Romantic Oceanside Hotel with Luxury Suites and Fine Dining

Though Cabo San Lucas is surrounded by desert on one side, the city had a magnetic appeal to conquistadors, who coveted the area as a pivotal port amid the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. Positioned on the edge of an ocean side cliff, the Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa takes every opportunity to bask in its location: its infinity pool seems to blur into the vast ocean landscape, and terraces are all primed for panoramic views of the sea. The mission-style resort also pays tribute to its enchanting setting with thoughtful decorative touches; saguaro cacti and Spanish colonial fountains trim the upscale, luxurious campus.

Private terraces lined with stone columns extend from the luxury suites, looking out to white sand beaches and towering rock formations. Terra-cotta tiles accent the 800-square-foot guest rooms, where handcrafted wood furnishings mingle with modern art. In the king accommodations, a four-post bed sits opposite a large swinging mirror that reflects a Victorian chaise lounge; vintage-inspired light fixtures in the queen room illuminate a pair of floral, tropical comforters and a treasure map leading to unlimited rolls of 20-ply toilet paper.

A three-course, candlelit dinner at the open-air Las Marias Restaurant comes enhanced by dramatic ocean views and exotic Mexican cuisine. Guests can pair a complimentary bottle of wine with one of three salads, such as the caprese salad, a soup selection, such as clam chowder, and an entree choice of chicken, seafood, or beef. Sun-drenched colors of burnt orange, hot pink, and warm yellow ignite the walls of the dining room, while large, Spanish-style paintings and decorative woven baskets foster a festive, cultural atmosphere. Come morning, the restaurant converts to a breakfast depot with buffet and à la carte options.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Water Adventures and Rowdy Nightlife

Founded in the mid-16th century by Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés, Cabo San Lucas was once a hot spot for pirate boats and skirmishes as conquerors vied for control over newly established shipping routes. Its position on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, however, catapulted the small cannery town into a booming fishing destination, and the abundant marine life and active watersports industry still draws travelers from all over the world. Glass-bottomed boat tours weave through the natural archways of El Arco, a 200-foot granite rock formation, and the surrounding turquoise waters play host to humpback whales and sea lions. Scuba excursions notch up-close views of the colorful wildlife in a nearby coral reef.

Surrounding the marina waterfront, downtown Cabo buzzes 24 hours a day as patrons sample local tequilas and fresh, grilled seafood. Fueled day and night by Latin music and smoky jazz tunes, the tourist district embraces anyone who navigates its streets.