Cabo San Lucas

Have A Baja Moment! CABO SUP Hosts 2nd Annual Paddle to the End

Chris Sands — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:25:28 +0000

Have A Baja Moment! CABO SUP Hosts 2nd Annual Paddle to the End

Is there a better way to celebrate the world’s fastest growing water sport – stand up paddleboarding – than a weekend of races, clinics, parties, and prizes in one of the world’s most popular resort destinations? For those that attended CABO SUP’s 2nd Annual Paddle to the End event, held May 16-18 in Cabo San Lucas, the answer was pretty clear: this is as good as it gets.

Stand up paddle boarding is the world’s fastest growing water sport.

Big crowds of locals and visitors turned out for Friday’s 6 mile distance race from Medano Beach to Misiones, for Saturday’s team relay races, and for the headliner, a scenic 2-mile paddle to Pelican Rock in Cabo San Lucas Bay. The final paddle was originally scheduled for Land’s End, of course, but wind conditions dictated a slight course adjustment, and no one seemed to feel short-changed in the scenic views department.

Afterwards, there was an awards ceremony honoring the top three finishers in each race, a beach blanket bonfire party, a screening of a documentary on the history of stand up paddleboarding, and plenty of late night Cabo-style revelry at Bahia Hotel & Beach Club and Baja Junkie. Winners were also able to meet Ensenada-native and Mexican surf god Ignacio Felix Cota, and receive a signed copy of his book, Tribe of the Waves, Memories of Mexican Surfing

A little less paddling, a lot more surfing…

“We’re fortunate to have the support of many people,” said Lee Vosburgh at Thursday night’s registration and cocktail reception in the lobby of Medano Beach neighborhood’s hippest boutique hotel. In addition to owning and operating CABO SUP, which hosted the Paddle to the End festivities, Vosburgh and his wife Meredith are the onsite partners in Bahia Hotel & Beach Club.

“We’re also fortunate to live in one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and to have access to a safe and beautiful environment for people to enjoy this wonderful sport.”

Few companies in Cabo San Lucas offer more family-friendly fun than CABO SUP.

Safety and community were both stressed at the Thursday night kick off party, and with good reasons. CABO SUP is the only stand up paddleboarding company in Los Cabos whose instructors are certified by the ASI (Academy of Stand up Paddleboard Instructors). If that weren’t enough, volunteer firefighters and Mexican Navy personnel were on hand to provide an extra safe environment for the weekend festivities. Additionally, a community-friendly beach clean-up operation was organized early Saturday morning on Medano Beach, as the Vosburghs also believe strongly in environmental values.

In retrospect, it was another big success for CABO SUP, which in a relatively short time has become one of Los Cabos’ premier outdoor adventure companies. Apparently, fusing spectacular Sea of Cortez settings with a great workout and affordable pricing is a pretty good business model. Bahia Hotel & Beach Club’s proximity to Medano Beach, a two mile stretch of golden sand that hosts many of the areas top bars, restaurants, and hotels, certainly doesn’t hurt. Nor does the easy access to the superb Esquina Bar and Restaurant.

CABO SUP offers equipment, lessons, and guided tours, as well as monthly memberships that are perfect for visitors and locals alike. For a monthly fee, members receive unlimited paddling (based on equipment availability), free parking, lockers, and board storage. First timer? No problem. All rentals come with a free lesson, and all the guides at CABO SUP are bilingual. One hour, half day, and full day lessons and guided tours are available.

CABO SUP’s 2nd Annual Paddle to the End event was held May 16-18 in Cabo San Lucas.

In addition to CABO SUP, numerous local, national, and international sponsors supported the 2nd Annual Paddle to the End, including Los Cabos businesses Bahia Hotel and Beach Club, Esquina Restaurant and Bar, Snell Real Estate, Moduvated.com, Cabo Villas, Wild Canyon, Diamonds International, Lifestyle Los Cabos, Baja Junkie, Cabo Mar, Pez Gato, Tropicat, Pan di Bacco, and Medano Beach Cabo.

Ready for a trip to Los Cabos? Check out our new School’s Out promotion, featuring great deals for two of the area’s premier hotels, Hotel El Ganzo in San Jose del Cabo, and Bahia Hotel & Beach Club in Cabo San Lucas. Better book now, the promotion ends on July 31st.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

All photos courtesy of CABO SUP.

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4th Annual Cabo Marine Show Exceeds Expectations

Chris Sands — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:21:45 +0000

4th Annual Cabo Marine Show Exceeds Expectations

The Cabo Marine Show proved why it’s the biggest nautical-themed exhibition on the west coast of Mexico, drawing large numbers of visitors from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for free weekend festivities that included showcases for top nautical and marine products and services, and live nightly entertainment from local musicians.

The show was held May 1-4 at IGY Marina in central Cabo San Lucas, directly behind the Wyndham Los Cabos, with exhibitor tents lining the boardwalk, and an impressive collection of gleaming vessels dressing up the adjoining docks. It’s estimated that upwards of 4,000 people attended this year’s show, suggesting the 4th annual incarnation of the nautical expo was the biggest and best yet.

The 4th Annual Cabo Marine Show was held May 1-4 on the Cabo San Lucas Marina, near Wyndham Los Cabos.

The four-day fest was kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday morning, with appearances by Baja California Secretary of Tourism Ruben Reachi and Cabo Marine Show founder Sergio Igartua. Over 50 local, national, and international companies were represented at the show, including marine heavyweights like Azimut, Bertram, Beneteau, Fairline, Sea-Doo, Suzuki and Mercury Marine, and local sponsors and exhibitors such as Earth, Sea & Sky Vacations, Cabo Riviera Golf & Marina, Synergy Marketing & PR, The Old Town Art Gallery by El Encanto, FONATUR Port Authority and IGY Marinas, as well as Baja.com.

The Spirit of 2010 was one of the highlights of the 4th annual Cabo Marine Show. Operated locally by Synergy, it’s the largest luxury yacht available for charter in Los Cabos.

As always, amidst the impressive array of boats, gadgets and gear, and there were several things that had everyone talking. One was the Spirit of 2010, a spectacular 120′ luxury yacht with a height equivalent to a four-story building. This state-of-the-art motor vessel is currently the largest boat available for charter in Los Cabos – it’s operated locally by Synergy – and one of Thursday’s highlights was a media tour to Land’s End and The Arch aboard this sybaritic mega-yacht. Short and long-term charters are now available, ranging from sunset sails to the highest of high-end snorkel, kayak, and fishing trips.

Fly into the future with Cabo Jet Packs, a hot new activity option showcased at the 4th Annual Cabo Marine Show.

Also generating buzz were exhibition flights with the Cabo Jet Pack. The future is finally here, it seems, and this new activity allows visitors to fly, turn, hover, and actually walk on water. So in addition to the typical parade of stand up paddle boards, surf boards, kayaks, pangas, high-speed inflatables, fishing boats, sailboats, parasailers, and luxury catamarans, expect Cabo San Lucas Bay to also prove popular with those who prefer walk-on-water sports. Judging from the reception at the Cabo Marine Show, Cabo Jet Pack’s are going to be one of the area’s most popular new activities options.

For the first time, early bird registration for Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments was offered at the Cabo Marine Show.

Other big news at the show was made by Bisbee’s, who for the first time accepted early bird registrations for their Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. The Black & Blue is the world’s richest fishing tournament, with million dollar plus jackpots awarded to winners each October. Bisbee’s partnership with the Cabo Marine Show was a big reason this year’s event was such a success. These are two of the biggest names in Los Cabos maritime circles, and the bright future for tourism and sport fishing is attributable in large part to events like the Cabo Marine Show and Bisbee’s trio of local tournaments: East Cape Offshore, Los Cabos Offshore, and the famed Black & Blue.

Over 50 top companies showcases goods and services at the 4th Annual Cabo Marine Show.

No word yet on dates for the 5th Annual Cabo Marine Show, but as soon as they’re announced, we’ll let you know what you need to circle on your calendar. It’s going to be tough to exceed this year’s showing, but expect that the event will continue to get bigger and better as Sergio Igartua, MAA+ Eventos and Synergy strive to make this the biggest nautical exhibition in all of Mexico.

Traveling to Cabo San Lucas? Let a Baja.com travel agent make your reservations!

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

Images courtesy of Cabo Marine Show, Cabo Jet Packs, Spirit Yacht Charters, and Chris Sands.

4th Annual Cabo Marine Show Set to Get Underway in May: All Aboard!

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4th Annual Cabo Marine Show Set to Get Underway in May: All Aboard!

Chris Sands — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 22:41:03 +0000

Cabo Marine Show Gets Underway in May: All Aboard!

by Chris Sands

Already the most popular boat show on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the Cabo Marine Show has its sights set on becoming the biggest nautical-themed exhibition in Mexico. The 4th annual event is scheduled for May 1-4, and upwards of 4,000 visitors are expected this year to explore top nautical and marine products and services and enjoy nightly entertainment at IGY Marina in the heart of Cabo San Lucas.

Because of its increasing popularity, the show has expanded to four days and for the second straight year will be held on Docks K-M behind the Wyndham Los Cabos Resort, allowing for bigger crowds and bigger boats. Upwards of 50 local, national, and international companies will showcase more than a dozen new vessels at this year’s show, plus all the latest in gadgets, gear, and marine products and accessories. In addition to a stellar group of exhibitors that includes Azimut, Bertram, Beneteau, Fairline, Sea-Doo, Suzuki and Mercury Marine, there are two splashy new additions to the 2013 roster.

Bisbee’s Black and Blue fishing tournament

Bisbee’s will be at the marine show taking early bird registrations for its Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. The latter is the world’s richest fishing tournament – last year’s winners took home over $2 million dollars – and is a boon to the local economy, drawing eager entrants each October to compete in the jackpot-laden event. In fact, all of Bisbee’s competitions, including the East Cape Offshore, draw large crowds of participants and spectators, and the fact that Bisbee’s and the Cabo Marine Show are teaming up signifies an ongoing commitment by both to continue promoting tourism and sport fishing in Los Cabos.

