5 Best Hotels in Los Cabos Side Trips, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

Located within a gorgeous 19th-century redbrick building in the heart of Todos Santos, Guaycura is a city hotel with resort-like amenities. It's walking distance from all of the town's top shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more. The rooftop pool, though too small to get your laps in, is great for a quick refresh after a busy day out, though the real star is the beach club that all guests have access to. It's on the other side of town, but if you're visiting without a car, the hotel staff is happy to give you a lift.

Underground hot springs are the secret ingredient at this benchmark fishing getaway in Buena Vista; for proof, check out the amazing hot tub. Time seems to stand still here. Wi-Fi is available and included in the room rates, but no one comes here expecting luxury or modern conveniences. Only two deluxe rooms (of 60 total) feature TVs. None have refrigerators. Instead you'll find an old-school Baja beach resort that's still family-owned. The white-sand beach is gorgeous, with a fishing dock for charters. A gazebo game room offers pool and Ping-Pong; the swimming pool is enormous; and El Navegante Restaurant features family-recipes and a fresh catch of the day, as well as all-day food and drink service. Fishing is great here year-round, but reaches its peak in August when the hotel hosts Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, with more than $1 million in cash on the line. Fishing charters and hunting outings can be arranged through the affiliated South Baja Outfitters. Hotel day passes are available for $30.

Tried-and-true Palmas de Cortez remains the primary option in Los Barriles for travelers seeking central and comfortable beachfront accommodations. First and foremost, though, this is a fishing lodge. Pangas and several sizes of cruisers can be booked through the front desk and depart from the on-site dock, and special lodging and fishing packages are available with prices tiered according to room type and length of stay. Standard rooms are nothing to write home about due to dated decor, but the suites and condos are much nicer.

If you're looking for a reliable and comfortable place to spend the night, this old-school hotel certainly does the trick. Though the rooms each have two queen beds, there is a flat per person rate for anyone who stays over; solo travelers pay $85, while couples are charged $100. A third or fourth guest (including children over five) are each an additional $25/nightly. The palm-shaded swimming pool has a marlin painted on the bottom, and a bar area with cable television is a good spot to hangout if you want to watch a game, since rooms lack TVs. Guests will have to buy their own booze, but there are a few well-stocked minigroceries nearby. Fishing boat rentals can be arranged in the office, which also has a few books on hand for those in need of a beach read.

The town’s first boutique property, Mantra is a welcome fresh face to an otherwise dated Los Barriles. Owner Gunnar Williamson is building the property himself from the ground up, and not a single detail has been overlooked including the design and comfort of the spacious studio-style villas and the provided amenities, like a stocked kitchenette and full set of beach gear. Expansion plans include more rooms and the installation of a pool and spa.