4 Unforgettable “Only in Cabo” Experiences Everyone Should Try at Least Once

Every destination worth its salt offers at least a few signature experiences, adventures or indulgences that–whether through microclimate, accident of geography, or endemic flora and fauna–are only found there. That’s certainly true of Los Cabos. In fact, the hardest part of coming up with an “only in Cabo” checklist of amazing once-in-a-lifetime things to do, is figuring out where to start.

With that in mind, here are four unforgettable experiences every Los Cabos visitor should try at least once.

Marlin Fishing

The region’s charms have multiplied exponentially during the past 50 years, from pampering spas to championship-level golf courses, but fishing remains king. The charter boasts lining the Cabo San Lucas Marina are a testament to this fact. So too are the big-money fishing tournaments that draw anglers from around the world.

One doesn’t necessarily have to earn an over-sized check–literally and figuratively–to establish their local bona fides, although annual tournaments like Bisbee’s Black & Blue have turned more than a few fishermen into legends.

The real prize, however, is the experience itself. Imagine being strapped into the fighting chair on the aft-deck of a fishing boat, matching your strength and cunning against that of some truly incredible undersea creatures. The largest marlin ever caught off Cabo San Lucas weighed in at just over 1000 lbs., but even if you only get your hooks into one half that size, or a quarter of that size, you’ll have an adventure you can talk about for the rest of your life.

Blue, black and striped marlin all teem in the offshore waters, and game fishermen will also delight in reeling in delicious food fish like tuna and dorado (mahi-mahi).

Baja 1000 Style Off-Road Racing

The most famous sporting event in Baja is also the most famous off-road racing event in the world: the legendarily rugged Baja 1000. So devilish and dangerous was this annual off-road competition through the untamed heart of the peninsula–the most common route was a snaking trek from Ensenada to La Paz–that by the late 1960s and early 1970s it became a badge of honor, one that attracted Hollywood stars of the era like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Garner. Even traditional motorsports stars like Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones and 7-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson felt the need to try it, as if driving fast over paved roads wasn’t enough of a challenge.

Nowadays, you don’t have to commit to 1000 miles to experience the thrills and metaphorical chills of off-road driving in Baja. Numerous Los Cabos based activities companies offer dune buggy adventures across beach, desert and mountain terrains, and one local adventure provider even offers extended jaunts in actual Baja 1000 style race cars. As a matter of fact, they’ll even let you enter one of the regional SCORE sponsored races, and provide in-race communications and other technical support. All you need to enjoy this signature experience is plenty of nerve and a valid credit card number.

Swimming with Giants

The world’s youngest sea, the Sea of Cortez, is also one of the most vibrant, teeming with large sea life and colorful tableaus.  For a true once-in-a-lifetime, “only in Cabo” adventure, visitors can dive one of the oldest and largest living coral reefs in North America, at Cabo Pulmo on the Los Cabos municipality’s picturesque East Cape. Cabo Pulmo’s reef is part of a protected marine sanctuary with the highest concentration of marine life in the Sea of Cortez.

Offshore islands in the Revillagigedos chain–roughly 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas–offers even more amazing encounters with large pelagic creatures like great white sharks and leaping dolphins and manta rays, but require week-long dive trips aboard specially equipped boats.

But for those who want to go really big, Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz is the premier place to swim side-by-side with whale sharks. There is no risk in swimming with these gentle giants, since they subsist solely on plankton. But they are big–the largest fish in the world, in fact–reaching up to 40 feet in length, and weighing as much as 47,000 pounds.

Living the Luxury Villa Lifestyle

Los Cabos is renowned for its luxurious hotels and resorts, each of which boasts its own incredible array of pampering amenities, from beachfront massages to tee times at some of the world best golf courses. To really live like a prince or princess in Los Cabos, however, there’s one more step up; one more rung to climb to reach the top of the ladder. That’s the luxury villa experience.

Lavishly appointed and stunningly situated, luxury villas may be found all along the golden shoreline of Los Cabos, from the spectacular properties that hug hill and cliff-sides high about Cabo San Lucas in the city’s ultra-exclusive Pedregal community – some of which, by the way, offer views of both the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean – to gated getaways in the heart of colonial style San Jose del Cabo, and sprawling, secluded  beachfront residences on the municipality’s gorgeous and lightly developed East Cape.

But it’s not just the billion dollar views that wow guests, it’s also the luxe amenities and available services. Imagine enjoying Champagne sunsets from the comfort of your infinity pool, looking out across miles of open ocean. Imagine freshly caught seafood prepared by your own private chef, or having a mobile massage service provide a romantic couples’ treatment beneath a shaded palapa. Imagine a place with enough bedrooms to accommodate your extended family, or a VIP group.

Live the luxury villa experience just once and you’ll understand why Los Cabos is a favorite vacation spot for celebrities and A-list actors.

Simply put, it doesn’t get any better than this; and in many cases, it’s surprisingly affordable.

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 courtesy of Los Cabos Villas.

 Upcoming Event Calendar

July

Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1

28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 15, 22, 27 – 31

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

 August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25

 September

Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16

 October

Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27

25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

 November

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

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

Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20

Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 January 2019

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Los Cabos Pro-Am at Cabo del Sol – Jan. 14 – 18

 February

Día del Amor y la Amistad (Valentine’s Day) – Feb. 14

 March

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5