
- Close to all of the action and atmosphere of downtown Cabo San Lucas
- Well-established tourism infrastructure
- Close to iconic Los Cabos landmarks like El Arco, Land’s End, and Lovers Beach
- Close to the marina for boat charters and water activities
Cons of Staying in Cabo San Lucas
- More westernized than other parts of Baja California Sur
- Can be noisier and more crowded than other parts of Los Cabos
- Less variety of beaches, especially compared to the Corridor
Cabo San Lucas is Best For:
- Families with children
- Groups of young people
- First-time visitors to Los Cabos
Best Place to Stay in Cabo San Lucas
Pedregal
Pedregal is one of the original gated developments in Los Cabos, first coming to prominence in the 1970s when Cabo San Lucas was known as a fishing village. In many ways, the development of Pedregal helped spark Cabo’s popularity, and today it remains a top place to rent a villa in Cabo.
Best Cabo San Lucas Villa
La Datcha
10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms
Sleeps 20
$35,000-$40,000/night
La Datcha, Pedregal
Modern, yet traditional; large, yet intimate; beachfront, yet offering cliff views – La Datcha truly is the ultimate Cabo San Lucas villa rental. It features a sprawling infinity pool that seemingly extends into the sea, a full gym with a Turkish Bath and sauna, and a full spa, including Mexico’s first-ever snow room, kept at a chilly -10°C. And then there are the master bedrooms – one offers a private fireplace; the other has its own study and a private pool off the terrace. It’s truly one of Mexico’s best villas.
Staying in Los Cabos Corridor
Rugged yet refined, the Los Cabos Corridor (also known as the Tourist Corridor or just the Corridor) is a 33km (20 mile) stretch of land located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo that’s home to some of the Baja Peninsula’s most spectacular landscapes. The focus here is on sea, sand, and luxury, with plenty of pristine beaches that offer the best swimming and snorkelling in the area. It’s also where you’ll find the best golf courses in Los Cabos, including courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom, Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Pros of Staying in Los Cabos Corridor
- It offers the most privacy
- It’s between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, so you can visit both
- It features desert landscapes juxtaposed against the sea
- It has the best golfing, swimming, and snorkelling in Los Cabos
Cons of Staying in Los Cabos Corridor
- Less dining, entertainment and nightlife options
- Less authentic Mexican culture
- Activities and beaches can be further away from each other
Los Cabos Corridor is Best For:
- Guests wanting extra privacy, especially on the beach
- Golf aficionados
- Adventure seekers
Best Place to Stay in Cabo Corridor
Palmilla
Palmilla is one of the premier resort communities in Los Cabos. It’s home to the Palmilla Golf Club, which features three Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, as well as Palmilla Beach, where you’ll find soft sand and great snorkelling. It’s also home to One&Only Palmilla, a luxury resort whose amenities are included with most of our Palmilla villas.
Best Los Cabos Corridor Villa
8 bedrooms, 8 + 1 bathrooms
Sleeps 18
$12,500-$18,500/night
Casa Koll Estate, Palmilla
While Palmilla certainly has its share of beautiful villas, Casa Koll Estate is the private refuge of one of its pioneering developers, Don Koll. Every detail of this beautiful villa has been carefully considered: the stone walls, the woodworking, and even the 19th-century Veracruz roof tiles. It’s all designed to evoke the splendour of a Romantic-era chateau, and it succeeds beautifully.
Staying in San Jose del Cabo
The municipal seat of Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo is where you’ll find the most authentic Mexican culture. Its Art District in particular is full of charming streets with small galleries and colonial architecture, and all throughout the town you’ll find a very laid-back, enchanting atmosphere, especially compared to Cabo San Lucas.
Pros of Staying in San Jose del Cabo
- A more authentic Mexican experience
- Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients
- Art galleries and local artwork
- A calmer, more laid-back vibe
Cons of Staying in San Jose del Cabo
- Less nightlife
- Less beach variety
- Distance to iconic sites El Arco, Land’s End and Lover’s Beach
San Jose del Cabo is Best For:
- Art Lovers
- Foodies
- Repeat visitors
Best Place to Stay in San Jose del Cabo
Puerto Los Cabos
Puerto Los Cabos is the perfect gateway to both San Jose del Cabo and the East End. It’s home to a world-class marina, as well as the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and the Greg Norman Signature Course, while also offering easy access to a number of gorgeous nearby beaches, including Playa Costa Azul and Playa El Ganzo.
Best San Jose del Cabo Villa
7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms
Sleeps 14
$7,500-$17,000/night
Casa Oliver, Puerto Los Cabos
An elevated take on the traditional colonial-era hacienda, Casa Oliver is a contemporary-yet-refined masterpiece that offers uncompromising views of the Sea of Cortez across its 15,000 square feet of outdoor space and 5,000 square feet of terraces. Architectural and décor touches that emphasize local materials and artwork make this villa a perfect example of why staying in San Jose del Cabo offers such a unique and genuine experience.
Which Place to Stay in Los Cabos is Right for You?
Between the three, Cabo San Lucas, the Corridor, and San Jose del Cabo have something to offer almost every traveller. Here’s a quick breakdown of which to choose:
- For landmarks, activities, and nightlife: Cabo San Lucas
- For golf, adventure, and beaches: Cabo Corridor
- For food, culture, and a relaxing vibe: San Jose del Cabo
Choosing the Best Cabo Villa For Your Group
As you can see, Los Cabos has a lot more diversity than you might expect. Of course, this is just a rough guide, as Cabo San Lucas, the Corridor, and San Jose del Cabo all have their own communities and villa options. To get a personalized recommendation of where to stay in Los Cabos, contact a Rental Escapes villa specialist today!
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