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A Taste of Cabo:  The Foodie’s Guide to Culinary Festivals in Los Cabos

September 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos gets credit for being world-class in a number of areas, but food is rarely mentioned as one of them. That needs to change. Twenty years ago the destination may have been about tacos and tequila and little else, but that’s certainly not the case anymore. Not only can foodies find international options galore, the influx of boutique resorts in recent year has been accompanied by some truly exciting new dining concepts helmed by celebrity chefs.

The new Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, for example, features cuisine from acclaimed Chef Nobu Matsuhia. French master Jean-Georges Vongerichten has taken steakhouse dining to a new level with SEARED at One&Only Palmilla. The Cape: A Thompson Hotel is home to Manta, a restaurant from Chef Enrique Olvera, whose Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in New York City are rated among the best in the world; and Spanish chef Martin Berasategui, earner of 12 Michelin stars so far, has opened Gastro Bar at Paradisus Los Cabos in the tourist corridor which connects cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

But it’s not just the celebrity chefs who are transforming the local dining scene. A new generation of regional chefs is redefining Baja Sur cuisine, and a burgeoning locavore movement continues to showcase the abundance of local seafood and organic produce in new and interesting ways.

It’s an exciting time to visit Los Cabos and an exciting time to enjoy its many flavors. Nowhere is this more evident than at the culinary fests that dot the local calendar. Yes, Covid-19 has put a damper on some and caused new safety and social distancing protocols for all, but that hasn’t stopped local chefs from cooking up incredible food for visitors to sample.

With that in mind, here’s a look at what visiting foodies can expect in the coming months in terms of food-focused events.

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. Normally 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. This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival has been moved from spring to autumn, and will now take place November 13th to 15th, with new safety measures in place. The best part of the move, the organizers point out, is that guests can now count themselves among the first to taste the new vintage of Baja wines.

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 typically 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 Maná, 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 upcoming edition generally aren’t finalized until late October or early November, and because of current restrictions regarding large gatherings, the event may take a vastly different form 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 notable local restaurant.

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 (saborestranslates as tastes or flavors) is expected to return for its 5th annual edition in April 2021.

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. The annual “feria” always boasts a variety of traditional activities, including 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–traditionally held in late July or early August–inevitably heightens one’s appreciation for what can be done in the name of this luscious tropical fruit; mangate, for example, a dessert typical of the region, always offers a memorable tasting experience.

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:  Festival Sabores de Baja

Upcoming Events Calendar

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

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Wild Cabo:  Nature and Wildlife Adventures in Los Cabos

September 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment

In years past, the phrase “wild Cabo” was mostly used in reference to the anything goes nightlife in Cabo San Lucas. Nowadays, however, it’s more likely to be used in conjunction with the natural wonders of Los Cabos. And yes, that includes more than just the gorgeous beaches that trace the municipality’s nearly 100 miles of breathtaking coastline.

From stark desert to interior mountains and two major bodies of water–the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez–Los Cabos offers a remarkable range of both land-based and aquatic terrains, and is home to some of the most extraordinary creatures on the planet.

The largest fish and the largest mammals on Earth (whale sharks and whales, respectively) both spend time cruising the waters of southern Baja, offering incredible opportunities for wildlife adventures; whether its watching the spectacular aerial breaches of humpbacks from high-speed Zodiac boats or swimming side-by-side with 20-ton whale sharks off the coast of La Paz.

Whales and whale sharks may be the biggest attractions, but many other large pelagic creatures also call Los Cabos home, from dolphins and sharks to manta rays and enormous sea turtles (mature leatherbacks, the largest species, can reach nine feet in length and well over 1000 pounds), Snorkeling and diving remain the traditional activities for those seeking a basic introduction to the region’s staggering aquatic bio-diversity, but more specialized tours and excursions also exist.

For each species there is an optimal season, but on a year-round basis there’s always a one-of-a-kind bucket list adventure available. Here are four of our favorites:

Help Save Endangered Sea Turtles

Five of the world’s seven endangered sea turtle species come to Baja California to lay their eggs–the green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, olive riddle and leatherback (the largest sea turtle and the world’s fastest aquatic reptile)–with local conservation agencies and some area resorts offering opportunities to assist in the hatchling process. Why is this help so important? Although mature sea turtles are long-lived and have few predators, they are in great danger during their initial journey away from the nest, extremely vulnerable to predators on both land and sea. The help visitors give, in other words, contributes to the long lives of hatchlings, and also to the continuation of these remarkable species. In Los Cabos, sea turtle season stretches from late August until early December.

