To a Tee: Summer 2022 Golf Deals and Discounts in Los Cabos

It’s no secret that Los Cabos is one of the world’s great golf destinations, with well over a dozen world-class courses (18 to be exact, including 3 which have ranked in the world’s 100 best) from a who’s who of legendary players and designers, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, and Davis Love III.

But golf in Los Cabos also has its complicating factors. Many of the best local courses are associated with luxury resorts or real estate developments, and thus may be private or difficult for visitors to access. Others are just downright expensive, costing upwards of $300 per person for a single round.

With these factors in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best courses this summer which are publicly playable – that is, open to anyone, regardless of whether you’re staying in a resort, villa, or vacation rental – but that are also attractive in terms of deals or discounts. These five courses listed below won’t break the bank, in other words, allowing destination golfers to play as often as they like without worrying about the budgetary consequences. But despite the affordability of play, all five offer exceptional playing conditions and breathtaking views.

And since summer is the season when Los Cabos’  best golf courses schedule maintenance, we’ve added some notes on the maintenance schedule at these five courses so you won’t schedule a round on a day when, for example, the back nine is closed for the aeration of greens.

Cabo Real Golf Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates as low as $125 per person. Questro Golf, of which Cabo Real is a member, also offers multi-day discount packages which allow play at Cabo Real, Club Campestre, and Puerto Los Cabos.

Maintenance Notes: Closed June 27 – 28 and Sept. 19 – 20 for aeration of greens.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. helped to put Los Cabo on the golfing map in 1996, when television cameras picked up whales breaching near seaside greens in a Senior Slam at his newly designed Cabo Real course. Cabo Real is now one of three local courses managed by Questro Golf (Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos are the others). Questro offers excellent two, three and five round passes, which allow guests to sample all of these golfing treasures at reasonable rates.

Cabo San Lucas Country Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates from as low as $70 per person. Driving range is open in the evenings, with $20 specials for buckets of beer and balls.

Maintenance Dates: The front nine will be closed for maintenance June 21 to July 11 and Aug. 30; Back nine closed July 12 – 31, Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.

Don’t let the name fool you. This long-time local favorite, originally called Campo de Carlos when it opened back in 1994 as a collaborative design between Roy Dye and his son Matt, is open to the public. Damage from Tropical Storm Lidia in 2017 necessitated a facelift, which was unveiled by renowned Mexican golf course architect Agustín Pizá in 2018. This is the only area course with views of Land’s End, and its driving range, which is open at night, is an attraction in its own right.

Puerto Los Cabos

Greens Fees:  Summer rates as low as $150 per person for single rounds. Discounted multi-day packages are available through Questro Golf.

Maintenance Dates: There are three nine-hole layouts here which can be put together as 18-hole courses. So even during maintenance days full 18-hole rounds are available.

For 10 years, the luxury Puerto Los Cabos development just outside San Jose del Cabo hosted the world’s only collaborative design between champions turned designers Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. The plan all along was for the two nine-hole efforts to be expanded into their own 18-hole layouts. Norman has yet to design the second nine for his course–he’s been too busy with Rancho San Lucas, his drop-dead design on the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas–but Nicklaus did return to finish his original conception, with the now 18-hole course debuting in 2018. So for now, anyway, golfers have access to 27 beautiful holes, including the most recent nine unveiled by Nicklaus. Norman’s par-3 6th hole, however, remains the most memorable hole, with an elevated (very elevated!) tee box that shows off miles of magnificent coastline.

Club Campestre

Greens Fees: Single day rates starting at $100. Discounted multi-day passes available through Grupo Questro.

Maintenance Dates:  Club Campestre will be closed Aug. 29 – 30 for aeration of greens.

Club Campestre, one of six Jack Nicklaus designs in Los Cabos, opened in 2007 in the heart of San Jose del Cabo, with a location not far from the Los Cabos International Airport. But although Club Campestre is the first course likely to be glimpsed by new arrivals, the only way to truly get to know this 6,966-yard gem is by playing it. The course features many signature Nicklaus elements, from abundant bunkering and sloping fairways to undulating multi-tiered greens. Yes, this course has teeth. It also, of course, has spectacular views…not only of the Sea of Cortez, but the foothills of the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range that runs up the center of the peninsula between Los Cabos and La Paz. As at many Los Cabos courses, the fairways are covered with seashore papsalum, a disease resistant tropical grass that fares well in local conditions.

Palmilla Golf Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates from as low as $130 per person.

Maintenance Dates: Like Puerto Los Cabos, Palmilla has 27 holes (3 nine-hole layouts), so even during maintenance days on one of them, full 18-hole rounds are available.

Palmilla was the first truly ambitious golf course in Los Cabos, and the first of Nicklaus’ many memorable designs in the area. It was Southern California real estate magnate Don Koll, who owned the Palmilla Resort at the time (before it acquired the One&Only imprimatur), who convinced the Golden Bear to take on the challenge. And boy did he! Like Puerto Los Cabos, Palmilla Golf Club offers 27 holes of world-class golf, allowing destination golfers to pick and choose their favorite 18-hole experience from the 9-hole layouts they like best. Nicklaus completed the Mountain and Arroyo portions in 1992, returning to add the stunning 9-hole Ocean layout in 1999.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit: Questro Golf

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5

Gay Pride Parade – June 19

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 22 – 26

Cabo Cocktail Festival at Comal – Jun. 23 – 25

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament – Jul. 20 – 24

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

IRONMAN Los Cabos  70.3 – Nov. 6

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Summer Catch: Seasonal Fishing Tournaments on the East Cape of Los Cabos

When most people think of Los Cabos, the images that spring to mind are probably of cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. After all, these are the most popular tourist destinations, home to the most luxurious resorts and vacation rentals … not to mention the biggest activities and adventure tour operators, and the highest profile events.

