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This is Mexico with a California attitude. The peso is official currency, but dollars work just about everywhere. Spanish is not required. Cabo pleases people of many interests, including soft adventurers, sportsmen, wildlife enthusiasts, families, romantic travelers and those who want to simply 'catch some rays'. Cultural and art aficionados enjoy heritage study and gallery shopping. The temperate climate provides 360 days of sunshine annually, with temperatures that rarely fall outside a range of 56F in winter or 80F in summer. Ask our Mexico Specialist to arrange your travel to Los Cabos! Los Cabos Landmarks Special Interests Click here for Accommodations Fast Facts Los Cabos Landmarks EL ARCO (The Arch) A dramatic rock at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. Has become Los Cabos' most immediately recognizable symbol. Also called 'Finisterra', or 'Land's End'. The 200-foot rock formation features a passageway created by erosion. PELICAN ROCK Above the world's only reported sand falls (underwater accretions of sand that periodically spill into the depths like a waterfall) 99 feet below. Discovered by Jacques Cousteau, and listed on every local operator's dive itinerary in Cabo San Lucas. MISSION CHURCH In San Jose del Cabo has roots that date back to 1730, when it was built by Spanish Jesuits. It was rebuilt in 1827, after being destroyed by a hurricane. ESTERO SAN JOSE Also in San Jose del Cabo is a 125-acre tropical estuary that houses more than 200 species of birds. Special Interests BEACHES SAN JOSE DEL CABO Playa Costa Azul: The beach for surfers. Has a beachfront restaurant, small grocery store and surfboard rentals. Playa Palmilla: A mile-long beach of protected shoreline and calm waters. Good spot for swimming and snorkeling. There are no facilities on the beach, but there are some nearby. A good choice for families. Near the Hotel Palmilla. THE CORRIDOR Playa Santa Maria: A small horseshoe-shaped area surrounded by craggy cliffs. A bit of a walk to the beach. Snorkelers enjoy this protected marine sanctuary and its many species of tropical fish. There are no facilities, so a box lunch is needed for the day. Near the Twin Dolphin Hotel. Playa Chileno: A wide, fairly flat beach. Great for beachcombing, running, swimming and morning snorkeling. Dive sites nearby. It is one of the few beaches in Los Cabos with facilities. There are shaded palms, primitive rest rooms, diving and snorkeling rentals, kayaks and small sailboats. Playa Bledito (Tequila Cove): Located in front of the Melia Cabo Real Hotel. Has a man-made breakwater that makes for safe swimming and watersports in the protected cove. Equipment rentals are nearby. Playa Buenos Aires: Stretches for several miles within the Cabo Real Resort, bordering the Eldorado golf course. The beach is great for running, horse-back riding, or just peace and quiet. Swimming is not recommended. CABO SAN LUCAS Playa el Medano (Dune Beach): The main beach and center of action and fun. The 2-mile beach stretches from the Hacienda Beach Resort at the marina channel entrance to Club Cascadas and beyond. Pueblo Bonito Rose and Melia San Lucas are nearby. There are watersports, safe swimming and plenty of activities for children. Also, a large selection of oceanfront restaurants. Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach): Near Land's End and the famous"El Arco". Is reached by watertaxi or glass-bottom boat from the downtown marina or from across Bahia San Lucas at Playa Medano, just outside of town. A smooth beach surrounded by towering rock formations, with the Pacific Ocean and Bahia San Lucas on either side. Swimming near the Arch or on the Pacific side is not recommended. The bay side offers calm, clear waters good for swimming and snorkeling. There are no facilities or amenities on the beach, so visitors should bring along lunch. DINING SAN JOSE DEL CABO Da'Giorgio San Jose: Italian dishes with views of Palmilla Bay and San Jose del Cabo. Ideal for romantic terrace dining. Damiana: Romantic setting in an 18th-Century hacienda just off the main plaza. Mexican cuisine and seafood with dining indoors or out. El Chilar: A good choice for fine Mexican cuisine. Mercado del Mar: Serves