Destination Snorkeling & Diving

Los Cabos boasts spectacular year-round diving, with a half-dozen great sites at Land’s End alone, plus easy access to the living coral reef at Cabo Pulmo–one of the oldest and largest in the Western Hemisphere–and dedicated shipwreck dive sites in both Los Cabos and La Paz. One local boat, the Solmar V, even offers week-long trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago, some 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, for unbelievable underwater encounters with deep sea creatures like manta rays, dolphins and great white sharks. The best times to visit in terms of water temperatures and visibility, however, are during the late summer and early autumn months. From July through October, water temperatures typically range from about 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cabo Pulmo is the recommended regional dive site during peak season, offering access to the spectacular coral reef, as well as the densest accumulation of fish and other marine life in the Sea of Cortez (over 800 species, thanks to its protected status as a national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Swimming with Whale Sharks

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, reaching up to 40 feet in length, and weighing as much as 47,000 pounds. There is no risk in swimming with these gentle giants, however, since they subsist solely on plankton. Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz is the premier place to indulge in this unforgettable wildlife adventure, with the majority of interactions occurring near the tip of the El Mogote peninsula. For those interested in whale shark swims, complimentary round-trip transportation from Los Cabos is provided by several respected activities providers during the months of August through May each year.

Whale Watching

Each winter some 5,000 to 10,000 blue, gray, humpback and other whales migrate from their arctic feeding grounds to breed in the shallow water coves and inlets of beautiful Baja California Sur. In this regard these leviathans of the deep are very much like the snowbirds who flock to cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo to escape frigid winter temperatures in the U.S. and Canada. The only real difference–aside from the obvious anatomical ones–is one of scale. The longest mammalian migration ever recorded was in 2014-2015, when a gray whale dubbed Varvara traveled over 14,000 miles round-trip from Russia to Cabo San Lucas. The whale watching season in Los Cabos kicks off officially on Dec. 15, with tours offered by virtually all local activities companies though mid-March (or beyond, depending upon the whims of the whales).

 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:  Cabo Adventures

Upcoming Events Calendar

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival (online only) – Nov. 11 – 19

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

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What’s Happening in Los Cabos: A Look at Upcoming Events

September 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos is a year-round tourist destination now, but the old distinctions of “high” and “low” season are still a factor when it comes to signature events. The eight-month stretch from October through May–traditionally the high season in Los Cabos–still sees the vast majority of local events, and October, the kick-off month, hosts many of the high-profile events most associated with the region.

Obviously, things are somewhat different in 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic, and thus some events have had to be cancelled, while others have had to reconfigured, and all have been rethought in terms of safety concerns. For instance, Independence Day in Mexico, the country’s biggest civic holiday and the last major event (Sep. 16) in Los Cabos before October, has seen big changes this year. The official aspects of the holiday, like “grito” reenactments and parades, will be “virtual” this year in Los Cabos to prevent the gathering of large crowds.

But most of the big local to-dos in October and November are still on the calendar, and in recognizable form, albeit with some new safety procedures.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the most notable upcoming events.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Just as September is El Mes de la Patria, the “the country’s month,” in Mexico, October is the month of the fishing tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Bisbee’s two cash-rich tournaments–the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue–get most of the publicity, but the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament also sends out a siren call to big-game fishermen eager for big-money prizes and jackpots. The three tournaments combined in 2018 to pay out over $5,500,925. The 22nd 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 (this year with two levels). 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 15 – 18

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 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. Team Predator took home the most money in 2019, pocketing a cool $445,825 for a few days of “work”.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 20 – 24

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.). Three separate checks of over 1.3 million dollars were handed out in 2019.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – November 2

Mexico observes many holidays, but none quite so visually distinctive and emotionally resonant as El Dia 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 cempasuchil flowers (Aztec marigolds), calaveras de azucar (candy skulls), and a sweet bread called pan de muerto. The most famous calavera, an elegantly costumed skeleton named Catrina, was created in the early 20th century by illustrator José Guadalupe Posada. Catrina figures are commonly seen around Los Cabos during the Day of the Dead observances, as are a few public ofrendas.

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – November 2 to 14

The funniest book every written about the Baja California peninsula and its idiosyncratic residents was the work of a Western Outdoor News columnist and all-around fine writer named Fred Hoctor. The book, called Baja Haha, was published in 1984 and has been something of a cult classic among gringo expats ever since. Sadly, Señor Hoctor is no longer with us, but his title and off-kilter humor lives on in the form of Baja Ha-Ha, a 750-mile cruisers rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas that began in the early 1990s and celebrates its 27th anniversary this year, from November 2nd to 14th. Cruising the Baja coast isn’t inherently funny in itself. Rather, it’s the safe but lighthearted approach of the participants, led by their “Grand Poobah,” that make the rally special. Since the inaugural event, over 3,000 boats and 10,000 sailors have participated. Seagoing vessels between 27’ and 100’ in length are eligible, and can look forward to two scheduled stops along the way, at Tortuga and Santa Maria Bays, before reaching Cabo San Lucas.

