Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in México. It is located in the State of Baja California Sur at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, about one thousand miles south of San Diego, California. It is 22 miles southwest of the Los Cabos International Airport and 18 miles west of Jose del Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas has a very interesting history. It was previously named Santa Cruz by Hernan Cortez in 1573 and La Paz by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1596. It started out as a place where travelers such as Cortez and Vizcaino wanted to occupy because of the lure of its gold and pearls. Not much gold and pearls were found, however, but many unfriendly Indians. For a long time, the place just served as a channel from Luzon, Philippines to Acapulco, Spain, where traders transported silk, spices, gold and silver. Pirates were rampant at that time and the Spanish authorities were not happy that the Dutch, English and Russians were taking the riches of this new world, which was by then called California. The Spanish ordered the Jesuits to resettle the Indians in California so the peninsula would not be open to anybody else. The Indians were not happy with the fathers’ teachings, and in 1734, drove out the spiritual leaders. For hundreds of years, nothing very eventful happened in California until the 1840’s during the American-Mexican War.

Since there were no gold, silver, oil and other natural resources, the Americans decided to relinquish Baja, California to the Mexicans. Soon after World War II, rich and powerful people trooped to this place with very good weather. There were no roads at that time and they went there via water or air. The place became very exclusive to the likes of Bing Crosby, Phil Harris, Desi Arnaz, and The Duke. In, 1948 they collated their money to build the Las Cruces Hotel on the East Cape. In the years that followed, more hotels were built and a highway was built in 1794. In 1986, the airport was expanded to accommodate more tourists. Soon, more people were able to visit the tourist destination where fishing tournaments are held.

Cabo San Lucas to this day remains to be one of the hottest tourist destinations. Golf courses have been added to its attractions. The ladies will enjoy lounging around the pristine beach and shopping for unique finds. The children will love swimming and snorkeling. The adventurers can try jet skiing, bungee jumping, parasailing and kayaking. Restaurants and clubs boast of great food and a wide array of drinks. It is truly a paradise everyone will love to visit.

Peter Emerson
http://www.e-cabosanlucas.com/
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Picture: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico