Cabo San Lucas Blog – Los Cabos, Mexico

Destination Golf: Three Los Cabos Courses Voted to Golf Digest’s “World’s 100 Greatest” List

Tue, Jul 19, 2022

Three spectacular courses in Los Cabos, Mexico’s foremost golf destination, have been selected by Golf Digest’s panelists for inclusion on the magazine’s biennial edition of the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” list.

“The 350 panelists who live beyond the U.S. borders bring a truly international perspective to the list, as courses from 25 different countries made this year’s rankings,” the editors reported. While designs from the UK and Ireland feature prominently, Mexico, China, South Africa, and South Korea each charted three entries. All three Mexican courses on the list are in Los Cabos.

Recognized for excellence by the sport’s leading print and digital outlet, Los Cabos continues to reaffirm its position as the reigning ‘Golf Capital of Latin America.’

Diamante Golf Club (Dunes), centerpiece of a resort community nestled on 1.5 miles of stunning coastline, sits at No. 50 on Golf Digest’s roster. “Mexico’s first true links (was) fashioned by Davis Love III and his design team (which included his brother Mark Love and designer Paul Cowley) from a fantastic set of white sand dunes along the Pacific Ocean, huge portions of which are without vegetation and seem like enormous snow drifts,” the publication’s digital edition stated. “Holes hug the flowing terrain with little artificiality. Two holes on the back nine once played past a long lagoon but have been replaced by new 12th and 13th holes on the beach. Now all of the second nine is adjacent to the ocean, amidst the tallest dunes. No other links in the world sports cactus.”

Moving up 20 places to No. 73 on the list is Querencia Golf Club, its scenic, challenging layout, set within a private 1,800-acre golf community, recently treated to a major makeover. “The routing of this Tom Fazio design, one of only two in Mexico, wanders the rugged terrain and low-growth vegetation of a high desert plateau above the Sea of Cortez,” the publication reported. “Holes jump across or sidle up to the edges of rocky canyons and arroyos, with rippling, humpbacked fairways and a number of greens tucked behind stone outcroppings. The club recently brought Fazio back to design three new holes on land it had acquired to the west of the existing course. Those holes, the current 13th through 15th, replace the old ninth and 10th holes. The fairway of the par-4 seventh was also shifted, and the former 11th and 12th have been combined into the new par-5 ninth.”

Debuting at No. 87 on Golf Digest’s roster is Quivira Golf Club., an aesthetic triumph and engineering marvel by Jack Nicklaus. “Quivira questions a foundational premise in golf architecture: that golf courses can only be as good as their routings,” the editors said. “To be more exact, can a course be considered great if it possesses sensational individual holes but a layout that’s disjointed or lacks rhythm and continuity? The holes at Quivira are strung out across extreme lengths over Cabo’s stark high desert landscape requiring lengthy cart rides to access the disparate sections. But holes like the short par-4 fifth and the jaw dropping par 3s at six and 13 that plummet sharply from rocky headlands down to greens notched onto the edges of cliffs 80 feet above the Pacific Ocean make the extended journeys worthwhile. When it comes to the importance of cohesive routings, enough of our panelists have determined there are exceptions to every rule.”

In addition to the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” feature, Golf Digest also identified “The Best Golf Courses in 206 Countries.” To do so, the magazine’s editors “surveyed our 1,900+ Golf Digest panelists from North America, who are as well-traveled a bunch as you’ll find in the industry, in addition to a panel of 500 golf enthusiasts from around the globe to help us with coverage on more remote parts of the world.”

Predictably, Los Cabos dominates the Mexico entry. Ten courses on the 15-course list, including six of the top seven venues, are located in Los Cabos, the hemisphere’s most celebrated golf getaway. Diamante (Dunes), Querencia, Quivira, Chileno Bay, Cabo Del Sol (Cove Club) and El Dorado command the top six slots, followed by Diamante (El Cardonal) at No. 9, the first completed 18-hole course by Tiger Woods. Rounding out the Best in Mexico roster are Palmilla (No. 11), Cabo Del Sol (Desert – No. 12), and Cabo Real (No. 13).

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: Diamante Cabo San Lucas

Upcoming Events Calendar

July

Boogie Nights 4th of July at Rooftop 360 – Jul. 4

East Cape Dorado Shoot Out – Jul. 16

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament – Jul. 20 – 24

Todos Santos Mango Festival – July 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

East Cape Tuna Shootout Tournament – Sep. 24

October

Marlini Fishing Tournament – Oct. 2 – 3

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

Cabo San Lucas Traditional Fiestas – Oct. 14 – 18

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 16 – 20

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

Bisbee’s Black & Blue – Oct. 25 – 29

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 31 to Nov. 12

November

Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 31 to Nov. 12

Day of the Dead – Nov. 2

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

Life Luxe Jazz in Los Cabos – Nov. 3 – 7

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

IRONMAN Los Cabos 70.3 – Nov. 6

Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 9 – 13

Gastrovino Festival in Todos Santos – Nov. 11 – 13

Los Cabos VIP Summit 2022 – Nov. 14 – 16

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Paws ‘n Claws Open Golf Tournament – Dec. 4

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

January 2023

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

Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf – Jan. 8 – 12

Tropic of Cancer Concert Series – January 11 – 16

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 28 – Feb. 4

February 2023

Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 28 – Feb. 4

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

Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14

Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 16 – 21

March 2023

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

Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Mar. 5 – 7

East Cape Arts Festival – Mar. 19

April 2023

Semana Santa – Apr. 2 – 8

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

End of Whale Watching Season – Apr. 15

May 2023

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

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

Dia de la Madre – May 10

June 2023

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 8 – 11

October 2023

Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Oct. 8 – 10

To a Tee: Summer 2022 Golf Deals and Discounts in Los Cabos

Tue, Jun 28, 2022

It’s no secret that Los Cabos is one of the world’s great golf destinations, with well over a dozen world-class courses (18 to be exact, including 3 which have ranked in the world’s 100 best) from a who’s who of legendary players and designers, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, and Davis Love III.

But golf in Los Cabos also has its complicating factors. Many of the best local courses are associated with luxury resorts or real estate developments, and thus may be private or difficult for visitors to access. Others are just downright expensive, costing upwards of $300 per person for a single round.

With these factors in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best courses this summer which are publicly playable – that is, open to anyone, regardless of whether you’re staying in a resort, villa, or vacation rental – but that are also attractive in terms of deals or discounts. These five courses listed below won’t break the bank, in other words, allowing destination golfers to play as often as they like without worrying about the budgetary consequences. But despite the affordability of play, all five offer exceptional playing conditions and breathtaking views.

And since summer is the season when Los Cabos’ best golf courses schedule maintenance, we’ve added some notes on the maintenance schedule at these five courses so you won’t schedule a round on a day when, for example, the back nine is closed for the aeration of greens.

Cabo Real Golf Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates as low as $125 per person. Questro Golf, of which Cabo Real is a member, also offers multi-day discount packages which allow play at Cabo Real, Club Campestre, and Puerto Los Cabos.

Maintenance Notes: Closed June 27 – 28 and Sept. 19 – 20 for aeration of greens.

Robert Trent Jones Jr. helped to put Los Cabo on the golfing map in 1996, when television cameras picked up whales breaching near seaside greens in a Senior Slam at his newly designed Cabo Real course. Cabo Real is now one of three local courses managed by Questro Golf (Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos are the others). Questro offers excellent two, three and five round passes, which allow guests to sample all of these golfing treasures at reasonable rates.

Cabo San Lucas Country Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates from as low as $70 per person. Driving range is open in the evenings, with $20 specials for buckets of beer and balls.

Maintenance Dates: The front nine will be closed for maintenance June 21 to July 11 and Aug. 30; Back nine closed July 12 – 31, Aug. 30 and Sept. 1.

Don’t let the name fool you. This long-time local favorite, originally called Campo de Carlos when it opened back in 1994 as a collaborative design between Roy Dye and his son Matt, is open to the public. Damage from Tropical Storm Lidia in 2017 necessitated a facelift, which was unveiled by renowned Mexican golf course architect Agustín Pizá in 2018. This is the only area course with views of Land’s End, and its driving range, which is open at night, is an attraction in its own right.

Puerto Los Cabos

Greens Fees: Summer rates as low as $150 per person for single rounds. Discounted multi-day packages are available through Questro Golf.

Maintenance Dates: There are three nine-hole layouts here which can be put together as 18-hole courses. So even during maintenance days full 18-hole rounds are available.

For 10 years, the luxury Puerto Los Cabos development just outside San Jose del Cabo hosted the world’s only collaborative design between champions turned designers Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. The plan all along was for the two nine-hole efforts to be expanded into their own 18-hole layouts. Norman has yet to design the second nine for his course–he’s been too busy with Rancho San Lucas, his drop-dead design on the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas–but Nicklaus did return to finish his original conception, with the now 18-hole course debuting in 2018. So for now, anyway, golfers have access to 27 beautiful holes, including the most recent nine unveiled by Nicklaus. Norman’s par-3 6th hole, however, remains the most memorable hole, with an elevated (very elevated!) tee box that shows off miles of magnificent coastline.

Club Campestre

Greens Fees: Single day rates starting at $100. Discounted multi-day passes available through Grupo Questro.

Maintenance Dates: Club Campestre will be closed Aug. 29 – 30 for aeration of greens.

Club Campestre, one of six Jack Nicklaus designs in Los Cabos, opened in 2007 in the heart of San Jose del Cabo, with a location not far from the Los Cabos International Airport. But although Club Campestre is the first course likely to be glimpsed by new arrivals, the only way to truly get to know this 6,966-yard gem is by playing it. The course features many signature Nicklaus elements, from abundant bunkering and sloping fairways to undulating multi-tiered greens. Yes, this course has teeth. It also, of course, has spectacular views…not only of the Sea of Cortez, but the foothills of the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range that runs up the center of the peninsula between Los Cabos and La Paz. As at many Los Cabos courses, the fairways are covered with seashore papsalum, a disease resistant tropical grass that fares well in local conditions.

Palmilla Golf Club

Greens Fees: Summer rates from as low as $130 per person.

Maintenance Dates: Like Puerto Los Cabos, Palmilla has 27 holes (3 nine-hole layouts), so even during maintenance days on one of them, full 18-hole rounds are available.

Palmilla was the first truly ambitious golf course in Los Cabos, and the first of Nicklaus’ many memorable designs in the area. It was Southern California real estate magnate Don Koll, who owned the Palmilla Resort at the time (before it acquired the One&Only imprimatur), who convinced the Golden Bear to take on the challenge. And boy did he! Like Puerto Los Cabos, Palmilla Golf Club offers 27 holes of world-class golf, allowing destination golfers to pick and choose their favorite 18-hole experience from the 9-hole layouts they like best. Nicklaus completed the Mountain and Arroyo portions in 1992, returning to add the stunning 9-hole Ocean layout in 1999.

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: Questro Golf

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5

Gay Pride Parade – June 19

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

Cabo Cocktail Festival at Comal – Jun. 23 – 25

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

IRONMAN Los Cabos 70.3 – Nov. 6

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

2022 Los Cabos Fishing Tournament Season Gets Off to an Amazing Start

Tue, Jun 14, 2022

Los Cabos fishing tournament season got off to a roaring start last week, and if the results from the opening event, the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing, signify anything, it’s that the 2022 season is going to be both lucrative and a whole lot of fun.

For starters, to say the fish were biting is a bit of an understatement. The winning team, Stella June, caught and released a whopping 38 marlin in just two days of fishing. The second place team, Cloud Nine, was right behind them with 36. These two teams also took the lion’s share of the prize money, naturally, with Stella June earning $153,336 dollars for a weekend of incredible fishing, and Cloud Nine cashing an oversized check for $136,760 dollars.