great, fresh fish dishes. Tropicana Inn: International and Mexican specialties, steaks and seafood, either in the lower-level palapa or at outdoor sidewalk tables. Live music at night. THE CORRIDOR Casa del Mar: Romantic dining. Continental and Mexican cuisine. Located in the Casa del Mar Golf Resort & Spa. Seating inside or outside on the terrace. La Concha Beach Club: Beach club by day, and romantic restaurant at night. Continental cuisine. Located in the Cab Real Resort. Girasoles at Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar: Casually elegant restaurant open for dinner, only. Great views of the Cab Del Sol coastline. Mexican and seafood specialties. (Also at the Sheraton is Pitsyss and Mediterraneo for more elegant dining and Pacific Rim and international cuisine.) CABO SAN LUCAS El Galeon: Italian cuisine. Live piano music and a romantic atmosphere. Located across from the marina. Da'Giorgio Cabo: Open-air restaurant under a palapa roof. Great view of Land's End and Bahia San Lucas, especially at sunset. Italian and continental cuisine. (Sister restaurant in San Jose del Cabo.) Edith's: Great views, including the Sea of Cortes and El Arco. Laid-back and romantic atmosphere, including live music. Seafood, grilled steaks, handmade tortillas and salsas. Las Palmas Restaurant and Sushi Bar: On Medano Beach. Wide variety of cuisine, including Mexican, seafood and sushi. Dine alfresco or inside. Sportfishers can bring their catch for the chef to prepare. Family- friendly. Couples can ask for a romantic table on the beach. Mango Deck: Restaurant and beach club on Playa El Medano, with views of Land's End. Serves seafood and Mexican cuisine. Margaritavilla: Extensive Mexican menu and great margaritas. Casual restaurant overlooking the marina. Full of fun and people-watching opportunities. The Office On the Beach: Dine barefoot under the stars in the tropical atmosphere of a white sand beach. The Point (Hotel Cabo San Lucas): Choose either The Point restaurant with its jaw-dropping views, or a romantic private terrace for two at the water's edge. Will be a memorable dining experience. (In an article by Gourmet magazine (November 2000), Hotel Cabo San Lucas was acclaimed "home to one of the area's best restaurants." Romeo y Julieta: Dine inside or outside under the stars. Fine Italian dining with homemade dishes. Decorated in an Old World Mediterranean style. Tobasco: A restaurant/bar by the Club Cascadas beach at El Medano Beach. DIVING LOS CABOS A diver's paradise. Located in a transition zone between tropical and temperate waters where underwater visibility can reach 120 feet. Underwater world is full of large fish, plus mammals and colorful tropical species. Divers can also find a number of shipwrecks, caves and canyons. (Best during the summer when the waters are at their calmest and warmest with temperatures reaching the low 80s.) LAND'S END Located at the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortes. Divers depart to head for THE POINT, which reaches a depth of 65 feet. Sea lions, grouper and manta rays can be spotted, as well as different types of coral and a shipwreck. NEPTUNE'S
FINGERS A long, slender rock, thick with coral and sea fans, octopi, tropical fish, schools of barracuda, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and mantas. SAND
FALLS This area offers something for both novices and experienced divers. Follows a wall to a depth of 90 feet and finds horizontal streams of sand forming 'sand rivers' between the rock formations on the ocean floor. (Featured in a Jacques Costeau television special.) GORDA
BANKS Eight miles off the coast of San Jose del Cabo. The area is good for experienced divers who can explore an underwater sea mount and observe hammerhead sharks, devil rays, dolphins, mantas and many species of colorful fish. CABO PULMO About two hours north of San Jose on the East Cape. The only live coral reef on the west coast of North America. Divers can also view reef, and large game fish. Maximum depth of 60 feet makes it good for all levels of divers. ECO-ADVENTURES HIKING Find amazing rock formations, desert landscapes and hardy vegetation, as well as lizards, jack rabbits, and rattlesnakes (tall leather boots are a must). The cooler winter months are