The East Cape of Los Cabos, by contrast, is less well known, less developed, and as a consequence, less traveled. But among long-time visitors to the region, the East Cape holds a special affection. Because it is less developed, the East Cape for many is a reminder of the “Old Cabo”, a glimpse of what the region used to be like in decades past. And the East Cape truly is pristinely, picturesquely beautiful, with gorgeous beaches – many of which are virtually free of people – and an incredible array of world-class outdoor activities, from surfing and windsports to fishing and diving,

When it comes to fishing,  for instance, the East Cape is an amazing destination, with its share of notable fishing tournaments. Granted,  the East Cape slate of events is certainly less publicized than those in Cabo San Lucas, but  during the summer months, the East Cape is actually the site of many more tournaments … several of which have very impressive prize pools.

With that in mind, here are four East Cape tournament events that sporting fishermen and women should definitely have on their radar for summer 2022:

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 16

This is one of the largest fishing tournaments in Southern Baja, with an average turnout of 130 teams each year. What makes it so popular? The opportunity to win a brand new, fully-loaded 2022 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck, of course. The rules are simple, catch the biggest dorado on July 16th and you win the truck. There will also be great prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, as well as for the largest tuna and largest wahoo caught that day. The beauty of this one-day tournament format is that anyone can win. After the tournament, Palmas De Cortez in Los Barriles will host the award ceremony, which is unlike any in Baja, with dinner, music, a raffle, and more. The combined cash and prizes here are expected to top $200,000 in 2022.

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – July 20 – 24

The name doesn’t lie. Only lady anglers are eligible to participate (in teams of up to four) in this two-day fishing tournament hosted by Palmas de Cortez…although captains and deckhands can be men. The first version of this tournament was held in 2019 – and was a rousing success, as was the second iteration in 2021. The entry fee is $200 per team, with points awarded according to the species of fish reeled in. Billfish (200 pts.) and roosterfish (100 pts.) are catch and release, with photo verification. Tuna, wahoo, dorado, amberjack and jack crevalle are all worth 100 points, assuming they meet minimum weight standards. The winning team nets a return trip for the entire team, including a four nights accommodation package at Palmas de Cortez, with two days of standard cruiser fishing. Prizes for the runner-up teams (2nd and 3rd place) will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2 – 6

The East Cape Offshore kicks off Bisbee’s 2022 series starting August 2nd. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. Base entry for the event is $1,500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($32,000 “across the board”). Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers. For first-timers, each tournament in the Bisbee’s series has an Early Bird Drawing. The winner of the drawing gets a free entry to the following year’s tournament. To be eligible the paid entry (base entry only) must be received by the Early Bird Deadline (June 30th, 2022 for the ECO). Last year’s prize pool exceeded 1.5 million dollars.

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 20

Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 20th will earn one lucky fisherman a showroom fresh 2022 Volkswagen Polo. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are expected to be up for grabs, including great raffle prizes, return trips, fishing outings, and much more. The entry fee is only $500 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit: Hotel Palmas de Cortez

Upcoming Events Calendar

May

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

Country Fest Los Cabos – May 4 – 7

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 5, 12, 19, 26

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 22 – 26

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament – Jul. 20 – 24

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Celebration of a City: Art Walk and the Traditional Fiestas of San Jose del Cabo

The Covid pandemic has not produced any lasting damage to tourism in Los Cabos. In fact, as we’ve detailed in our “Los Cabos by the Numbers” series in recent months, thanks to increased flights and strong U.S. visitation the region has not just regained but surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic tourism levels.

It’s a rather remarkable story, really. But despite the strong recovery of the tourism sector at large, there is one area that has continued to lag behind: events. The reasons are obvious, of course. Cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have never wavered in their commitment to the health and safety of tourists and residents alike, remaining at the forefront of all Mexican destinations in terms of pandemic-related protocols, testing, and vaccination programs.

Social distancing has been an important component of these protocols, naturally, and as a consequence the principles of social distancing have affected every business and every public space in the region, from bars and restaurants to boats and beaches. Depending on the existing “system alert level” put in place each week by local authorities in response to the ongoing Covid crisis, businesses or public areas can accommodate only so many people relative to their available space to ensure the safety of guests.

For events, then, the health and safety protocols have been difficult in the extreme to navigate. Events by their very nature are “public gatherings”, and thus pose a challenge to social distancing protocols. Some prominent local events, like fishing and golf tournaments, have scarcely skipped a beat since they have a natural, built-in social distancing component. But other types of events, from food festivals to music concerts, have struggled to return. The ability to bounce back, thus far – despite the very positive signs that point toward a complete pandemic recovery in the future – have been contingent upon the ability of events to work within the existing, often variable, health and safety framework.