The total teams entered were down this year from last – 37 rather than the 50 in 2021 – but the money was up and so were the catch tallies. Both Stella June and Cloud Nine earned more money that last year’s winner, Laguna Madre ($131,000), and the tournament as a whole saw close to 500,000 in prize money distributed, the total boosted by the new $72,500 across-the-board jackpot entry fees. Even more impressive, perhaps, were the 304 marlin caught in just two days by the 37 teams, including a few that topped 500 pounds.

The Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing is about more than just marlin, however, with impressive checks also handed out to winners in the tuna, dorado and wahoo divisions. Team Let’s Go took the top tuna prize – $52,868 dollars – for a 226 pounder, while Pisces won upwards of 20 grand ($20,668, to be exact) for a 56.3 pound dorado (aka mahi mahi), and Captiva earned $27,468 for a 42.9 pound wahoo.

Next up on the summer fishing tournament calendar:

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 22 – 26

During the 20+ years of its existence, the annual Stars and Stripes’ golf and fishing tournament has raised over 40 million dollars for youth focused charities. But it’s not simply a tournament or a charity benefit…more like a complete lifestyle experience. Participants stay at the luxurious Hilton Los Cabos; go big-game sport fishing for dorado, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, swordfish, and black, blue and striped marlin; play golf at some of the world’s best golf courses; and enjoy spectacular live entertainment nightly. There’s no word as yet on this year’s headliner. Expect a big name, though. Sammy Hagar and other rock star royalty have performed in recent years.

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 16

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 cash and prizes here are expected to top $200,000 in 2022.

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – July 20 – 24

The name doesn’t lie. Only lady anglers are eligible to participate (in teams of up to four) in this two-day fishing tournament hosted by Palmas de Cortez…although captains and deckhands can be men. The first version of this tournament was held in 2019 – and was a rousing success, as was the second iteration in 2021. The entry fee is $200 per team, with points awarded according to the species of fish reeled in. Billfish (200 pts.) and roosterfish (100 pts.) are catch and release, with photo verification. Tuna, wahoo, dorado, amberjack and jack crevalle are all worth 100 points, assuming they meet minimum weight standards. The winning team nets a return trip for the entire team, including a four nights accommodation package at Palmas de Cortez, with two days of standard cruiser fishing. Prizes for the runner-up teams (2nd and 3rd place) will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2 – 6

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 $1,500 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).

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: Pelagic Gear

Upcoming Events Calendar

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5

Gay Pride Parade – June 19

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

IRONMAN Los Cabos 70.3 – Nov. 6

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Summer is Here, and So is Fishing Season! June Events in Los Cabos

Fri, Jun 03, 2022

When it comes to events in Los Cabos, the biggest headliners are always fishing tournaments. Not only are these the longest-running events in the region – Bisbee’s Black and Blue marlin fishing tournament has been going strong for 40 plus years – but the money involved continues to grow each year. Last year, for example, Bisbee’s three Los Cabos tournaments offered over 13 million dollars in cash payouts.

Each year now, new records are set. So the excitement for the 2022 fishing season has been at a fever pitch since the 2021 season ended. Well, it’s finally here and begins later this week with the kickoff event, the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing, offering over $500,000 reasons for anglers to get excited. The Stars and Stripes Tournament – which features both golf and fishing and has raised over 40 million dollars for youth-focused charities since it began in 1996 – also returns this June.

Summertime excitement is also building for the biggest culinary event the region has seen post-pandemic, the Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experience, which is bringing over three dozen talented chefs from the U.S. and Mexico to showcase their talents at regional restaurant venues in Baja California Sur.

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

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.

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament – June 2 – 5

Bisbee’s isn’t the only organizer of big money fishing tournaments in Los Cabos. Water sports apparel maker non pareil Pelagic returns to host its 8th annual Summer Slam this June, a two day, team fishing competition in which fishermen and women target black, blue and striped marlin, as well as tuna, wahoo and dorado. Base entry is $3,500 per team, with $72,000 across-the-board for all jackpots and challenges. The all-in figure is a massive leap over previous years, and an indication Pelagic is stepping up in class. Cash prizes are expected to top $500,000 in 2022, positioning the tournament as a slam-bang kick-off to what is sure to be another record breaking season.

Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5

Culinary festivals have been in short supply in recent years, so this one would likely have generated excitement anyway. But the star power here in terms of top chefs really amps up the anticipation for this three-day event at restaurants throughout Todos Santos and Pescadero. Baja Med pioneer and scion of Tijuana’s most famous restaurant family, Javier Plascencia will be there (his restaurant in Todos Santos, Jazamango, is a must visit year-round, but especially during this culinary experience), as will Michelin rated, James Beard award winning chef Rick Bayless, and Benito Molina of Manzanilla, the Ensenda restaurant which has been ranked as one of the best in Latin American. That’s just for starters. In total, over 36 top chefs will participate, including talented culinary artists from the U.S., Baja California Sur, and beyond. The spectacular opening night concept (“Taste of Baja California Sur”) features visiting chefs showcasing their mastery at a host of restaurants in Todos Santos and Pescadero. Tickets are still available for purchase online at tspculinary.com/tickets.

Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – June 22 – 26

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: Pelagic Gear

Upcoming Events Calendar

June

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing – Jun. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos + Pescadero Culinary Experiences – June 3 – 5

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

IRONMAN Los Cabos 70.3 – Nov. 6

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Summer Catch: Seasonal Fishing Tournaments on the East Cape of Los Cabos

Tue, May 10, 2022

When most people think of Los Cabos, the images that spring to mind are probably of cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. After all, these are the most popular tourist destinations, home to the most luxurious resorts and vacation rentals … not to mention the biggest activities and adventure tour operators, and the highest profile events.

The East Cape of Los Cabos, by contrast, is less well known, less developed, and as a consequence, less traveled. But among long-time visitors to the region, the East Cape holds a special affection. Because it is less developed, the East Cape for many is a reminder of the “Old Cabo”, a glimpse of what the region used to be like in decades past. And the East Cape truly is pristinely, picturesquely beautiful, with gorgeous beaches – many of which are virtually free of people – and an incredible array of world-class outdoor activities, from surfing and windsports to fishing and diving,

When it comes to fishing, for instance, the East Cape is an amazing destination, with its share of notable fishing tournaments. Granted, the East Cape slate of events is certainly less publicized than those in Cabo San Lucas, but during the summer months, the East Cape is actually the site of many more tournaments … several of which have very impressive prize pools.

With that in mind, here are four East Cape tournament events that sporting fishermen and women should definitely have on their radar for summer 2022:

East Cape Dorado Shootout – July 16

Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – July 20 – 24

Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – August 2 – 6

The East Cape Offshore 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 Beach Resort. Base entry for the event is $1,500 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). Last year’s prize pool exceeded 1.5 million dollars.

East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Tournament – August 20

Similar to the East Cape Dorado Shootout with its drive-away first prize, the biggest wahoo caught on August 20th 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 $500 per team and includes dinner at the awards ceremony.

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: Hotel Palmas de Cortez

Upcoming Events Calendar

May

NORRA Mexican 1000 – Apr. 29 – May 6

Country Fest Los Cabos – May 4 – 7

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Los Cabos Records Historic Tourism Growth in First Quarter of 2022

Tue, Apr 26, 2022

Last week, the Los Cabos Tourism Board announced a record 13 percent growth in domestic and international visitors during the first quarter of 2022, a historic increase fueled largely by the destination’s swift response to the pandemic and strict health and safety protocols enforced over the last two years. In 2021, Los Cabos welcomed an approximate 2.8 million travelers achieving a complete recovery of its tourism activity. In March 2022, Los Cabos recorded nearly 325,000 tourist arrivals—marking a successful and historic month with a record increase of 18 percent in arrivals when compared to 2019.

Los Cabos’ business model combining private and public funding allowed the destination to focus on the implementation of state-wide safety measures, heighten its health and security protocols, and elevate its marketing and communication strategy to keep visitors, consumers, industry partners, and the local community informed throughout the destination’s phased recovery. The strategic approach has led to a significant increase in demand, especially from affluent travelers, which has strengthened Los Cabos’ position as Mexico’s top luxury travel destination.

