The delightful town of San Jose del Cabo is often overshadowed by its raucous neighbor, Cabo San Lucas. And why wouldn’t it be? Cabo’s visitors lounge on spectacular beaches during the day and hit up happening, posh nightclubs at night.

But the town of San Jose del Cabo—located 20 minutes away via a scenic coastal highway—shines all on its own.

Founded as a Jesuit mission in 1730, the former mining village retains its authentic charm and remains one of the best places in Mexico to relax and soak up culture.

The town’s Centro Historico centres around the Mission of San Jose del Cabo church and its bright and welcoming Plaza Mijares. The surrounding streets are filled with blooming plants and pastel-colored buildings housing galleries, boutiques and gourmet restaurants.

Here are my favourite San Jose del Cabo spots:

Mission of San Jose del Cabo

Although the twin-towered church that stands today was completed in 1937, it still maintains the structure and some of the walls from the original 18th century building. Not only is it a popular tourist destination, but it also serves as a backdrop for local baptisms and wedding celebrations.

Necri Fine Mexican Handicrafts

Although Necri is first and foremost an arts and crafts boutique, it's certainly right at home in the gallery district. Proprietor Andrea Ehrenberg has artfully filled Necri's shelves and countertops with hand-painted Talavera pottery and jewelry from the Mexican state of Puebla, along with pewter chandeliers and Oaxacan black quartz pottery.

Tropicana

The owners of this 22-year-old San Jose mainstay have gone out of their way to showcase the best of Mexico for their guests. For instance, a colonial-theme mural by the Guerrero artist Hugo Ayvar dominates the expansive dining room, along with artistic accents from around the country. The menu features local organic produce.

PM Gallery

PM Gallery’s namesake Patricia Mendoza comes from a family that has been in San Jose since the 1800s and is a natural ambassador to the local art scene. She strives to provide a local venue where locals and tourists can enjoy a selection of Mexico's most celebrated contemporary artists, including landscape painter Javier Guadarrama, and Carmen Parra, whose contemporary art blends themes of spirituality, nature and humanity.

Tequila

Tequila is perhaps the most romantic restaurant in all of San Jose del Cabo. The outdoor tables are set within a lush patio where beehive-shaped lanterns twinkle in the trees. The waitstaff is quite knowledgeable about menu items and their ingredients—no small wonder when the chef's personal herb garden is planted within reach of some tables.

Casa Dahlia

Located in a historic rosy-pink adobe building, Casa Dahlia draws guests in with its selection of fine Mexican and International modern art. But highlight of Casa Dahlia is—in my esteemed opinion—the charming outdoor cafe where guests can linger with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a view of the church.

Casa Natalia

This lovely boutique hotel has won accolades from just about every travel publication in the business—and with good reason. Each room is appointed with rustic-chic decorations that include hand-carved wood chairs and brilliantly embroidered pillowcases. To boot, each room boasts its own terrace where guests can lounge in a hammock under a bougainvillea canopy.