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Not-So-Still Life – Looking Forward to A New Season of Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo

October 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The still life is a traditional staple of representational painting, a long-lived genre that allows artists to showcase their own inimitable style as they tackle rather commonplace subject matter like fruit or flowers.

Visitors to San Jose del Cabo will discover the colonial style city – whose name, along with that of sister city Cabo San Lucas, contributes to the Los Cabos moniker used for the municipality at large – is awash in talented painters. But despite its surfeit of artists, many of whom have their own still lifes on display in the historic, gallery-rich Art District, the city’s most famous art work isn’t a painting at all, but rather the Art Walk held weekly during the high tourist season.

Think of it as the not-so-still-life.

Each Thursday evening from November to June, art lovers and those seeking a bit of local color pour into the city, not only flooding the officially designated Distrito del Arte – with its voluminous galleries and charming cobblestone streets – but the better part of the historic downtown area between the hours of 5 and 9 p.m.

Galleries stay open late to publicize featured paintings, sculptures and other artworks; downtown monuments like City Hall and Parroquia San Jose are outlined by colorful lights; arts and crafts makers spread out their wares on tables or along the sidewalks; and wandering musicians serenade passersby strolling hand in hand, or those taking a breather at local bars and restaurants.

There are plenty of both, by the way. San Jose del Cabo is home to the original Baja Brewing Company and dozens of superb restaurants, from Mexican traditionalists like Jazmin’s and La Lupita to internationally representative eateries like La Dolce. But the true Thursday night magnets are the galleries which line the well-lit streets of the historic Art District. There’s Galeria de Ida Victoria, which in addition to hosting the region’s finest custom framing studio, also represents some of the finest contemporary Mexican artists. Patricia Mendoza Gallery and Casa Dahlia also spotlight the work of contemporary Mexican artists and artisans; traditional Mexican folk art like glassware and jewelry is on display at La Sacristia; and Mata Ortiz Gallery offers some wonderful examples of its namesake pottery style, whose history dates back over a thousand years but was reinvigorated by modern Chihuahua master Juan Quezada. Those with a more international orientation, meanwhile, can ponder the “sacred abstract art” at Dharmesh Anand, or be awestruck by Muvezi’s visually arresting work from Shona stone sculptors in Zimbabwe.

These and other galleries gladly welcome perambulators to experience the city’s thriving art scene (only Tijuana and Todos Santos rival San José as Baja art meccas), keeping their doors open well after dark, and often inviting artists to interact with guests and answer questions about their work. Cheese and wine, of course, often make their inevitable appearances as well; sip and snack staples in any bohemian milieu.

All in all, it’s a complete feast for the senses, and the 2018-2019 Art Walk season promises to be the biggest and best yet, with a fresh slate of exhibitions and fresh new looks at San Jose’s dramatic downtown makeover.

Now is a good time to clear a spot on your upcoming calendar, as the traditional seasonal kick-off – the first Thursday of November – is only three weeks away. And as always, the start of Art Walk season is celebrated contemporaneously with Day of the Dead remembrances across Mexico, so visitors can look forward to seeing personalized altars and other Day of the Dead specific symbols (from candy skulls to Catrina figures), as well as the latest works from top local artists.

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.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

Photo credit: ArtCabo.com.

Keywords:  Art Walk, San Jose del Cabo, art in Cabo, events in Cabo, culture in Cabo, things to do in Cabo,

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – TBD

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

Cruising for the Critters (Humane Society Fundraiser) – Nov. 3

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

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 7 – 11

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

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

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

 December

Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

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

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20

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

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9

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

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10

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

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

March

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

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

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

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Celebrations, Concerts & Competitions – October Events in Cabo San Lucas

October 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment

October traditionally marks the start of high tourist season in Los Cabos–and although such calendar distinctions mean less now than they used to, as the cape cities have evolved into year-round travel destinations–the month remains important for signature regional events like Sammy Hagar’s birthday bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina, and Bisbee’s Black & Blue and Los Cabos Offshore marlin fishing tournaments.

Sammy Hagar’s 71st Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina (Oct. 9, 11, 13)

Every year since 1990, loyal “Redheads” from around the world have flocked to Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina. In 2018, the former Van Halen and Montrose celebrates his 71st year on the planet with an all-star cast of visiting musicians, including The Circle members Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson. Shows are scheduled for October 9, 11 and 13. General admission tickets are available to winners of a random drawing, but those who aren’t selected will still have an opportunity to attend. Some dinner show tickets will be made available in early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament (Oct. 14 – 18)

Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in México, 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. The three tournaments combined last year to pay out over $4,735,000 to the winners. The 20th annual LCBT has three entry levels:  a $5,000 base entry for each 6-person team; daily jackpots for the largest tuna, wahoo and dorado; and daily billfish release jackpots. Optional marlin only jackpots are available to teams that paid base entry. Registration and the post-tournament gala awards ceremony will both be hosted by Playa Grande, a Solmar Group resort.

