Natural Wonders of Los Cabos are Showcased in New Photography Exhibit

February 17, 2013 By Chris Sands 2 Comments

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

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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover Tagged With: Cabo San Lucas, Flora and Fauna, Los Cabos, Paraiso Pueblo Mall, Photography, san jose del cabo

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

February 8, 2013 By Chris Sands 3 Comments

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.

full_beach_ceremony_setup_bennett at capella pedregal

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.

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover Tagged With: Beach, Bride, Cabo San Lucas, Capella Pedregal, chris sands, Destination Weddings, Honeymoon, Los Cabos, Marriage, Reception, Romantic, san jose del cabo, Sunset Weddings

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

January 29, 2013 By Chris Sands 1 Comment

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.

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover, Taste Tagged With: Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas Beaches, Cadillac Margaritas, Cocktails, Eating in Cabo San Lucas, Food and Dining, Lobster, Mango Deck, Medano Beach, Medano Beach Club, Quesadillas, Raspado, Seafood, Shrimp Cocktail, The Office

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

January 28, 2013 By Chris Sands 1 Comment

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.

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover Tagged With: Adventures, Beach, Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Divorce Beach, Eco-Tours, El Arco, Expeditions, Kayak, Land's End, Los Arcos, Los Cabos, Lover's Beach, Outdoor, san jose del cabo, Snorkel

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

January 21, 2013 By Chris Sands 4 Comments

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

Filed Under: Los Cabos, Play Tagged With: Bisbees, Cabo San Lucas, David Love, Fishing, golf, Kiteboarding, Los Cabos, Nicklaus, san jose del cabo, Sports, Sports Guide, Tiger Woods

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

January 15, 2013 By Chris Sands 3 Comments

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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Stay, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bikini, Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas Hotels, chris sands, Holiday, Hot-spot, Los Cabos, Luxury, Melia, Passion, Resort, Trendy

The Holidays in Cabo San Lucas: A Little Christmas Cheer

December 21, 2012 By Carla White 1 Comment

The Holidays in Cabo San Lucas: A Little Christmas Cheer

by Chris Sands

The holidays in Cabo San Lucas can be illuminating.

There is something very special about the holidays, particularly south of the border where the festive season persists for close to two months and includes many holy days that are not commonly celebrated in the U.S. It is a period of frequent fiestas, of course, but also of of devout observances and intimate gatherings with family and friends. In Cabo San Lucas, where the weather is warm and the beaches are crowded with migratory snowbirds, the yuletide season sometimes seems quite surreal, although visitors may find a comforting familiarity attending the bilingual masses held on Christmas Eve and Christmas at the Iglesia Catolica de San Lucas.

Celebrate the holidays in Cabo San Lucas with some holiday cheer! Photo by John Schrantz.

The town square, Plaza Amelia Wilkes, is located across the street from the old church, and is annually strung with enough holiday-themed ornaments and decorations to wrap the central gazebo in a veil of bright, carnivalesque colors. The plaza is also home to a large, lavishly bedecked Christmas tree, and a beautiful nativity scene (nacimiento) that is located near the local Museum of Natural History‘s whale skeleton exhibit. Sponsored programs and presentations are a holiday staple at the plaza, and include art, music, food tastings, and recreations of events surrounding the birth of Christ.

Nativity scenes are commonly displayed here, both publicly and privately, and in addition to the nacimiento at Plaza Amelia Wilkes, there is also an excellent shrine at Plaza Bonita near the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Beyond the lovely holiday decorations, however, the spirit of the season is found in the succession of holy days that stretch from the beginning of Las Posadas on December 16th through Candlemas on February 2nd. These religious holidays each have their own traditions and rituals, and for curious visitors, provide interesting insights into the Catholic core of Mexican culture.

Las Posadas

Las Posadas last for nine days, from December 16th through the 24th, and commemorate the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Each night there are candlelit processions and reenactments, which culminate in house parties after admittance has been granted at the “inn.” The most important day of the season in Mexico is not Christmas, but Christmas Eve (Nochebuena). This is the last night of the posadas, and the birth of Christ is celebrated at midnight. Traditionally, families then attend a midnight mass, followed by dinner and presents. Christmas Day is quite low-key and leisurely, with most feasting on the leftovers from the previous night’s dinner.

