Los Cabos, Baja California Sur

When you hear "Los Cabos", the first thing that pops into your mind is drunk spring breakers doing tequila shots and partying until dawn, and it's true. There are nightclubs and bars aplenty offering cheap beer and shots. However, once you look past the neon bar signs and time share dealers, Los Cabos is a slice of heaven in Mexico. I was truly blown away by the Peninsula's natural beauty. In Los Cabos, you can find a holiday or a short break to suit all tastes and desires.

Firstly, we visited the Pacific coast, a string of pueblitos that sit in between hills and the beautiful Bajan beaches.  One of the must-see pueblos is Todos Santos: here you can find the Hotel California which is rumoured to have inspired the Eagles song of the same name, although I have read this is a Mexican tourist dupe.  It's a fairly typical Mexican-style hotel, and they house a little art collection and you are able to wander round and take photos.  Real or not, it's a worth a visit to the pueblito and it's pretty plaza.  Along the coast is a surfers paradise.  Los Cerritos beach is a famous spot where you can hit the waves, the beach itself is also lovely.  Golden sands bathed in sunlight, beautiful.
In the Pescadero area of the coast, you can try delicious Mexican coffee in Baja Beans, (coffee beans which are grown in the local area) and wander round the organic artisans market, where both natives and expats sell their goods opposite fields and fields of growing chillis. The area of Baja California Sur is still tourist-friendly but retains a little more genuine Mexican culture.  Often you will hear the American accent mingled in with Spanish but its laid back atmosphere makes for a welcoming destination.

If you fancy something a little more lively, head down to the famous Cabo San Lucas.  You can easily party the night away in famous clubs like El Squid Roe (mentioned in a ton of American teen TV shows when they head down to Cabo...) or dine in worldwide famous establishments like the Hard Rock Cafe.  The majority of the hotels that sit along the Medano beach are expensive resorts that offer a luxury stay in an amazing location and setting.  It's also possible to go whale spotting during the winter where they complete their migration in the Sea of Cortez. The iconic landmark of the area is the stunning Arco de Cabo San Lucas, on  the Sea of Cortez side of the arch you have the aptly named Playa del amor (Lover's beach), with it's tranquil, blue sea and white sand.  The arch or Land's End is where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean so just opposite to Lover's beach is la Playa de los divorciados (The divorcee's beach!), here the Pacific comes crashing onto the shore, two extreme demonstrations of nature's power and beauty.

One of our favourite spots to dine in was the rooftop restaurant of the Baja Brewing Co. in the Cabo Beach Villas Resort.  The restaurant overlooks the bay and across to Lovers beach and serves pub fare and other more 'elegant' dishes.  The Baja Brewing Co. is Los Cabo's only micro-brewery and serves a selection of around 12 different flavoured beers.  They vary in strength and body; from the Baja Blonde, a lighter, milder beer to the company's most aggressive beer El Peyote Pale Ale. Perfect if you want to take some down time from tequila and cocktails and enjoy a craft beer in a relaxing setting.

Los Cabos is a truly wonderful place.  It's probably one of my favourite parts of Mexico.  Even though it's a top tourist destination and full of expats, you can see stunning scenery and wildlife.  If you can step away from the intoxicating bright lights of the marina in Cabo San Lucas, it's worth venturing out at night to a remote beach and witnessing the most perfect star light sky.  You feel like you are almost alone on the planet, it's breathtaking.