“As a destination that has been challenged over the past few years by the pandemic and international tourism restrictions, we are glad to see tremendous growth driven by our unique business model and the demand among travelers for exclusive and authentic travel experiences,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “The pandemic gave us the opportunity to elevate our tourism offering, create new ways of working with our partners, and fine-tune our business model.”

The United States is Los Cabos’ top priority market and American travelers represented about 98 percent of all international travelers that visited Los Cabos in 2021, defying national trends by driving a 5.4 percent growth in visitation from the market. The growth in tourist arrivals led to an expansion of the Los Cabos International Airport which will increase connectivity with the United States by 30 percent to accommodate the steady demand of American travelers. Today, Los Cabos has over 500 weekly flights connecting 26 cities in the United States with the destination. A projected growth of 1.3 million seats is expected to be added during the first half of 2022.

Los Cabos Tourism Board forecasts bookings to the destination will remain strong during the spring travel season, with a projected increase of 11 percent in anticipated bookings for the month of April 2022, 22 percent in May, and 10 percent in June.

Additional data insights and updates reflecting Los Cabos’ historic turnaround include:

Over 325,000 travelers in March 2022, a record visitation representing an 18 percent increase when compared to 2019.
70 percent average hotel occupancy in Q1 of 2022, with an average hotel daily rate of US$455, the highest in Mexico.
4 percent increase of United States travelers in 2021 when compared to 2019, surpassing arrivals of international travelers nationwide and leading the recovery of international travel.
6 percent projected increase in seats to Los Cabos from the United States over the next six months when compared to 2019. Air connectivity is increasing mainly from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Denver and New York.
Close to 80 percent growth in arrivals of international travelers via private aviation in 2021 when compared to 2019, representing 26 percent of all air travel activity.
98 percent of all international travelers come from the United States, Los Cabos’ priority market.

Along with this impressive growth, residents report a change for the better. In a recent report, 58 percent of Los Cabos residents believe that with the tourist growth of the last five years there is greater awareness in the care of the environment and 54 percent report more protection of natural resources and regulation on the subject.

This response comes as two new funding measures were announced: The Environmental Sanitation Tax and the Embrace It Contribution. The Environmental Sanitation Tax, led by the Municipality of Baja California Sur, calls for approximately US$1.69 daily, per room to be collected from visitors by hotels, timeshares, and lodging facilities across the destinations. The funding is set to go into effect on June 1, 2022, and will support government investment on environmental infrastructure, sustainability practices, and safety and security, among other projects.

In addition, the reinstatement of the Embrace It Contribution went into effect earlier this year. First launched in 2019 under the name “Fund for a Sustainable Baja Sur,” the program was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was reintroduced in February 2022 as the Embrace It Contribution. All international travelers visiting the State of Baja California Sur for more than 24 hours are asked to contribute approximately US$20 to support important initiatives needed to strengthen statewide infrastructure, social projects, and the overall economic progress of the people that live and work in Los Cabos. Contributions can be made via the state’s website or at the kiosks installed at SJD International Airport.

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: Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos

Upcoming Events Calendar

April

Festival Sabores de Baja – Apr. 3

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

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

Country Fest Los Cabos – May 4 – 7

Cinco de Mayo – May 5

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

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

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Easter Season Happenings: April Events in Los Cabos

Tue, Apr 05, 2022

April is the rare month with no fishing or golf tournaments in Los Cabos, but it does bring one of the region’s signature off-road racing events, the NORRA Mexican 1000 – aka, “The Happiest Race on Earth” – a vintage rally style race that starts in Ensenada and concludes 1000 miles later in San Jose del Cabo with a boisterous finish line fiesta.

April is also a big month for cultural and culinary celebrations in Los Cabos. The Festival Sabores de Baja returns after a pandemic-induced layoff, showcasing festive music and dancing, not to mention delicious food and flavors, in the organic farming community of Miraflores. Art Walk also continues, lighting up the downtown area of San Jose del Cabo with art and revelry each Thursday evening until it ends its seasonal run in June.

