San José del Cabo

If you're willing to sacrifice happening digs for a bit more authenticity, Cabo San Lucas' little sister city San José del Cabo is the place to base your stay. Its downtown is appealing and attractive, and recently the government has again enlarged and beautified the main zocalo, graced now by a brand-new "dancing waters" fountain, lit at night. Several streets fronting the square have become pedestrian-only and new parks have been installed here as well. And the ambitious multiyear beautification process continues: San José's original nine-hole golf course was recently purchased by the Mayan Resorts, a time-share newcomer on the beach, and the course refurbished. Just beyond and a bit farther south is the ever-expanding Zona Hotelera where a dozen or so new hotels, time-shares, and condo projects face the long stretch of beach (also referred to as Playa del Sol or El Sol) on the usually placid Sea of Cortez.