Golf and fishing tournaments, as mentioned, have been able to thrive within these parameters. So too have some cultural events, so long as they’ve conformed to health and safety standards established for businesses and public spaces. For instance, the return in 2021 of popular, ongoing, regularly-scheduled cultural festivals like Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo and Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas. These events have, since their return a year ago, consistently offered lively, fun-filled showcases for local art and culture, and have been gratefully welcomed back by residents and visitors alike.

Downtown San Jose del Cabo, after all, is rarely livelier or more beautiful than during Art Walk. Perhaps this is because Art Walk is, at heart, a celebration of San Jose del Cabo itself. The city comes alive in a different way on Thursday evenings during Art Walk season (November through June).

The Gallery District, home to dozens of art galleries and studios, is the center of Art Walk, and remains the primary focus, as gallery owners and artists stay open late to interact with visitors. But the entire downtown area of the city glows with lights and pulses with energy. The town square, Plaza Mijares, becomes an outdoor gallery for street artists and craftspeople, with their wares laid out for all to see. The old Catholic church, Parroquia San Jose, is open for those who want to visit a more traditional site for art and culture than local galleries. City Hall, with its colorful courtyard murals depicting great moments in local and national history, also beckons those on an informal walking tour of the heart of the city.

Indeed, it’s not too extravagant to say that not only is Art Walk a tradition in San Jose del Cabo, it’s a profoundly important cultural and historical institution.

But it isn’t the only local event of such cultural importance. In fact, there’s an annual event, or series of events actually, that are even more of a showcase for the city’s heritage and history. That would be the fiestas tradicionales, which after a two-year Covid related absence are making (health situation permitting) their much awaited return on March 17 – 20, 2022.

For tourists, and particularly U.S. born visitors, here’s the necessary background to know: During the Spanish colonial period, many towns in Baja California and elsewhere in Mexico and Latin America were named according to the Catholic calendar. San Jose del Cabo’s first Spanish name, for instance, was San Bernabe, so named by Sebastian Vizcaino when he landed there on June 11, 1602, during the traditional Catholic feast day for Saint Barnabas. San Bernabe replaced Añuití, the name given to the place by the indigenous Pericues, and was itself later replaced by San Jose del Cabo, the name of the Jesuit mission that opened in 1730.

The city’s fiestas tradicionales, or fiestas patronales (as the patron saint festivals are typically known in Spanish), have in past years encompassed a week or more of celebrations, including parades, live music, regional food and drinks (the ceviche preparation contest was an annual highlight), plus the coronation of an event king and queen. These festivities invariably culminated on March 19, the official feast day of Saint Joseph.

This year, the festivities will actually conclude on the 20th, the day following the feast day of Saint Joseph. And instead of a week of parties, there will be four days. And instead of abundant music and food, it’s expected that these elements of the celebration will be more moderately represented, with enhanced focus on literary contests like the Juegos Florales, which rewards compositions about the founding of the mission, and the importance of Saint Joseph in the foundation of the city.

The most important thing to note, of course, is that these events dedicated to the cultural history and identity of San Jose del Cabo are back, and their return marks another important step forward in the recovery of Los Cabos. It’s yet another indicator that Los Cabos as a destination, and the world at large, are slowly and gradually regaining a much needed sense of normalcy.

That’s the big picture. For visitors and local residents, it just means more fiestas to enjoy during 2022! So continue to mark Thursdays on your event calendar for Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo, Fridays for Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas, and circle March 17 – 20 for the triumphant return of the Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit: The Official Art Walk San Jose del Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 17 – 20

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

May

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 6, 13, 20, 27

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

Hooked On Cabo:  First Look at Top Fishing Tournaments in Los Cabos in 2022

There are still 287 days left until the 2022 edition of Bisbee’s Black and Blue, the “World’s Richest Fishing Tournament” and the marquee event held annually in Los Cabos.

But some of the other top fishing tournaments come sooner…and in any case, it’s never too early to start making plans to go destination fishing. Particularly when the tournaments offer such an impressive range of cash and prizes.

With that in mind, here’s an early look at some of the top tournaments on the 2022 fishing tournament calendar in Los Cabos.

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out – July 16th, 2022

This is one of the largest fishing tournaments in Southern Baja, with an average turnout of 130 teams each year. What makes it so popular? The opportunity to win a brand new, fully-loaded 2022 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck, of course. The rules are simple, catch the biggest dorado on July 16th and you win the truck. There will also be great prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, as well as for the largest tuna and largest wahoo caught that day. The beauty of this one-day tournament format is that anyone can win. After the tournament, Palmas De Cortez in Los Barriles will host the award ceremony, which is unlike any in Baja, with dinner, music, a raffle, and more. The combined jackpot prizes here typically average $130,000. Entry is $600 per team.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2nd to 6th, 2022

The East Cape Offshore is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2022 series starting August 2nd. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista. In 2021, a record 97 teams competed for $1,582,975. The 97 teams beat the previous year’s record of 72 by 25, while the ECO topped the previous year’s record payout by nearly half a million dollars. Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($32,000 “across the board”). Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers. For first-timers, each tournament in the Bisbee’s series has an Early Bird Drawing. The winner of the drawing gets a free entry to the following year’s tournament. To be eligible the paid entry (base entry only) must be received by the Early Bird Deadline (June 30th, 2022 for the ECO).

