"This archipelago off the coast of La Paz (which takes the name of the main island) is a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. While the islands are uninhabited by humans save for a small fishing camp made of temporary structures, they’re home to a great variety of flora and fauna. In addition to dolphins, frigate birds, and ring-tailed cats, you’ll find the only known black jackrabbit population in the world. Celebrated eco-friendly activities company Cabo Expeditions leads daylong archipelago tours that include exploring the mesmerizing volcanic landscape, a ceviche lunch, and an opportunity to swim on Ensenada Grande Beach—often cited as one of the world’s most beautiful—plus guided snorkeling with the incredibly playful pups at the Los Islotes sea lion colony."

"Adrenaline junkies visiting La Paz would do well to make the 40-minute detour to La Ventana, the area’s kite-surfing capital. Bring your camera to snap photos of kite surfers speeding by on the Sea of Cortés. The area features a natural wind tunnerl that really kicks the sport into high gear. High season for the sport runs November to March but there are great gusts almost every day of the year."

"Cañón de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) and its 40-foot waterfall are just north of Santiago, a sleepy yet charming colonial-style town 35 miles north of San José del Cabo, across the Tropic of Cancer. The hike to the waterfall takes you through oases with endemic plants and gives you glimpses into a Baja outback that existed before the region became a popular tourism destination. There’s a great area for swimming as you admire the waterfall and multicolored granite cliffs. Tip: On your trip back to Los Cabos, stop by the Agua Caliente, Santa Rita, and El Chorro hot springs about five miles south of Santiago."

"Cabo Submarine Children big and small love Cabo Expeditions’ bright-yellow Cabo Submarine , a 60-foot semi-submersible vessel that departs from the Marina Cabo San Lucas and navigates the Cabo San Lucas Bay, providing patrons with dazzling underwater views of colorful sea life and sandfalls (a phenomenon in which sand cascades down an underwater slope like a waterfall). Enjoy Cabo’s most iconic sights—the arch, Lover’s Beach, Pelican Rock, and more—from the spacious above-water level, then head belowdecks, where thick plexiglass windows look out at sea lions, parrot fish, and near-neon triggerfish. A handy laminated guide helps in identifying the different species, and you can also turn to the Cabo Expeditions tour guide, who is trained in marine biology."

"Cabo Escape It cannot be said with absolute certainty that Cabo Escape invented the floating nightclub concept, but it’s definitely perfected it. The perennially popular double-decker catamaran stays busy throughout the day with breakfast whale-watching tours (in season) plus midday snorkel adventures. After the sun goes down on weekends, the gregarious crew turns up for a Sundown Party complete with an emcee, dance music, and an all-you-can-drink bar that stays open till 10:30 p.m. Dance the night away as you take in views of Cabo’s famous Technicolor sunset and sail past landmarks like the arch at Land’s End and Pelican Rock."

"Todos Santos A celebrated artists' colony an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos was named a Pueblo Mágico by the Mexican government in 2006 because of its natural beauty, historical relevance, and cultural riches. These riches are on display in artisan shops and artist-operated galleries that dot the former sugar town. Among the artists with studios or galleries in Todos Santos: Tori Sepulveda, Arturo Mendoza Elfeo, Jill Mollenhauer, and Michael Cope. There are several arts and music events throughout the year, including the annual Todos Santos Open Studio Tour each February, at which you can meet the artists in their studios and purchase their work. It’s also easy to do a one- or two-hour self-guided art walk through Todos Santos, including a stop in the charming if misleading Hotel California; the property is not the one featured in The Eagles’ hit song."

"Not for the faint of heart. The locally owned and family-run Médano Beach water-sports company specializes in gravity-defying, high-powered toys that propel those who dare more than 30 feet into the air, allowing for acrobatic maneuvering over Cabo San Lucas Bay. Depending on your experience level and core strength, you can opt for the JetBlade (think flying skateboard), X-JetPack (exactly what it sounds like), or FlyBike (an easy-to-maneuver bicycle-like contraption). The presence of a photographer on board pretty much guarantees you’ll walk away with an incredible profile picture for your social media feeds. Want more? For a small extra fee, a drone can shoot footage from the sky."

"There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned and grand about the 144-foot, triple-deck Caborey catamaran, which has been sailing Mexico’s waters for more than 50 years. In addition to options like snorkeling and whale-watching, Caborey offers an elegant dinner cruise served with a fiery Argentine-Mexican floor show. The two-and-a-half-hour tour makes full use of the giant vessel: Enjoy views of Cabo San Lucas Bay as you sip cocktails and listen to live music before heading downstairs to the classic-looking dining room for a sophisticated multicourse dinner (choose from entrées like grilled lobster in a white wine cream sauce, chateaubriand, or sea bass) and an immersive show. There’s mariachi music, folkloric dancing, and dazzling Argentine tango performances."

"Snorkel Santa Maria Bay There are nearly as many snorkeling options in Los Cabos as there are fish in the Sea of Cortés, and that’s saying a lot. If you’re somebody who prefers going it alone, pick up a snorkeling mask and fins and head to Chileno Bay for some undisturbed fish-seeing. But if you need a little more hands-on guidance, the outfit to dial is Pez Gato. Their twice-daily, four-hour tour includes everything you’ll need—snorkeling gear, drinks, fresh fruit, and sandwiches—plus a friendly and knowledgeable crew who will keep you entertained with facts about the region as you navigate the waters to Santa Maria, a horseshoe-shaped bay that’s home to a marine sanctuary and some of the clearest waters around."

"The 1,800-acre master-planned Cabo del Sol golf resort is located right on the Sea of Cortés. It features two public golf courses: the simply but appropriately titled Ocean and Desert courses. The first, many say, is Jack Nicklaus’s masterpiece, often ranked among the world’s top 100 courses. The challenging layout features mesmerizing desert and ocean vistas, with seven holes bordering the sea. The Ocean Course plays long at 7,075 yards. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, it features ocean views from all 18 holes and takes full advantage of the natural setting by incorporating canyon-like arroyos. The dramatic course varies in length from 4,810 to 7,100 yards and provides a challenge to golfers of all skill levels."

"Chileno Bay There’s a lot to recommend the tourist-corridor beach known as Chileno Bay, or Playa el Chileno. It’s consistently ranked as one of the cleanest beaches in all of Mexico and has earned coveted Blue Flag status multiple times (the award goes to sand stretches that boast excellent water quality, safety, and services). Here you’ll find ample parking, handicap access, restrooms with showers, and nice palapas for free shade. It’s easy to understand why it’s one of the most popular weekend escapes for locals. The swimming and snorkeling conditions are great, especially the farther out you go. During the winter, take a moment to hold your head underwater. You might hear gray whales’ melodic songs in the distance."

"Escape to La Paz Baja California Sur’s capital deserves more than a day trip. The cosmopolitan city is home to some of the peninsula’s finest restaurants, and its beaches rival any in the world. Ensenada Grande, on Isla Partida, is part of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago and is, in a word, stunning. Golden sands give way to clear waters that are framed by volcanic formations (ask your guide to point out “La Máscara”). On the mainland, visit Balandra, a lovely white-sand beach whose waters shimmer a vibrant turquoise. It’s famous not only for its splendor but for the unusual mushroom-shaped rock known as El Hongo, as well. El Tecolote doesn’t quite have Balandra’s beauty, but it offers much more in the way of activities. Camp, grab a bite, and start here before heading on to an Espíritu Santo adventure."