Community Gathering Place, San Jose del Cabo

San José del Cabo is just a few miles away from the glossy resorts that line the tip of the Baja Peninsula, drawing millions of North American tourists to Cabo every year, but it has managed to retain at least some of its own personal identity as a Mexican town.


As with so many Mexican cities, the central square is a community gathering place once the heat of the day is past. On the weekends, vendors set up stands to sell food, candy and toys.


Children play soccer and everyone enjoys an iced fruit bar or ice cream from the paleteria.


There’s a bandstand for concerts as well as a stage, and the cathedral is right across the street.



San José has one of the largest Mexican flags I’ve ever seen. It’s quite a job for the municipal police to take it down at night.



The square is surrounded by colourful stucco buildings. The neighbouring art district has a wealth of galleries and craft shops. It pays to wander as there is less touristy kitsch and more real art the farther away you are from the square.


I had breakfast on several occasions at the outdoor tables in front of Molly’s Restaurant.


There’s a French bakery just around the corner from the square. The baking isn’t up to Parisian standards, but it provides some welcome treats, including excellent gelato.


San José del Cabo was founded as a Spanish mission in 1730. For more information about Baja’s past and present, I recommend reading Miraculous Air: Journey of a Thousand Miles through Baja California, the Other Mexico by C. M. Mayo.

See also:
Flora's Farm Fresh Food
Wirikuta Cactus Park
Coffee in San Jose del Cabo

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