Planning your trip to Baja California Sur

GETTING THERE

There are two main airports in Baja California Sur: Aeropuerto Internacional Los Cabos (SJD), just outside of San Jose del Cabo; and Aeropuerto General Manuel Marquez de Leon (LAP), serving La Paz. Flights to SJD are less expensive and more frequent. There are a handful of non-stop flights from O’Hare to SJD, which tend to be in the $1,000 range. Single-stop flights can be had for closer to $600; another option is to buy one non-stop domestic ticket to San Diego International Airport and a connecting international ticket from there to SJD, as Mexican flights from San Diego are fairly frequent and less expensive.

GETTING AROUND

If you’re going the road-trip route, you’re obviously going to need a car. Most major rental car companies are represented at SJD, and a few keep satellite offices in major towns like Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. While the C.T. is paved and in passable condition, it’s not uncommon for smaller roads and side streets to be unpaved or in very poor repair. Our advice? Get a Jeep or similar all-terrain vehicle designed to handle rough roads, and wear your seat belt—it’s a bumpy ride.

STAYING THERE

Large-scale beachside resorts are common in Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos Corridor, but most lodging in Baja Sur consists of boutique hotels and small inns, many of which include a large traditional breakfast. A few recommendations in . . . San Jose del Cabo: Casa Natalia (from $230; 888-277-3814; www.casanatalia.com) is gorgeous and boasts one of the best restaurants in town. Los Cabos Corridor: Cabo Surf Hotel (from $265; 858-964-5117; www.cabosurfhotel.com) is a full-service boutique resort and spa, and operates a surf shack with lessons. La Paz: Posada de las Flores (from $150; 619-378-0103; www.posadadelasflores.com) is wonderfully intimate and right on the marina. Todos Santos: The Hotelito (from $85; 011-52-612-145-0099, www.thehotelito.com) is a modern oasis with British hospitality; Todos Santos Inn (from $125; 011-52-612-145-0040; www.todossantosinn.com) meshes historic architectural details with a lush landscape and traditional suites. Cabo San Lucas: The Bungalows Inn (from $115; 888-424-CABO; www.cabobungalows.com) features simple rooms, warm hospitality, and a DVD library should you opt out of Cabo’s noisy nightlife.

DINING THERE

Fish tacos are the standard fare in Baja California Sur, but in larger towns, contemporary Mexican has found a niche. A few recommendations in . . . San Jose del Cabo: Mi Cocina (average entree $16; 888-277-3814; www.casanatalia.com/dining.cfm) serves formal modern Mexican entrees with inventive cocktails and incredible desserts; La Panga Antigua (average entree $15; 011-52-624-142-4041; www.lapanga.com) serves pricey contemporary Mexican and seafood cuisine in a gorgeous historic hacienda; French Riviera Restaurant and Bakery (average entree $10; 011-52-624-104-3125;www.frenchrivieraloscabos.com) smells as good as it tastes, and serves sweet and savory crepes and dozens of traditional French and Mexican pastries. Santiago: Hotel Palomar (average entree $8; 011-52-624-142-0604) draws visitors to its orange grove-enclosed patio for traditional Mexican fare. La Paz: Bismark-cito (average entree $10; 011-52-612-128-4900) serves the best fish tacos—and homemade salsas—in town; El Patron Bar & Grill (average entree $22; 011-52-612-125-9977; www.ladivinauva.com) is a traditional Mexican seafood restaurant with incredible coconut shrimp and a great mariachi band. Todos Santos: Cafe Santa Fe (average entree $30; 011-52-612-145-0340) is Italian, upscale, pricey and well worth it; Buena Vida (average entree $11; 011-52-612-134-3100) is a relatively new pizzeria and bar in the historic district. Cabo San Lucas: El Meson de Zapata (average entree $15; 011-52-624-144-3982) is a welcome respite from Cabo’s mediocre Mexican food tourist traps and serves amazing flan.

—Lauren Viera