22nd Annual WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament – November 4 – 7

The Western Outdoor News has a long history with Los Cabos, dating back to the 1950s, when Baja columnist Ray Cannon’s rave fishing reviews helped put the area on the destination travel map. The WON Tuna Jackpot is one of the larger fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas, a fixture of the autumn sporting calendar that follows hard on the heels of the Los Cabos Billfish and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. Last year’s event, the 21st edition, saw a 345 lb. yellowfin tuna take first place, which translated to a $425,230 payout check to Team Sirena. Even bigger things are expected this year.

 

Los Cabos International Film Festival – November 11 to 19

The Los Cabos International Film Festival returns for its 9th edition on November 11th, with an inaugural red carpet gala and screening at the Pabellon Cultural de la Republica in Cabo San Lucas. The celebrity and paparazzi studded galas receive much of the attention, but the heart of the festival consists of curated screenings at Cinemex Theaters at Puerto Paraiso, and behind the scenes conferences and programs designed to promote mutually beneficial collaborations between the North American film industries. Thus, the LCIFF’s long-running tagline: “Come See What the Neighbors Are Doing.” Last year’s event saw plenty of star power thanks to the appearance of two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, who attended the festival to support the Latin American premiere of director Martin Scorsese’s film, The Irishman. No news has been released, as yet, on celebrity appearances in 202o.

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:  WON Tuna Jackpot

Upcoming Events Calendar

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

 

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Your Own Private Paradise: 3 Tips to Finding the Perfect Vacation Rental in Los Cabos

September 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Increasingly in 2020, discerning travelers are opting for vacation rentals rather than traditional hotels and resorts. Part of this paradigm shift has to do with the world in which we now live. Privacy, which vacation rentals offer more of by their very nature than even the most luxurious resorts, offer an upgraded sense of security in a pandemic world, and allow those desirous of a much-needed vacation to travel to paradise-like locations such as Los Cabos in safety and style.

But vacation rentals in beachfront destinations like Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del abo offer more than just mere privacy. They also offer an ability to customize your vacation experience in a way hotel and resorts never will, for the simple fact that the latter are tethered to a specific location.

What do we mean by this? We’ll explain more fully as we offer our top 3 tips for finding the perfect vacation rental in Los Cabos.

Customize Your Location

Is there a beach in Los Cabos you love above all others? Do you have a favorite surf break, or dive site? How about a favored restaurant or a bar where everyone knows your name?

One of the great things about luxury villas and vacation rentals is that they dot the coastline from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and beyond. If you want a place on the beach, or in mountain foothills, or with views of magnificent desert vistas, you can certainly have it. In effect, vacation rentals allow you to choose your scenery, to customize the views which make you happiest.

Just as importantly, they allow you close proximity to the activities or dining preferences you’re most likely to choose on a daily basis. Do you and your wife like playing golf together at a certain course? Then why not choose a vacation rental located close (if not fairway adjacent) to that course?

The ability to find a property that aligns perfectly with your vacation plans is a great luxury, but also a great convenience that will save you hours in back and forth travel time. Time that could be more fruitfully spent doing the things that drew you to Los Cabos in the first place.

Customize Your Amenities

Let’s be honest. It’s not going to be difficult to find a place with a swimming pool–or even an infinity edged pool with gorgeous ocean views–in a destination like Los Cabos. Every luxury villa and vacation rental worth its salt has a pool, not to mention a palapa topped outdoor lounge with a grilling station for sunset barbecues. Amenities like these are practically standard.

Other amenities are more hit and miss, which like location, allows visitors to customize a vacation property based upon their specific needs or wishes. We’d recommend vastly different properties for a couple seeking a romantic getaway, for instance, than for a family traveling with small children.

In the former case, easy access to a private chef for romantic candlelit dinners or a masseuse for side-by-side couple’s spa treatments might be preferred. For the latter, a home theater for family movie nights or direct beach access for sandcastle building are likely more suitable.

Vacation rentals in Los Cabos are apt to have a few things–like ocean views and swimming pools–in common. But there are many more aspects that can be customized. There’s no need to simply select a place based on budget or number of bedrooms, or to choose a hotel or resort based on brand reputation. Not when you can find a place that’s picture perfect for the kind of vacation you’ve always dreamed of having.

Find the Right Rental Agent

Although you can find plenty of people willing to act as your agent for villas or vacation rentals (or real estate, for that matter) in Los Cabos, very few have the knowledge and experience to find properties perfectly suited to both your wishes and your budget.

Enter Michael Aviani and Los Cabos Villas. Michael has been a trusted name in Los Cabos rentals and Cabo real estate for over 30 years, with a stellar reputation and an exhaustive knowledge of properties in the area; and his vacation rental company website, www.LosCabosVillas.com , is the premier resource for locating luxury villas and vacation rentals. Also if you would like to invest and buy a Piece of Paradise click on www.TheCaboRealEstate.com.

