The Best Hotels in San José del Cabo, Mexico

With just 18 rooms, European-owned Casa Natalia is very much a Mexican hacienda in style: grey-and-white tiled floors meet whitewashed walls and local art, with splashes of hot pink, cobalt blue and sunflower yellow. It’s a 15-minute walk to the beach, but there’s a small palm-edged pool to cool off in. Thursdays are for roaming the local galleries, tequila in hand, on the weekly Art Walk – and it’s fish taco day every day in the hotel’s European-Mexican brasserie Mi Cocina.

Bargain hunters love the all-inclusive option at this mid-range favorite, and loyal clients adore the volleyball and tennis courts – when they’re not golfing and scuba diving nearby. The 148 rooms and suites (all with balcony or terrace) could do with some TLC, but this place isn’t aimed at design fiends. Guests come to be on the white sands, which are spectacular at peachy dusk. Treacherous currents mean no dips in the sea, but there’s a beachfront pool where you can also snack on tacos and ceviche.

If you’re after a party, forget it: the waterside El Ganzo may have a recording studio on-site, but the vibe is chilled and surfy. Spaces are peppered with sculptures, graffiti and cute goose motifs. The 60 rooms and suites have soft beds and either sea or marina views; upgrade if you fancy yacht watching from your very own balcony hammock. Lounge by the pool, with its restaurant, bar and white-draped daybeds, or take a 10-minute shuttle to the hotel’s sheltered private beach.