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore (October 18 – 21)

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. 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 money are always donated to local causes. Base entry for teams is $1,500 U.S., with $17,000 necessary for “across the board” entry in all jackpots and challenges.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue (October 23 – 27)

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. The $4.165 million payout in 2006 was and still is the largest in sportfishing history. 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.).

Día de Muertos (Oct. 31 – Nov. 2)

México observes many holidays, but none quite so visually distinctive and emotionally resonant as El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This holiday to honor deceased family and friends dates back to the time of the Aztecs–who dedicated a festival to Mictecacihuatl, queen of the underworld, each August–but now takes place contemporaneously with the Catholic observance of Allhallowtide. Traditionally, it is thought that the souls of children return on Nov. 1, and the souls of adults on Nov. 2. Families will often build ofrendas (altars) in their homes, welcoming back the spirits of the departed with some of their favorite food and drinks, as well as special holiday themed items like cempasúchil flowers (Aztec marigolds), calaveras de azúcar (candy skulls), and a sweet bread called pan de muerto.

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.

 

  • Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

Photo credit: Bisbee’s Black & Blue.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – TBD

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

Cruising for the Critters (Humane Society Fundraiser) – Nov. 3

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

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 7 – 11

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

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

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

 December

Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

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

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20

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

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9

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

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10

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

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

March

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

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

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

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Destination Wellness – Medical Tourism in Los Cabos

September 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Travelers don’t just flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo for the year-round sunshine and gorgeous golden sand beaches, the abundant big-game sportfishing and spectacular seaside golf courses.

For many visitors–particularly from the U.S.–Los Cabos also offers an opportunity to receive high quality medical and dental care for a fraction of what they would pay at home.

Health and beauty options like cosmetic surgery or dental work may not be the sole reasons for the vacation, mind you. More likely, they’re added bonuses that can be fitted in between pampering massages and poolside margaritas.

But there’s no question that affordable medical care is a very real consideration, and that it contributes significantly to the overall attractiveness of Los Cabos as a travel destination.

The truth is, medical tourism is now big business in Los Cabos…and in Mexico as a whole, with the sector accounting for a whopping 4.6 billion dollars in 2016.

Medical Centers in Los Cabos

Los Cabos’ growth as a medical tourism destination has translated to an impressive new slate of state-of-the-art centers and facilities.

Most impressive, perhaps is Hospital H+ Los Cabos, which opened in 2016 in the 20-mile tourist corridor which connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (at Km. 24.5, just behind the fashionable new fine dining food court, El Merkado). The spacious modern facility boasts a full range of medical services, from 24-hour triage and intensive care to surgical areas, specialty clinics, laboratories and blood banks, radiology and ultrasound imaging, and private rooms for extended patient stays. H+ Los Cabos also features a tremendous roster of on-call specialists: including doctors in Cardiology, Coloproctology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology, Pediatrics, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, and Urology.

Hospiten is the next highly acclaimed medical center expected to open and rival H+ for state-of-the-art testing and treatment. It’s currently under construction just outside Cabo San Lucas (near Plaza San Lucas, the corridor based home to Walmart and other popular shops and stores). Hospiten is an international medical group, with several locations already serving patients in Spain, as well as throughout Latin America and the Caribbean; including in the premier Mexican resort destination of Cancun.

Choosing the Right Doctors & Facilities

Even with the most high-profile health care centers, a thorough vetting is recommended to ensure you’re completely comfortable with the quality and cost of your preferred services.

The easiest way to do this is simply to consult the approved list of hospitals and medical facilities that has been put together, and is constantly updated, by the U.S. Consulate General.

The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, in conjunction with its branch in Los Cabos, has compiled a list of regional clinics, hospitals and ambulance services that meet their criteria (read: U.S. standards) for quality care. High-quality treatment is rarely the reason for removal of hospitals and clinics from this list, by the way, but rather predatory billing practices. Feel free to contact the U.S. Consulate offices for more specific information about various regional medical facilities.

If the facility you wish to use is not approved by the U.S. Consulate, that’s not necessarily a black mark, since the Consulate generally only evaluates the very largest hospitals and clinics, and acts primarily on complaints. Ask your preferred medical care facility to share estimated billing costs ahead of time, and to provide you with a complete record of their official accreditations, as well as those of their doctors.

Insurance

Regardless of whether you’ve decided to pay for your destination health care out-of-pocket, it’s also important to investigate the possible insurance ramifications for accidents or other unforeseen health issues (complications from pre-existing conditions, etc.) while traveling abroad.

Many U.S. based health insurance policies are only in force domestically, and thus it may be advisable, as a purely precautionary measure, to enroll in a travelers’ medical insurance plan for the duration of your Los Cabos vacation.

For more information about medical tourism and health care in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

 Photo credit: Hospital H+ Los Cabos.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18

Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival) in Cabo San Lucas – TBD

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

Cruising for the Critters (Humane Society Fundraiser) – Nov. 3

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

Los Cabos International Film Festival – Nov. 7 – 11

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18

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

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

December

Sabor a Cabo Food & Wine Festival – Dec. 1

Dressed to the K-9s Charity Gala – Dec. 1

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

January 2019

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

Día de los Tres Reyes Magos – Jan. 6

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 10 – 20

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

La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 16 – 20

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Feb. 2 – 9

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

Todos Santos Artists’ Open Studios Tour – Feb. 9 – 10

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

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

March

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 28 – Mar. 5

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

Cabo Collegiate at Querencia – March 3 – 5

 

 

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Viva Mexico! Celebrating Mexican Independence Day in Los Cabos

September 4, 2018 by 1 Comment

September is the hottest month in Los Cabos, and traditionally the heart of the cape cities’ low tourism

Cozumel, Mexico

season. The idea of “high” and “low” seasons has started to wane over the past few years due to rapid regional growth, increased international flights and a more consistent year-round flow of visitors. But some months are still better than others, and the busiest months tend to be when the largest and most representative local events are held.

Of the many food and wine festivals, arts fairs, fishing tournaments, and other signature fiestas held annually in Los Cabos, it is telling that none are held in September. October, on the other hand–the traditional start of high season–sees Sammy Hagar’s birthday bashes, four major fishing tournaments (including the world’s richest, Bisbee’s Black & Blue), and a weeklong culinary festival in San Jose del Cabo.

What a difference a month makes!

But hot and slow as it is, September does bring one headline event, a national holiday celebrated passionately across Mexico. So if you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo this month, keep an eye out for all the fireworks and festivities surrounding El Dia de la Independencia, or Independence Day. Officially, it’s honored on September 16, but the proclamations and partying begin the night before…and keep right on going.

Many U.S. visitors confuse Cinco de Mayo with Independence Day, but the two are markedly different, not only in terms of where they fall on the calendar, but in what they represent and mean to average citizens.

Cinco de Mayo recalls the heroic victory of the Mexican Army over occupying French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Despite its Mexican roots, the holiday was largely popularized on the U.S. West Coast. In Mexico, celebrations of Cinco de Mayo are few and far between, although bars in tourist areas like Los Cabos will dutifully offer a few “holiday specials” aimed at gringo revelers.

Independence Day, by contrast, is the major patriotic holiday, the Mexican equivalent of the 4th of July. The date itself honors what is now known as the Grito de Dolores, essentially a call to arms uttered by a priest named Miguel Hidalgo on the evening of September 15, and again the following morning in the year 1810.

By that time, Spain had been in control of Mexico for over 280 years…and since the day Hernan Cortez and his conquistadors toppled the island capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521, Spaniards had ruthlessly exploited the country for its abundant natural resources.

For a little more context…the year of Hidalgo’s immortal call to arms, 1810, coincided with the imperial reign of Napoleon, whose European wars and intrigues often produced far-reaching upheavals. For instance, French troops first occupied Spain in 1808, and soon afterwards Napoleon installed his brother as puppet ruler…a move that destabilized colonial governments throughout Latin America, and led directly to the independence movements spearheaded by Simon Bolivar and others.

Miguel Hidalgo was, in a sense, the Bolivar of Mexico, although his leadership in the rebellion that became the War of Mexican Independence was tragically short lived. Despite some early victories by his insurgent army, six months after his stirring grito–delivered in the small town of Dolores (now Dolores Hidalgo)–he was captured. Soon after that, he was executed. But the fight continued, and by 1821 Mexico had finally earned its freedom.

Thus, like Independence Day in the U.S., Independence Day in Mexico celebrates not the actual achievement of independence, but rather the symbolic birth of a new nation through the assertion of self-rule.

Contemporary celebrations of Independence Day in Mexico begin ceremoniously, with public officials–from the president to small town mayors–reenacting the grito at 11 p.m. on September 15. This reenactment always concludes with the same phrase, repeated three times: ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva Mexico! There is then a symbolic bell ringing, followed by live music, traditional food and drink, and festive fireworks celebrations. The party is on!

Cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo each have their grito reenactments, with large parades the next morning, on September 16th. September visitors to Los Cabos in search of activities and entertainment are encouraged to seek out both, as they offer interesting glimpses of authentic Mexican culture.

For those whose interests run more to cervezas and margaritas, rest assured that virtually every local bar and restaurant offers some sort of patriotically themed drink special.

Just remember to raise your glass for a toast. ¡Viva Los Cabos! and ¡Viva Mexico!

by Chris Sands

  • Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes and USA Today, as well as other websites and publications. 

 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 Virginiambe and Wikimedia Commons.

Upcoming Event Calendar

September

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

October

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

San Jose del Cabo Restaurant Week – Oct. 13 – 20

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

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Iron Discipline Meet Golden Views in the Los Cabos 70.3

August 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

For most of us, it sounds like a sure way to ruin a perfect day in paradise: start with a strenuous 1.2 mile swim, take a not so leisurely bike ride for 56 miles, then run like your life depended on it for 13.1 more miles. And, if you’re lucky, thousands of people will be chasing you.

For those hale and hearty souls with a more rugged disposition, an iron constitution if you will, it sounds exactly like the perfect day in paradise.

 It, of course, is the Ironman Los Cabos 70.3, the numerical aspect of which refers to the total amount of miles covered. That total, incidentally, is only half of what is required for a traditional triathlon.

The Ironman (or Ironwoman as the case may be) lifestyle began under the tropic Hawaiian sun in the late 1970s, when a debate started between members of regional swim and running clubs about which sport produced fitter athletes. A U.S. Navy officer threw a monkey wrench into the dispute by noting it was a cyclist who had the highest recorded “oxygen uptake”, and…well, you can see where this is going.

Hawaii birthed the idea and the first race, held in Oahu in 1978. The 50th and final U.S. state remains an important stop for Ironman, hosting the annual world championship in Kailua-Kona. The difference today is that it is just one of many locations around the globe. Over three dozen Ironman triathlons were held in 2018, on six different continents. The 70.3 races have proved even more popular. At last count, there were more than 80 taking place annually (including the one in Los Cabos), although in a break from the 140.6 triathlon tradition, the 70.3 world championship is held in a different international location each year.

When the first Ironman race was run in Los Cabos in 2013, it was as a traditional (140.6 mile) triathlon under the sponsorship of the Ford Motor Company. With that inaugural race in March 2013, Los Cabos became the second location in Mexico–after Cancun–to host the Ironman series, unveiling a rigorous course that included a swim leg in the protected waters off Punta Palmilla, a bicycle leg that featured several back-and-forth trips between cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and a full-length marathon that concluded in front of City Hall in San Jose del Cabo.

As the managing director of the Ironman race operations, Steve Meckfessel, noted at the time: “This is truly a spectacular addition to the Ironman circuit. The vitality of Los Cabos’ natural beauty combined with the challenging course that our team has laid out really sets Ironman Los Cabos apart.”

He was right on many counts. The race course was rich in natural beauty and spectacular views, and it proved popular immediately…with both locals and visitors. However, as one might imagine with a race of such epic size and scope, logistics can and have been an issue. Traffic problems accompanied the first few races, but after a seasonal move from spring to autumn, and a slimmed down 70.3 version with a faster, flatter course layout, Ironman finally seems to have hit its stride in Los Cabos.

This year’s Ironman Los Cabos 70.3 is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2018. In addition to pride and $50,000 in prize money, the half-triathlon offers 30 coveted qualifying spots for the 2019 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Messenia, Greece.

Registration is still open, but time is running out for those who want to raise their fitness from “very good” to “potential race finisher” or “potential winner” in the grueling Ironman series event.

by Chris Sands

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.

 Chris Sands is co-founder of CaboVivo, co-writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, Editor at Baja.Ca, and a contributor to Forbes, USA Today and Cabo Living, as well as other websites and publications. 

 Photo courtesy of Ironman Los Cabos 70.3.

Upcoming Event Calendar

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

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The Cabo Culinary Calendar – A Guide to Food Festivals in Los Cabos

July 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos’ ever evolving dining scene is shown off to its best advantage in the region’s increasingly packed calendar of food and wine related events, which spotlight the creativity of Los Cabos’ top chefs, but also celebrate traditional local specialties like freshly sourced seafood and organically grown fruits and vegetables.

For those seeking a true taste of Los Cabos – from food festivals in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo to fairs and fiestas in Todos Santos and beyond – here’s a basic guide to the biggest events on the local culinary calendar:

Summer Harvest Festivals

Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) celebrate with a lively weekend harvest festival. Pitahayas are a fruit derived from the organ pipe cactus, and are extraordinarily rich in antioxidants, which may account for the legendary longevity of Miraflores residents.

Pitahayas were the favorite food of the region’s indigenous inhabitants, the Pericues, and thus also have a strong cultural and historical component. This year’s “feria” is coming up soon – July 13 to 15 – and will include the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of it featuring the region’s signature fruit.

Pitahayas may be the most emblematic fruit in Baja California Sur, but the  most ubiquitous are mangoes. You can reach up and take them off the trees at many area resorts and restaurants, and during summer months, freshly squeezed mango juice becomes a delicious daily treat for residents and visitors alike.

A trip to the annual Todos Santos Mango Festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of this luscious tropical fruit. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mangate, a dessert typical of the region. The 2018 edition – hosted in the state’s only pueblo magico, one hour north of Cabo San Lucas by car – takes place later this month: July 28 – 31.

Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival

The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in early December, and draws over 3,000 guests to an outdoor site in Los Cabos to sample food and wine, and enjoy live musical performances (past performers include Grammy winner Lila Downs, legendary Mexican rock band Mana, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event – which rotates to various local venues – is always preceded by smaller auxiliary events, including a country food and wine tasting that shows off the area’s incredible organically grown produce and fresh local seafood. Dates for the 13th edition will be announced later this year. In the meantime, you can sample the wares from the festival’s 50 to 60 participating chefs by having dinner at virtually any fine restaurant in Los Cabos.

Cheese & Wine Festival and Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar

Each year – typically in March – Sheraton Grand’s luxurious Hacienda del Mar resort transforms its Salon Hacienda ballroom for a mammoth tasting celebration of cheese and wine. Live music accompanies the enormous selection of internationally representative quesos y vinos, with all ticket proceeds going to benefit the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.

Sabores de Baja Festival in Miraflores

The small town of Miraflores is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas, the favorite fruit of the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mainly, though, it is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) is expected to return for its 3rd annual edition in April 2019.

Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival

Aside from the annual Sabor a Cabo shindig in Los Cabos, Gastrovino is the biggest food and wine festival in Baja California Sur. Held each April or May in the state’s only pueblo magico, Todos Santos, Gastrovino is organized by the owners of a local wine and olive oil shop called La Bodega de Todos Santos, and features a weekend chockablock with tantalizing tasting opportunities. The pairing dinner at legendary Hotel California is one of many recurring highlights, but the “Big Cheese,” so to speak, is the Sunday main event on the town square. There, dozens of wineries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe share their palate-pleasing wares, as do many of the region’s best restaurants. Live music is also a staple, as is a silent auction to benefit local programs for children.

Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada

Los Cabos’ top chefs converge on the luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada resort each April, where they compete to produce the most delicious variation of Mexico’s signature comfort food: the taco. The winners are traditionally the guests, who get to sample creative taco entries from some of the area’s most talented culinary craftsmen. Live music is also featured

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 Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa.

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 28 – 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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Legend Passes but His Legacy Lives On – East Cape Offshore Kicks Off Bisbee’s 2018 Tournament Schedule

June 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It all started back in 1981, when the owner of a fuel dock and tack business on Balboa Island, Newport Harbor, organized the first Black & Blue marlin tournament in Cabo San Lucas.

His name was Bob Bisbee, and at that first tournament six teams competed for the princely sum of about 10,000 dollars.

Fast forward 25 years into the future, to 2006, and the cash payout had grown to a staggering $4,165,960, then and now the largest in sportfishing history. Over the course of two and a half decades, this once small event had grown to become the most famous in the sport, gathering nicknames along the way like “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament” and “The Super Bowl of Sportfishing.”

Flash forward 12 more years to 2018 and Bisbee’s Black & Blue remains the marquee fishing event in Cabo San Lucas (and beyond), but it’s no longer the only major tournament on the calendar. It’s not even the only major tournament on the calendar for Bisbee’s.

Over the course of its history in the Los Cabos municipality – which not only includes cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, but also the less developed East Cape area – Bisbee’s has steadily built its brand, increasing its prestige through bigger payouts and an extended range of tournament offerings. An East Cape Offshore was added in 2000, a Los Cabos Offshore in 2002.

That trio has comprised Bisbee’s Los Cabos fishing triumvirate ever since.

Each has its own place on the calendar, and each has its own unique personality. The Black & Blue remains very much “The Big Daddy,” while the Los Cabos Offshore has become a more fun-filled, charity-focused alternative.

The East Cape Offshore, meanwhile, is known as the most laid-back of the three events, and as a tone setter, since it’s the first event to take place each year. It kicks off, in effect, the yearly calendar.

In 2018, the ECO is scheduled for Jul. 31 to Aug. 4; the LCO follows, Oct. 18 to 21; with  the B&B headlining Oct. 23 to 27.

July 31st is thus the day Bisbee’s returns to Los Cabos, the day all eyes turn to the municipality’s gorgeous East Cape, a 70-mile coastal arc that stretches from the outskirts of San Jose del Cabo to Los Barriles and the Bay of Palms beyond.

The East Cape has long been known for its dirt roads, secluded beaches and off-the-grid communities, but the recent Los Cabos building boom has reached as far as the East Cape’s La Ribera, site of the soon-to-be-open Four Seasons Costa Palmas Resort.

A few miles northwest of La Ribera are Los Barriles and its neighbor Buenavista, the traditional fishing capitals of the East Cape. The two small but picturesque tourist towns host the majority of the region’s tournaments. Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in Buenavista, for example, is the long-time headquarters for Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, and the site of the post-tournament awards ceremony. This heritage is celebrated by the leaping marlin sculpture which greets guests at the resort’s entrance.

Last year, 64 teams vied for over $590,000 in prize money at the East Cape Offshore. A record 11 of the 64 teams shared in those payouts, following an exciting tournament that saw 136 billfish – including 71 blue marlin and 55 striped marlin – caught in only three days. By contrast, only three dorado and 16 tuna were boated during the same time period.

Capt. Andrew Hughes and his Mi Corazon team finished first overall, receiving over $258,000 for their efforts….not a bad return for a few days spent fishing in paradise. Their winning catch was an impressive 437 lb. black marlin, one of only three black marlin caught during the tournament.

Base entry for this year’s ECO remains $1,500 per team, with $17,000 across the board for entry in all daily jackpots. The base entries are pooled and disbursed at the conclusion of the event, with the majority going to billfish winners, and the remainder earmarked for trophy gamefish like tuna and dorado.

Sadly, Bob Bisbee will not be there to watch it. The man who started it all, the godfather of tournament fishing in Los Cabos, passed away peacefully in his Dallas area home last Thursday, June 14th, at the age of 85.

He will be missed. But his legacy continues, his name forever synonymous with trophy-sized catches and boisterous good times.

For information about this and other events, as well as 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 Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore.

Upcoming Event Calendar

June

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

King of the Beach Volleyball Tournament at SUR Beach House – June 30

July

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

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

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

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog, Fishing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 6th Annual Los Cabos Open of Surf and the Evolution of Baja Surf Culture

April 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment

When the Transpeninsular Highway was completed in 1973, surfers were among the first to explore Baja by car and bus, seeking out hidden beaches and long rumored surf breaks. The legendary spots were there, particularly in Baja California Sur, where great surf spots proliferated from Todos Santos around the southern rim to Los Cabos’ gorgeous East Cape.

Over the past forty-five years, however, the face of surf culture has changed in Los Cabos. Instead of trekking 1,000 miles by VW bus, today’s older, more affluent surfers are more likely to fly in and to eschew camping for luxurious surf-friendly resorts (The Cape Hotel and Cabo Surf Hotel being the two most notable) and well-appointed rental villas located near celebrated surf breaks like Monuments and Zippers.

For those who don’t like to fly with their boards, there are rental shops and guided surfaris to Cerritos and San Pedrito on the Pacific Coast, or more secluded East Coast breaks like Shipwrecks and Nine Palms. At least one local company offers lessons from a former Mexican national champion, and a famous regional five-star resort has partnered with big-wave legend Laird Hamilton on an apparel line.

Given its increasing popularity as a retirement site for former surf professionals, it should come as no surprise that there are also World Surf League sponsored surfing events held annually on the Baja California peninsula. One is a Big Wave Tour event off Todos Santos Island near Ensenada. The other is the Los Cabos Open of Surf, which is held each June at Zippers, a surf break at Playa Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo.

When it premiered in 2013, the Los Cabos Open of Surf was a 6-star men’s event under the ASP (the forerunner to the WSL). Women joined the fun in 2014, and since 2015, the LCOS has been a QS 6000 event solely for women and junior men and women. The 2018 competition is scheduled for June 11 – 17, and like events in previous years, will be a celebration of all aspects of surf culture, from beach parties and culinary fetes to nightly entertainment featuring DJs and live musical performers.

Brazilian Silvana Lima is the defending women’s champion at the Los Cabos Open of Surf, while Hawaiian Summer Macedo and Barbadian Che Allan are the defending junior champions. The surfing action all takes place at Zippers, one of three well-known surf breaks at Playa Costa Azul (the others are the beginner-friendly Middle Break and the expert-level La Roca, which like Zippers is a right-hand reef break).

Neighboring beaches Acapulquito and Costa Azul are the center of the surf scene in Los Cabos, but Playa Monumentos (or Monuments) is also a prime attraction, with the added benefit of being the closest to Cabo San Lucas. In fact, views of El Arco and the other granite monuments at Land’s End are visible for those with enough ability to test Monuments tricky left-hand point break. It is actually one of the few left turning breaks (from the point of view of the surfer) in an area renowned for its abundance of great right-hand rides.

Surfable waves may be found on a year-round basis in Los Cabos and its environs, but there are two major seasons: summer for beaches on the Sea of Cortez side, winter for the Pacific Coast meccas near Todos Santos. To find out more about surf-friendly rental villas, or for more information about events and activities 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 the Los Cabos Open of Surf.

Upcoming Event Calendar

April

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

Chocolate & Cocktails Festival at Café des Artistes – April 5 – 15

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

Sabores de Baja Festival in Miraflores – April 15

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

White Party at ME Cabo and Blue Marlin Ibiza – May 26

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 23

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

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

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

 August

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

 September

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

 October

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

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

 

Filed Under: Cabo San Lucas Blog Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Complete Cabo Lifestyle Experience: Stars & Stripes Tournament Offers Golf, Fishing, Music, Beach Life and More

March 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

There are many reasons people choose to vacation in Los Cabos. There’s the gorgeous year-round weather, the beautiful beaches, the luxurious resorts and cliffside villas, the world-class golf courses and spectacular sportfishing.

Or one could simply want to attend the Stars & Stripes Tournament, which offers all of the above plus much, much more. Golf and fishing provide the competitive tournament aspect, but there are also beach days, spa visits, nightly dinners, and music from some of the world’s most recognizable performers.

The 22nd edition of what amounts to the complete Cabo lifestyle experience is scheduled to return June 28 – July 1, 2018.

Of all its attractions, fishing has proved to be most enduringly popular part of Stars & Stripes. No surprise, really, given that the tourism industries for cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo were built on big-game sportfishing. The tournament launches from beautiful Chileno Bay, with participating anglers vying to bag the biggest tuna, dorado, wahoo, sailfish, and blue, black and striped marlin. This year, start times have been pushed back to allow a more vacation-like approach.

Golf, too, is a major draw. Participants this year have the choice of nine or 18-hole tournament outings at Puerto Los Cabos, which currently boasts 27 spectacular holes from champion golfers Jack “The Golden Bear” Nicklaus and Greg “The Great White Shark” Norman. Nine of the holes at Puerto Los Cabos are brand new, so tournament entrants will be among the first to play them. The traditional holes also have their highlights. Norman designed one of the best holes in Baja California for the original Mission Course, a 213 yard par-3 that demands precise placement from a tee shot off the equivalent of a 10-story building. Although the green looks like a peculiarly shaped postage stamp from the elevated tee box, players are generally not as concerned with the difficult iron shot as they are awed by the incredible view: 10 miles of gorgeous coastline bordered by the Sea of Cortez and the mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna.

 Although sporting competitions provide the tournament’s primary raison d’etre, many other pleasures (of the non-sporting type) are in store for attendees. “Play at La Playa” promises a sun-soaked day at a private beachfront estate, complete with lunch, cocktails and sandy fun. Host resort Hilton’s Eforea Spa is likewise on hand for soothing relaxation. All Stars & Stripes guests are eligible for one of the spa’s many pampering treatments and therapies.

Nightly musical entertainment is also a distinguishing feature of Stars & Stripes. In past years, rock stars like Sammy Hagar, The Doobie Brothers, Three Dog Night, and Kenny Loggins have played their biggest hits. This year the headliner is Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, and a co-writer of the iconic song Hotel California. Plenty of other acts are also on tap, including The Downtown Band, and the festivities will once again be hosted by Shawn Parr, AKA “The Ambassador of Country Music” and “The Voice of the Golden Globes.”

For all its features and attractions, the Stars & Stripes ultimate purpose is to raise money for worthy causes. Since 1997, the tournament has raised over $26 million dollars for youth-oriented charities, hosting live and silent auctions.

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 the Stars & Stripes Tournament.

Upcoming Event Calendar

March

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

 May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

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

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

 August

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

 September

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

 October

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

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

 November

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

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

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

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A Taste of Cabo: A Guide to 2018 Food & Wine Festivals in Los Cabos

February 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Over the last decade, the dining scenes in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have grown increasingly more cosmopolitan, as more international cuisines are represented in area restaurants, and local chefs continue to experiment with new and unique fusions.

This newfound sophistication is reflected in the region’s increasingly packed calendar of food and wine related events, which showcase the creativity of Los Cabos’ top chefs, but also celebrate traditional local specialties like freshly sourced seafood, and organically grown fruits and vegetables.

With that in mind, here’s our guide to some of the signature food and wine fêtes on tap for 2018 (including to-dos in Todos Santos, which although technically not part of the Los Cabos municipality, is less than an hour drive from Cabo San Lucas)…

Want to know how locally made cheeses and wines from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe stack up against the fancy competition from France and elsewhere? Then we recommend attending the 6th annual Queso & Vino Festival on March 10th at Sheraton Grand’s scenic and stylishly appointed Hacienda del Mar property. Each year, the resort packs its Salon Hacienda ballroom with wines and cheeses from around the world, adds live music for a more festive atmosphere, and later donates the proceeds to local charities for children.

Todos Santos’ premier food and wine festival, Gastrovino, is organized by the owners of a wine and olive oil shop called La Bodega de Todos Santos, and features a weekend chockablock with tantalizing tasting opportunities. The pairing dinner at legendary Hotel California is one of many recurring highlights, but the “Big Cheese,” so to speak, is the Sunday main event on the town square. There, dozens of wineries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe share their palate-pleasing wares, as do many of the region’s best restaurants. This year’s extravaganza is scheduled for April 19 – 20.

Cosmopolitan cuisine is all well and good, but sometimes nothing beats a good taco. Even the best local chefs concede that fact, which is why they’re converging at the luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada Resort & Spa on Saturday, April 28, for the 2nd annual Los Cabos Taco Fest. As the chefs compete to produce the most delicious tortilla wrapped treats, the winners are guaranteed to be the guests, who get to sample both traditional and contemporary/creative taco entries from these very talented culinary craftsmen. As with all local food festivals, live music is also featured.

Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) invite visitors to share in their lively weekend harvest festival. Pitahayas are a fruit derived from the organ pipe cactus, and are extraordinarily rich in antioxidants, which may account for the legendary longevity of Miraflores residents. The festival isn’t announced until shortly before the fruit is completely ripe, but traditionally this occurs during the second week of July. Highlights of the Feria de la Pitahaya include the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of which features the region’s signature fruit.

Since its inception in 2007, the Todos Santos Mango Festival has been a local favorite. Families flock to celebrate the most representative and ubiquitous of regional fruits:  mangoes! If you think you know a thing or two about this delicious foodstuff, think again. A visit to the festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of the golden Baja Sur staple. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mangate, a dessert typical of the region. Dates have yet to be announced for the 2018 festival, but it typically takes place in late July or early August.

The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in December, and draws over 3,000 guests to an outdoor site in Los Cabos to sample food and wine, and enjoy live musical performances (past performers include Grammy winner Lila Downs, legendary Mexican rock band Mana, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event – which takes place at various local venues – is always preceded by smaller auxiliary events, including a country food and wine tasting that shows off the area’s incredible organically grown produce and fresh local seafood.  Dates for the 13th edition will be announced later this year. In the meantime, you can sample the wares from the festival’s 50 to 60 participating chefs by having dinner at virtually any fine restaurant in Los Cabos.

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 Sabor a Cabo.

Upcoming Event Calendar

February

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

Art Festival in Todos Santos – Feb. 1 – 5

Traditional Fiestas in San Blas – Feb. 2 – 4

Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour –  Feb. 10 – 11

Los Cabos Half Marathon – Feb. 11

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

San Jose del Cabo Jazz Weekend – Feb. 16 – 17

Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25

Vidanta Los Cabos Grand Opening Featuring Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki and Zedd – Feb. 23 – 25

March

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11

Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17

Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10

El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11

East Cape Arts Festival – March 18

Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19

El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24

Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1

April

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

Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26

Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25

2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28

May

483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10

Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20

Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17

Fiesta de la Musica – June 21

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

July – August

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21

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

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

September

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

October

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

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

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

November

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

IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4

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

 

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