So if you really want to customize your Los Cabos vacation, start with finding the right rental agent and the right resources.

The good news? You’ve already found them.

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:  Villas del Mar

Upcoming Events Calendar

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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Billfish and Big Purses: Previewing the 2020 Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

August 25, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Fish all day, party all night. For over 20 years, that’s been the recipe for success
for the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament.

Some refinements in terms of social distancing and other safety measures will have to be factored in for 2020, but as we’ve seen with Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore, the East Cape Dorado Shootout and Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot–the first three fishing tournaments of the season–the fun continues, and so do the big purses.

Bisbee’s ECO set a tournament record for payouts earlier this month, becoming just the 9th fishing tournament worldwide to crack the million-dollar mark. Of course, Bisbee’s other two Los Cabos based competitions–the Black and Blue and Los Cabos Offshore–have already joined that select seven-figure company, and the Black and Blue remains the most lucrative event in fishing. Hence, its nicknames: “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” and “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament”.

Both take place in October. So too does the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. In fact, it’s the LCBT that kicks off the best month of the year for big-game, big-money sport fishing in Los Cabos.

The 21st annual competition is scheduled to take place October 11th to 15th, 2020 in Cabo San Lucas; preceding the Los Cabos Offshore (October 15th to 18th) and Black and Blue (October 20th to 24th).

No, the purses aren’t Bisbee’s big…but the LCBT does have a history of handing out impressive over-sized checks. And did we mention the partying? This isn’t just a fishing competition, but a celebration of a certain kind of lifestyle.

Team El Suertudo led the way in terms of fishing in 2019 (no champ was crowned for partying), earning $117,350 of the $785,550 in total payouts as one of 51 participating teams, who together accounted for 117 billfish across two days of fishing (36 blue marlin, 73 striped marlin, 3 black marlin, and 5 sailfish).

Team El Suertudo’s winning score was 1300 points, which highlights one of the more interesting elements of the tournament: the LCBT works on a points system. Black and blue marlin, for example, must be 300 pounds to qualify, and are graded at 300 points for catch and release, or 1.5 points per pound for the two boated marlin allowable per day per team.

Marlin are the kings of the Los Cabos sport fishing scene, and marlin the determine the big money earners at the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament. A monster like the 440 black marlin caught by Team Wild Hooker last year is worth 660 points. But quantity also counts, as El Suertudo proved by catching four blue marlin, two striped marlin and a Pacific Sailfish on the second day of fishing.

However, if boated marlin fail to meet the 300-pound limit when weighed, teams can then be penalized 300 points…or more. The penalty is weighted too, you see, and assessed as 2 points for every pound under the limit. A 280-pound marlin is thus penalized at 340 points. Striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish are worth 25 points each (release only). Tuna, dorado and wahoo are eligible for select daily jackpots, provided they meet the 25-pound minimum requirement.

All teams must provide their own video cameras, synchronized to tournament time, to verify catch and releases.

Base entry is $5,000 per team (up to six anglers), or $25,000 all-in to qualify for all daily jackpots in the 2020 event. The Captains Meeting and post-tournaments Awards Gala will be hosted by Playa Grande Resort.

Other requirements? Only a desire to fish all day, party all night, and get paid for doing so.

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:  Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Los Cabos Big Game Charter Boat Classic – Nov. 17 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Destination Relaxation – 3 Pampering New Luxury Spas in Los Cabos

August 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The days of Los Cabos as a simple, laid-back beach and fishing destination are long gone.

It’s not that the beaches and big-game fishing aren’t still spectacular, mind you, it’s that the better class of resorts in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have spent the last two decades adding amenity after pampering amenity in an attempt (overwhelmingly successful, by the way) to turn Los Cabos into one of the world’s great luxury destinations.

At the heart of this reimagining are incredible collections of championship level golf courses and luxurious spas. The region now boasts no less than 18 currently operating golf courses designed by legendary names like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, and expansive and decadent spas are now found at virtually every local upscale resort.

We’ve given plenty of updates recently on the golfing scene, but very few in regards the collection of spas. So with that in mind, here are three great new luxury spa options to enjoy on your next trip to Los Cabos:

Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

By any name, this Pedgregal property is world-class. Originally opened as Capella Pedregal in 2009, the boutique 96-r00m resort was subsequently renamed The Resort at Pedregal before taking on the Waldorf Astoria imprimatur in 2019. The latter is a virtual synonym for luxury travel, and what were already five star amenities–the longest private tunnel in Mexico, cliffside dining above crashing Pacific Ocean waves–have now been elevated to the level of must-try destination experiences.

That’s certainly the case with the Waldorf Astoria Spa, which was created by renowned spa designer Sylvia Sepelli and offers pampering treatments grouped around central themes of the moon, the sea and Mexican folk healing. For example, massages based on lunar cycles and an indigenous herbal detox using the potent properties of indigenous Baja plants.

