History of Cabo San Lucas
The first people in Los Cabos were the Pericues, an indigenous group of hunters and gatherers, who arrived around 13,000 BCE. When the Spaniards arrived in 1534, it is estimated that 5,000 Pericues were living there at the time. The ship was commissioned by Hernan Cortez, who had heard rumors of women and wealth in Los Cabos. Although Cortez had plans of having the first settlement, he withdrew his attempt after running out of supplies and not being able to overcome the Pericues. (Related topics: Los Cabos tour guide, Los Cabos tours)
The first permanent settlement on the Baja Peninsula did not come until 1697, which was led by Padre Juan Maria Salvatierra; he then founded the mission Nuestra Senora de Loreto. Between 1697 and 1767, Italian and Spanish priests established 20 missions on the Peninsula. They aimed to convert the natives to their religion by offering them protection; if they refused, they would be massacred or punished. In addition to the massacres, the indigenous population decreased in large part because they could not fight the diseases brought by the European settlers.
After the Europeans took over this land, it remained at a low population because of the long journey it took to reach the area. It wasn’t until 1973 that Carretera Transpeninsular, a highway connecting Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, was formed, making Los Cabos more accessible. Since then, settlement and tourism has boomed. Now, Los Cabos has a population of over 250,000 people and is known as a hot spot for tourists because of its diverse marine life, beautiful beaches, and nightlife.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Cabo San Lucas, we offer guided tours through Los Cabos, La Paz, Todos Santos, Balandra and Coromuel. During these tours, our experienced tour guides will not only tell you about the history, but will also show you important landmarks.