the best time of year for area hiking. Non-expert hikers should always be accompanied by an experienced guide. Individual and group hiking tours, including professional naturalists, can be arranged. MOUNTAIN BIKING Rent mountain bikes by the day or hour at hotels or local bicycle clubs. Punta Gorda, an off-road trip eight miles away, is one popular trail. A combination ride/hike to the hot springs above the small town of Santiago. BIRD-WATCHING Los Cabos is home to the only recognized bird sanctuary on the Baja peninsula. The estuary (estero) in San Jose del Cabo features more than 150 species of birds, including colorful macaws, large brown pelicans and frigates, amid palm trees and lush vegetation. HORSEBACK RIDING Honeymooners and other romantics can choose to ride at sunset along the beach, while other riders can trot through the desert or follow specially-marked riding trails. ALL
TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATV) TOURS Desert Park, in the Cabo Real Resort area, offers 28 miles of winding, twisting rails through arroyas (dry, river beds), hilly climbs and narrow canyons with desert flora and fauna. Knowledgeable guides show riders the way. (1 1/2-hour tours offer a basic introduction to the desert, while tours of 3- to 4 hours take riders into the outback to waterfalls and hidden oases. WHALE-WATCHING From late December through March, take advantage of the special opportunity of a whale-watching tour or even catch a glimpse of these beautiful mammals from the beach or overlooks. Studies show that some 11,000 migrating gray whales make a 10,000-mile journey to the warm waters off Los Cabos each year, as well as other eight other species of whales including minke, bryde, fin, sei, humpback, beluga, gray and blue. Operators run whale-watching tours in the bays around Los Cabos, either by catamaran or power boat. Most last about 2 1/2 hours. Magdalena Bay is the site of the most prolific breeding in the area. A full-day excursion includes a 75-minute flight, 4 hours of whale-watching on a panga (small boat), snacks, drinks and lunch at a local restaurant. The friendly whales often approach the boats for a gentle rub. FAMILIES BEACHES Especially good beaches for families include Playa Bledito and Playa Medano in Cabo San Lucas, which combine safe swimming conditions and a variety of watersports options. Playa Palmilla, with its calm waters, makes it a good choice for children. Teens who enjoy surfing can find spots where they can 'catch a wave. GLASS FACTORY Watching Mexican craftsmen make beautiful glassware and other items at the Fabrica de Vidrio is a good family activity. FISHING Kids can enjoy 'the fishing town' of Cabo San Lucas with a visit to the marina around 2 p.m. when the catch of the day is being unloaded. WHALE-WATCHING Whale-watching boat tours in the waters around Los Cabos are a great family activity! LOOKING INTO THE SEA Glass-bottom boat tours from the Cabo San Lucas marina go to Bahia San Lucas and provide kids with an 'up close' look at El Arco, Los Cabos' landmark natural rock formation at Land's End, Lover's Beach and sea life. DAY TRIPS Take an interesting regional tour and discover the world around Los Cabos. SHOPPING Teens will be especially interested in browsing through boutiques, bazaars and shopping malls of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, finding shops selling everything from T-shirts to designer apparel, as well as gold and silver jewelry, handicrafts and souvenirs. A shopping highlight is the 'Artisan's Market, with stalls filled with handmade items that can turn into permanent memories to take home. GOLF CAMPO DE GOLF A 9-hole public course, located in San Jose del Cabo. Designed by Joe Finger. PALMILLA GOLF CLUB 9- and 18-hole