All the traditional spa bells and whistles are also found here, however, from an upscale beauty salon and a state-of-the-art fitness center to ten private treatment rooms and tennis courts with stunning elevated Cabo San Lucas city views.

Oasis Spa at Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

This resort is the first ever luxury property on the East Cape of Los Cabos, a 70-mile belly-shaped arc that extends northward from San Jose del Cabo. For decades, the East Cape has been the last refuge for those who loved the old Baja of dirt roads and under-the-radar dive and surf spots.

That Baja still exists, but so too does a new kind of East Cape experience, an exclusive luxury hideaway on the coast at La Ribera. Relaxing couples’ treatments like side-by-side massages are a specialty of the house, offering intimacy and an enhanced state of relaxation across a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, from private rooms to plunge pools to romantic strolls through the aromatic onsite herb garden.

Like the Waldorf Astoria Spa, Oasis also offers folk rituals based on the healing properties of indigenous plants. Yoga and breath work on the beach, exfoliating treatments for face, body, hands and feet, and the full-service Rossano Ferretti salon are yet more reasons to discover this newly opened Oasis.

Esencia Wellness at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos

There was excitement aplenty about the opening of a Nobu restaurant in Los Cabos…even more when it turned out it was part of a boutique Nobu resort on the Pacific Coast north of Cabo San Lucas, in the exclusive Diamante property development.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s acclaimed fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian (and now Baja) ingredients is one reason to visit. Another is Esencia Wellness, an onsite spa that’s grounded in Japanese traditions but also promises plenty of modern refinements.

The pampering spa occupies over 13,000 square feet at Nobu, and features 13 treatment rooms, a spacious fitness center, a full-service salon, indoor hydrotherapy areas, and an outdoor hydrotherapy garden that includes steam, sauna, jacuzzi and more.

Signature offerings include Nobu Zen, a custom treatment that utilizes several techniques to alleviate stress.

The same description could just as easily be applied to Los Cabos itself. So do yourself a favor and plan a visit soon!

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:  Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Cabo, Summer Style:  Things to Do in Los Cabos This August

August 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Although there is never really a bad time to visit Los Cabos, there are certainly optimal times in regards some of the region’s signature attractions.

The sun may shine year-round, in other words, but there are still “seasons” for some of the most popular activities and adventures. Whale watching is probably the most notably example of a purely seasonal activity, since these enormous creatures for the most part can only be seen from mid-December through mid-March. But conditions for other attractions, although objectively good on a year-round basis, undeniably reach their zenith during certain calendar months.

With that in mind, here are three more reasons you should want to visit cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo this August.

Peak Season for Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Thanks to its year-round sunshine and warm water temperatures, snorkeling and diving conditions are always good in Los Cabos. That said, August and September are considered the best months, since those times traditionally offer the highest water temperatures and highest degree of visibility at local dive sites.

Have you always dreamed of exploring the underwater world off the half-mile Land’s End headland that marks the southernmost terminus of the Baja California peninsula? August is a great time to visit famed diving destinations like Pelican Rock and The Point, both of which are home to colorful seascapes teeming with life, from small fish to sea lions and much, much more.

The mecca for snorkelers and divers, however, is the marine sanctuary and national park that lies just offshore of the small East Cape community of Cabo Pulmo. Not only do these protected waters include one of North America’s oldest living coral reefs, but they also boast the highest concentrations of marine life found anywhere in the Sea of Cortez.

Peak Season for Marlin Fishing

The fish are always biting in Los Cabos, true, but which kind of fish exactly can vary from month to month and season to season.

The region’s most high-profile fishing targets for visiting anglers, for example, are billfish like blue and black marlin. These two species provide the namesake title for Bisbee’s annual Black & Blue Tournament, famed for its multi-million dollar payouts to winning teams (hence its nicknames: “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing” and “The World’s Richest Fishing Tournament”).

Bisbee’s Black and Blue and Los Cabos Offshore Tournaments are held in October, but its East Cape Offshore takes place in August. As a matter of fact, it starts today. The reason being that peak fishing season for blue and black marlin extends from July through the end of October.

But you don’t have to enter a tournament to fish for an enormous marlin. All you have to do is charter a boat.

August is also one of the best times all year to bag a dorado. This fish is known by many names. On the East Coast of the U.S. it’s typically referred to as dolphinfish, on the West Coast as mahi. By any name it’s absolutely delicious, and virtually every restaurant in Los Cabos offers “you hook it, we cook it” specials when you bring in your own fresh catch of the day.

Surfing Season on the Sea of Cortez

The long-held wisdom in Los Cabos is that you surf the Sea of Cortez side during the summer months, the Pacific Ocean side during the winter months.

