"LOS CABOS - the MEXICAN RIVIERA"
by
Philip Barrington
For some the
perception of Mexico is what they hear over party conversations of
people back from endless rounds of frosty Margarita's and a week in the
sun - a great vacation. What the discerning traveler and 
discriminating investor now knows is Los Cabos, in particular, is fast
becoming the Riviera of Mexico, it is the fastest growing up-market
resort destination in all of Mexico. It all started back in the late 50's when
the Hollywood boys, Bing Crosby and the Duke came down to what they
called the Palm Springs of Mexico, Los Cabos for it's big game fishing
among the blue waters of the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. Not only does
that tradition live on, from a Hollywood perspective, but add to that a
world class mix of seven Championship
and Signature Golf Courses as
designed by Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Trent Jones and Tom Weiskopf,
plus private homes, resorts and development projects, that make Robin
Leaches old Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, look like tiddle
winks. After the 2002 APEC conference, Los Cabos will really be on
the world map.
When you say Baja,
most will think of desert dune buggy racing, if you say Lands End, it's
the world famous land mark Arch and lovers Beach jutting out from the marina
in party town Cabo San Lucas.
The hidden treasure is to be found in the area between the quaint and sleepy little town of San José del Cabo and Cabos San Lucas, called, Los Cabos (or known as 'the Corridor' by the locals). Here along a 25 mile stretch of Mediterranean-like coast line skirting the Sea of Cortez, you will find the most dramatic water and desert views anywhere on the Baja, with private homes and luxury resorts - for those seeking everything under the sun. You must visit some of these sites while captured in this Escapes article. As I always say, it never costs anything to dream and dreams sometimes do come true.
Esperanza Resort and Spa
(Auberge owned and
operated) at Punta Ballena, arguably one of the most beautiful hotels
anywhere in the world: www.esperanzaresort.com.
Cabo del Sol: www.cabodelsol.com home of the future Ritz Carlton and already exquisitely built private
million dollar homes,
this Robert Day (Group) / ICA 1,800 acre luxury development project rivals
and in my opinion, exceeds some of the best Hawaii has to serve up,
with it's Jack Nicklaus Ocean and Tom Weiskopf Desert courses,
well you just have to see it to believe it.
Palmilla Resort, owned
by Goldman Sacs and operated by Troon out of Scottsdale www.palmillaresort.com and finally, Querencia, where they even grew the grass in Palm Springs
for the exacting standards of the Tom Fazio course: www.loscaboquerencia.com.
As you might expect, there is a 'Small Luxury Hotels of the World'
designation saved for one very special little hotel tucked away in old
San José, namely Casa Natalia and their
award winning restaurant Mi
Cocina: www.casanatalia.com.
When Spanish architecture, the soft and charming Mexican culture,
the ideal weather (average 82ºF / 28ºC) all blend together, it is sheer
perfection. When your eyes feast on the landscape and the whales
frolicking in the distance amid an orange, red and purple
tequila sunrise or sunset... when all these elements come together, it
is simply magical. Is it too late you might ask to get in on this
new found bliss? Have
you missed the BOOM? - no, but like Hawaii and Florida in the 50's and 60's, newly discovered pieces
of paradise at seemingly low
prices, never last forever, they just keep
escalating. A sound investment,
well you be the judge after a tour of some of these sites and
ultimately a trip down to Los Cabos. I think you'll agree with this writer, along with those
who have long since discovered this place before me and who now call Los
Cabos - The Mexican Riviera - paradise found and for some - home...
shhhh let's
keep it an ESCAPE secret between friends.
PS: Baja Drive and Todo Santos
For the more
adventurous - do the drive of a lifetime - do the Baja! It's rich with
history, where the desert and sun kisses the sea and mission churches
(some 300 years old) reach for the heavens. Yes it is safe, truly - no
worries, it's like driving a US two lane black top. Don't drive after
dark, it's hard to see free roaming black cows even with a million stars
of light in a ink blue sky. Some people blast down in 20 hours straight.
We did it, taking in one of the 'Top 10 Drives of the World' (Conde Nast
Traveler) in three awe-inspiring days. Over a 1,000 miles of desolate,
wide open road from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas awaits you. Just be sure
to stay well topped up with gas.
