cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The bay of Cabo San Lucas, at the southernmost tip of Baja, was once a base for pirate vessels waiting to pounce on Spanish treasure ships. Even fifteen years ago, it was little more than a fishing and canning village occasionally visited by adventurous sports fishermen. Since then, it has earned a reputation for the marlin that can be caught here, and the bay is now full of sleek, radar-equipped fishing yachts. Multi-million-dollar second homes occupy the best vantage points, palms have been transplanted, golf courses have been laid, water has been piped in from San José and everywhere is kept pristine. It's more like an enclave of the US than part of Mexico, with almost all aspects of civilization geared to tourism – even a mammoth Wal-Mart has opened here, alongside Puerto Paraíso, an enormous mall on the marina, and future plans include an artificial island to sit in the bay, complete with restaurants and bars. Spending a day or two here can be fun; if you're looking to fish or dive, the allure will probably last a bit longer.