The other big splash is the presence of the mega-yacht Spirit of Two Thousand and Ten, a 120-foot, 4-story, state-of-the-art, $15 million motor vessel operated locally by Synergy. This is currently the largest yacht available for charter in all of Los Cabos, and visitors to the marine show will be able to get a feel for what these luxurious charters entail, from sunset visits to the Arch to three bay snorkel and kayak trips and even deep sea fishing.

The Cabo Marine Show will be held on the dock behind the Wyndham Los Cabos.

Additional important sponsors and exhibitors signing on for this year’s event include Earth, Sea & Sky Vacations, Cabo Riviera Golf & Marina, the Los Cabos Winery, Synergy Marketing & PR, Maui Jim Sunglasses, The Old Town Art Gallery by El Encanto, and Baja.com, plus FONATUR Port Authority and IGY Marinas. The inclusion of so many varied local businesses suggests the marine show is growing in scope and impact, something that comes as no surprise to founder Sergio Igartua.

“The Cabo Marine Show is much more than a nautical event,” asserts Igartua. “It’s also about creating a network between exhibitors and local business owners.”

Although the entertainment schedule for the Cabo Marine Show has not yet been released, visitors can expect plenty of great live music, and dozens of terrific restaurants within easy walking distance of the show’s central location in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Wyndham Los Cabos is the official resort for the Cabo Marine Show, and given its proximity – the hotel is right next door to Docks K-M, where all the festivities are occurring – is a perfect fit.

The Cabo Marine Show is free to the general public, and is will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 1-4. For more information, visit www.cabomarineshow.com. For exhibitor rates and information, email MAA+Eventos at info@maaseventos.com. Booth space is still available, but is expected to sell out well in advance of the show.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants,hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com.

Photos courtesy of Synergy, Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments, and Wyndham Los Cabos.

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Tiger Woods and Diamante: Tiger Woods Design Will Complement Top-Ranked Dunes Course

Chris Sands — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:48:15 +0000

by Chris Sands

For the past fifteen years, Tiger Woods has been chasing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships, and the unofficial title of “best golfer ever.” In the last five years, Woods has also followed Nicklaus into course design, and in late 2012 signed on to design a course for Diamante, the high-end 1,500-acre oceanfront community located on the Pacific Coast northwest of Cabo San Lucas. The design will be Woods fourth, and his second in Mexico, following Punta Brava in Ensenada.

“What really sets TWD (Tiger Woods Design) apart is Tiger’s commitment to the project, and his passion to create a golf experience players of all levels can enjoy,” said Ken Jowdy, CEO of Diamante. “It doesn’t hurt that Cabo San Lucas is the backdrop to Diamante, as one of the world’s most desired vacation spots. Having a course designed by Tiger Woods will only add to the resort city’s allure.”

Tiger Woods and Diamante are pairing up on El Cardonal.

Despite Woods’ much publicized divorce and his recent struggles in majors, this is a huge feather in Diamante’s cap, and will be a great complement to their Davis Love III designed Dunes course, which opened in 2009 and is currently ranked among the 100 best courses in the world (it’s currently rated 58th by GOLF Magazine). The new Woods Course, to be named El Cardonal, is scheduled to open next Spring (2014), and will augment Los Cabos’ growing collection of world-class layouts from major champions like Nicklaus, Love, Gary Player, Greg Norman, and Tom Weiskopf.

Jack Nicklaus, it should be noted, was one of the key players in the Los Cabos golfing boom, designing several standout courses in the 1990s, including Palmilla, El Dorado, and the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol. In the interim, the area has garnered a reputation as one of the premier golfing destinations in the world, with three courses that have been ranked among the world’s best, another that has hosted two Senior Slam events, and more high-profile projects in the pipeline. Woods’ El Cardonal is expected to be another high-profile property in the regional portfolio, and a big draw for Diamante, with plenty of rolling hills and spectacular ocean views.

“While the (Davis Love III designed) Dunes course is reminiscent of a classic Scottish links course, this course is going to remind people of the old-style California courses,” Woods said. “We will use the existing arroyos that traverse the site and well-placed bunkers to create definite strategic choices and carries off the tees.”

The Davis Love III designed Diamante Dunes is currently ranked as the 58th best course in the world.

Like the Dunes, El Cardonal will measure about 7300 yards from the tips, and the two will be contiguous to each other on the Diamante property. Wood’s course, which he envisions as a sort of Baja version of the Southern California loops he grew up playing, will be the centerpiece of a fully separate resort within the Diamante community. The new development will encompass about 80 acres, with a vacation club and more than 200 residences. The new resort property will also include a village complex with retail shopping, restaurants, and family friendly amenities like a kid’s camp, arcade, water park, swim-able lagoon, spa and fitness center, and a training complex for tennis, baseball, soccer and other activities.

“We are excited to work with Tiger Woods and his design team,” Jowdy said. “He brings a wealth of golf knowledge and experience, and we look forward to creating a world-class golf course that integrates Diamante’s unique style and characteristics.”

