Los Cabos History

Until the early 1970's the secrets of Baja Sur were known to only the heartiest of travelers. The Sea of Cortes is one of the world's unique ocean environments. It is considered to be the biologically richest body of water on earth, supporting over 800 marine vertebrates species. Formed millions of years ago in what is today the Baja Peninsula slid westward along the San Andreas fault, the Sea stretches 1,125 km north to south, The shallower northern waters give way to deeper nutrient rich zones near the resorts of Loreto and La Paz.

The two towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo make up Los Cabos. Francisco de Ulloa, Hernán Cortés's navigator, came upon Cabo San Lucas in 1537. Pirates discovered this trade route and Cabo San Lucas found itself frequently under siege. San José del Cabo, was founded in 1730 as a Jesuit mission on the banks of the Rio San José estuary.

In the 1940's and 50's, Cabo San Lucas first saw modern development when millionaires built their vacation homes along the cliffs that towered above magnificent, clear bays and coves. Luxury resorts followed in the 1960's.

Although it is the municipal center of the two towns and a considerable amount of expansion and development has taken place there, San José del Cabo feels much like a Mexican village. Cabo San Lucas, has a bustling atmosphere lots of shopping areas, nightlife activity. The area's sport fishing fleet is located there and several cruise ships call on the port.