San Jose del Cabo: A Future Barrio Magico?

Launched in 2022, the program is an adjunct of the Pueblos Magico (magical towns) designation, which identifies historic townships and places of rare beauty throughout Mexico. Todos Santos, for example, is a Pueblo Magico one hour’s drive north of Los Cabos.

To date, a total of 14 neighborhoods in cities and settlements throughout Mexico have been recognized as Barrios Magico. San Jose del Cabo is among 12 additional communities vying to join this exclusive roster. There’s more than bragging rights in play. Securing the title as one of Mexico’s magical neighborhoods would bring the town additional funding and resources to maintain its heritage, charm, and beauty.

In order to be honored with the Barrio Magico distinction, a particular area of a town or city must be culturally, historically or naturally significant. Each neighborhood under consideration must have a unique level of authenticity and a special ambience that visitors want to experience.
San Jose del Cabo is the quieter, more genuine of the two towns that make up Los Cabos. Cabo San Lucas, with its sprawling marina and nonstop nightlife, is the more tourist-oriented.

Founded as a Jesuit mission in 1730, San Jose del Cabo has a storied past that includes pirates, priests, and more. The town’s historic, walker-friendly downtown quarter is central to its appeal. Artisan shops sell authentic, hand-crafted items, not cheap souvenirs.

The gastronomy is superb: stylish cafes and restaurants, many specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, beckon from colorful 19th-century buildings that line the town’s quaint cobblestone streets. There’s a profusion of art galleries, one of the main reasons why San Jose del Cabo’s Art Walk (Thursday evenings from November through June) is so popular. Notable landmarks include the twin-spired church, Antonio Mijares plaza (shaded by century-old Indian laurel trees), and the City Hall building (1891). Set back from the shores of the Sea of Cortez, the town also has palm-lined lagoons and an estuary that serves as a wildlife sanctuary, especially for migratory birds.

San Jose del Cabo is richly deserving of the Barrio Magico honor. If selected, it would be the first neighborhood in Baja California Sur to make the list