courses located across from the Palmilla Hotel, one of the first to open here. CABO REAL 9- and 18-hole courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., feature holes right along the ocean. EL DORADO 9- and 18-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. In the resort community of Cabo Real. CABO DEL SOL 9- and 18-hole courses. The 18-hole course, known as the "Mexican version of Pebble Beach", was designed by Jack Nicklaus. This course is the centerpiece of the Cabo del Sol resort. The 18-hole course is on Golf Magazine's 'Top 100 Courses in the World' list. CABO SAN LUCAS COUNTRY CLUB An 18-hole, Roy Dye-designed course on the outskirts of Cabo San Lucas. HONEYMOON/ROMANCE Cabos San Lucas is a perfect spot for a honeymoon or to discover romance. It not only has its own beach named after romance, Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach), but 50 miles of beaches, fine dining, exciting nightlife, and the pampering of luxury spas. Couples who enjoy being active will find ecotourism delights and a host of regional spots to explore in different ways. Accommodation are available for every budget and most of the resorts offer honeymoon or romance packages that can include bottles of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, breakfast in bed and romantic candlelit dinners. Many properties also feature honeymoon suites, adding an extra special touch to your one-of-a- kind vacation. Destination weddings and vow renewals are growing in popularity and many of the resorts offer specific packages that can include flowers, cake, music, reception and photographer. Weddings can range from the couple only, to large groups. Wedding planners are available to help plan the ceremony and reception. NIGHTLIFE Nightlife is primarily found in Cabo San Lucas. The street known as Squid Roe is where the following popular nightspots can be found: THE CABO WABO CANTINA Owned by rocker Sammy Hagar, features five bands nightly. THE NOWHERE BAR Features complimentary drinks for ladies on Tuesday nights from 8 p.m.to 10 p.m. THE GIGGLING MARLIN Home to the 'Skip and Go Naked' drink, a mixture of liquors and fruit juices chilled with ice and blended. WAVE The only discotheque in Los Cabos. Located next to the Hard Rock Cafe. SQUID ROE A three-story bar, with a stadium-style dance floor. SHOPPING SAN JOSE DEL CABO Many stores are located in old colonial buildings within a short walk from the zocalo or along Boulevard Mijares and Calle Zaragoza. They include Aries, Copal, Galeria El Dorado and Sunshine for handicrafts, Joyeria Amatista and La Mino for jewelry and Casa Paulin and Plaza Florentina for home furnishings. CABO SAN LUCAS Browse dozens of shops along Cabos San Lucas' streets, from designer boutiques to souvenir shops. A must for anyone interested in crafts is the Artisans' Market at the marina's fishing boat dock featuring rows of stalls selling local handicrafts and clothing. Mall shoppers should head for Plaza Bonita at the eastern edge of the Marina, as well as Plaza del Mar and Plaza de La Danza. Necri and Nupalli also sell handicrafts. Mama Elis and Plaza del Sol are two choices for jewelry. La Paloma sells embroidered clothing from Tlaquepaque. SPAS Los Cabos is gaining a reputation as a spa destination with its top resorts offering full-service spa facilities to guests. Some of the spas that are located in Los Cabos resorts: CASA DEL MAR GOLF RESORT & SPA Includes eight treatment rooms, a Jacuzzi and fitness center. Treatments include massages, body wraps, facials and salt scrubs. The 'Baja Desert Cleanse' is a specialty, designed to purify both the mind and body. Uses local clay rich in minerals, followed by healing aloe vera gel. FIESTA AMERICANA GRAND SPA A new resort. 'The Spa' is a full-service European health and beauty spa with seven treatment rooms, fully equipped gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Treatments include massages, salt glows, body wraps, facials and beauty salon services. The specialty is the 'Moon & Stars Massage', a full body massage in the Tropical Cabanas with the moon and stars and sounds of the sea. LAS VENTANAS DEL PARAISO ROSEWOOD The Spa offers guests a complete lifestyle approach. Features eight treatment rooms, some of which open out onto private gardens to relax in after treatments. The pavilion on the sand offers private treatments at the water's edge. Also has a beauty salon, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, cold plunge and fitness room. Treatments include massage, facials, body wraps, salt glows and hydrotherapy. Specialties include 'La Stone' therapy using heated and chilled stones and 'Sun Lover Therapy' to relieve sunburned skin. Classes and programs including yoga and personal training are also offered. MELIA