About San José

The village of San José can rightfully boast to be the jewel in the crown of the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata. This small former fishing village is now the main tourist enclave within the Parque Natural.

Sympathetically developed since the Cabo de Gata area was declared a Natural Park in 1987, it provides a perfect location for a secluded getaway holiday, whatever your interests.

For a summer beach holiday, the main village beach is wide, safe and sandy, with sun beds for hire, changing and shower facilities and a tempting selection of bars and restaurants available at the nearby plaza and the small marina. There are several other smaller beaches within the village environs.

To the south of the village the asphalt road gives way to a dirt track into the Parque Natural which eventually leads to the lighthouse at Cabo de Gata. It is this track that affords access to the myriad of sheltered unspoilt beaches, solitary coves and the sub desert landscape of the dunes and steppes. Many of these must be accessed on foot but the two larger beaches, Los Genoveses and Monsul do have car parks. These are two spectacular beaches – Los Genoveses beach lies in a sheltered bay where it is difficult to get out of your depth and is the largest bay in the area. Monsul beach is flanked by a large dune and the bay is split by a huge outcrop of rock.

The village offers a good range of restaurants and bars, many with internet access. There are two banks, four supermarkets, a doctor’s surgery, a pharmacy and a tourist information centre.

In San José, because of its location within the park, there is a refreshing lack of high rise development.

Tourism in the area reflects the traditional ideals of a relaxing holiday – days spent on the stunning unspoilt beaches away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, nights are whiled away in one of the many cosy little bars and restaurants, followed by a short stroll home.

Accommodation principally consists of self catering in privately owned villas, houses and apartments, although there is a selection of small hotels.

San José has fairly low key night life, mainly centred on the restaurants and small bars. Ideal for families and couples who don’t want the crowds and the bright lights, but if a late drink is your fancy, we can always point you towards a couple of bars offering late night drinks and music.