The Mexican resort of Cabo San Lucas is lively, picturesque, glamorous and home to some excellent beaches.

Located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo is a small city with a population of around 41,000, but attracts thousands of holidaymakers and tourists.

The resort is famous for its sea fishing, beaches and parties, attracting a young, fashionable and energetic crowd throughout the year.

Originally populated by the nomadic Guaycura tribes, the area including Cabo San Lucas remained relatively untouched until the 17th century, when European explorers arrived and the region became an important post for Manila galleons travelling from Acapulco to the Philippines.

Pirates operated in the region, finding rich pickings from the silk, perfumes, gold and treasures carried from Mexico. The Spanish monarchy sent out Jesuit missionaries in the 1600s to settle Baja California, though Cabo still remained a sleepy, isolated fishing village until the 20th century.

Cabo finally rose to prominence in the 1940s, when enthusiastic sports fishers discovered its packed waters and is now one of Mexico's top holiday resorts. Proving popular with celebrities, pop star and actress Jessica Simpson celebrated her 26th birthday with friends and family in the resort recently and film star Jim Carrey is rumoured to be planning to tie the knot with girlfriend Jenny McCarthy at the end of the summer.

Places of interest for visitors include the stunning El Arco natural rock arch, with boat rides available to the Playa de Amor beach beneath it, the Marina Cabo San Lucas, the Faro Viejo historic lighthouse, the Museo de las Californias, the town square and the Casa de la Cultura, with a lookout point, theatre and pretty gardens.

Cabo is a top destination for deep sea and marlin fishing and the resort is also home to a number of excellent golf courses. Other sports and activities available in and around the city include horse riding, surfing, diving, ecotours, kayaking, boating and whale watching.

The resort is a haven for partygoers, with numerous noisy bars, nightclubs, cafes and other venues. Restaurants in the area range from basic Mexican food stalls to upscale restaurants, with everything in between.

Shoppers will delight in the stylish boutiques, the Mercado de Artesanias (Artisans Market) along the seafront, and the galleries, jewellery shops, folk art stores and homeware sellers in Cabo San Lucas.

The resort has numerous luxury hotels and developments along its coast and the beaches are beautiful, providing white sands, clear waters, modern amenities and activities to holidaymakers. Small hotels and B&Bs are available and travellers should book early to secure the best deals.

Cabo San Lucas has its own international airport nearby and a number of cruise companies stop at the town. The town has been marketed by the Mexican office of tourism as Los Cabos, along with the quieter and more traditional neighbouring San Jose del Cabo.

The hottest months, between May and October, are the wettest in Cabo and the best time to visit tends to be during the spring or autumn months, with lower temperatures and fewer crowds during the winter. The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken widely as the resort is popular with US travellers.

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