The first 10 hour leg will get you to
San Ignacio, turn your watches ahead an hour, now you are in Baja
California Sur and one of the only Oasis's on the Baja. Stay in a unique
Mongolian Urt at the Oasis Springs B & B run by the friendliest of
Canadians. The next day will have you traversing East over and through
the mountains, stop briefly in Santa Rosalia and Mulegé and marvel at
the deserted beaches and turquoise waters of Bahía Concepcíon, but make
your way to Loreto and aim for the Iguana Inn: www.iguanainn.com,
it's cool, clean and close to the beaches, shops and restaurants. On
your third day, expect another 4-6 hours of driving
depending on whether
or not you stop in La Paz or Todo Santos before arriving at your final
destination, Land's End and a refreshing dip in the Sea of Cortez.
Whether driving the Baja or already there - Todo Santos is a must visit, if only to lower your blood pressure. One small main street & three blocks deep, dotted with artists and tiny curio shops along with as much love and spirit as you'll find anywhere. People gather from all four corners of the globe, some liken it to Carmel, others, Saltspring Island, or Murin County, wherever you come from you will go away having been touched by it's unique and special charm. It is a quite, happy place to stop, maybe to even overnight and soak up the energy as located on the Tropic of Cancer. The Sante Fe restaurant is a very cool & even elegant place for a courtyard lunch or dinner. B&B's abound along with the peaceful Todo Santos Inn and the soon to open Hotel California (Yes of Eagles fame, myth or not, it's owner John Stewart will capture & stimulate your imagination for you to return home with stories of your own).
My favorite spot has to be Posada, La Poza: www.lapoza.com on the edge of this palmed oasis sits a slice of heaven. It is where, 150 different variety of birds come to nest by the lagoon and any who seek this hard to find boutique hotel, 
imaginative restaurant & stunning gallery, will attest to three hypnotizing sounds, the birds, the waves of the pacific and ahhhh yes...silence. Run like a well oiled but ever so inviting Swiss clock Juerg & Libusche Wiesendanger, provide a gracious welcome & honest retreat, a hide-away resort to truly escape and unwind. They will tempt you with superb dinners and a lunch like ours, where we sipped on a perfect Sangria, munched on homemade chips and super salsa, followed by smoked tuna flutes in mini tacos on a bed of organic greens and a velvety smooth fettuccini in truffle oil con pollo, topped off by an ever so light Sabayone over fresh berries. One of seven simply designed rooms, ideal for spectacular sunset watching, with traditional Mexican furnishings which also include mini-bar, ice cold air conditioning & CD player, if you want your own choice of sounds, await you. Indulge in a soothing massage under the palms, have a siesta and dream of sweet nothings...Posada La Poza quitely beckons.
There are simply too
many accommodation alternatives to list by name. My recommendation is to
visit Cabo Vacations: www.cometocabo.com and they'll find your place in the sun. They have a wide variety
of beach front condos,
resorts and villas $125 to $3,000 a night. Mexico is now a major international vacation destination, be it Cancun,
Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Mazatlan or Los Cabos, so don't expect
bargain basement prices of twenty years ago. If you are looking for a
cheap and cheerful 'all inclusive' holiday, call your travel agent for
their best bets on air and hotel packages. When traveling, it is important that you find the best prices on flights to Mexico by searching multiple airlines, too.
US currency is readily
accepted, at the time of this writing, was approximately 9.5 Peso to the
dollar. Now you've been
bitten by the Baja bug - the symptoms are painless, the memories will
last forever. Airfare to Los Cabos
Hoteles Acapulco Hoteles todo incluido Acapulco y en destinos turísticas en Mexico
More pictures - San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos and the Baha Peninsula.
Mexico Vacation Villas in: Acapulco
Vacaciones México, viajes con descuento, Hoteles Cancun, Hoteles Puerto Vallarta
Hoteles de la playa en Acapulco México, reservación de hoteles, paquetes de viajes en Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, México D.F. y Mazatlán Sinaloa.
| Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
| Cancun
& the Mayan Riviera
| Puerto
Vallarta & Punta Mita
| Los
Cabos
| Huatulco
The author, Philip Barrington can be contacted at: philip@cpbw.net