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 20th, 2022

Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 21st will earn one lucky fisherman a showroom fresh 2022 Volkswagen Polo. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are expected to be up for grabs, including great raffle prizes, return trips, fishing outings, and much more. The entry fee is only $600 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – October 16th to 20th, 2022

 Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in Mexico, October is the month of the fishing tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Bisbee’s two cash-rich tournaments–the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue–get most of the publicity, but the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament also sends out a siren call to big-game fishermen eager for big-money prizes and jackpots. Team Sneak Attack led by owner Shawn Guttersen and captain Vicente Bojorquez captured first place and the largest marlin jackpot in the 2021 LCBT, as well as an invitation to Quepos for the Costa Offshore World Championship to go along with the cool $498,140, in prize money, after bagging a 554 lb. black marlin. The latter wasn’t quite as big as the 593 lb. black marlin that won Team El Suertudo top honors in 2020, but considering it only took a single day (due to weather conditions) for Sneak Attack to top last year’s winning check of 344,700, no one was complaining! Base entry in 2022 is $5,000 per team, or 25,000 all-in, across-the-board for all jackpots and prizes.

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – October 20th to 23rd, 2022

 Commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the “Big Bisbee’s” Black & Blue marlin fishing tournament that also takes place each October in Los Cabos, the Los Cabos Offshore dates back to 2002, and is considered a more laid-back, charity focused endeavor than the Black & Blue…despite the massive payouts on the line. In 2021, for example, 187 teams competed for $1,965,200, smashing the previous marks of 128 teams and $1,457,000 in payouts. Cash prizes are awarded to the teams with the three biggest qualifying fish in the game and billfish categories at the LCO, and large amounts of fish/meals are always donated to local families in need. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $22,500 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges. The Early Bird Deadline for the LCO this year is August 31st.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 25th to 29th, 2022

 Oft billed as “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament,” thanks to its million dollar payouts, this marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981, and remains to this day the highest profile annual event in Los Cabos. If you wonder why, consider the 2021 tournament, when the 2020 records of 127 teams for $4.6 million were completely obliterated as 198 teams competed for the $9,725,000 in cash on the line. Base entry for this millionaire maker is $5,000 U.S. per team, and requires a $71,500 U.S. outlay across all categories, jackpots and challenges. Prizes are awarded for the top five catches of black and blue marlin, assuming they meet the minimum standards (300 lbs.). Early Bird Deadline this year, as for the LCO, is August 31st.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  East Cape Dorado Shoot Out

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 6, 13, 20, 27

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

5 Reasons Your New Year’s Resolution for 2022 Should Be to Spend More Time in Los Cabos

It’s that time of year again: resolution season. Each year in January, as soon as the last New Year’s Eve firework has exploded and the last Champagne bottle has been popped, people’s thoughts inevitably begin turning to New Year’s resolutions.

Often such resolutions are aspirational ideas like “join a gym,” a perfectly understandable sentiment, by the way, after the many dinners and celebrations that traditionally characterize the holiday season. Of course resolutions should be geared towards making our lives healthier and more enjoyable, and rededicating ourselves in that direction is always salutary.

But resolutions can also be a bit more ambitious, a bit bolder than simply deciding to work out a few more times each week. Resolutions are in essence a way to refocus on the big picture. What are the things we care most about? What are the things that bring the greatest amount of joy into our lives? Where do we feel the happiest?

The latter question actually opens up an entire new field when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Instead of “join a gym” it could be “spend more time on the beach”; or, more specifically, “spend more time in Los Cabos.”

With its year-round sunshine and diverse geography – ocean, beach, desert and mountains – Los Cabos offers world-class conditions for virtually every outdoor sport imaginable. So if getting in shape is your focus, there are few better places on Earth to do so.

But the wonder of cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and the reason this is such a magical idea for a resolution, is that they also offer so much more…

Which is why, for many people, this is their happy place. Perhaps in 2022, it will become your happy place as well.

With that in mind, here are five of our favorite reasons for spending as much time as possible in Los Cabos in 2022.

Amazing Golf

Los Cabos is home to an astounding 18 golf courses, including world-class layouts from big-name designers like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Davis Love III. Norman’s course at Rancho San Lucas is the newest to open, followed by Robert Trent Jones Jr’s Costa Palmas Golf Club on the Los Cabos municipality’s East Cape. But with the exception of Vidanta, whose 9-hole layout is a throwback to an earlier era, the remaining 17 courses all offer an incredible destination experience, with world-class golf and magnificent views of ocean, beaches, mountains and desert.

Amazing Fishing

Cabo San Lucas as a tourist destination was built on big-game sport fishing, and although conditions are good for his premier local attraction on a year-round basis, summer and fall are the best seasons to get your hooks into massive billfish like blue and black marlin. That’s why the big-money tournaments are all scheduled during these two seasons. Don’t want to participate in a tournament? Just charter a boat for a day…or half-day. Virtually every local restaurant offers “you hook it, we cook it” specials and will prepare your catch any way you like it.

