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Nature Nirvana: 5 Reasons to Visit Los Cabos This Summer

March 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Los Cabos is forever sunny and spectacular, with a host of beautiful beaches to tempt U.S. and Canadian vacationers. But although cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo offer bikini and boardshorts weather on a year-round basis, summertime still has a special appeal here, because it is the perfect season to experience some  of the region’s signature outdoor adventures.

Here are five of our five favoites, and five reasons you’ll definitely want to visit Los Cabos this summer.

Catch Waves Surfing the Sea of Cortez

Surfers will find great waves in Baja California Sur on a year-round basis, although the scene shifts according to the season. During the winter months, for example, the best top breaks are found on the Pacific Coast, most notably off beaches like Cerritos, San Pedrito and La Pastora. The Sea of Cortez takes center stage during the summer months, when seasonal weather fronts and storms send perfect southeast swells towards Los Cabos and its beautiful East Cape. Los Cabos sites like Monuments (Playa Monumentos) reach their zenith during the summer, as do East Cape meccas like Nine Palms and Shipwrecks. The most famous summer break, however, is Zippers at Playa Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo, formerly the host of the only WSL sponsored tournament in the area. Zippers and The Rock as Costa Azul are best left to the experts, but Costa Azul’s middle break and nearby Acapulquito are popular spots for beginners, and lessons are available.

Swim Side-by-Side with the World’s Largest Fish

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, beginning during the month of August each year.

Go Big-Game Fishing for Blue and Black Marlin

Make no mistake. There is no bad time to go fishing in Los Cabos. But for those interested in getting their hooks into enormous black and blue marlin, there is definitely a “best” time…and it starts right now. Why do you think Bisbee’s hosts its trio of big-money tournaments every year in August and October? Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore saw a record 704 lb. blue marlin bagged in 2020, and saw all three tournaments pass the million-dollar mark in prize money for the first time. In 2021, total prize pools for the three topped 13.2 million. Despite the lucrative competitive allure, however, visiting anglers don’t need to enter any tournaments to enjoy the region’s spectacular big-game sportfishing. Charter boats are always available from the Cabo San Luas Marina.

Dive Into Unforgettable Undersea Adventures

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).

Help Protect 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 begins in late August.

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: Sage Erickson

Upcoming Events Calendar

March

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

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

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

Cheese and Wine Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – Mar. 12

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

May

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

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

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

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament – Jul. 20 – 24

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

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

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

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

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

February 22, 2022 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit: The Official Art Walk San Jose del Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

February

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

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

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March

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

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

May

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

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

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

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Second Jack Nicklaus Course Coming to Quivira and Other 2022 Golf News in Los Cabos

January 26, 2022 by Leave a Comment

As soon as fishing tournament season cools down in Los Cabos, golf tournament season heats up.

This old adage is bearing out once again in 2022, but it’s not just tournaments that have destination golfers excited, as a highly anticipated new course development has just been announced: seven years after his landmark course at Quivira was first unveiled, legendary champion and course designer Jack Nicklaus is returning to craft a new 18-hole layout for Quivira.

Nicklaus, of course, is the king of golf in Los Cabos, having designed no less than six local courses, including acclaimed layouts at Cabo del Sol, Palmilla, and Quivira. This new course, when complete, will bring his total to seven, and the total number of golf courses in Los Cabos to 19.

The 18 currently open are all in high demand presently as it is high tourist season in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. But despite the busy season, tee times are available at most courses, as are deals and discounts for savvy visitors.

So for this first golf update of 2022, we’ll bring you up-to-date on golf tournament season in Los Cabos, share all the details on the new Nicklaus announcement, and also offer some tips on finding the best deals during high tourist season.

New Jack Nicklaus Course Underway at Quivira

 The Golden Bear’s first course at Quivira was a revelation when it opened in 2014, and remains so to today, with its 7,085 yards winding magnificently along sheer cliffs, and through desert foothills and windswept dunes.

Groundbreaking for the second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Quivira is expected to take place by the fourth quarter of 2022. The new layout will expand the resort and residential community’s golf offering to accommodate the increased demand, resulting from the growth of the development, including ultra-exclusive, recently launched projects such as the St. Regis Resort and Residences.

