MF City: Cabos, Mexico

The two sides of Cabos—energetic Cabos San Lucas and tranquil San Jose del Cabo—have long enamored visitors with a gorgeous desert-meets-ocean topography, luxury properties, and laid-back attitude.

WORKING OUT

Outdoors

Scuba Diving
Amigos del Mar
Marina Blvd., Plaza Galitoca. 513-898-0547. www.amigosdelmar.com
When compared to the rest of Cabos San Lucas' shiny newness, Amigos del Mar is an old school establishment that has kept Cabos diving up to snuff for the past 30 years. Jumping into the water where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean has its perks-wildlife from both marine environments and challenging currents for advanced divers. Daily local dives and charters available as well as certification courses.

Photo courtesy of Cabo Adventures

America's Cup Match Racing
Cabo Adventures
Marina Blvd. 1-888-526-2238. www.cabo-adventures.com
Ever taken part in a sailboat race? Me neither. Then, set against the backdrop of the famous arch, I "grinded" (or turned the wheelhouse to make the sails move to and fro) on command when my crew yelled out directions. Why? I was attempting to steal a victory from of my sailing competitors. Exhilarating? Yes. Hard work? Definitely. No wonder sailors always look so buff.

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Surfing
Mike Doyle's Surf School
The Cabo Surf Hotel. 858-964-5117. www.mikedoylesurfschool.com
Surfing in Cabos is such a pleasure that there's a boutique hotel dedicated to the art. The Cabos Surf Hotel, a 22-room joint that serves up killer fish tacos, is located on Playa Acapulquito, Cabos' best surfing beach. Mike Doyle's runs out of the hotel, every day, year-round, and his staff is guaranteed to get you up on a board. The on-site surf shop offers rentals, and lessons are priced for groups or individuals.

Indoors

Gym
CLS Fitness
Marine Blvd., Plaza Nautica. 52 (624) 164-2973
Centrally located off Cabos San Lucas' main artery, this open-air gym complete with an outdoor pool, juice bar, and daily class schedules featuring yoga, kickboxing, Zumba, and Pilates offers a range of pricing options for visitors from a one-day pass (less than $10) to three-month packages.

Hotel Gym
One & Only Palmilla
Km 7.5, Corridor. 1-866-829-2977. palmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com
With a state-of-the-art facility that includes classes, cardio equipment, Kinesis machines, and steam and sauna facilities (in addition to the resort's Jack Nicklaus signature course) Palmilla just introduced a spa menu dedicated to men including tailored personal fitness sessions, facials and detoxifying body massages.

GOING OUT

Eat

Nick-San
Blvd. Marina, Plaza de la Danza; 52 (624) 143-2491; www.nicksan.com
In buzzing Cabos San Lucas, where fresh-caught sashimi is peddled on every corner of the Marina, Nick-San stands out. With inventive dishes like the Serranito Roll (tuna, shrimp, avocado and spicy Serrano chile sauce) and the Chile Age (California chile stuffed with spicy crab and sesame sauce), plus a healthy list of sushi regulars, you can't go wrong. If you're on the other side of the Corridor, hit the outpost in the Shops at Palmilla.

The Restaurant at Las Ventanas
Km 19.5, Corridor; 52 (624) 144-2800; www.lasventanas.com
Oft considered one of the world's best resorts, regularly included in prestigious top-ten lists, The Restaurant at Las Ventanas, overlooking the Sea of Cortez, can take some of the credit. Helmed by Chef Fabrice Guisset, the menu ranges from regional American dishes to Mexican favorites and warrants repeat visits. If you can only visit once, do it on Thursday, when they feature a tasting menu that highlights dishes from the various regions of Mexico.

Mi Cocina at Casa Natalia
Boulevard Mijares North, #4. 1-888-277-3814; www.casanatalia.com
In tame San Jose del Cabo, an array of authentic dining choices compete for attention, but my vote goes to the open-air patio at Mi Cocina within chic boutique hotel Casa Natalia. Incorporating wind, water, fire, and earth into the restaurant's tranquil décor, the kitchen churns out dishes like a gazpacho, baby scallop and vegetable tartare and grilled yellowtail. For dessert, don't miss the rum-marinated piñas.

The Taco Stand Crawl
(Ask a local for directions)
When in Cabos, one should be scolded for taking every meal at tourist-soaked, concierge-chosen spots. Instead, take a page from the locals and hit up the area's taco stands for less than a few bucks. In San Jose del Cabo, Guacamayas and Rose's are the favorites for tacos filled with steak, chicken, chorizo and fish. When in Cabos San Lucas, El Gran Pastor for the eponymous pork al pastor.

Nightlife

Photo courtesy of Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach
ME Cabo Hotel. Playa Medano. 1-877-954-8363. www.me-cabo.com/NikkiBeach.html
Itsy-bitsy bikini-clad babes? Shots at regular interval? Bottle service? The spring break-experience lives at Nikki Beach at the ME Cabo Hotel. Around a winding pool, a spot at one of the enticing white beds and chilled bottles of tequila are mandatory for garnering the attention of hot, young playthings that dance and drink until the wee hours of the morning.

El Squid Roe
Blvd. Marina, opposite Plaza Bonita. 52 (624) 143-0655
A Cabos mainstay, this three-story nightclub, dance hall, and restaurant is where things really go off after the sun sets. A few squirts of tequila from the roving servers, and you'll be dancing on tables just like everyone else. If you need a break from the action on the dance floor, head to the upper levels to escape the fray.

Cabo Wabo
Calle Vicente Guerrero. 52 (624) 143-1188. www.cabowabocantina.com
If live music is your thing, hit Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo. Whether the entertainment comes in the form of a legendary headliner or a local band, Cabo Wabo delivers. With plenty of Cabo Wabo's eponymous tequila on tap, go ahead, get loaded, rock out, and then soak up the damage with a late-night splurge at the taco stand out front.

LODGING

Photo courtesy of Me Cabo

One & Only Palmilla
Km 7.5, Corridor. 1-866-829-2977. palmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com
Set against the backdrop of lush grounds, fronting an isolated beach, the One & Only Palmilla boasts 173 of the most sought-after rooms in Cabos. With Jean-George's Market and sexy oceanfront Agua restaurants, offering iPads for guest use, Bose sounds systems, and an adults-only pool, Palmilla is the ultimate in luxury. The four-bedroom villa that sleeps twelve comes with a butler, a screening theater, full gym and infinity pool, so if you want to bring a party to Cabos, the Palmilla is the place to snag a reservation.

Capella Pedregal
Camino Del Mar - 1. 877-247- 6688. www.capellahotels.com/cabosanlucas
To reach this sand-colored confection of a hotel, you must drive through a man-made tunnel that took four years to build. Once on the other side, with a clear view of the Pacific Ocean, the colors pop. Stairways rise and fall past the 66 guestrooms, each boasting a plunge pool. With a Julien Farel Spa and a shipwreck-themed restaurant on-site, the Capella Pedregal is the latest must-visit accommodation in buzzing Cabos San Lucas.

ME Cabo
Playa Medano. 1-877-954-8363. www.me-cabo.com
Sexy, white voile curtains blow through the hotel, giving it a Delano-Miami feel. Around the small pool, a palapa-roofed swim up bar and white daybeds are occupied by the beautiful set. Gazing out over Medano Beach, the view is unbeatable-a carnival of water-sport vehicles and vendors backed by Cabos' stunning arches. At night, Nikki Beach kicks into high gear. If you're looking for the hotel with the party, ME Cabo is where you'll find it.