Diamante is famed for being the only community associated with one of the world’s top 100 courses that offers fractional ownership opportunities. So the new Woods’ designed course offers one more chance for destination golfers to buy into a week or more of time every year on a highly rated championship level course.

Ground has already been broken on El Cardonal, and it is expected that the course will be playable early next year.

Planning a visit to Los Cabos? What is your favorite golf course in Los Cabos? Let us know at Baja.com.

All photos courtesy of Diamante and Tiger Woods Design.

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Natural Wonders of Los Cabos are Showcased in New Photography Exhibit

Chris Sands — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:19:35 +0000

The Natural Wonders of Los Cabos are showcased in a new photography exhibit that runs through March 31.

by Chris Sands

The natural wonders of Los Cabos are on display in a spectacular photo exhibit.

Not simply a day for red roses, romantic dinners, and the first annual Carnaval parade, Valentine’s Day in Cabo San Lucas was also a time for art, as local photographer Camilla Fuchs unveiled her new exhibition, titled “The Beauty That Surrounds Us,” at Puerto Paraiso Mall. The opening of the 26-piece exhibit was attended by a crowd of well wishers and collectors, and included food and wine courtesy of Marina fine dining fixture Solomon’s Landing, as well as a stirring performance from the Coro Juvenil de Los Cabos.

Los Cabos photographer Camilla Fuchs’ new exhibit is called “The Beauty That Surrounds Us.”

Born in Austria, Camilla is from a family of artists. Her mother is a photographer, her father was a painter, and her grandfather, Ernst Fuchs, is considered one of the foremost proponents of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. This pedigree can be seen in her photographs, which showcase both technical mastery and an exquisite eye for color. Although “The Beauty That Surrounds Us” is her first showing in Los Cabos, Camilla has been living and working in Cabo San Lucas for several years now, and has a keen appreciation for the natural beauty of the region.

“Iguana Smile” is one many photos in the exhibit to capture the vibrant beauty of Mexican flora and fauna, and the natural wonders of Los Caobs.

Perhaps best known locally as a wedding photographer – Camilla and business partner Stephanie Olvera own and operate Cabo Pictures – her true passion is nature photography, a fact evidenced by her lovingly captured looks at the Los Cabos landscape. From portraits of wildlife such as owls, falcons, whales, dolphins, and sea lions, to vibrant flora and stunning sunsets over Land’s End, the exhibit is a vivid reminder of why this is such a special place.

“Lobster Claw Plant,” like many of Fuch’s photos, is filled with vivid colors.

“The Beauty That Surrounds Us” – in Spanish, “La Belleza Que Nos Rodea,” will be at Puerto Paraiso Mall through March 31st. For more information on the exhibit, or about Camilla Fuchs, visit camilla-fuchs.artistwebsites.com, where photos may be viewed and purchased at a 30 percent discount for the duration of the exhibit.

Want to find out about great Baja.com travel adventures and tours to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo? Visit now, to see some of the natural wonders of Los Cabos in pictures and in real life, too!

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com

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Cabo San Lucas and Destination Weddings Go Hand-in-Hand.

Chris Sands — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:45:53 +0000

Cabo San Lucas and Destination Weddings Go Hand-in-Hand.

by Chris Sands

Few places on earth can match Cabo San Lucas when it comes to natural beauty and spectacular seaside settings. This charming resort town situated at the Baja Peninsula’s southernmost point has become a mecca for destination weddings, honeymoons, and renewal-of-vows ceremonies.

But the popularity of Cabo San Lucas and also San Jose del Cabo — Los Cabos — as destination wedding settings is not solely attributable to Land’s End monuments, golden sand beaches, and glorious sunsets. From wedding planners to photographers, catering companies to horse-drawn carriages, the Los Cabos area offers a rich array of first-class event service providers, as well as a generous collection of luxurious accommodations options.

Luxury rental Castillo Escondido in San Jose del Cabo

Rental Properties

Private villas are always in high demand, not only for ceremonies, but as accommodations for the wedding party and guests. Want to feel like visiting royalty? Try Castillo Escondido, a magnificent architectural blend of Moorish castle and Mediterranean Villa located right on the beach at La Laguna. Home to stone turrets, heavy wooden gates, and Mission-style roofing, this expansive property has over 4,500 square feet spread across four levels, with exquisitely appointed suites and ample deck space. There is a pool, jacuzzi, and fire pit onsite, and plenty of room beachside for wedding services.

Thinking about a destination wedding? How about Baja Hacienda Surf?

For a chic option that won’t break the budget, Baja Hacienda Surf is an excellent alternative. This superb beachfront rental property is blessed with high-end amenities, easy access to sea, sand, and surf, and prices that start as low as $50 per person, per night. Located on Playa Costa Azul near Zipper’s, Baja Hacienda Surf offers three suites with private kitchens and Sea of Cortez views, all within a private, walled compound. The site can host up to 100 guests, and the onsite property managers are happy to recommend wedding planners, caterers, and other vendors.