“The first golf course at Quivira is a spectacular layout playing across a remarkable piece of property,” Nicklaus said. “Now, I am excited that design is well underway on the second course at Quivira, which should be stunning and equally as spectacular. I hope golfers who play the second course will enjoy the views, the quality of golf, and the challenge.”

While the routing plan for Quivira’s second course is in its final stages, it is anticipated that Nicklaus and his design team will create another world-class layout on this exceptional piece of land. Situated in the northwest area of the 1,850-acre development, several of the holes on the new course will meander through rolling desert foothills and expansive valleys, interlaced by winding arroyos.

Quivira’s second Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will provide a different challenge but one that should mirror the high quality associated with the existing golf experience. The southern portion of the new layout will feature panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the westernmost point of the Sea of Cortez.  On the interior side, tall distant peaks will serve as dramatic backdrops for several holes.

Golf Tournament Season in Full-Swing in Los Cabos

The Los Cabos Pro-Am just completed another fun and successful tournament last week, with play taking place at Tom Weiskopf’s Cabo del Sol Desert Course and the Fred Couples’ designed Twin Dolphin.

Two more golf tournaments still loom on the horizon during 2022, however. The first is the Cabo Collegiate, which brings top golf teams from 15 U.S. universities to compete across three rounds at Jack Nicklaus’ first great course in Los Cabos, the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol. After last year’s tournament took place in the U.S. due to travel issues during the pandemic, this year the Cabo Collegiate is home again, and scheduled to take place Feb. 27th through March 1st.

Although destination golfers aren’t eligible for the Cabo Collegiate, everyone can play the upcoming Premier Golf Pro-Am, which features five glorious days of golf in May – May 15th to 21st – with participants competing for prizes while playing an incredible array of courses, which include Quivira, Puerto Los Cabos, Cabo Real, and the Cabo del Sol Desert Course.

Deals and Discounted Greens Fees Await Destination Golfers in 2022

Winter and spring are the busiest seasons for golf in Los Cabos, but those looking to play some of the region’s best courses can occasionally also find a few deals and discounts.

The best deal being offered right now is by Questro Golf, which manages three courses in Los Cabos: the Jack Nicklaus designed Club Campestre; the 27-holes at Puerto Los Cabos, of which 18 were designed by Nicklaus and 9 by Greg Norman; and Robert Trent Jones Jr.’ s course at Cabo Real, which effectively put Los Cabos on the golf map when TV cameras captured whales breaching near a seaside green during a 1996 PGA Senior Slam event.

Questro’s “Triple Crown” promo allows visitors to play one round at each of these three great courses for only $510 U.S., a combined savings of over $200 from the regular greens fees. Two, three and five round passes are also available, allowing golfers to pick and choose which of these courses they want to play…and when.

Although passes expire after 14 days, that covers the duration of most vacations. Questro’s courses are located in and around San Jose del Cabo, so another savvy move is to choose a villa or vacation rental convenient to all three 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:  Jim Mandeville/Nicklaus Companies

Los Cabos, Club Campestre,

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

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

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

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

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

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

February

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

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

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

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

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

 July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

 September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

 November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

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

January 11, 2022 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out – July 16th, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  East Cape Dorado Shoot Out

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

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

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

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

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

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

February

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

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

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

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

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

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

January 4, 2022 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazing Golf

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

Amazing Fishing

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

Amazing Vacation Rentals

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

Amazing Dining Experiences

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

Amazing Beaches

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

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

Photo credit:  Visit Los Cabos

Upcoming Events Calendar

January

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

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

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

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

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

February

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

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

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

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

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

 October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

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

December 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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

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

Luckily, safety and fun aren’t mutually exclusive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whale Watching Season  – Mid-December to Mid-April

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  The Official Art Walk San Jose del Cabo

Upcoming Events Calendar

December

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

January

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

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

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

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

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

February

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

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

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Valentine’s Day– Feb. 14

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March

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

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

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

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 20

April

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

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

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

June

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

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

July

East Cape Dorado Shootout  – Jul. 16

August

Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Aug. 1 – 6

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

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot – Aug. 20

September

Mexican Independence Day –  Sep. 16

October

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

November

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

 

