Stroll into The Grand Mayan Los Cabos Wyndham Alliance Resort and you’ll think you’ve walked into either an untouched Mayan pyramid or the funkiest club south of Los Angeles. After the glaring sun of Los Cabos, you might be momentarily dazed by the complete darkness that surrounds you, then pleasantly shocked by two gigantic Mayan gods welcoming you to your latest find – a reasonably priced resort that does not skimp on convenience or elegance, with top-of-the-line everything and an air of family friendliness that convinces you to put your feet up and stay a while.

Room to Grow

The guestrooms at The Grand Mayan Los Cabos are a bit more subdued but still warm, welcoming, colorful, and functional. There’s been no scrimping on room space, so clients will feel very  comfortable even if they stay four to a room. The family room suites have sofa beds that are as comfy to sleep in as they are to sit, and there are TVs in both this room and the bedroom. The kitchens are fully equipped with modern appliances, table and silverware, utensils, and toaster…pretty much everything one would ever need, down to the blender for making one’s own fruity drinks.

The Local Scoop

The Grand Mayan Los Cabos is located right at the entrance of San Jose del Cabo, steps away from the Sea of Cortez. San Jose is still growing, with more restaurants and stores than we’ve ever seen, all within walking distance from The Grand Mayan .

Sarah Munoz

Most U.S. residents gave up on once­-famed Acapulco Bay as a vacation destination a long time ago. They ceded it to the Mexico City millions, who helped make it a big city on the beach.

But now there is a new reason to come back.

It’s the “new” Acapulco conveniently located about 10 miles southeast of Acapulco Bay.  Also conveniently, the international airport borders it.  Called Acapulco Diamante, it began about 15 years ago as mostly luxury homes and $250,000-and­ up condos for Mexico’s ultra-rich.

Peasant farmers and fishermen were bought out from the lush area, which features the open Pa­cific Ocean with mild-to-surfable waves on one side and a massive lagoon on the other. Three golf courses were constructed just off the beach.

The mid-1990s economic crisis froze much of the development today, however, its wind-swept beaches and miles of lightly popu­lated oceanfront have enough ho­tels (eight) and enough services to offer variety and competitive rates.

Acapulco Diamante (”dia­mond”) is practically eco-tourism. You can run alone on the beach or take a truly romantic walk at sun­set. There is no fast food - yet ­and only a few mini-marts.

Diamante’s newest hotel, The Grand Mayan , offers a sprawling, open-air island of good taste and plenty to do. A pool that’s more like a river runs through the place,as does a lagoon. It joins its slightly, older sibling, the Mayan Palace, and the two hotels share many of the same services, which include two water parks.

Nearby, Mayan Palace Resorts also has a mostly time-share property, Sea Garden, that offers rooms just off the beach. The pool is across the street, practically on the sand. It’s a superb hangout.