Cabo San Lucas and Destination Weddings: At Capella Pedregal, a Baja beach ceremony is about to begin.

Hotels & Resorts

Prefer a more traditional hotel or resort? In San Jose del Cabo, Casa Natalia is a perennially popular spot. This boutique European-style resort boasts a central downtown location, and can host up to 100 guests for wedding services and receptions. Plus, with 16 rooms and suites, it is a perfect lodging for wedding parties. The onsite restaurant, Mi Cocina, is helmed by ace chef Loic Tenoux, and features custom menus for receptions.

In Cabo San Lucas, the world-class Capella Pedregal showcases signature Yours Truly wedding services that include classic Mexican traditions like encircling the couple with a lazo, the gift of 13 gold coins from the groom to the bride, bouquets for the bride and the Blessed Virgin, and the music of mariachis. Cabo’s premier luxury resort also offers gorgeous Pacific Ocean views, sumptuous accommodations, and a full slate of activities options.

Don Sanchez is a perfect spot for the bride: Cabo San Lucas and Destination Weddings

Restaurants

When you are thinking of Cabo San Lucas and destination weddings in Los Cabos, you have to think of menus! For larger receptions, it’s hard to beat Don Sanchez Restaurante in San Jose del Cabo. This fine dining landmark is located in the heart of colonial San Jose del Cabo, and specializes in “Baja Contemporary” cuisine. Soak up the gorgeous courtyard ambience, dance the night away to an eight-piece Cuban orchestra, relax in the tapas lounge, or sample premium selections from the onsite wine bar. This spacious eatery has something for every taste, and provides excellent service for up to 300 guests.

Sunset da Mona Lisa...the most romantic place on earth?

Billed as the most romantic place on Earth, Sunset da Mona Lisa boasts magnificent views of Land’s End and the Sea of Cortez, and is a perfect place for both ceremonies and receptions. How many places can you get married overlooking El Arco, then adjourn to the restaurant for traditional Italian cuisine and generous helpings of fresh local seafood? This is a wow-factor setting of the highest magnitude, and is also an excellent choice for rehearsal dinners.

For a touch of traditional elegance, horse drawn carriages are available from Cuadra San Francisco.

Wedding Services

Sunset Weddings is the best of the area’s full-service event providers, and handles every detail imaginable. Whether it’s legal documents, blood tests, floral arrangements, or transportation, the team at Sunset removes all stress and worry from the process. They offer several superb locations for ceremonies and receptions, including secluded beaches and private villas, and have custom-tailored packages available to suit every budget.

For that special touch of traditional Mexican elegance, master equestrian Francisco Barrena’s Cuadra San Francisco has a fleet of horse-drawn carriages to transport the bride and groom and other members of the wedding party to and from the ceremony or reception in the highest of Cabo style.

Want to find out more about Cabo San Lucas and Destination Weddings? Baja.com is your wedding travel coordination resource! Contact Lisa.green@baja.com.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com

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Medano Beach and its Cool Culinary Treats: How to Beat the Heat in Cabo!

Chris Sands — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:38:56 +0000

Medano Beach and its cool culinary treats: How to beat the heat in Cabo!

By Chris Sands

A guide to the culinary pleasures of Medano Beach.

Snowbirds are attracted to Cabo San Lucas for obvious reasons. It’s really, really warm when most everywhere in the U.S. and Canada seems to be very, very cold. But while most winter escapists picture palm trees, sandy expanses, and tropical cocktails, I think of seafood joints and roving raspado vendors. Forget the pina coladas, what about the shrimp cocktails? Swimming in the Sea of Cortez tends to make me hungry.

In fact, my favorite local beaches are those that I associate with specific culinary pleasures: vendor-made quesadillas at Playa Coral Negro, seafood combos and cool jazz from Daline Jones and Diego Ramirez at Cerritos, BBQ ribs, Victoria beers, free surf shows at Zipper’s on Playa Acapulquito, and rompope-flavored raspados (a Mexican version of the snow cone) on Medano Beach.

Fresh local seafood and Land’s End views are specialties on Medano Beach.

Playa Coral Negro vendors and Daline Jones at Cerritos are only available on Sundays, but tasty treats are always available on Medano Beach. In fact, unlike most area beaches, where restaurants are few and far between, it’s easy to find good food on Playa El Medano. The two mile stretch features plenty of umbrella-shaded seaside eateries, most of which specialize in fresh local seafood, cold beers, and spectacular Land’s End views. Best of all, if you’re staying in Cabo San Lucas, the beach is within walking distance of all the major hotels and resorts (many of the larger resorts are located right on the beach).

So for snowbirds and other visitors to our seaside paradise, I’m including descriptions of some of the best and most popular seafood stops on Cabo San Lucas’ most popular beach.

The Office on the Beach

Who doesn’t want to go to The Office when it’s 75 degrees in the middle of winter, and you’re being served lobster tacos and Cadillac Margaritas? This place has terrific food, and I’m particularly partial to their lunch specials, which include lobster stuffed poblano peppers and shrimp enchiladas (the combo platter), and sea bass fajitas. The cheeseburgers aren’t bad either. The Office may be best known, however, for its Gran Fiesta Mexicana events, which are held every Thursday night, and feature folk dancing, free tequila shooters and big cuts of Black Angus beef. Daline Jones and Diego Ramirez bring Latin flavored jazz on Friday nights.

Mango Deck

Best known as “Party Central” during the Spring Break months, Mango Deck serves up food as well as tequila shooters and seasonal sex position contests, featuring generous selections of the fresh local seafood, and comfort food favorites like burgers, BLTs, and buffalo wings. The restaurant looks out over Land’s End, and is a great spot to dig your toes in the sand, order a bucket of beer, and sample seafood combos that include lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab, and octopus. Traditional Mexican menu items are also available, from tacos and burritos to fajitas and quesadillas. In fact, the huge menu selection is part of the allure. Kids and vegetarian options are plentiful, and there’s something to please everyone. As a bonus, wave runner rentals are available right in front of the restaurant.

Dinner under the stars: Mango Deck after dark.

Medano Beach Club

The Medano Beach Club offers a higher end atmosphere than most beachside eateries, and their dinner menu is superb, with delicious soups, salads, and seafood dishes. I don’t know about you, but I’m normally a little concerned when someone offers me an anthology of vegetables, or a trilogy of seafood. I typically like my anthologies confined to coffee tables, and my trilogies in the hands of film directors, not chefs. That said, the seafood trilogy here – consisting of steamed lobster, coconut shrimp, and grilled fish served over rice and non-anthologized vegetables – is terrific, and one of the best entree selections you’ll find anywhere on the beach.

Are you planning to beat the heat? Tell Baja.com what your favorite beachy experience is in Los Cabos! Email info@baja.com.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411.

All photos courtesy of Mango Deck.

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Kayaking and Snorkeling in Los Cabos: Quality Eco-Tours with High Tide Expeditions

Chris Sands — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:49:52 +0000

Kayaking and snorkeling in Los Cabos? Here’s my suggestion!

by Chris Sands

Few companies in Cabo San Lucas can match the quality and diversity of eco-tours offered by High Tide Los Cabos. From surfing at Cerritos and Costa Azul to hiking and outback off-road jeep explorations of Baja Sur, this premier outdoor activities outfit delivers no frills thrills and spectacular interactive adventures in some of the region’s most unforgettable settings. For instance, take kayaking and snorkeling…

Kayaking and snorkeling in Los Cabos: Kayakers get up-close looks at El Arco and other Land’s End rock formations.

For my money, the best introduction to the natural wonders of Cabo San Lucas is High Tide’s kayak tour to the Arch. El Arco and the unique rock rock formations at Land’s End are the result of untold years of erosion, with the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean working on opposite sides to create the remarkably shaped and sculpted granite monuments like Neptune’s Finger and Pelican Rock that describe the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula. Almost all the commercial boats here offer Land’s End tours, but for intimate, unhurried, up-close-and-personal looks at Cabo’s most recognizable geographic features, kayaks are the preferred mode of transportation.

Kayaking is one of the best ways to get up-close looks at El Arco and other Land’s End rock formations.

Although one of High Tide’s best amenities is round trip transportation, the tour itself starts at Playa Coral Negro, also known as Cannery Beach. Starting here seemed perfectly apt to me, since this spot is so historically significant locally. Before Cabo San Lucas was earmarked for tourism development in the 1960s, the old cannery was the most important structure in town. It served as the center of commerce, and at one point was the the most productive cannery in all of Latin America.

After unloading the kayaks and stand up paddle boards (SUP is the fastest growing water sport in Cabo, and the aboards are available as an alternative to kayaks), our guides Marco and Sergio gave us a rundown on our equipment and the the most efficient paddling techniques. The paddle is slightly concave at each end to help in the displacement of water, and to stop the kayak all you have to do is reverse your stroke. Because the water can get rough beyond Land’s End, it’s important to keep an eye on your guides, and make sure you follow their lead. Safety is a hallmark at High Tide, and life jackets are issued to all participants.

High Tide Expeditions offers guided kayaking and snorkeling in Los Cabos.

The kayaks are tandem, making this is a great activities option for couples. The paddle out is occasionally hard work (depending upon the wind and current), but it is also very romantic – vistas of sand, sea, and surf as pelicans dive for fish, sea lions bark after the catch of incoming fishermen, tourists dance on the decks of party boats, and frigate birds sail gracefully overhead – with the salty sights accentuated by gently undulating waves and the misty spray from offshore breezes.

Lover's Beach is a romantic highlight of the kayaking tour.

The highlight of the tour, at least in my opinion, is the stop as Lover’s Beach. This beautiful stretch of sand is only accessible by water, and provides spectacular views of Cabo San Lucas and the luxury resorts which line Medano Beach. After pulling our kayaks out of the water and securing our belongings, Marco and Sergio gave us a walking tour of Lover’s and Divorce Beaches (which cynical locals are always quick to note is five times the size of Lover’s Beach). Divorce Beach is accessible through a break in the rocks at the back of Lover’s Beach, and looks out over the dazzling blue waters of the Pacific. If the multitude of signs there don’t impress you, let me point out that this is a very dangerous place to swim due to the exceedingly strong rip currents. The protected waters of Cabo San Lucas Bay, however, are perfect for swimming and snorkeling – calm, comfortable, and teeming with fish – and there is about 30 minutes set aside for those who wish to don mask and fins.

