Most exploring is done best on your own. There are also short guided tours of the two towns and to some of the attractions outlined below. Here's a short list of things to do:

San José del Cabo

This very pretty village dates to 1730, when it became a provisions stop for the passing Manila fleet. Spend an hour or so getting to know this endearing village. San José has some very good shopping and dining, and a couple of interesting sightseeing attractions. The main street is Boulevard Mijares. It leads past the colonial-style Municipal Palace. Facing the Palace is a long narrow fountain, illuminated at night with colorful lights. Make sure you visit the zócalo with its shaded courtyard and white gilded bandstand. The Church of San José faces the square. It was built in 1940 on the site of a Jesuit mission originally built in 1730. An interesting mural above the main entrance depicts Indians dragging a priest towards a fire in retaliation for his trying to stop the tribe's polygamist ways.

During peak visitor season, visit downtown San José for San José de Fiesta, a weekly celebration with folkloric dancers, music, and regional cuisine. Performances are on Saturday nights.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo is considered by many visitors to be the true center of the Los Cabos resort scene. Undoubtedly there is more to do in Cabo, and lots more people out and about. Its busy marina draws visitors to take boat excursions, or to the sport fishing dock to see the day's catch. There are also more dining, shopping and nightlife options. And scenically speaking, Cabo's setting is more dramatic; this is the true end of the Baja Peninsula and the point where the Pacific and Sea of Cortés come together.

What you won't find here are any historic buildings, since Cabo only began to develop as a city in the 1970's. Most attractions are within four or five blocks of the marina. A new shopping mall (Plaza Bonita) anchors one end, while the sprawling Hotel Plaza Las Glorias dominates the rest of the town's waterfront. Across from the marina, facing the Hotel Hacienda is beautiful Médano Beach, Cabo San Lucas' swimming beach.

Here are some attractions not to be missed: