Pichilingue is the port to La Paz -- the largest city and capital of the state of Baja California Sur. But it seems, until very recently, that no one knew it except the 180,000 people who live here. Long overlooked and overwhelmed by its "in" neighbor Cabo San Lucas, perhaps La Paz (which translates as "Peace") is about to be awakened from its siesta. 

Cruise lines have discovered La Paz. No cruise ship is going to pull into a port unless there's some offering of at least one or two of these: history, attractions, activities, or shopping. La Paz delivers all four: over 450 years of history (not all of it as peaceful as it's name would imply), a cathedral, a history museum, an arts center, water sports, deep-sea fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and a respectable number of shops and markets.