After snorkeling and a refreshment break for bottled water and granola bars, we set off on our return leg, dodging boats and buoy lines as we paddled for the finish line. This is the point, by the way – with the end in sight – that you seem to get in perfect sync with your partner… a bit like golf, where a superb fairway iron on the 18th hole erases all the poorly struck shots that preceded it, this is always the moment in a kayak tour where I start thinking about how much I want to this again…and soon.

General Information

Cost: High Tide’s “Kayak to the Arch” tour is $70 U.S. per person. The tours are three hours in duration, and start at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to their superb kayak and snorkel tour of Cabo San Lucas Bay, High Tide also offers twin bay kayak adventures at pristine sites in Chileno and Santa Maria Bays, as well as guided snorkel tours. Corporate outings and private excursions for families and large groups are also available.

Where to Go: Round trip transportation is provided to and from tour sites.

What to Bring: Sandals and beach towels are recommended, and sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear are also a good idea. Even if you to skip the snorkel option, expect to get wet up to the waist when getting in or out of the kayak. Kayak and snorkel equipment is included in the tour price, and wetsuits are available upon request. Bottled water and snacks are also provided, as are dry bags to keep phones, cameras, and other valuables safe and secure.

HOW TO BOOK: Call BAJA.COM toll-free from US and Canada at 855-225-2411 or from Mexico at 612-145-0087.

Where is your favorite place to stay when you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas for kayaking and snorkeling? Let us know at Baja.com.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year.

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A Seasonal Sports Guide for Los Cabos: Making the Most of Each Month

Chris Sands — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:38:37 +0000

A seasonal sports guide for Los Cabos: Making the Most of Each Month!

by Chris Sands

For snowbirds traveling from the frozen north, Cabo San Lucas may seem like the land of perpetual sunshine. And while it’s true that the area never sees snow or sleet or hail, there are definitely seasonal variations here. Okay, so there aren’t many spring showers, and the leaves don’t change spectacular colors in the fall. But sometimes we have to wear windbreakers, and there are even days when we have to festoon our margaritas with tiny umbrellas to keep them safe from tropical storms.

If you’re looking for proof-positive that life in Cabo has its ups and downs climatically, look no farther than our favorite sports. Although conditions for golf, fishing, and other active pursuits are generally good year round, each has its ideal season.

Preparing for the Lord of the Wind? Kiteboarding is definitely one for the sports guide for Los Cabos.

Winter

Winter is when the El Norte winds blow down the Sea of Cortez, and Baja Sur boasts world class conditions for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Every January, aficionados of these water sports flock to the small East Cape community of Los Barriles for the annual Lord of the Wind contest, seeking everlasting glory and the ultimate ride. This isn’t the best season for board surfing (although the Pacific Coast sees some excellent days), but sailors will enjoy the brisk breezes that blow outside of Cabo San Lucas Bay.

However, let’s face facts. The most popular winter sport in Cabo isn’t really a sport at all. You don’t have to be in shape, and if you are athletic enough to get in and out of a kayak, panga, high-speed inflatable, or catamaran, you can participate in the annual whale watching rites. From mid-December through Mid-March, these leviathans of the deep – humpbacks and grays, primarily – make their annual migration to breed in the waters off Baja Sur, and getting close enough for a great photo does have elements of competition.

The Davis Love III designed Diamante Dunes is one of three Los Cabos courses to be ranked among the world’s 100 best.

Spring

The annual influx of Mexican, American, and Canadian students during Spring Break and Semana Santa makes this a great season for mixologists and cultural anthropologists, but hardly ideal for some of our other favorite pastimes. Nonetheless, this is my favorite time of year for the grand old game of golf. Los Cabos has a number of great courses to include in the sports guide for Los Cabos, courtesy of design efforts by major champions like Nicklaus, Norman, Player, and Love (a second Diamante layout by Tiger Woods is also in the offing), and this is the perfect time to see visiting golfers in all their plus four plumage. Bargain hunting duffers may prefer the fall, when rates drop, but the weather is often so hot and stifling that it is hard to summon enough energy to kick your tee shots out of the rough, and sandbag gullible types by heartily overstating your handicap. Spring is ideal, in my opinion. The winter winds have abated, the greens have softened, and beverage service is at its most attentive.

Surf’s up on Acapulquito Beach, just outside the Cabo Surf Hotel.

