San Jose is worlds apart from Cabo San Lucas, and has been since it originally was settled by the Pericue Indians 550 years ago. In 1730, Jesuit missionaries arrived to build the Mision Estero de las Palmas de San Jose del Anuiti, which now is present-day San Jose del Cabo, and the indigenous population eventually dwindled as a result.

Nevertheless, a rich Mexican culture still thrives and can be observed in the colonial architecture, traditional cuisine and regular folkloric performances in the town's main square.

Fine dining abounnds in San Jose and the sounds of salsa , rockn-roll and jazz rise from bars such as Tropicana, Shooter's and Havana when the sun goes down. And, at first light during the spring and summer , surfers line up along the Cpsta Azul region of San Jose waiting to catch the first long-ride waves of the day.