El Dia de los Santos Inocentes

Holy Innocents Day, also known as Childermas, is on December 28th, and is a remembrance of King Herod’s decree that all male infants in Bethlehem should be killed in order to eliminate the threat to his throne posed by the baby Jesus, whose birth he had learned of from the three wise men. The day is also celebrated as a Mexican version of April Fool’s Day, with jokes, pranks, tall tales, and elaborate hoaxes. One should greet all statements made on this day with a healthy amount of skepticism, and under no circumstances should money be lent, as tradition holds that any debts incurred on this day do not have to be honored.

Nochevieja

The relationship of New Year’s Eve to New Years Day is somewhat like that of Christmas Eve to Christmas, meaning the first day is given over to family dinners and celebrations, while the second day is for rest, relaxation, and the enjoyment of leftovers. After the dinner on New Year’s Eve, many people go out to enjoy the local parties and theme nights, which run the gamut from barefoot beachfront formals at Casa Dorada to Nikki Beach‘s Masked Venetian Carnival. Fireworks are a staple of virtually every Mexican celebration, but the New Year in Cabo San Lucas is always greeted with a particularly dazzling display. Once the clock strikes midnight, it is also traditional to eat twelve grapes, with the grapes representing good fortune for the next twelve months.

Rosca de Reyes is a special bread made to celebrate Three Kings Day.

El Dia de los Tres Reyes

The three kings are better known to English speakers as the three wise men – Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar – who journeyed to Bethlehem with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As with Christmas Eve, this is a day for children to open presents, and for gatherings of friends and family. One of the signature treats associated with this holiday is a sweet bread called rosca de reyes. There is a miniature figure of the baby Jesus hidden inside the bread, and the person who finds it is expected to have a tamales party on Candlemas, February 2nd.

Candlemas marks the end of the long Christmas season in Cabo San Lucas, but one of the heights of the tourist season, with vacationers fleeing frigid temperatures north of the border for sunshine, beaches, whale watching, golf, and other activities not normally associated with wintry cheer.

Planning on spending the holidays in Cabo San Lucas? Find out about great places to stay!

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover Tagged With: Cabo San Lucas, chris sands, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Los Cabos, Nativity, Plaza, Posadas, South of the Border, Three Kings Day

How to Enjoy the Final Days of the Mayan Calendar in Cabo San Lucas

December 18, 2012 By Chris Sands 1 Comment

End Times in Cabo San Lucas: How to Enjoy the Final Days of the Mayan Calendar

by Chris Sands, author of Quintessential Quaffs (a related post)

I guess we’re all hoping that the Mayans got it wrong. If not, and the end of their long-count calendar on December 21st really does mean the end of days on earth, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people around here, particularly those that have just bought timeshares.

Our days are numbered, at least if you believe the Mayan long count calendar.

Personally, I’m keeping an open mind. I haven’t emptied out my savings account in hopes of one last monumental binge. La Grande Bouffe, as the French like to say. On the other hand, I’m not exactly wasting a lot of time with trivial pursuits such as working and sleeping. If this is to be my last week, I want to enjoy every single second.

And really, what better place to ride out the cosmic storm than in Cabo San Lucas? Not only does the town boast gorgeous beaches, pampering spas, and championship-level golf courses (I must get my handicap into single digits before time runs out), but there are plenty of armageddon-appropriate activities on tap this week. Here are a few I have marked on my calendar.

The Last Supper

What could be more traditional and appropriate than a last supper with friends and family? That’s the thinking, anyway, behind Drew Deckman’s “End of the World” party. The Michelin star winning chef and owner of Deckman’s at Havana in San Jose del Cabo is upping the ante with an ambitious apocalypse-themed repast. The dinner is scheduled for Friday night, December 21st, and will feature a five course fine dining menu paired with Mexican wines and craft beers, plus a tasting of the aptly named Buen Viaje mezcal. Don’t worry about that second helping of dessert. There’s a good chance all our dieting days are done. Tickets for the event cost are $100 U.S., but there is a money back guarantee if the world does actually end during your meal.

Casa D’Aristi is known for their Xtabentun liqueurs.

The Mayan Kiss

Want to toast eternity in style? Try a coffee cocktail or shot with Casa D’Aristi’s Xtabentun, a delicious Mayan liqueur made with rum, fermented honey, and anise seed. It’s sweet, but potent, and a few pops should have you attempting to build a pyramid from discarded swizzle sticks. Actually, if you’re looking for reasons to doubt the so-called “Mayan prophecy,” consider that the ancient mathematicians may have been liquored up on Xtabentun when they calculated the length of their famous long count calendar. Who knows? We might have a few good years left.