Amazing Vacation Rentals

Whether you’re traveling with that special someone, with your kids, with extended family, or with a group of friends for a destination golf or fishing trip, vacation rentals in Los Cabos offer far more options than resorts in terms of finding the right fit. For a couple, perhaps an ocean view penthouse condo is the perfect choice. For a family or larger groups, perhaps a beachfront home is preferred, or a luxury villa with commanding Land’s End views. With vacation rentals, it’s not just the size that’s optional, but the amenities and the location…which can be tailored to your personal vacation plans. Which is why discerning travelers always opt for luxury villas or vacation rentals over resorts. The privacy and security are nice, too.

Amazing Dining Experiences

The Los Cabos culinary scene has grown exponentially since the early days of tourism in the region some 50 years ago. Back then, fine dining was something of a foreign concept. Freshly caught seafood and a few regional Mexican specialty dishes were standard dinner fare after a day spent fishing or beachcombing. In today’s Los Cabos, both the dining and activities options are decidedly more cosmopolitan. Los Cabos has not forgotten its roots – the region’s thriving farm-to-table scene, for example, is premised on fresh local ingredients – but it has allowed those roots to spread far and wide. What has emerged is a world-class culinary destination that boasts acclaimed chefs and creative fusions, as well as the fish tacos and Damiana margaritas that long-time Los Cabos regulars know and love.

Amazing Beaches

Los Cabos has more blue flag beaches (22) than any other destination in Mexico, and blue flags are notable for ensuring a host of services and amenities like bathrooms, handicap access, informative signs, etc. But if all you’re looking for is a wide swath of golden sand, the opportunities then become endless. That’s the way it goes when you have more than 100 miles of coastline – as the Los Cabos municipality does – and the sun shines more than 350 days a year. Enjoy it! Pack a towel, lather on a little sunblock, and feel the Cabo vibes wash over you. You’re in your happy place!

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Visit Los Cabos

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 6, 13, 20, 27

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

What’s Happening in the New Year 2022:  January Events in Los Cabos

Even before the champagne bottles pop and the fireworks explode over Medano Beach, expectations are already high for what the New Year will bring to always sunny Los Cabos.

Despite travel concerns over the latest Covid variant, Los Cabos has already regained and exceeded pre-pandemic tourist numbers with a simple formula: safety first, last and always.  Los Cabos was the first Pacific destination to receive the Travel Safety Stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council, and continues to lead the way among all Mexican tourist destinations with its forward-thinking health and safety guidelines.

Luckily, safety and fun aren’t mutually exclusive.

Large-scale events are still in hiatus as 2022 dawns, but smaller events –particularly those with a built-in social distancing element, like golf or fishing tournaments – continue to be held, with often spectacular results. After another record shattering season for Bisbee’s fishing tournaments, for example, golf season now tees off with the upcoming Los Cabos Pro-Am in January.

Cultural events also continue to be a popular activities option for visitors, none more so than the weekly art-focused to-dos in each of the cape cities: Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo, and Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas. Todos Santos, a popular day-trip destination from Los Cabos, also beckons with its series of annual cultural events celebrating, music, literature, art and cinema.

And, of course, there’s the biggest event of them all – whale watching – which is in peak season throughout January.

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27

The historic Gallery District in San Jose del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season–November through June–when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m., when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis.

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Art Walk may be the premier weekly cultural event in San Jose del Cabo, but Viva La Plaza holds that distinction in Cabo San Lucas. Held each Friday evening from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Land’s End city’s principal plaza – Plaza Amelia Wilkes – this weekly showcase lures visitors with regional paintings and handicrafts, artfully arrayed around the recently renovated square’s charming central gazebo. Live music and traditional Mexican dance are also big draws, as are food stalls featuring tasty Mexican favorites.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 9th to 13th

The Los Cabos Pro-Am, long a fixture on the regional golf calendar, has seen some changes this year…and they’re good! The tournament had been split up into two separate events last year, each on acclaimed local layouts – at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol. This year, the two courses are both included in the same tournament. The action begins with two rounds at the Tom Weiskopf designed Desert Course at Cabo del Sol, and concludes with a final round at Twin Dolphin, a design collaboration by Todd Eckenrode and legendary player and former Masters Champion Fred Couples that premiered in 2018. Teams consist of 5 players – 4 amateurs and one pro – with participants competing in a best ball format over 54 holes for daily and overall prizes (for both teams and pros). Entry fees include luxurious accommodation packages at local resorts.

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series – January 12th to 16th

Former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck pioneered jam culture in Todos Santos with this acclaimed music festival, which brought in high-profile musicians for performances at the landmark Hotel California, as well as the town’s picturesque main plaza. Buck’s festival went on hiatus after he made some controversial comments about local politics at the 2016 event, but his musical legacy lives on. The annual Tropic of Cancer Concert Series premiered in 2017 and, after a pandemic hiatus in 2021, returns for its sixth anniversary in 2022. This year’s festival is sponsored by Baja Brewing Company, and boasts an all-star lineup featuring Mother Hips, Susto, Cordovas, Holy Spirits, The Jag, La Victoria, The Charities, and many others.
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30th to Feb. 5th; Feb. 7th to 11th

Best known for its painters, Todos Santos has also proved a congenial community for writers. The 9th annual writers workshop returns to the atmospheric Casa Dracula–an historic 19th century hacienda–where creative writers are encouraged with seminars and speakers, publishing roundtables, and a variety of craft workshops that focus on fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry and other literary genres. A second weeklong session is optional for those who want to dig deeper or explore an alternative writing genre, and special online sessions are also available. Instructors for this year’s workshops include Natalie Serber (fiction), Jeanne McCulloch (memoir), Karen Karbo (memoir), Christopher Merrill (poetry) and Rex Weiner (writing strategies for getting started or “unstuck”).

