Tranquility on the Bay of Dreams, Baja Sur
The Bay of Dreams has one of those names that almost sounds like a cliché—until you come for a visit. There is an otherworldly enchantment that permeates the area, and visitors are immediately swept under its spell. Nestled along the peaceful shores are a handful of luxurious vacation retreats, including the expansive beachfront Rancho de Costa. Here’s an overview of this remarkable region.
Ring in 2012 in Cabo San Lucas: New Year’s Eve Events
Cabo San Lucas is a party town all year long—but things kick up a notch (or ten) for New Year’s Eve. From elegant dinner formals to sultry dance-all-night VIP events, there’s a celebration for every visitor looking to ring in the new year in style. If you’re looking for a great way to welcome 2012 in Cabo, be sure to plan early—parties and accommodations book up quickly. Here are a few top picks: Barefoot Formal at Casa Dorada Los Cabos This stylish black-and-white barefoot event returns this year at the beautiful beachfront Casa Dorada Los Cabos Beach Resort boasting entertainment by Melinda Doolittle, Michael Johns, and Rickey Smith (former American…
Surf’s Up in the East Cape
Surfers are an unconventional lot, having the reputation of dropping everything—maybe even their breakfast forks—when they hear a swell is happening. They can also be a bit secretive about their favorite surf breaks, though if you get in good with them, they’ll spill. Surfers also come in every shape, size and age, including being the owners of beautiful villas in Los Cabos.
Cabo Pulmo: A Green, Marine, Beautiful Scene
The ocean is obviously a place of tremendous bounty as well as beauty, but that magnificent plenty has a fragile side. The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is a stirring example of how environmental stewardship can harvest tremendous rewards, and a reminder to stay vigilant. The marine park, and the small town that bears its name is about an hour north of San José del Cabo. But the “north” is more significant than that: the marine park is the most northerly living coral reef in the eastern Pacific—just one of three of its kind on the Pacific Coast. Coral reefs are extraordinary nurseries for aquatic life, home to more than…
Tips on Tipping in Los Cabos
Tipping while traveling can be tricky business, because the ways of commerce and gratuity in one corner of the world might be wildly different in another. Did I just insult the waiter by leaving a toothpick of a tip? Did I just fund her child’s education by leaving a diamond-studded tiara of a tip? The Los Cabos area is distinguished by many fine restaurants, resplendent resorts and prime-time shopping areas. Service levels are generally high, though as with any broad area, your mileage can vary. Rest assured though—from the concierge at your hotel to the gardener at your villa to the waitperson at your restaurant, almost all of the folks…
Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead is a Celebration of Life
Naming a holiday “The Day of the Dead” (El Día de los Muertos) doesn’t sound like a recipe for joyful celebration. But indeed, this day of remembrance is a time of happy family sharing and activity, for it’s when Mexicans and some people of other Latin cultures lovingly—and colorfully—recall the relatives that have passed. The tradition is pre-Columbian, but has blended elements from the Spanish conquest as well. Some indigenous peoples believed that souls do not die, but continue to rest in Mictlan, a sacred place. Thus, contemporary Mexican families recognize and ritualize the continuance of the generations through the past. Though Mexico celebrates November 2nd as the Day of…
Cabo Fishing Heats up with Big October Tournaments
The confluence of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez is magical in many ways, and the numbers of lively gamefish are a big wave of that wand. One of the prime reasons that Los Cabos began to evolve from a series of sleepy coastal villages to the getaway wonderland it is today was due to some big-name celebrity sport-fishermen in the 1940s making a splash. Word had traveled faster than a marlin spinning out a line that the sport-fishing at Baja’s tip was other-worldly. People like Ernest Hemingway and John Wayne upped the ante on the visibility of the sport-fishing scene, which has only become more vibrant over time.…
A Private Retreat at Villa Cortez: Guest Blog by Stephanie Diehl
Stephanie Diehl’s well-known throughout the travel blogging world and “Twitterverse” (@traveldesigned) for her signature blend of humor, Mexico expertise and vast industry knowledge. Recently, she had the opportunity to experience one of our Los Cabos vacation villas up close. Here she shares her memories of a perfect retreat at Villa Cortez! Do you need to get away from the everyday to something different and special, to a place dreams are made of? Somewhere that is luxurious, spacious and private where you feel at ease, a place to reconnect with yourself and each other. A destination that is full of culture, art, nature and world class culinary experiences where you can…
Magic, Margaritas & Art at the Hotel California
Recently, Tiffany from our superstar Customer Service team had the opportunity to spend an unforgettable afternoon with friends at the legendary Hotel California, a boutique-style gem in the heart of the incredibly charming town of Todos Santos, just an hour from Cabo San Lucas. Here, she shares some of the highlights: Overall, how was your experience visiting the Hotel California? Absolutely wonderful! My friends and I were greeted by Pedro Castro, the hotel’s Sales Manager, in the lobby and given a tour and we had a wonderful lunch at the hotel restaurant. Pedro’s passion for the Hotel California was evident as he shared with us the fascinating history of the…
The Colorful Treasures of The Art Market in San José del Cabo
Strolling around the picturesque Art District in San José del Cabo is always a pleasure, with countless boutiques and galleries offering captivating, unique artworks that are hard to resist browsing. Several weeks ago, I stumbled upon a charming new gallery nestled along a side street. An entryway from the sidewalk through a rustic brick wall opened up to an inviting courtyard jam-packed with colorful folk art, lanterns, pottery, jewelry and home décor items. Brilliant glass globes dangle from a central tree, Dia de los Muertos pieces line garden shelves and whimsical painted tin pieces hang from walls. I had the chance to talk to Lupita Childers, who with partner Gaby…