The best place to find Xtabentun in Cabo San Lucas is at Lorenzillo’s Live Lobster House. Try it with one of their flaming coffees, or as an integral part of two very satisfying recipes. Add a lime to equal parts tequila and Xtabentun, and you’ve got a Maya Margarita. Mix it with Kahlua, and you’ve got my personal favorite, the Mayan Kiss. Lorenzillo’s overlooks the Marina, so if you see anything that looks like trouble, it’s no problem to grab a couple of stray donkeys and commandeer an ark.

World’s End over Land’s End

There is always a chance that the world will end before dinner time on the 21st. In fact, it might end just after midnight, a startling prospect for fans of Drew Deckman’s cooking and heady Xtabentun-laced elixirs (as well as the rest of humanity, one supposes). Assuming this is a possibility, the smart move is also to make a night of it on Thursday.

The Mayans would approve: a Thursday night fiesta at The Office.

I recommend The Office on Medano Beach. They’ll be hosting their weekly Gran Fiesta Mexicana, with traditional folk songs, dancing under the stars, and other fun-filled festivities. It’s always a good fiesta, with a surfeit of free tequila shooters and plenty of convivial company, and I think the Mayans would have approved. Plus, the beach is the best place in Cabo San Lucas to watch fireworks, and there could be quite a lot of them.

What would you do if the world was about to end? Let us know at Baja.com.

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Play Tagged With: 2012, Beach, Cabo San Lucas, chris sands, Cocktails, December 21, Drew Deckman, End of the World, Havana Club, Los Cabos, Mayan Calendar, Party

Dressed to the K9′s Gala a Howling Success: Proceeds to Benefit Los Cabos Humane Society.

December 10, 2012 By Carla White 4 Comments

Proceeds from the 7th annual K-9′s gala event are going to the Los Cabos Humane Society

by Chris Sands

Los Cabos Humane Society benefits from the Dressed to the K9's gala event

Los Cabos loves its parties, and in Cabo San Lucas, the biggest and most elaborate galas are often those staged on behalf of local charities. That was certainly the case with the Los Cabos Humane Society’s 7th Annual Dressed to the K-9′s benefit, held Saturday, December 8th at Villa Marcella in Pedregal.

Dressed to the K-9′s has become a staple of the local social calendar, and kicked off the holiday season in splendid fashion, with many full and part-time residents of the area on hand to support the mission of the LCHS. The Humane Society receives no government support, so the annual fundraiser is crucial to their budget, with ticket sales and silent auction proceeds primarily going towards spay and neuter efforts. The event is also a great excuse for fancy dress and festive fun, with food, drinks, dancing, and live music.

Steve Apple headlined at the Los Cabos Humane Society event.

Apple & Co. may have been the headliners, the the stars of the event, as always, were the community members that donated their time, efforts, and services on behalf of the LCHS. Event chair Mark Poelvoorde and his co-chairs Elizabeth Schoell and Maye Cortinas oversaw the close to 50 volunteers who pitched in with this year’s gala. Local chefs Casiano Reyes and Denis Gabriel, of Casiano and Denni’s Catering, respectively, provided the gourmet feast. Chef and restaurateur Drew Deckman created the delicious welcoming cocktail, with shaking done courtesy of Martini Jungle. Yahwe Garcia of Del Cabo Events was responsible for the villa’s interior design and holiday decor, and staging and lighting was done by Ambar Productions.

“This year’s gala, our biggest and most elaborate, wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless efforts of dozens of volunteers, working as a team to make the event a success,” said LCHS President Aida Trujillo.

Poelvoorde agreed: “So many volunteers, donors and sponsors, committed to helping the animals and communities of Los Cabos is incredibly moving. Their contribution is truly the heart of all our fundraisers.”

Auction donations to the Los Cabos Human Society gala included a red Fender stratocaster guitar used by Sammy Hagar.

Tickets were $125 per person, and were sold out this year, with a record turnout of 300 attendees on hand to support the local pet population. Like last year, the gala was held at Villa Marcella, a spectacular beachfront vacation getaway in the gated Pedregal community. The spacious 10,000 square foot villa was decked out festive holiday fashion, and guests enjoyed plenty of food and drink, fabulous entertainment, dancing under the stars, and even a fireworks display. And why not? There’s nothing wrong with a good party on behalf of a great cause. In spite of the huge success of this event, organizers note, though, that the Los Cabos Humane Society needs help throughout the year.