Whale Watching Season  – Mid-December to Mid-April

Each winter some 5,000 to 10,000 blue, gray, humpback and other whales migrate from their arctic feeding grounds to breed in the shallow water coves and inlets of beautiful Baja California Sur. In this regard these leviathans of the deep are very much like the snowbirds who flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo to escape frigid winter temperatures in the U.S. and Canada. The only real difference–aside from the obvious anatomical ones–is one of scale. The longest mammalian migration ever recorded was in 2014, when a gray whale dubbed Varvara traveled over 14,000 miles round-trip from Russia to Cabo San Lucas. Humpbacks, however, are the most commonly seen whale in Los Cabos waters. The season officially starts on December 15th and extends through mid-April, with a variety of tour options available.

Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Season – Mid-November to Mid-March

Each winter, from mid-November through mid-March, strong El Norte winds blow hundreds of miles down the Sea of Cortés, creating ideal wind and kite surfing conditions in many coastal areas of Baja California Sur. During this yearly breezy season, small East Cape communities like Los Barriles and La Ventana become meccas for world-class kitesurfers, kiteboarders and windsurfers, who flock to regional beaches for a chance to grab big air over offshore waves.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  The Official Art Walk San Jose del Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

December

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 5, 12, 19, 26

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 6, 13, 20, 27

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 2 – 6

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – Oct. 20 – 23

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

Los Cabos Destination Golf Spotlight: Dunes Course at Diamante Once Again Named to GOLFMagazine’s ‘Top 100 Courses in the World’ List

It’s official. Los Cabos is once again garnering plaudits for its world-class golf courses.

In this case, the honoree is The Dunes Course at Diamante, which GOLF Magazine has selected for inclusion on its prestigious ‘Top 100 Courses in the World’ list for 2021 – 2022, as featured in the publication’s most recent issue.

Chosen from a ballot of nearly 500 golf courses worldwide, the Dunes Course at Diamante, which landed on GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 list shortly after its debut in 2010, now stands at No. 98, an indication of how competitive the international category has become.

 Designed by PGA Tour star and former Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III, with assistance from his brother Mark Love and architect Paul Cowley, Diamante (Dunes) is unlike any other venue in Los Cabos. Located 15 minutes north of downtown Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Peninsula’s Pacific coast, the 7,022-yard, par-71 Dunes Course, centerpiece of a 1,500-acre private resort community, is a windswept, lay-of-the-land creation that rambles through 50-foot-high sand hills and skirts huge blowout bunkers on its journey to and from the sea. Fairways, tees and greens are carved into huge Sahara-like dunes set above the sea, where breaching whales are a common sight during the winter months. Five sets of tees, three of them rated for women, provide admirable versatility on the Dunes Course, which is surfaced from tee to green in sustainable, salt-tolerant paspalum grass.

“Diamante’s free-form architecture rests gently on the land, and the absence of any hard lines let the golfer’s eye soak in the delightful contrast between the dazzling Pacific Ocean, the dunescape and the emerald playing surfaces,” the magazine reported. “The Dunes’ random green contours are noteworthy as is the construction technique that left micro-undulations in the fairways. Spectacular ocean views sometimes come with the price of cold and damp playing conditions but not here.” A breezy, links-style layout, the Dunes Course resembles golf in Ireland–only 30 degrees warmer.

Refinements and routing alterations have greatly improved the club’s golf experience. For example, two seaside holes, the current 12th and 13th, each sculpted from vast rolling dunes within earshot of the surf, were built to replace inland predecessors. The mammoth 590-yard par-5 18th, previously the 17th, offers multiple landing areas and calls for a lofted approach to a shelf-like green perched 50 feet above the fairway. It provides a memorable finish to the round.

According to Ran Morrissett, the magazine’s architecture editor, “GOLF’s 107 raters spread across the globe, dealt with Covid restrictions to deliver a comprehensive review of the game’s elite venues. The result is what we feel is the smartest vote on architecture among the myriad media outlets that also rate courses…if you look closely at the list, you’ll notice that what was once considered ‘great’ architecture is taking on a decidedly broader definition.”

Specifically, the panel, whose members include major championship winners, architects, journalists and well-traveled golf aficionados, now places a higher value on “width, strategy, playing angles, enjoyment (and) creativity stemming from ‘bouncy-bounce’ golf.” Built entirely on sand, Diamante (Dunes) has firm, fast-running conditions plus exceptional risk-reward variety.

It’s often said it takes great land to yield a great course. Diamante (Dunes) is the only venue in Mexico on GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World list, a tribute to the topographical uniqueness of the desert-meets-ocean environment in Los Cabos.

Certainly, it’s a must-play challenge for Los Cabos bound destination golfers, along with several other local layouts that have also been lauded on “best of lists”: such as Quivira, Palmilla, Cabo del Sol, and Rancho San Lucas at Grand Solmar, a quartet which claimed half of the Editor’s Choice selections for Golf Digest’s “Best Golf Resorts in Mexico and Central America”.