RESORTS Spa facilities at MELIA CABO REAL CONVENTION BEACH & GOLF RESORT and MELIA LOS CABOS are run by Avanti MCM International. Facilities are different at each hotel, with the more extensive, available at the Melia Los Cabos. These include massage, body wraps, facials, beauty salon, sauna, Jacuzzi and fitness center. Couples can enjoy the 'Moon and Stars' massage by the sea at night. PUEBLO BONITO ROSE The Spa offers the largest fitness center on the coast - extensive cardiovascular section, aerobics and step classes, beach power-walking and aqua-aerobics. Treatments include massages, body scrubs, hydrotherapy, mud treatment, facials and beauty salon services. Specialties include in-suite Swedish massage. SHERATON HACIENDA DEL MAR RESORT & SPA The 7,000-square-foot Cactus Spa and Fitness Center next to the hotel has three treatment rooms and a fitness center. Personal trainers, aerobics classes, nature walks, stretching, meditation and relaxation classes are available. Treatments include the 'Soft Pack' system, exclusive to the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar in Latin America. Four 'Soft Pack' body therapies are available, featuring a body wrap and lowering into a warm water bath to rejuvenate and treat the skin, and relax the mind. WESTIN REGINA LOS CABOS The Spa features two separate treatment rooms for men and women, a facial room, steam room, sauna, whirlpool, beauty salon and fitness center. Treatments include massages, facials and beauty salon services. The 'oceanview massage' allows guests' massages to take place in one of the two enclosed tents located on the main beach. Aerobics and 'spin' classes are available. VILLA DEL PALMAR The 10,000-square- foot health club and spa features a fitness center, daily aerobics, kickboxing and yoga classes. There are four massage rooms, two treatment rooms, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and beauty salon. Services include massages, body scrubs, facials and other body care treatments. MARINA FIESTA RESORT Overlooking the marina in Cabo San Lucas, this resort offers massages, facials, a beauty salon, sauna and steam rooms, Jacuzzis and a fitness center - all in a luxurious European-style setting. SPORTFISHING Los Cabos, commonly referred to as the 'Marlin Capital of the World', has 40,000 marlin and Pacific sailfish hooked each year, as well as 800 other species of game fish including dorado, tuna, wahoo, grouper, snapper and rooster fish. The best time of year for fishing is mid-October through December, although it is possible to catch fish year-round. FISHING BOATS The more than 500 fishing boats range from small pangas (18- to 20-foot motorized skiffs) to luxury fishing yachts. Many of the boats can be reserved through a sportfishing operator set up with the hotel's activities desk, or directly with the boats at the marina in Cabo San Lucas, or on the harbor of San Jose del Cabo. Fishing permits are available at the U.S.-Mexico border, from local fish and game wardens or from the Government of Mexico in San Diego at 619-233-6956. DAILY RATES Boats can be chartered for a half- or full day. Most boats can hold about four- to eight people. Costs run from $300 for a full day on a state-of-the-art sport-fisherman, to $80 for a half-day on a panga, including fishing gear. CATCH AND RELEASE OR TAKE IT HOME A catch and release policy, especially for marlin and the female dorado, is supported by most residents and visitors. If you choose to keep your catch, most restaurants and hotels will cook the fish the way you like it and serve it for a reasonable price. Or, hotels and charter companies can help, if you wish to freeze and store your catch to send home. FISHING TOURNAMENTS A number of world-class fishing tournaments draw anglers from around the globe. The biggest one, the BISBEE INTERNATIONAL FISHING TOURNAMENT, is held in late October each year. More than 200 boats take part in the tournament, with over $1 million in prize money. More than 100 teams compete for $400,000 in cash and prizes during early November's WESTERN OUTDOOR NEWS' LOS CABOS TUNA JACKPOT TOURNAMENT. The LOS CABOS BILLFISH TOURNAMENT at the end of November pays over $350,000 in cash and prizes. |
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