Los Cabos Humane Society helps K9's and kitties, too.

Local businesses were also very generous, and provided a terrific slate of goods and services for the silent auction, including custom jewelry, shopping sprees, golf outings at five championship-level courses, big-game fishing trips, cooking classes, five-star dinners, and accommodations at some of the area’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. But perhaps the most sought after item was the autographed guitar from Sammy Hagar. The former Van Halen frontman and Cabo Wabo founder donated a gorgeous Dakota Red Fender Stratocaster, along with other signed memorabilia.

All photos courtesy of Dressed to the K-9’s.

Filed Under: Charity, Los Cabos, Uncategorized Tagged With: Benefit, Cabo San Lucas, Canine, chris sands, Dean Martin, Fender, Gala Event, Guitar, Humane Society, K9, Los Cabos, Sammy Hagar, san jose del cabo, Steve Apple, Stratocaster

Camels in Cabo? A Little Bit of Egypt Comes to Baja!

December 8, 2012 By Carla White 10 Comments

Camels in Cabo? A desert dream comes true on the Baja Peninsula.

by Jack E. George

No need to fly thousands of miles on an airplane just to have the experience of riding a camel. Camels in Cabo — and riding on them — are now a desert dream-come-true! Now anyone can ‘rent’ a camel in Cabo San Lucas and have a ride of a lifetime.

Camels in Cabo? A desert dream comes true on the Baja Peninsula.

There are several companies offering camel rides, one of them being Cabo Adventures that takes small groups on the desert dream trek. The only restriction is that you be at least six years of age and weigh no more than 265 pounds. The tour beings at the Cabo Adventures location at the Dolphin Center in Cabo San Lucas. Trips are offered seven days per week, 9 a.m.-noon, and sometimes at 3 p.m. according to Maria Ines Brito, marketing manager for the operation. The journey takes about 4.5 hours.

According to Maria, Cabo Adventures takes extra precautions for every customer’s safety. She said, “We innovate, to make each customer have a wonderful experience each day, and one that will result in being a lifetime experience.” It begins when adventurers of the Lawrence of Arabia ilk get into one of the company’s off-road Unimogs — trucks and are driven deep into the heart of the Baja outback. Upon arriving at embarkation point, there is a huge sense of anticipation that excites adults and children, alike.

Arabia or Baja? Camels in Cabo offer a uniquely different travel experience.

Aside from the spectacular views, each visitor has his or her own knowledgeable guide, who ensure safety and lots of knowledge about camels in Cabo. Getting onto the camel, which could be daunting to some, is not a problem. There is a platform for you to climb on and the guide offers assistance. After riding through the outback, visitors enjoy an idyllic jaunt in Rancho San Cristobal. This beach ride is unlike anything else — right out of a movie. If taking this camel excursion during the winter months, the guide will advise you to keep an eye out for humpback whales. These whales often swim past the ranch.

Up front and personal with camels in cabo!

There are two types of camels. You will be riding the one hump which is called the Arabic camel. They live in western Asia although they are being brought to specific areas in North America to which they adapt well. These particular eight camels, owned by Cabo Adventures, are actually from Texas. Camels have some amazing abilities. For example, they are capable of living for weeks without food or water. Their hump is actually filled with fat which allows them to use this when needed. When camels take a drink of water it takes them awhile to fill their needs as they consume about 40 gallons at one time.

During the last part of the excursion, camel-riders stop at a local ranch where they are served a traditional Mexican meal which includes hand-made tortillas, beans, drinks, and salsas. Following the meal, the return trip to Cabo San Lucas offers fabulous views with outstanding photo opportunities of the Baja desert. You will need photos, after all: You will need to prove that your stories about your unbelievable vacation, and camels in cabo, are true!

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Luxury Lodging at Esperanza, an Auberge Resort in Los Cabos: “Find Your Balance”

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas, Discover, Uncategorized Tagged With: Beach, Beach Ride, Cabo, Cabo Activities, Cabo Adventures, Cabo San Lucas, camels, Desert, Excursion, Humpback Whales, Jack George, Lawrence of Arabia, Los Cabos

Cabo San Lucas