And since the weather is warm year-round in Los Cabos, even in the midst of winter, there’s no reason you can’t make a tee time right now. It should be noted, of course, that although many of the courses listed above are private, all are playable with some limitations or restrictions (access is quite often restricted to owners, renters and resort guests at the development which hosts the course).

Which means it isn’t just choosing the right golf courses that matters, but also choosing the right villa or vacation rental.

For more information about golf and villa and vacation rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Diamante Cabo San Lucas

Upcoming Events Calendar

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Sabor a Cabo Rural – Dec. 5

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Taco Fest 2021 at Casa Dorada – Dec. 17

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January 2022

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

February 2022

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 30 – Feb. 5; Feb. 7 – 11

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March 2022

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

After a Record-Shattering 2021 Fishing Tournament Season in Los Cabos, Bisbee’s Announces 2022 Dates  

After a record-breaking year in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, all eyes were on Bisbee’s trio of marlin fishing tournaments to smash expectations again in 2021. They did not disappoint, leading the way to the greatest fishing tournament season in Los Cabos history.

The records started falling in the East Cape Offshore in August, when a record 97 teams competed for $1,582,975. The 97 teams beat the previous year’s record of 72 by 25, while the ECO topped the previous year’s record payout by nearly half a million dollars.

But that was only the beginning. Then came the Los Cabos Offshore, where 187 teams competed for $1,965,200, smashing the previous marks of 128 teams and $1,457,000 in payouts.

The big news, however, came in the biggest tournament of them all, the Black and Blue, where the 2020 records of 127 teams for $4.6 million were completely obliterated…blown out of the water by the massive turnout for the 41st edition of the “Super Bowl of Fishing” in 2021: 198 teams, $9,725,000 in cash on the line.

It was a remarkable year, but then again, that seems to be the case every year now with Bisbee’s tournaments, and more great things are looming on the horizon. Here’s an early look at 2022, with the respective dates to save.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2nd to 6th, 2022

 The East Cape Offshore is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2022 series starting August 2nd. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista. Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($32,000 “across the board”). Prize money is based on entry fees received, with 60% going to the billfish winners, and 20% each to top tuna and dorado anglers. For first-timers, each tournament in the Bisbee’s series has an Early Bird Drawing. The winner of the drawing gets a free entry to the following year’s tournament. To be eligible the paid entry (base entry only) must be received by the Early Bird Deadline (June 30th, 2022 for the ECO). The earlier you enter the more chances you have to win, as for each month prior to the deadline that you enter, you will receive an additional chip in the drawing. For example, if you enter 6 months prior you will receive six chips in the drawing. The free entry is good for the following year only and is non-transferable.

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore – October 20th to 23rd, 2022

Commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the “Big Bisbee’s” Black & Blue marlin fishing tournament that also takes place each October in Los Cabos, the Los Cabos Offshore dates back to 2002, and is considered a more laid-back, charity focused endeavor than the Black & Blue…despite the massive payouts on the line. Cash prizes are awarded to the teams with the three biggest qualifying fish in the game and billfish categories at the LCO, and large amounts of fish/meals are always donated to local families in need. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $22,500 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges. The Early Bird Deadline for the LCO this year is August 31st.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 25th to 29th, 2022

Oft billed as “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament,” thanks to its million dollar payouts, this marlin fishing tournament originally premiered in 1981, and remains to this day the highest profile annual event in Los Cabos. Base entry for this millionaire maker is $5,000 U.S. per team, and requires a $71,500 U.S. outlay across all categories, jackpots and challenges. Prizes are awarded for the top five catches of black and blue marlin, assuming they meet the minimum standards (300 lbs.). Early Bird Deadline this year, as for the LCO, is August 31st.

 For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Bisbee’s Offshore Fishing Tournaments

Upcoming Events Calendar

November

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13

Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

Life Luxe Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Nov. 4 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Nov. 26 – 27

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January 2022

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

February 2022

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March 2022

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

Los Cabos by the Numbers: Destination Achieves Full Tourism Recovery with Positive Projections Ahead

Fueled by the destination’s strong vaccination program and strict safety protocols, Los Cabos forecasts to close the year surpassing pre-pandemic tourism levels. It’s an incredibly positive development given the circumstances, as Los Cabos’ business leaders – from the Tourism Board on down – have helped to drive the destination to a complete recovery of travel and tourism activity. In fact, the latest numbers show a 20% growth in tourism arrivals in the last quarter from Jul. – Sep. 2021 when compared to the same period in 2019.

In September 2021, Los Cabos recorded nearly 118,000 international arrivals, making it the most successful September on record, with a 40% increase in international arrivals compared to 2019. To date, Los Cabos is Mexico’s leading destination in tourism recovery, nearly 20 percentage points higher in visitation recovery in September 2021 compared to Mexico’s other top tourism destinations.

As a result of this recovery, the destination has been able to recuperate all of its formal hospitality jobs, which are critical to the tourism sector of Los Cabos. The destination’s commitment to efforts that support the well-being of the community and visitors have been foundational to its successful recovery and capability to offer a safer travel environment. This includes strong COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and community adoption of the destination’s vaccination program, which has led to close to 90% of the population ages 18 and over having received at least one dose to date.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for travel destinations across the world and we are energized to see Los Cabos achieve a full recovery since tourism is at the heart of what we do,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “We will hold tight to the health and safety efforts that got us here. As we head into the holiday season of higher travel activity, it’s our goal to continue to offer the same safer travel environment.”