Certainly, the best time to visit famed Sea of Cortez side breaks like Zippers, Old Man’s and Monuments is during summer months like August. The former was for several years the site of the World Surf League sanctioned Los Cabos Open of Surf, but all three have been drawing destination wave riders for decades.

Zippers is not only a perennially popular surf spot, but the beach where it is found–Playa Costa Azul, in San Jose del Cabo–actually boasts two other notable surf breaks: La Roca (or The Rock) and The Middle. The latter is one of the best beginner-friendly breaks in the region (High Tide Los Cabos offers lessons here), while La Roca is best left to the experts. Old Man’s, AKA Playa Acapulquito, offers something in-between in terms of skill level, as well as the option of boutique accommodations at the nearby Cabo Surf Hotel.

Monuments, meanwhile, is famed locally for several reasons. It’s the only surf break in the region that features Land’s End views. It’s also the most notable “left hand” surf break in Los Cabos, and the beach from which it is accessed has recently been upgraded to Blue Flag status for services and sustainability by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

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:  Blue Sky Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Different Strokes:  The Best New Golf Courses in Los Cabos

July 28, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Although Los Cabos’ gorgeous year-round weather and striking combination of ocean, desert and mountains lends itself to outdoor activities of all kinds, fishing and golf are the sports most popular with the three million or so tourists that visit the region on annual basis.

It was big-game fishing for marlin and tuna that helped to put Cabo San Lucas on the map, and since the early 1990s, new championship level golf courses have been opening on a regular basis…often as part of luxury real estate developments or in concert with brand-name resorts, but always with spectacular coastal settings and the imprimatur of legendary players and designers.

Major champions Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Tom Weiskopf have all lent their names and design acumen to local layouts. Nicklaus has designed six, in fact, and spearheaded the golfing boom that has been going strong for the last 30 years.

Norman has designed two courses in Los Cabos, including the most recent at Rancho San Lucas on the Pacific Coast north of Cabo San Lucas. But that’s hardly the only destination attraction to lure golfers in recent years.

Here’s the scoop on four of the most recent, not to most notable, courses to open in Los Cabos since 2018.

Costa Palmas Golf Club

The Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Costa Palmas Golf Club is the first course to open on the Los Cabos municipality’s beautiful and still largely undeveloped East Cape. Built in conjunction with a private resort community centered around the new Four Seasons Los Cabos Resort at Costa Palmas, the first-ever Baja foray for the distinguished luxury brand, the course opened to great acclaim in December 2019.

The new 7,221-yard loop is scenically set between the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range and the Sea of Cortez, with the first six holes threading through links-style dunes, the middle six offering panoramic mountain vistas, and the final six showing off the gorgeous coves and harbors of La Ribera, where the resort community and golf course is located. The new yacht club is also on picturesque display.

In addition to its 18 memorable holes, the new Costa Palmas Golf Club also boasts a host of luxury amenities, including a six-hole par-3 course for families, a 30,000 square foot practice putting green that’s illuminated at night, and a “19th hole” style café called Bouchi’s.

Costa Palmas is actually Robert Trent Jones II’s second design in Los Cabos. The first was Cabo Real, which opened in 1996 and helped put Los Cabos on the golfing map after television cameras broadcast whales breaching near a seaside green during a Senior Slam event.

Rancho San Lucas Golf Course

“Rancho San Lucas is the most spectacular piece of oceanfront property I’ve seen in a long time, so to have the opportunity to build a course on this site was truly once-in-a-lifetime,” said Greg Norman about his newly designed course, which opened in February 2020. “My goal was to keep it as natural as possible while showcasing the site’s arroyos, dunes and view corridors. We wanted to build a sustainable course that is playable from all perspectives, including the forward tees. We’re committed to making a global impact by creating courses that withstand the test of time, and I truly believe this golf course is one of the best we’ve ever built.”

The layout’s defining characteristic is its British Open style pot bunkers. These sharp-edged, steep-walled sandy pits were constructed from recycled artificial turf and are nearly identical to the natural sod-walled bunkers found on British links courses. Resistant to washouts, the club’s synthetic, low-maintenance bunkers are a first in Mexico. Norman used them sparingly.

The versatile, well-groomed layout has five sets of tees and offers exceptional pace and variety. The par 5s are brawny, the par 3s are varied. The par 4s, angled to all compass points, range from long and stout to short and fun.

Featuring a dramatic 300-foot elevation change, the well-strategized course has a handful of holes on the beach, notably the par-3 third, which parallels the sea and will give players fine views of breaching whales during the winter months.

With two on-course comfort stations, each providing Mexican specialties and ice-cold refreshments, players can enjoy an all-inclusive experience during the round.  A handsome ranchero-style clubhouse overlooks the fairways and sea. The practice facility features a basin-shaped driving range, an 18-hole putting course, and dedicated chipping, pitching and sand play areas.

Rancho San Lucas is also notable for its single player scooters, one of many safety protocols instituted since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Twin Dolphin Golf Club

Former Masters Champion Fred Couples collaborated with Todd Eckenrode of Origins Golf Design on the picturesque layout for Twin Dolphin Golf Club, a seaside loop overlooking Santa Maria Bay in the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor that premiered in December 2018.

The course is the centerpiece of a 1400-acre, master planned community, which is also called Twin Dolphin in a nod to the iconic early resort which once occupied some of the same real estate. The upscale community includes the 122-room luxury beachfront resort Montage Los Cabos, as well as the private residences of Maravilla Los Cabos.

Couples and Eckenrode’s design is a par-72; its 18 holes stretching a challenging 7,156 yards from the tips. Playability for handicappers of all levels is a major focus, however, with four optional sets of tees (including one for kids), and subtle mounding in spots to safely corral errant drives. Stunning views of the Sea of Cortez and interior Sierra de la Laguna mountain range on each and every hole also bring another level of enjoyment to the golfing experience.

“We wanted this to be a course that all players can enjoy,” Couples explained. “With its multiple sets of tees, it varies in length and features undulating greens, dramatic elevation changes, impeccable fairways and natural bunkering. It’s a great second shot golf course with several spectacular tee shots. The architecture makes great use of the natural topography and the ocean views make each hole incredibly memorable.”

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Course

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–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.

The opening stretch, routed at sea level and swept by gentle breezes, is designed to get players off to a good start. The first hole, a links-style par 5 flanked by an arroyo and framed in the distance by dunes, plays directly to the Sea of Cortes. The par-4 second hole, 332 yards at full stretch, invites big hitters to carry a large central bunker to reach the slightly elevated green, with trouble in store for misplayed shots.

The new nine’s picturesque closing stretch—holes 6 through 9—ascends to higher ground and has been the talk of the club since they opened. Each presents a fair but formidable challenge. The par-4 sixth, while not long on the card, demands an exacting approach to a well-protected tabletop green. From an elevated tee, the dramatic par-4 seventh plays to a ramped-up fairway, the uphill target a wishbone-shaped green indented by a deep bunker. At 191 yards from the tips, the sturdy par-3 eighth hole, its green benched into a hillside and ringed by bunkers, plays much longer than the listed yardage due to the prevailing wind. The new par-5 ninth, which occupies the corridor of the former 10th hole but plays in the opposite direction, offers a wide fairway that tumbles downhill to a green defended on the right by a pond. Nicklaus also built a new 10th hole, this one a testing 541-yard par 5 that skirts a winding arroyo on the right and rises to a well-protected green.

The new clubhouse at Puerto Los Cabos, also opened in 2018, is a distinctive blend of traditional Spanish Mission revival architecture and contemporary styling.  It offers an excellent snack bar open for breakfast and lunch as well as shaded outdoor seating. Ingredients for dishes are sourced from Miraflores, a local organic farm.  Complimentary refreshments, including fresh fish tacos, are served to players at the Bear’s Den, an on-course palapa.

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:  Costa Palmas Golf Club

Upcoming Events Calendar

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 18

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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Full Speed Ahead for 2020 Fishing Tournament Season in Los Cabos

July 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

In the age of social distancing, many events have been cancelled over the past few months–in Los Cabos as elsewhere–and many more are being reconfigured for the future.

One aspect of the local event scene that has remained largely unchanged, however, is the fishing tournament. This sport, with its built-in social distancing of small teams working together on different boats, has been able to continue safely…and thus able to continue to provide joy to all participants, as well as very large paychecks to winning anglers.

So far, only two Los Cabos based tournaments have been cancelled. The Pelagic sponsored Cabo Summer Slam/The Triple Crown of Fishing, which traditionally kicks off the fishing season in Cabo San Lucas, was derailed because of quarantine conditions that were in place until Los Cabos was reopened with new safety protocols in mid-June; and the Ladies Only Fishing Tournament hosted by the Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles, the 2nd edition of which was to take place July 23rd to 27th, has been pushed back to July 2021.

Everything else, happily, is right on schedule and full speed ahead. This includes Bisbee’s trio of big-money marlin fishing tournaments, as well as all the other fishing tournaments that have become fixtures of the Los Cabos event scene over the past few decades.

The season officially kicked off last weekend with the 16th annual East Cape Dorado Shootout in Los Barriles, which always boasts one of the largest turnouts of any local fishing tournament. And as always, the winner of this one-day dorado fest walked away with a brand new vehicle–this year, a 2020 Volkswagen 4×4 Amarok pickup truck–as part of the estimated $200,000 in cash in prizes.

Here’s what is on tap for the rest of the 2020 fishing tournament season in Los Cabos.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 4 – 8, 2020

 The East Cape Offshore is always first, and kicks off Bisbee’s 2020 series starting August 4th. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three qualifiers in marlin, tuna and dorado categories, with the awards celebration taking place afterwards at the Hotel Buena Vista. Base entry for the event is $1500 per team, with additional fees for daily jackpots ($22,500 “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. Team El Suertudo took home the largest payout in tournament history in 2019, earning a healthy $619,800 for a 381 lb. blue marlin.

 East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 22

Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 22nd will earn one lucky fisherman a showroom fresh 2020 Volkswagen Golf and a Suzuki 140 horsepower four-stroke engine. In total, over $100,000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs, including great raffle prizes, return trips, fishing outings, and much more. The entry fee is only $500 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony.

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

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 in 2018 to pay out over $5,500,925. The 22nd 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 (this year with two levels). 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 15 – 18, 2020

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 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. Team Predator took home the most money in 2019, pocketing a cool $445,825 for a few days of “work”.

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – October 20 – 24, 2020

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.). Three separate checks of over 1.3 million dollars were handed out in 2019.

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament – Nov. 4 – 7, 2020

The Western Outdoor News has a long history with Los Cabos, dating back to the 1950s, when Baja columnist Ray Cannon’s rave fishing reviews helped put the area on the destination travel map. The WON Tuna Jackpot is one of the larger fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas, a fixture of the autumn sporting calendar that follows hard on the heels of the Los Cabos Billfish and Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. Last year’s event, the 21st edition, saw a 345 lb. yellowfin tuna take first place, which translated to a $425,230 payout check to Team Sirena. Even bigger things are expected this year.

 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:  Van Wormer Resorts

Upcoming Events Calendar

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 18

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

   

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The 2020 Blue Flag Summer Beach Guide to Los Cabos

July 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

If there’s one thing Los Cabos has no shortage of, it’s beautiful beaches. If you visited a new one every day for a year, you’d still have plenty of sandy new vistas left to discover for sunning, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and other summertime pleasures.

But since most visitors stay for only a week or two, we’ll make it easy with a guide to the best of the best of local beaches for your summer vacation, using blue flag certification status as a measure of quality.

What is a Blue Flag Beach?

It’s a beach recognized by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for meeting and maintaining high standards of cleanliness, water quality, safety, services (like restrooms and showers), and sustainability. The non-profit organization started in Europe in the 1980s and its certification program has now spread to more than 60 member countries around the globe.

We mentioned Los Cabos has a lot of beaches? It also has a lot of blue flag beaches, from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and beyond. In fact, Los Cabos has more blue flag beaches than any other destination in Mexico, and it’s not even really close.

For some context, Mexico as a country boasts 63 blue flag beaches, 10 of which were only recently announced in June 2020. It’s an impressive number, 63, and one that puts Mexico in 13th place worldwide (first in the Americas).

These 63 beaches span the country, from Cancun and the Riviera Maya to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta. But no beachfront resort destination has been honored so much as Los Cabos.

Baja California Sur has more blue flag beaches than any other single state with 23, an astounding 22 of which are in Los Cabos. That means Los Cabos alone accounts for 35% of the blue flag beaches in Mexico.

Blue Flag Beaches in Los Cabos

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.

Now, in 2020, blue flag beaches can be found in virtually every corner of Los Cabos, from popular city based locales to lesser known gems like La Ribera, an East Cape playa where a new Four Seasons resort has recently opened.

In fact, two of the three new blue flag beaches announced for Los Cabos are, like La Ribera, on the East Cape of Los Cabos. There is La Gaviota, the picturesque new blue flag beach in Buenavista, a locale perhaps best known for hosting Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore fishing tournament; and El Surgidero, a golden oasis found not far from Playa La Ribera.

The other blue flag beach, Playa Monumentos (or Monuments Beach), has already been famous for decades thanks to its world-class surfing conditions and magnificent views of the half-mile Land’s End headland that extends to the southernmost point of the Baja California peninsula in Cabo San Lucas.

Monumentos’ tricky left-hand surf break is not for beginners, but you don’t have to surf to enjoy this gorgeous bit of Sea of Cortez facing coastline. Like many of Los Cabos’ blue flag beaches, it’s also a dream spot for photographers (yes, selfies count!).

So if you’re going to be in paradise for a few weeks this summer, why not visit them all? We’ll include a checklist below, so you can track your progress.

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

Monumentos

Palmilla

Santa Maria

Just don’t forget to bring sunscreen!

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:  Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

Upcoming Events Calendar

August

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Aug. 4 – 8

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 22

September

Mexican Independence Day – Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 11 – 15

Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 15 – 18

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 20 – 24

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 4 – 7

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 11 – 15

Gastrovino Baja Food and Wine Festival – Nov. 13 – 15

53rd Annual SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 16 – 21

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

 December

Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

 

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