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

December 21, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  Diamante Cabo San Lucas

Upcoming Events Calendar

December

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

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

Sabor a Cabo Rural – Dec. 5

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

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

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Taco Fest 2021 at Casa Dorada – Dec. 17

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

January 2022

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

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

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

February 2022

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March 2022

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

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

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The Big Show is Back! Whale Watching Season Officially Starts in Los Cabos

December 14, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Tomorrow, December 15th, is one of the most important dates on the Los Cabos calendar, marking as it does the official arrival of the region’s biggest and most highly anticipated seasonal visitors.

Yes, tomorrow is the official start of whale watching season in Los Cabos. Unofficially, whales begin making their way down from summer feeding grounds in Arctic waters to winter breeding grounds around Baja California Sur as early as November, but December 15th is the first day activities operators are legally allowed to offer dedicated whale watching tours, opening up a 120-day window (whale watching season ends on April 15th) for what amounts to a bucket list opportunity: the chance to get up-close with leviathans whose size and power almost defies description.

Each year, an estimated 5,000 or so whales migrate to Los Cabos; or more accurately, transit through Los Cabos waters on their way to winter breeding grounds in coves and inlets around Baja California Sur.

Each species has their own breeding grounds of choice. Ojo de Liebre and Magadalena Bay on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur, for instance, are the favored breeding grounds for gray whales, while humpbacks continue on into the Sea of Cortez. Both species are commonly sighted in Los Cabos each winter, although humpbacks are more often seen; and because of their spectacular breaching behavior – in which they lift nearly their entire bodies out of the water (all 60,000 pounds or so) – much more of a focus of local whale watching tours.

During whale watching season, virtually every local boat offers tours, from small sailboats to luxury yachts. But by far the best way to see them, and to get as close as possible – Mexico has legal limits to protect whales from overzealous tour operators – is by embarking on Zodiac boats tours. These high-speed inflatables have enough power to allow their captains to spot whale spume and anticipate where the next breach will occur. Some local adventure companies even offer hydrophones, so that in addition to the sight of these magnificent creatures, guests can also listen to their incredible “songs,” a form of language so complex scientists are still working to achieve a basic understanding.

But complex language is only one of many fascinating things about these majestic creatures. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite whale related fun facts in honor of the season.

 Fun Facts About Whales and Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos

  • Everything about whale watching season in Los Cabos is larger than life. Even the migration is out-sized. In fact, the longest migration in recorded history involves a gray whale – dubbed Varvara by scientists – who in 2015 completed a 14,000-mile round-trip journey from Russia to Cabo San Lucas. Not bad for a nine-year-old.
  • No whales breach more spectacularly than humpbacks, and as luck would have it humpbacks are by far the most commonly sighted species in Los Cabos. But they’re not the only species by any means. Orcas are sometimes sighted, as are sperm and even blue whales, the latter being the largest creature ever to existed on Earth.
  • Blue whales can grow up to 100 feet in length and reach 380,000 pounds in weight.
  • The average life expectancy of a humpback whale is 45 to 50 years, and they are enormously intelligent, possessing a “spindle” neuron in their cerebral cortex that exists only in whales, dolphins, humans and great apes. The smartest whales, however, are sperm whales, who have brains five times the size of humans.
  • Gray whales, the second most commonly sighted whale species in local waters, live an average of 70 years. So if Varvara’s trip from Russia to Cabo San Lucas is her normal migration and she does it every year of her life, she will have traveled approximately 980,000 miles.
  • Whales can communicate over vast distances. A humpback singing in Los Cabos can be heard by other humpbacks thousands of miles away.
  • Each whale species not only has their own language, but like humans, communicates in different dialects based on region. A study of Pacific sperm whales discovered five separate clans, each one of which had their own unique dialect.
  • In a 2012 study, it was shown that beluga whales can actually mimic the human voice. So perhaps one day we can communicate with one another.
  • Although all life on earth comes from water, whales – like other cetaceans such as dolphins – lived on land as recently as 50 million years ago, before evolving back into the sea.

 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:  Elegant Mexico

Upcoming Events Calendar

December

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

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

Sabor a Cabo Rural – Dec. 5

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

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

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Taco Fest 2021 at Casa Dorada – Dec. 17

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

January 2022

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

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

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

February 2022

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March 2022

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

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

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‘Tis the Season to Visit Todos Santos: Events and Attractions in Baja Sur’s Pacific Coast Pueblo Magico 

December 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

‘Tis the Season to Visit Todos Santos: Events and Attractions in Baja Sur’s Pacific Coast Pueblo Magico

 One of the great things about Los Cabos is that not only are there a rich array of activities and attractions in cape cities Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and their surrounding areas, there are also a number of excellent day trip destinations within easy driving distance…each with their own activities, attractions and signature events.

Todos Santos is easily the most popular of these day trip destinations, thanks in large part to its profusion of artists and art galleries, its many delightful restaurants, and of course its history and architecture.

Few places in the region are as visually distinctive as Todos Santos. The many beautiful old brick buildings, a legacy from its 19th century heyday as a sugar capital, give the historic downtown area a distinctive profile unlike any other place in Baja California Sur. Todos Santos is also blessed by a beneficial vantage, between the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and the Pacific Ocean, that undoubtedly contributes to the unique quality of its light. This unusual light was what first attracted artists in the 1980s, and led to the town’s rebirth as an artists’ colony some thirty years or so after its water wells had run dry.

It was the first place on the peninsula to be designated as a pueblo mágico (a promotional appellation applied to Mexican communities with great natural beauty, and strong cultural or historical legacies), and it remains, along with Loreto and Tecate, one of only three towns throughout Baja to be so honored.

Todos Santos is less than an hour by car from Cabo San Lucas, and in addition to its evergreen charms, hosts a series of annual festivals celebrating art, film, music and literature…all of which take place between January and early April.

So while the holiday season is upon us, the season is fast approaching to see Todos Santos at its artsy, bohemian best. With that in mind, here’s a look at what’s coming up on the cultural events calendar in Todos Santos in 2022.

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

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

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

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

 Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4th to 6th

 Ever since painter Charles Stewart and his wife Mary Lou moved to Todos Santos in 1985, the town has been famed for its thriving artists’ colony. The best introduction to the region’s abundance of talented artists is the yearly Open Studios Tour, the 13th version of which is scheduled for Feb. 4 – 6, 2022. Dozens of local artists are expected participate, including painters, sculptors, photographers, muralists, plein air painters, encaustic artists, jewelers, printmakers, collage artists, potters, and wood turners. The three-day to-do is expected to include a wine and cheese event at Doce Cuarenta Café on Feb. 4th, as well as a get together at El Mercado Ranchero on Feb. 5th and 6th.

 Todos Santos Film Festival – March/April 2022

 This annual showcase for Mexican and Latin American films was founded in 2004, and is based each year at the historic Teatro-Cine Manuel Marquez de Leon, a landmark 70+ year old movie theater that overlooks the town square in Todos Santos. N0 dates have been announced as yet for the 19th edition in 2022, but the coastal pueblo magico‘s acclaimed festival de cine is traditionally held in March or April, and includes full-length films, as well as shorts, documentaries, and projects from the local Youth in Video program. Additional screenings may also take place in nearby Pescadero, and Baja California Sur’s capital city, La Paz.

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:  Tropic of Cancer Concert Series

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Upcoming Events Calendar

December

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

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

Sabor a Cabo Rural – Dec. 5

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

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

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Taco Fest 2021 at Casa Dorada – Dec. 17

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

January 2022

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

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

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

February 2022

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

Todos Santos Open Studio Tour – Feb. 4 – 6

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March 2022

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

 

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

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

November 16, 2021 by Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit:  Bisbee’s Offshore Fishing Tournaments

Upcoming Events Calendar

November

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

Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2

WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6

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

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

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

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

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

December

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

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

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

El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12

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

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24

Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25

Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31

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

January 2022

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

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

February 2022

Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

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

March 2022

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

April 2022

Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17

May 2022

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

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

Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15 – 21

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