San Jose del Cabo & Cabo San Lucas

Area: 1,448 mi²

Population: 287,671 (2015)

Capital: San José del Cabo

Largest city: Cabo San Lucas

Weather: The tropical climate makes it a pleasure to visit throughout the year.

Los Cabos is the southermost municipality of the State of Baja California Sur (BCS) − the southern section of the Baja penninsula that begins at the 28th parallel and the municipality of Mulegé south to the town of Cabo San Lucas. It is the newest State in Mexico having been officially formed in 1974.

The region is characterized by deserts, mountains and coastal flatlands with a semi-arid climate where cardon cactus and other succulents are the most prevalent plant species.

Several mountain ranges rise from the landscape with sufficient elevation and rainfall to support pine and oak forests and animals like mountain lions, bighorn sheep and pronghorn.

Los Cabos is best known for its fishing, in fact commercial fishing was the backbone of the economy and still plays a major economic role but was supplanted by tourism since the late 1970's and early 1980's. Today, sport fishing and golf are the two major attractions.

Although some areas of Mexico have been home to drug related violence, Los Cabos and the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo remain a safe tourist destination with crime rates much lower than many major metropolitan areas in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

The history of this area starts in the 1500’s − the final days of the Aztec and arrival of the Spanish led by Hernan Cortés.

There were 16 missions established until 1760’s when the most of native Indians had perished − either from disease brought by the Europeans or in battles with the Spanish.

While the mission was not rebuilt until much later, San Jose del Cabo remained a Spanish military base until the mid 19th century when Mexican nationals were given control.

During the Mexican-American war, U.S. troops occupied San Jose del Cabo for a short period of time. Mexican forces led by Jose Antonio Mijares defeated the Americans, and today, the Plaza Mijares stands as tribute to the Naval hero.

An American tuna company built a floating tuna processing plant in Cabo in 1917 that boosted growth in the area.

By the late 50's word spread about the incredible fishing and famous folks like John Wayne and Zane Grey soon came to fish it for themselves.

Don Luis Bulnes, seeing opportunity, purchased land from local farmers and then along with his partner Luis Coppola Sr., built the Finesterra Hotel in 1970. In 1979, Bulnes also built the Solmar Hotel and developed one of the first and largest sport fishing and diving fleets in the area.

Bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by the Gulf of California and the Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations.