Summer Golf Spotlight: Top Courses in Cabo San Lucas

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. Los Cabos is one of the most remarkable golf destinations on Earth.

As of 2021, the local portfolio numbers 18 beautiful courses – from Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and their connective Tourist Corridor to the East Cape and beyond – almost all of them world-class, and all built within the last 35 years. Most boast powerhouse pedigrees, with designs from legendary names like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman. All showcase a spectacular blend of ocean, desert and mountain vistas.

Summer is traditionally golf season, and although such seasonal distinctions make little difference in always sunny Los Cabos, now is the time when many golfers turn their thoughts to destination golf trips.

So with that in mind, we’ll be previewing all of the local courses this summer, including the latest updates on specials and discounts.

Our first installment covered San Jose del Cabo. For our second, we’ll be looking at the stunning collection of courses in sister city Cabo San Lucas.

Golf in Cabo San Lucas

Five of the 18 golf courses in Los Cabos can be found in Cabo San Lucas, all of which are found on the Pacific Coast near the northern outskirts of the city…and nearly all of which are breathtakingly beautiful.

During the 1990s, when the golf boom in Los Cabos began, all the great courses were built along the 20-mile tourist corridor which connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Since Davis Love III’s Diamante Dunes course premiered in 2009, Cabo San Lucas has been ground zero for the region’s best new courses.

Note: These five courses are all part of resort and residential developments, with restricted tee time access for guests, owners and renters. To find out more about vacation rentals and how to play these courses, email us at info@loscabosvillas.com.

The Dunes Course at Diamante

In Los Cabos, only Nicklaus landmark Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol (now the Cove Club) has achieved the same sort of acclaim as Davis Love III’s Dunes Course at Diamante; and even that falls short when it comes to the opinion of the sport’s premier tastemakers. Voted top new international course in 2010, Golf Magazine declared the Dunes Course the 52nd best course in the world in 2013, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Los Cabos golf course at that point. It rose even higher on the same list in 2016, ascending to 36th. This lavish praise has elevated the 7,300-yard Dunes Course to “must-play” status for destination golfers, and the links style coastal layout does not disappoint.

El Cardonal at Diamante

“The site is incredible,” Tiger Woods said of his first ever completed golf course design, noting: “I set up the golf strategy to make golfers think and make choices. Regardless of your handicap, there are going to be different ways to play every hole. Angles of approach are going to be very important and will dictate the type of shots you should consider. I love this kind of golf.” So too have the many destination golfers to play El Cardonal since the course opened at Diamante in 2014. Envisioned by its creator as the kind of “Old California” layout he grew up playing as a kid, El Cardonal is long (7,363 yards) but fair, with plenty of gorgeous views.

The Oasis Short Course at Diamante

Tiger Woods returned to Los Cabos in 2016 to sculpt this modest but picturesque par-3 layout at Diamante. Only 12 holes in length, Oasis is a bit like an amuse bouche – a bite-sized hors d’ouevre – for Diamante visitors, who can hone their games before tackling the more difficult Dunes or El Cardonal courses. Although short in terms of length (1,124 yards), the course weaves through lush landscaping that includes an 8-acre lake and over 400 palm trees.

Quivira Golf Club

Jack Nicklaus triumphed again with this magnificent coastal layout at Quivira, a resort and residential development from Pueblo Bonito brand founder Ernesto Coppel Kelly. The 7,139-yard tour de force was voted the world’s best new international course in 2015 by Golf Magazine, and has since earned additional acclaim, including being named one of the W0rld’s 100 Best by Golf Digest. All 18 holes offer ocean views, and seven holes hug the coast, including the remarkable par-4 fifth, which is perched on the edge of sheer cliffside and offers opportunities to try to drive the green (or send your ball straight to Davey Jones’ locker). The 19th hole here also happens to be the best steakhouse in town.

Rancho San Lucas

The most recent addition to the Los Cabos golf landscape, the 7,210-yard Greg Norman designed Rancho San Lucas golf course premiered in February 2020 as the centerpiece of an 834-acre resort and residential development spearheaded by the Solmar Group, the only Los Cabos based resort brand, with seven local hotels and resorts. Norman’s second local layout is challenging but playable for golfers of all skill levels, with wide fairways and memorable touches like British Isles style bunkering. The most memorable feature, however, is the par-3 17th hole, which showcases an island green reminiscent of TPC Sawgrass, but with better views; including a surrounding lake as well as Pacific Ocean backdrops. As at nearby Quivira, ocean views are visible from all 18 holes.

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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:  Quivira Golf Club

Upcoming Events Calendar

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

Diving into Los Cabos: 3 Amazing Snorkel and Dive Destinations to Explore this Summer

There are many compelling reasons to visit Los Cabos. Baja California Sur’s southernmost municipality offers over 100 miles of gorgeous coastline filled with pristine beaches, plus year-round sunshine and luxury accommodations galore, from brand-name resorts to beachfront vacation rentals.

But what truly sets the region apart is its incredible array of outdoor adventures. Whether its hiking, biking, fishing, diving, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or any other outdoor activity under the sun, the conditions in and around cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are world-class.

And although the sunshine may be year-round, there are very definitely peak seasons for some of these outdoor pursuits. In the case of diving, for example, summer (and especially late summer) is absolutely the best time to dive in, thanks to warmer water temperatures and increased visibility.

So yes, now is the best time to take that long-awaited Los Cabos scuba diving trip, and as many snorkel and dive aficionados may already know, there are some incredible sites to dive into.

Here are three of our favorites, the final two of which should be on the bucket list of any serious diver…

Land’s End

Land’s End is home to some of the most famed landmarks in Los Cabos, including Lover’s Beach, the Window to the Pacific, the Pirate’s Cave, La Lobera (the sea lion colony), and El Arco; the latter a naturally occurring arch formed from 80-million-year-old granite.

But as amazing as it above the waterline, Land’s End is even more remarkable below it.

There’s a profusion of great dive sites at Land’s End, the most notable of which are Pelican Rock, Neptune’s Finger, and The Point. Each site boasts unique features, from the degree of depth to the quality and quantity of marine life. Pelican Rock, for example, is famed for its sand falls and profusion of tropical fish; Neptune’s Finger showcases coral, sponges, and sea fans; while diving The Point offers opportunities to see sea turtles, sea lions, moray eels, and even the occasional octopus.

Virtually every local dive shop offers trips to Land’s End, and many offer night diving opportunities.

Cabo Pulmo National Park

Cabo Pulmo, a small village on the East Cape of Los Cabos, is the site of one of the world’s great ecological sustainability stories. Twenty-five years ago the offshore waters were badly overfished so residents banded together and were able to able to have them declared a federally protected national park (in 2005, it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The rebound since has been so spectacular that this aquatic sanctuary now boasts the highest concentration of sea life in the entire Sea of Cortez.

But that’s not the only reason Cabo Pulmo is a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers. The marine park is also home to one of the most breathtaking living coral reefs in the Western Hemisphere, with eight fingers of vividly colorful coral. The profusion of life is so intense, meanwhile, that schools of fish sometimes seem to blot out the little sun that filters beneath the surface.

From dolphins and sea turtles to leaping mobula rays, Cabo Pulmo is a scuba diver’s dream come true.

Revillagigedos Archipelago

Land’s End and Cabo Pulmo are easily reachable from any resort or rental villa in Los Cabos. Not so the Revillagigedos Archipelago, which is some 240 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Like Cabo Pulmo, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but reaching the archipelago’s group of small uninhabited islands requires a week-long, round-trip voyage aboard the Solmar V, a 112’ liveaboard dive vessel. It’s a commitment few tourists are willing to undertake.

For hard core divers, however, this is the adventure of a lifetime. The Revillagigedos (pronounced Reh-bee-uh-hee-hay-dos) are sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of Mexico, with islands so remote and offshore waters so teeming with large pelagic species that divers are treated to mind-blowing spectacles of enormous sea turtles, schools of great white sharks, orcas and humpback whales, and hundreds of giant manta rays swimming together.

The waters off Socorro and Guadalupe Islands are ground zero for this bucket list adventure. We’d advise starting at Land’s End and working your way up (or in this case, down). For beginners, almost all local dive shops offer both training and PADI certifications.

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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:  Cabo Adventures

Upcoming Events Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

Full Moon Dinner at Esperanza – Jun. 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

 

Summer Golf Spotlight: Top Courses in San Jose del Cabo

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. Los Cabos is one of the most remarkable golf destinations on Earth.

As of 2021, the local portfolio numbers 18 beautiful courses – from Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and their connective Tourist Corridor to the East Cape and beyond – almost all of them world-class, and all built within the last 35 years. Most boast powerhouse pedigrees, with designs from legendary names like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman. All showcase a spectacular blend of ocean, desert and mountain vistas.

Summer is traditionally golf season, and although such seasonal distinctions make little difference in always sunny Los Cabos, now is the time when many golfers turn their thoughts to destination golf trips.

So with that in mind, we’ll be previewing all of the local courses this summer, including the latest updates on specials and discounts.

Our first installment starts in San Jose del Cabo.

Golf in San Jose del Cabo

Four of the 18 golf courses in Los Cabos can be found in or just outside San Jose del Cabo, the more traditional and sophisticated of the cape cities. San Jose del Cabo is known as the seat of municipal government, as a cultural mecca and fine dining capital, with a recorded history that dates back more than 400 years. Interestingly enough, a large percentage of the public golf courses in Los Cabos are located in San Jose del Cabo.

For context, there are basically three classifications for golf in Los Cabos: public, private, and playable with some restrictions. The latter category basically refers to courses where tee times are only available to guests at select resorts or residential communities.

Now that we’ve explained it, we should say such complexities don’t exist for the four courses profiled below. They’re public and open to everyone.

Puerto Los Cabos

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

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.

At $160 per round ($120 twilight), Club Campestre is the most affordable of the three courses Los Cabos courses managed by Questro Golf (Cabo Real and Puerto Los Cabos being the others). Three and five round passes are available at discounted rates and allow golfers to play all of Questro’s offerings.

Palmilla Golf Club

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.

Vidanta Golf Los Cabos

The first golf course in Los Cabos was built in 1987 by a Mexico City architect named Mario Schjetnan as a modest 9-hole municipal course. And so it largely remains, although management has shifted over the years, first to the Mayan Palace resorts group and later to Vidanta, which manages resorts and golf courses throughout Mexico. This is the one course in Los Cabos for which no pretensions can be made. It’s not world-class. It’s only 9 holes and 3,153-yards long. Yet, residents and tourists alike continue to enjoy its easygoing charms, as well as its very affordable rates.

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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

Upcoming Events Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

Full Moon Dinner at Esperanza – Jun. 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

 

Summer Spotlight: June Events in Los Cabos

June ushers in the summer season in Los Cabos, which means not just warmer temperatures, but a new season and new events for some of the region’s most iconic activities.

Fishing tournament season, for examples, begins in June each year when conditions become better for signature local catches like blue and black marlin. The most famous local tournament, Bisbee’s Black and Blue, doesn’t take place until October, but June gets the season started right with the return of the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing, a major event that offers an unforgettable experience on the water, as well as upwards of $350,000 in prize money.

The Stars and Stripes Tournament also returns, but this is more than just a fishing competition. It’s more like a complete lifestyle experience, with fishing, golf, food, music, and much, much more. And the best part is, it’s all for a very good cause.

But just as June ushers in a new season of events, it also says farewell to another…at least for a few months. That would be Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo, the weekly celebration of art and culture that transforms the downtown heart of the city – from the Distrito del Arte to Plaza Mijares – every Thursday evening from November through June.

So there’s definitely plenty to do this summer…and if these events don’t keep you busy, there’s always the beaches!

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

The historic Distrito del Arte 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. After another successful season, Thursdays in June will be the last chance to enjoy Art Walk until it returns for a new season in November 2021.

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

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.

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 10 – 12

 The 2021 fishing season in Los Cabos starts with the estimated $350,000 on the line for the 7th Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Over 170 billfish were documented at the last tournament in 2019, with plenty of gamefish taken too, including a tournament high 33.3 lb. wahoo and a 22.8 lb. dorado (mahi mahi). Team Tejas took home the highest payout, earning $130,320 of the $300,000 in total prize money, after catching and releasing a whopping 27 striped marlin during the two days of official fishing. So those are numbers to beat in 2021, and the rules remain the same. There are two categories: billfish and gamefish. Species eligible in the former category include blue, black and striped marlin, as well as sailfish, spearfish and swordfish. Of these, blue marlin, black marlin and swordfish are the most valuable, counting 300 points per properly documented catch and release. Striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish count 100 points each. Documentation is done via video evidence and radio verification.

 Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 23 – 27

During the 20+ years of its existence, the annual Stars and Stripes’ golf and fishing tournament has raised over 36 million dollars for youth focused charities. But it’s not simply a tournament or a charity benefit…more like a complete lifestyle experience. Participants stay at the luxurious Hilton Los Cabos; go big-game sportfishing for dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish, and black, blue and striped marlin; play golf at some of the world’s best golf courses; and enjoy spectacular live entertainment nightly. This year’s headliners, for instance, are reggae legend Ziggy Marley and acclaimed singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge.

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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:  Pelagic Gear

Upcoming Events Calendar

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

Full Moon Dinner at Esperanza – Jun. 24

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

 September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

Endless Summer, Cabo Style: 3 Tips for Planning Summer Surf Vacations in Los Cabos

Surfers were among the first to discover the charms of Los Cabos, traveling up and down the Baja California coast in search of pristine beaches
and epic waves at a time when tourism in the region was still in its infancy. Over the years, the beautiful beaches of Los Cabos and their spectacular surf breaks – of which, by the way, there are a great many – have continued to exert a fascination for surfers, and the Baja surf trip has become a sort of rite of passage for each succeeding generation.

But, naturally, as one ages creature comforts become increasingly important, and those who once thought little of a living out of a van with a few friends now have families of their own, and enough financial wherewithal to afford some of the finer things in life.

It is for this group – those who have matured into a more discerning variety of Los Cabos surf vacation– that we present our summer surfing guide for 2021, with 3 of our favorite tips on getting the most out of the destination Los Cabos experience.

Surfing is still the focus, of course, but wining and dining opportunities also matter, as do great accommodations and maximizing fun for everyone…whether it be for spouses/significant others, or for your kids.

Summer Means the Sea of Cortez

Anyone even vaguely familiar with the Los Cabos surf scene knows that it shifts coasts according to the season. Pacific Ocean side surf breaks rule during winter months, while the Sea of Cortez side breaks takes center stage during the summer.

The reason for this old maxim is simple. The Pacific side breaks are actually good year-round, but the surfing on the Sea of Cortez side is never better than during summertime, when seasonal storms send southeasterly swells barreling – emphasis on barrels – towards the beaches of San Jose del Cabo and Los Cabos’ gorgeous, picturesque East Cape.

So even if you love the Pacific side surf at Cerritos, San Pedrito and La Pastora, save those pleasures for vacations during winter, spring and autumn. Summer is custom made for surfing San Jose del Cabo spots like Zippers and Acapulquito, corridor meccas like Monuments, and East Cape favorites like Shipwrecks and Nine Palms. That’s when you’ll catch these breaks at their best….and their best is very, very good.

Forget Resorts, Find Nearby Vacation Rentals

Resorts proliferate along the Los Cabos coastline, and as it happens there are even a few surf-themed properties that have opened in recent years. But when it comes to Los Cabo surf vacations, let’s be honest: rentals are the best option…and it’s not even really close.

Why? Villas and vacation rentals allow you to customize every single aspect of your vacation experience, from a location near your surf spot of choice to your ideal budget, décor style and amenities.

Looking for a certain number of bedrooms to accommodate friends or family? No problem. Looking for a place where the décor reflects your sensibilities, whether it’s bohemian chic or upscale casual? No worries. Looking for a place with a home theater, or an infinity pool, or a terrace perfect for massages or private chef style cookouts? Easy peasy.

Not only are rentals private, convenient, and often surprisingly affordable, they also let you tailor your vacation to your own tastes in a way resorts simply cannot.

How to Maximize Fun for Everyone

Even if your surf skills are expert, and thus ready for surfing Zippers or The Rock at Costa Azul, or even that tricky left-hand reef break at Monuments…that doesn’t mean your significant other or kids are on the same level.

Beginner breaks at Costa Azul and Acapulquito may be more their speed. Or maybe they don’t want to surf at all, in which case you’ll want to target the surf breaks closest to the attractions they do like…be it hiking, biking, fishing, snorkeling or diving, or the many other outdoor activities for which Los Cabos offers world-class conditions.

The beauty of Los Cabos is none of these things are mutually exclusive. You may want to surf East Cape breaks, for instance, so others are close to the world-class diving at Cabo Pulmo National Park. Or prioritize San Jose del Cabo, which not only offers world-class surfing, but great shopping and dining. But if you put a little thought into it beforehand, everybody’s going to be happy.

And isn’t that what the best vacations are always about? That and surfing, of course.

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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:  Los Cabos Tourism Board

Upcoming Events Calendar

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

Caravana Americana – May 15, 16

June

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

 

 

 

Embracing the Blue Flag Ideal: Why the Beaches of Los Cabos Are More Beautiful Than Ever

Beaches and Los Cabos are practically synonymous, so much so that first-time visitors may not know where to begin when it comes to sunny days spent on glorious stretches of golden sand.

What are the best beaches in Los Cabos? What is it that makes a great beach, anyway? Is it the views? The color and consistency of the sand? The availability of bars or restaurants? The conditions for activities like surfing, snorkeling and swimming?

All are interesting questions that go to the heart of any visit to Los Cabos, given that the region boasts over 100 miles of coastline, with more picturesque playas that the average tourist could see in a year.

As it happens, there is one objective measurement for beaches, in Los Cabos and elsewhere. That’s the Blue Flag program pioneered in the 1980s by the European based Foundation for Environmental Education, which judges beaches based on very defined standards of cleanliness, services and sustainability.

Blue Flags are not about beauty. They’re about signs, clean bathrooms, showers, handicap access, recycling bins, parking, and other practical concerns that can significantly enhance one’s experience at the beach.

But since every beach in Los Cabos is visually breathtaking, offering stunning Sea of Cortez or Pacific Ocean views, the availability of these basic services is a big deal when it comes to choosing where you want to spend your day in paradise…particularly if you’re traveling with children or people with disabilities.

The good news is that there are a lot of blue flags flying in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as along the 20-mile tourist corridor which connects them. As a matter of fact, Los Cabos has more blue flag beaches – 22 – than any other destination in Mexico.

For some context, the blue flag program is globally recognized, with beaches or marinas maintaining the stringent blue flag standards (it’s not a lifetime award) in nearly 60 different countries around the world. Mexico is currently in 13th place overall in terms of countries with the most blue flag beaches, claiming 63 nationwide. Baja California Sur, the state where Los Cabos is located, leads the way with 23 (again, 22 in Los Cabos alone!). The only other state that is close is Quintana Roo, the state where Cancun and the Riviera Maya is located, with 21.

Los Cabos’ blue flag supremacy is a rather new phenomenon. As recently as 2016, the municipality had only three beaches that had earned FEE’s blue flag stamp of approval: Playas Chileno, Santa Maria and Palmilla. The stunning growth of the program since then is a credit to the community at large, which has recognized how important beaches are to the tourism industry and has made a commitment to keep the local sands both beautiful and sustainable.

Many of the newer blue flag beaches in Los Cabos are in fact subsections of Playa El Medano, the two-mile stretch of gorgeous sand that is the center of social life in Cabo San Lucas. But blue flag beaches can be found in virtually every corner of Los Cabos, from popular city based locales to lesser known gems like El Surgidero and La Ribera, two East Cape playas conveniently close to where a new Four Seasons resort has recently opened.

With that in mind, here are the 22 blue flag beaches in Los Cabos as of 2021 (although we wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see a few more announced in June, when FEE traditionally announces new awardees):

Acapulquito

El Chileno

El Corsario

El Surgidero

La Gaviota

La Ribera

Las Viudas

Medano Breathless

Medano Casa Dorada

Medano Club Cascadas de Baja

Medano Hacienda

Medano ME Cabo

Medano Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos

Medano Pueblo Bonito Rose

Medano Riu Palace Los Cabos

Medano Riu Santa Fe

Medano Villa Del Palmar

Medano Villa El Arco

Medano Villa La Estancia

Monumento

Palmilla

Santa Maria

No need to rank them further. Visiting any of these sun-kissed meccas ensures you’re going to have a great day at the beach. And with summer fast approaching, where else would you rather be?

For more information about upcoming events, activities and attractions, 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:  Los Cabos Tourism Board

Upcoming Events Calendar

April

Semana Santa – Mar. 28 – Apr. 3

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

Todos Santos Film Festival – Apr. 15 – 18

May

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 – 7

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

Baseline Rally: ATP Los Cabos Open of Tennis Returns in July 2021

Golf and fishing are the two biggest sports in Los Cabos, not only in terms of participation by both locals and visitors, but also when it comes of events. Golf’s traditional country club partner, tennis, is also well-represented, however. There may not be as many tennis courts as there are golf courses, but there are courts located throughout the cape cities, from Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas to resort-based courts in the Tourist Corridor, San Jose del Cabo, and even now on the East Cape. And just as there are high profile golf and fishing events each year, there’s also an ATP sponsored tennis tournament held annually in Los Cabos.

For context, there are only two professional tennis tournaments played each year in Mexico. The first is the Mexican Open, a staple of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Tour since 1993, and a rite of spring in Acapulco since 2001. The second is the Los Cabos Open, an ATP 250 series men’s singles and doubles competition that premiered in 2016 at a newly constructed tennis complex at the Delmar International School, just outside Cabo San Lucas.

By dint of its place on the schedule in late February, the Mexican Open was able to take place in its entirety last year before the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine conditions took effect across the globe. The event even featured a stirring victory in the singles final by legendary Spanish champion Rafael Nadal. The Los Cabos Open was not so lucky. Although quarantine conditions had lifted in Los Cabos by June 2020, the tournament wasn’t able to take place by July, and had to be canceled until 2021. But this year is another story, and as vaccines roll out and a sense of normalcy gradually returns, so too does the only high-profile tennis tournament in Los Cabos.

The Los Cabos Open returns for its 5th tournament July 19 – 24, bringing back some of the world’s best players to compete for over $850,000 in prize money, and offering plenty of off-the-court festivities, from high-end food and drink concessions to invitation-only special events. The event features 28 players competing in men’s singles, 16 duos in the doubles draw. No players have been announced as yet, but the event regularly draws many men ranked in the top 50 in the world to compete on the local hard courts.

Croatian Ivo Karlovic won the inaugural event in 2016 over Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, and other past champions have included hard-serving American Sam Querrey, Italian Fabio Fognini, and Diego Schwartzman from Argentina. It’s an impressive group. Lopez and Fognini both boast grand slam doubles titles, and Schwartzman and Fognini are currently ranked among the top 20 players in the world. Karlovic, meanwhile, for several years held the record for the fastest-ever serve, and Querrey still holds the record for the most consecutive service aces in ATP tournament play with 10.

The primary forces behind the first four Los Cabos Open tournaments were banking and financial services giant Mifel, and Cinemex, the largest movie theater chain in Mexico. Both return as primary sponsors in 2021, and will help to grow the impressive facilities that continue to spring up around the event.

The tournament host is again Delmar International School, a private bilingual educational institution, where six separate courts – including a 3,500 seat stadium and a 1,000 seat grandstand – have been specially built, as was an enormous exhibit area and food concession center featuring spectacular Land’s End views. Attendees will not only enjoy brilliant tennis, but be able to enjoy first-class food and drinks as well.

Tickets for this year’s event are available by the day or week at www.abiertoloscabos.com, or at select locations in Los Cabos and Mexico City. For stylish accommodations during tournament week, meanwhile, we invite you to peruse the private villa and vacation rental options at www.loscabosvillas.com.

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:  Abierto Los Cabos

Upcoming Events Calendar

April

Semana Santa – Mar. 28 – Apr. 3

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

Todos Santos Film Festival – Apr. 15 – 18

May

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

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

El Dia de la Madre – May 10

June

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

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 – 7

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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 Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

 

 

Cabo is Calling! More New Flights, More New Reasons to Visit Los Cabos

There’s never been a special reason needed to plan a Los Cabos vacation. Just the normal ones, like a desire for beautiful beaches, year-round sunshine, laid-back atmosphere, and spectacular fishing and golf.

But as more and more Americans vaccinations get vaccinated and life increasingly starts to normalize in 2021, more and more flights are seemingly being added to everyone’s favorite Baja California Sur based vacation destination.

So if you do need an extra reason to start planning your next trip to Los Cabos, here are several!

American Airlines is Adding New Direct Flights from Austin to Los Cabos

Getting from Austin, Texas to Los Cabos, Mexico just got easier, as American Airlines announced a new weekly, seasonal flight, departing every Saturday this summer (June through August). Of course, American has been has already been offering direct service to Los Cabos from major U.S. cities like Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix, with connecting service from pretty much everywhere else.

Also new for American, at least since October of 2020, are direct flights from Dallas and Phoenix into Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz. So for those who like to spend time in both Los Cabos and La Paz, it’s now possible to fly in and out of either destination.

Southwest Airlines is Offering Incredible Low Fares to Los Cabos

Southwest is offering a host of incredible ticket deals this spring, with ridiculously low fares to desirable vacation destinations in Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Los Cabos, for example, are available from as little as $122. So if you weren’t planning a trip already, now’s a good time to start thinking about one!

Frontier Airlines is Adding Direct Flights from Las Vegas to Los Cabos

Frontier has got Los Cabos in mind, too, as they add four new direct flights from Las Vegas this month, with destinations that include Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).

“We’re very excited bring more new flights to Las Vegas,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president at Frontier Airlines. “Frontier has quickly become a preferred airline in Las Vegas with an established crew base, robust flight schedule and ultra-competitive fares and we look forward to welcoming Nevadans on our two new international routes later this month to the sunny beaches of Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.”

The new nonstop flights will fly twice weekly from Las Vegas to Los Cabos, starting this Friday.

So plan accordingly!

Where to Stay, Where to Play

Now that you have information on new flights to Los Cabos, many at very low cost, that means you can think about more important things: like where you’re going to stay during your time in the area.

Luxury villas and vacation rentals are an excellent option for those staying in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as for secluded getaways on the Los Cabos municipality’s gorgeous East Cape.

Not only to vacation rentals offer an upgraded level of privacy and security, they allow you to set up your Los Cabos base near your favorite beach or activities option, be it a charter fishing boat to chase marlin and tuna, or one of the region’s incredible collection of world-class golf courses.

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: Southwest Airlines

Upcoming Events Calendar

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. – Mar. 2

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

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 18 – 21

Semana Santa – Mar. 28. – Apr. 3

April

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race – Apr. 23 – 26

NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally Road Race – Apr. 23 – 30

May

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

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

June

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 -7

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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

November

WON Tuna Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

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

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Bisbee’s Looks to Break More Records with 2021 Fishing Tournaments

There’s one record from Bisbee’s Black and Blue tournament that may never be broken. That’s the 993 lb. blue marlin caught by Team Picante in 1994. Not only is it the biggest ever caught during the 40 year history of the “world’s richest fishing tournament”, it’s one of the largest ever caught in Cabo San Lucas.

All the other records, though? They’re almost certain to be broken. In fact, many were broken during the 2020 season, when Bisbee’s trio of big money tournaments were held safely in the middle of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The first, Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, broke records for attendance and the largest purse in the history of the tournament, as well as the largest fish ever caught. A record 72 teams competed for the record 1.1 million dollar purse – the first time the tournament had ever cracked the million dollar mark – with the added bonus of a 704 lb. blue marlin being reeled in. That too, of course, was the largest in the history of the event.

The records kept falling in October, with both the Los Cabos Offshore and Black and Blue tournaments besting their best ever marks for attendance and prize money. The Los Cabos Offshore topped the million dollar mark for the second year in succession, with prize pools and jackpots totaling $1,457,000 for the 128 participating teams.

The Black and Blue had one less team – a mere 127 comprising 883 anglers! – but smashed its own record with $4,649,350 in total prize money. That bested the former mark, set in 2006, of $4,165,960; which for well over a decade had been the largest payout in sportfishing history.

When all was said and done, prize money for the three tournaments combined totaled $7,206,350…and you guessed it! That too was a record.

But the most remarkable fact may be that of the ten fishing tournaments worldwide with prize payouts of over a million dollars, Bisbee’s has three of them! And all are held annually in beautiful Los Cabos.

This year, Bisbee’s is looking to break those records all over again. It won’t be easy, but if all of them were broken in the midst of a pandemic, imagine what will happen if the season takes place during a time of relative normality?

The 2021 season starts, as is traditional, with the East Cape Offshore. This year’s three-day tournament is scheduled for August 3rd to 7th. 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 $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, 2021 for the ECO).

The Los Cabos Offshore comes next, taking place October 14th to 17th. Commonly known as “Little Bisbee’s,” to differentiate it from the “Big Bisbee’s” Black and Blue, 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 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.

And of course the “Super Bowl of Sportfishing”, Bisbee’s Black and Blue, serves as the season finale, from October 19th to 23rd. 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.

Could this be the year the prize payout exceeds five million? Don’t bet against it!

Bisbee’s tournaments of late are proof positive that records are made to be broken.

So if you’re a fisherman (or fisherwoman), don’t you want an opportunity to make history? In 40 years, Bisbee’s Black and Blue has paid out close to 100 million dollars, including 16 individual team checks for over one million dollars, five checks over two million, and two checks for over three million.

Is this the year a check tops four million? Are you the one cashing it? There’s only one way to find out.

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: Picante Sportfishing

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop (Virtual Session) – Jan. 31 – Feb. 6

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

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

Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) – Feb. 5

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

Día de la Bandera Mexicana (Flag Day) –  Feb. 24

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 28 – Mar. 2

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. – Mar. 2

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

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 18 – 21

Semana Santa – Mar. 28. – Apr. 3

April

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race – Apr. 23 – 26

NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally Road Race – Apr. 23 – 30

May

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

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

June

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 -7

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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

November

WON Tuna Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

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

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Food, Art, Music and Romance:  February Events in Los Cabos

As we reported last week, Los Cabos as a tourist destination has weathered the ongoing Covid-19 crisis quite well, recovering 80% of expected travel activity by the end of 2020, with an even rosier outlook for 2021. The outlook is also brighter this year for events.

Yes, fishing tournaments saw record turnouts and payouts last year, but for the most part the event calendar in 2020 was characterized by cancellations. That trend will continue to some extent in 2021, especially for events that have traditionally seen large crowds gathered in close proximity. But for the most part area event organizers have learned from the destination’s strict approach to temperature testing, sanitization and distancing protocols, and are now working diligently to factor in those protocols so that events can proceed safely and on schedule.

Some big events, alas, will still be cancelled this year. Carnaval, a huge annual event in La Paz, has been postponed until 2o22; as has San Jose del Cabo’s Jazz Weekend, a great downtown music fest that has been a Valentine’s Day weekend favorite for years. But romantic Valentine’s Day dinners will remain a Los Cabos specialty this year, as will memorable cultural festivals, and plenty of outdoor sporting competitions, led by high-profile fishing and golf tournaments.

With that in mind, here are the February event highlights in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

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

The historic Distrito del Arte 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. This being 2020, social distancing and other safety protocols are in effect.

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

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.

Valentine’s Day Dinners in Los Cabos – Feb. 14

Romance is ever present in Los Cabos, from pampering couples-focused spa treatments to Champagne amenities and sunset dinners for two. As the name suggests, the latter is a signature highlight at Sunset Monalisa. This year, as always, the fine dining favorite is going all out for Valentine’s Day, pairing a seven course tasting menu from Chef Jacob Ramos with live music, surprise amenities, and of course the restaurant’s trademark spectacular views of Land’s End as the sun goes down. Reservations are essential for the tasting menu, priced at $200 per person, but those who miss out on preferred seating needn’t worry. Romantic seaside restaurants abound in the cape cities; of special note, Waldorf Astoria Pedregal Los Cabos’ stunning El Farallon, with its dramatic setting of tables and Champagne Terrace perched above crashing Pacific Ocean waves.

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 28 – Mar. 2

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 private courses in Los Cabos. Oklahoma State won the previous three Cabo Collegiate Tournaments. Who’ll win this year? Too early to guess, but over 15 top teams from U.S. universities will compete in the three round event, including Cal and Stanford, Alabama and LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State, as well as former tournament champions Arizona State and Oklahoma State.

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:  Sunset Monalisa

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

Todos Santos Writers Workshop (Virtual Session) – Jan. 31 – Feb. 6

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

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

Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) – Feb. 5

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

Día de la Bandera Mexicana (Flag Day) –  Feb. 24

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. 28 – Mar. 2

March

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. – Mar. 2

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

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 18 – 21

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 21

Semana Santa – Mar. 28. – Apr. 3

April

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23

Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race – Apr. 23 – 26

NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally Road Race – Apr. 23 – 30

May

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

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

June

Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 -7

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

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

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7

Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21

September

Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14

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

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

November

WON Tuna Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

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

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31