6 Best Hotels in Los Cabos Side Trips, Los Cabos

Possibly the best bargain on the malecón, although a bit away from the city center itself, this vacation-ownership resort has very reasonable suite rentals on a nightly and weekly basis. Within El Moro you'll find a palm-filled garden and a densely landscaped pool area, though the pool itself is a bit shallow for much serious swimming. You can recognize the building by its stark-white turrets and domes. Rooms are Mediterranean in style, with arched windows, Mexican tiles, and private balconies; some have ocean views. Fishing packages are available.

Twenty budget-friendly rooms fringe a courtyard strewn with art and artifacts, each individually decorated and adorned with hand-painted accents to reflect this hotel's bohemian sensibility. After navigating the Trojan horse out front, guests enter through a lobby/curio shop into a courtyard strung with a staggering array of disparate objects: shells, whale bones, hubcaps, bottles, bullfighting posters, vintage bicycles, old tools. The focal point of the courtyard art museum—which features four generations of found objects and family heirlooms—is the body of the 1916 Model T the original owners drove down from San Antonio, Texas, with a stuffed monkey in the front seat. Guests can enjoy complimentary tequila shots each evening.

The legendary low-rise of the oldest hotel in Baja California Sur faces the malecón, and although it sometimes shows its age (it has seen plenty of action since 1940), the location is unbeatable. Rooms are a little kitschy, with light-wood furnishings and wall-painted scenes of local marine life; some have king-size beds. The pool is on a second-story sundeck, away from the traffic of the main street. Noise is a factor in the 28 oceanfront rooms, the trade-off being wonderful sunset views, so take your pick.

This very reasonable, modern, minimalist hotel is perfectly situated to one side of the malecón's action. Take off from your hotel room for nearby cafés and restaurants, and prime people-watching. Hotel Seven Crown's rooms are comfortable, if a little plain, and the Wi-Fi is often too weak to be used. But the views of the bay from Junior and Master Suite balconies are fantastic, and the newly opened Quinto Piso (literally, "5th Floor") restaurant offers the best vantages of all, as well as breakfast from 7 am to 2 pm and comfort-food dinner fare and cocktails from 7 to 11 pm.

On a long beach with calm water, this older resort (built in 1984) has a water-sports center and a notable restaurant. If you can, splurge on a condo unit with a separate bedroom and kitchen. These are in a separate apartment-style building with an elevator, within walking distance to the beach. There's also a daily shuttle to town.

Here's a hotel with remodeled rooms and a full-service marina, meaning easy concierge access to activities like fishing, scuba diving, and kayaking. Most rooms have terraces or balconies with water views, gardens surround the pool and hot tub, and a seaside promenade lines the property. Bistro Marine and Steakhouse offers picturesque bay views and fine fare, with Capitán Sunset Bar the choice for afternoon or evening cocktails. Free breakfast is included with most reservations.