The sparkling seaside resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos), better known as “Cabo” offer far more than meets the eye. I’ve never been one to tire of basking in the sun for hours on end, but some visitors to the area are looking for something a bit more than the obvious gorgeous beaches and stunning sunsets. Once you look deeper into Cabo, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the options.
   Of course, with almost perfect weather year round, outdoor activities are the main draw to “the capes” at the tip of the Baja.  The fishing statistics speak for themselves with over 40,000 marlin and sailfish hooked each year. Plenty of places in Mexico are known for great fishing, but Cabo is arguably the “sportfishing Capital of the World.” Though I have personally never tackled anything bigger than a sailfish, they say battling a 500-pound marlin for hours is one of life’s all-time thrills. The marina is full of skilled fishermen and local charters have built reputations for their fine fleets so we all have an equal chance of landing “the big one!”
   Striking Bahia San Lucas (San Lucas Bay), flanked by the final stretches of the 1000-mile Baja Peninsula on its southwest side, is a marine sanctuary and the ultimate location for diving and snorkeling. Schools of parrotfish, goatfish, triggerfish and more call these waters home. In the winter months, visibility ranges from 30 to 50 feet and from April to October increases to over 100 feet. Beginners will find the water near Pelican Rock or Neptune’s Finger just right for getting started while advanced divers can try the Abyss (near the Arch), or the Sandfalls, a 90-foot dive documented by the late Jacques Cousteau.
   Whether you stay in San Jose or Cabo San Lucas, whale watching is well worth the visit from January through April. Of the approximately 15,000 Grey whales in the world, it is estimated that 11,000 make a 10,000-mile journey to bear their calves in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. These amazing creatures are so close they can easily be seen from shore, or you can arrange a half-day boat trip to take a closer look. If you really want to get into the whale scene, fly Aero Calafia to Magdalena and San Ignacio lagoons. The tour includes an early morning pick up at your hotel, a one hour plus flight on a panoramic high-wing Cessna, 4 hours of whale watching on a small panga boat, snacks, drinks, and a seafood lunch at a local restaurant. All of this and back to your hotel by late afternoon. (Available only during whale season: January, February and March.)
   And what Mexican resort would be complete without golf? With the dramatic coastal settings of desert rolling to the sea, the views certainly can’t be beat. Even though the courses are visually breathtaking and equally challenging, golf takes a backseat to watersports in Los Cabos, but maybe not for long. At the moment there are 81 holes open with final plans calling for an eventual 207.
   Eco-Tourism has really taken a hold here as well. Ecological touring companies have sprung up all around Los Cabos offering both land and air tours of remote desert, mountain and ocean areas. These interesting excursions include things like camping facilities, kayaks, 4-wheel drive vehicles, rock climbing guide and gear, naturalist bilingual guide, snacks, meals and drinks. Mountain bike tours are also the latest craze and offer an active alternative to horseback riding adventures. And, for the explorers, there are also tours to prehistoric fossil beds north of Cabo San Lucas. Check with local tour operators for more information. 
   So spend some time in the great outdoors – spend some time in Los Cabos.