Much like any popular destination, location matters. Depending on your comfortability with walking and exploring a city like a local, staying within a mile or two of the arts district in downtown San José del Cabo will give you the best of both worlds: modern restaurants, eclectic shops and plenty of beach.

Since I live in a concrete jungle, I wanted a front row seat to Cabo’s geological wonders: the Arch of Cabo San Lucas. The estimated three-story high granite formations are easily accessible by water and several catamarans and yachts that offer daily trips. However, I opted for a hotel with the Arch in its backyard. Whether from its 360 rooftop bar or my double balcony suite, the ME Cabo by Meliá offered unobstructed vistas of the Arch and ocean from sunrise to sunset.

The hotel, about 45 minutes from the airport, offers transfers through Meliá Transportation, so I didn’t worry about navigating taxis or Ubers. Once I arrived at the property, I was assured that if I left anything at home, I was steps away from several bustling shops near the marina and Playa El Medano. But because I had been to Cabo before, I knew exactly what I needed and I’m sharing all the essentials for a little Mexican vacay, ahead.