Summer

Sure it’s hot, but autumn is hotter, and rates in summer drop for just about everything, starting at the end of May. Summer is a good time for camping, whether on the coast, or at altitude in the Sierra de la Laguna, the mountain range that forms the spine of Baja California Sur. You can even take the easy way out and stop at one of the many campgrounds found in the Cabo area, where you’re treated to luxuries like electricity and hot water. But for pure sporting pleasure, summer is for surfing. This is the best and busiest season, with good waves on the East Cape, as well as the in the Los Cabos area and off the Pacific Coast. There are several good surf shops in the area, companies like High Tide offer lessons at Costa Azul, and there is even a boutique resort – the Cabo Surf Hotel on Acapulquito Beach – that caters to hipsters in high-end board shorts. The area is also home to several current and former professional surfers. For apres-sea action, head to Faraway in downtown Cabo San Lucas for Thai food, tropical cocktails, and surf-friendly ambience courtesy of the ownership group of former pros.

Fishing is tops in the sports guide for Los Cabos! Last year’s winning team at Bisbee’s Black and Blue.

Autumn

In many regards, Cabo owes its existence as a resort destination to the area’s superb big-game sportfishing. This is one of the best places on the globe to catch enormous blue, black, and striped marlin, as well as sailfish and tuna, and autumn is the best time to try your luck. The world’s richest fishing tournament, Bisbee’s Black and Blue, is held in October, and for the price of a midsized sedan, you can join in the chase for one of their million dollar jackpots.

This is also the best time of year for snorkeling and diving, with peak water temperature and visibility. There are great sites in San Lucas, Santa Maria, and Chileno Bays, as well as East Cape sites like Cabo Pulmo, home of both the the most spectacular living coral reef in the Western Hemisphere, and the highest concentration of marine life of any site in the Sea of Cortez. And although it lacks the romance of whale watching, sea turtle season also draws plenty of dedicated adherents, philanthropic types who like to help these fledgling critters navigate their perilous journey from seaside nests to the sea itself.

What is your favorite sport in Cabo San Lucas? Let us know, and maybe we’ll include it in the seasonal sports guide for Los Cabos!

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411

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Cabo’s Trendy Hot-spot is the ME Cabo Hotel

Chris Sands — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:14:53 +0000

Cabo’s Trendy Hot-spot is the ME Cabo Hotel: A Hipster Paradise

story and photos by Chris Sands

Cabo's trendy hot-spot is in full swing.

If asked to choose the most luxurious hotel or resort in Cabo San Lucas, few people could say with any degree of conviction. There are simply too many.

But which is the trendiest? That’s an easy one. It’s Melia’s ME Cabo Hotel, which offers an experience well beyond mere accommodation.

From the stunning Deco inspired lobby to the wraparound marble staircase that allows guests to make a Hollywood-style entrance to the expansive pool area, ME Cabo is equal parts upscale elegance and fashionista fantasia. The privileged property features spectacular room and suite views of Land’s End and the Sea of Cortez, with cruise ships often lying at anchor just beyond Medano Beach, and private beach access available to the hotel’s exclusive clientele.

Me Cabo is famed for its onsite club scene. This is the only hotel in Los Cabos with resident DJs. Nikki Beach Club hosts the top events in Los Cabos – such as the annual White Party, and the masked Venetian Carnival New Year’s Eve Gala – but the heart of the club’s appeal is the daily pool parties, with bikini-clad beauties reclining on white Bali daybeds while their consorts order cocktails at the swim-up pool bar, and resident mix-masters Sam Koen and Antonio Flores keeping up a steady stream of pulse-pounding house beats. If you’re feeling competitive, you can try to keep up with the interactive dancers as they shimmy and shake.

Live jazz and Cuban music are played on selected days, and there is a VIP fashion show on Fridays. Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine and high-quality tequila, meanwhile, are the house specialties at Tequila Fusion, one of the top onsite restaurants, and an oft used space for high-powered confabs and convocations. The resort also boasts an outdoor grill and fire pit, two bars, an enormous interconnected pool, and of course late night martinis and margaritas at the sexy and cosmopolitan Passion Club.

The rooms and suites maintain the maximum chic ethos, particularly on “The Level,” an adult-oriented VIP area which overlooks all the action on Nikki Beach. Depending on the suite type, guests have access to a host of plush amenities, including private balconies and terraces, private and shared whirlpools, private access to the Fire Pit and Passion Club, private sundecks with views of the ocean, lounge beds, and even outdoor rain showers.

Of course, if this sort of high-end hedonism starts to wear, you can always retire to the Yhi Spa for a hot-stone massage and an aromatic herb wrap, or take a tandem kayak trip to Lover’s Beach. If there is one thing you can count on at Melia’s ME Cabo, it’s that the party will still be there when you return.

Bikinis and giant champagne bottles at Cabo's trendy hot-spot, ME Cabo.

For more information about Cabo’s trendy hot-spot, ME Cabo Hotel, visit Baja.com. Or email info@solmelia.com, or call (624) 145-7800.

Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for the Baja California Peninsula, supported by a full-service tour operator staffed by Baja locals (our “Baja Travel Savants”). We offer Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. We provide bilingual customer support, information and sales seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, please call toll-free (US/CAN) 855-BAJA-411 or email us at info@baja.com

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The post Cabo’s Trendy Hot-spot is the ME Cabo Hotel appeared first on Cabo San Lucas.

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