Looking ahead, there is a 45% increase in scheduled seats from the U.S. to the Los Cabos International Airport over the next six months – November 2021 to April 2022 – when compared to the same timeframe in 2019 – 2020. Forecasted bookings for the final winter months of 2021 are estimated to boost the destination so that it not only reaches but surpasses pre-pandemic levels – an approximate 2.8 million annual visitors. Los Cabos is continuing to see the trend of short booking windows with reservations being made only one month out.

In 2021, Los Cabos travelers have been most interested in a mix of outdoor adventure, luxury and personalized experiences that are environmentally safe and give back to the local community. Going into 2022, the destination expects to continue to see an increase in conscious travelers looking for sustainable and environmentally friendly experiences. This includes activities such as farm-to-table dining and sea turtle preservation programs. Also, all tourists and the local community are encouraged to help maintain, respect and conserve Los Cabos’ 22 Blue Flag-certified beaches – renowned for their superior cleanliness, water quality and security.

Through the year and a half of the pandemic, Los Cabos’ business model – which combines the efforts of the private and public sectors – has proven to be a successful strategy to drive tourism recovery. The collaborative approach between state authorities and tourism partners has allowed the destination to not only quickly respond to the ongoing crisis, but also to identify new streams of business opportunities and niche markets to accommodate the evolving habits of travelers around the world.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Inspirato

Upcoming Events Calendar

October

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 14 – 17

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Oct. 15 – 16

Bisbee’s Black and Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 19 – 23

November

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13

Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

Life Luxe Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Nov. 4 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Nov. 26 – 27

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January 2022

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

February 2022

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March 2022

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

 May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

 

Fairways, Greens & Ocean Blue: Golf Tournaments in Los Cabos in 2022

Fishing and golf are the twin pillars of the Los Cabos sporting calendar. As this article is being written, big-game fishing tournament season is in full swing in Cabo San Lucas, with the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue tournaments all taking place during the month of October.

We’ll have plenty of coverage and recaps of the million dollar plus payouts in what’s shaping up as an historic stretch of fishing tournaments, but this week we’re going to take a quick look ahead at the upcoming golf tournaments slated to take place in Los Cabos in 2022. It’s never too early, after all, to start planning (and perhaps signing up!) for some of these benchmark destination events.

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 9th to 13th, 2022

The Los Cabos Pro-Am, long a fixture on the regional golf calendar, has seen some changes this year…and they’re good! The tournament had been split up into two separate events last year, each on acclaimed local layouts – at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol. This year, the two courses are both included in the same tournament. The action begins with two rounds at the Tom Weiskopf designed Desert Course at Cabo del Sol, and concludes with a final round at Twin Dolphin, a design collaboration by Todd Eckenrode and legendary player and former Masters Champion Fred Couples that premiered in 2018. Teams consist of 5 players – 4 amateurs and one pro – with participants competing in a best ball format over 54 holes for daily and overall prizes (for both teams and pros). Entry fees include luxurious accommodation packages at local resorts.

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 27th to Mar. 1st, 2022

This one’s for the youngsters only, but definitely worth watching and cheering for. Arizona State won the 2020 Cabo Collegiate by 8 strokes, besting Texas A&M on the spectacular Tom Fazio designed course at Querencia, one of the most exclusive and acclaimed private courses in Los Cabos. Who’ll win in 2022 (due to travel restrictions, the 2021 tournament was hosted in the U.S.) when the setting shifts to the even more exclusive and acclaimed Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol, a Jack Nicklaus designed masterpiece that has been a staple of world top 100 rankings for over two decades? Too early to guess, but over 15 top teams from U.S. universities will compete in the three round event, including defending champion Oklahoma, Cal and Stanford, Ole Miss and Florida State, as well as former tournament champions Arizona State and Oklahoma State.

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15th to 21st, 2022

Premier Golf specializes in destination golf experiences, and the pro-am tournament they’ve put together in Cabo San Lucas next year checks all the desired boxes. Not only are participating golfers treated to five days of golf (four rounds of tournament play and one practice round), plus a cocktail party and awards ceremony where prizes are announced, the course list they get to enjoy includes amazing layouts at Quivira, Cabo del Sol, Cabo Real and Puerto Los Cabos. Jack Nicklaus’ Pacific Coast masterpiece at Quivira has been lauded with awards since it opened in 2014, and Nicklaus’ course at Puerto Los Cabos is likewise considered one of the very best in Mexico. 1973 Open Championship winner Tom Weiskopf designed the Desert Course at Cabo del Sol, and although sometimes overshadowed by Nicklaus’ nearby Ocean Course, it showcases breathtaking desert, mountain and ocean views. Robert Trent Jones Jr.’ s course at Cabo Real, meanwhile, effectively put Los Cabos on the golf map when TV cameras captured whales breaching near a seaside green during a 1996 PGA Senior Slam event.

For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

Photo credit:  Nicklaus Design

Upcoming Events Calendar

October

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 14 – 17

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Oct. 15 – 16

Bisbee’s Black and Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 19 – 23

November

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13

Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

Life Luxe Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Nov. 4 – 8

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Nov. 26 – 27

December

Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31

January 2022

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13

Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16

February 2022

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1

March 2022

Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21