Cabo San Lucas, the place where I got my vanilla and last time went exploring the arches and sea.
Introduction
Cabo San Lucas or Cabo is now a very Touristy place known for its beaches, deep-sea fishing, nightlife and natural beauty. But there is so much more to Cabo then a touristy place, it has rich dramatic history about indigenous cultures, pirate legends, and fast modern development.
The Indigenous People
The area was first inhabited by the Pericu, a now-extinct indigenous group. They were skilled in fishing, pearl diving, and hunting. They lived in scattered settlements around Cabo area. They most likely had early contact with seafarers and might have used rafts or something to move around the Sea of Cortez. But this is mostly unproven because it was such a while back so there isn’t much that can prove this theory.
1500s-1700s
Hernan Cortes arrived in 1535 and tried to make a settlement called Santa Cruz, but it failed because there wasn’t enough food or water. Later the Spanish Crown used the bay at Cabo as a supply stop and anchorage for the Manila Galleons.
The area’s coast and hidden coves made it perfect for pirate hideouts. Pirate raids became so common that Spain had to reroute galleons and fortify other ports. These swashbuckling stories are part of Cabo’s romantic, legendary past.
Pirates of the Sea of Cortez
1900s–2000s
For much of the 1800s and early 1900s, Cabo San Lucas remained a small fishing village. The main was pearling, along with salt harvesting and ranching inland. In the early 20th century, American and Japanese companies became interested in the area’s rich tuna and marlin waters.
1950s–1970s
Cabo gained attention in the mid-1900s as a world-class sportfishing destination, especially for marlin. There were no roads connecting Cabo to the rest of the peninsula until the Transpeninsular Highway was completed in 1973.
1980s–Present
In the 1980s and 1990s, Cabo changed a lot. Luxury resorts, golf courses, and marinas were developed. Cruise ships and international airports brought in thousands of tourists. The town expanded fast, becoming part of Los Cabos, which includes San José del Cabo and the Tourist Corridor between them.
Cabo Today
What started as a coastal village is now one of Mexico’s premier destinations, visited by many like divers, and thrill-seekers. Still the traces of its pirate past and fishing roots still run through the town’s soul.