Festival Sabores de Baja in Miraflores – April 3

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. The 5th annual Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) will be hosted by Doña Pame Restaurante from noon to 5 p.m. on April 3rd, and will feature live music and dancing.

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

Semana Santa – April 10 to 17

At its core, México remains a profoundly Catholic country. It should come as no surprise then that Holy Week, the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holiday periods in the country. In fact, it may even exceed Christmas in terms of seasonal travel. Semana Santa (the Spanish name for Holy Week) is equivalent to Spring Break for college students, but collegians are hardly the only ones to take advantage of the time off. Many Mexican families travel en masse to beachfront locales on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, including Los Cabos. For U.S and Canadian travelers, the important things to note about Semana Santa are the week-long closure of most banks and virtually all government offices, and of course the increased competition for accommodations of all kinds.

NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 29 to May 6

The world’s most rugged off-road race, the legendary Baja 1000, has for better than four decades been run under the SCORE (Southern California Off-Road Enthusiasts) banner. But that wasn’t always the case. Back when the Baja 1000 was inaugurated, in 1967, it was organized by NORRA (the National Off-Road Racing Association). NORRA returned to the peninsula’s off-road racing scene in a big way in 2010, when it kicked off the first Mexican 1000, a fun, vintage-style rally race meant to evoke the flavor of the early Baja 1000s. The new version revs up in Ensenada, then courses down the peninsula before concluding in Los Cabos, where it is celebrated with a huge after-party and awards ceremony.

Swim with Whale Sharks Season – August to May

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 interactive and unforgettable wildlife adventure, with the majority of swim tours occurring near the tip of the El Mogote peninsula. Complimentary round-trip transportation from Los Cabos is provided by several respected activities providers.

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

April

Festival Sabores de Baja – Apr. 3

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

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

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

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

WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 2 – 5

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

Todos Santos Film Festival – Nov. 3 – 8

SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20

Revolution Day – Nov. 20

December

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

Virgin of Guadalupe Day – Dec. 12

Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15

Nochebuena – Dec. 24

Navidad – Dec. 25

Nochevieja – Dec. 31

Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing to Kick Off Summer Fishing Season in Los Cabos

Tue, Mar 22, 2022

It’s official. We’re now just a little more than two months away from the start of fishing tournament season in Los Cabos, as the summer slate of events kicks off June 2 – 5 with the Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing.

It’s great news for fishermen and fisherwomen, as well as for those who simply love Los Cabos. After two record breaking years of fishing tournaments, excitement is at an all-time high for 2022. Bisbee’s trio of tournaments offered a combined 13.2 million in prize money last year, breaking all the records previously set in 2020. It’s expected records for attendance and payouts in these and other tournaments will be broken again this year.

And it all starts with the estimated $500,000 on the line for the 8th Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament in Cabo San Lucas. Fifty teams and 213 anglers competed in 2021, with Team Laguna Madre taking first place in the billfish division, breaking the tournament record for prize money in the process, with a winner’s share of $131,000 out of the combined half a million dollar prize pool. Over 140 billfish were documented during the course of last year’s tournament.

So those are numbers to beat in 2022, and the rules remain the same. There are two categories: billfish and gamefish. Species eligible in the former category include blue, black and striped marlin, as well as sailfish, spearfish and swordfish. Of these, blue marlin, black marlin and swordfish are the most valuable, counting 300 points per properly documented catch and release. Striped marlin, sailfish and spearfish count 100 points each. Documentation is done via video evidence and radio verification.

Game fish like tuna, dorado and wahoo, meanwhile, are assigned points at the rate of one point per pound. A 30 lb. wahoo, for example, is worth 30 points.

There are four divisions for daily jackpots. Billfish jackpots are paid out according to the most billfish release points each day, while tuna, dorado and wahoo jackpots are paid out based on the single heaviest fish caught of each species, each day.

We mentioned fishermen and fisherwomen earlier and this was not mere political correctness. A future sport fishing superstar, 8-year-old Evelyn Schultz from Detroit, boated a 30.2 lb. yellowfin tuna solo to win a daily jackpot in the 2019 event; and Kim Bullman’s performance in 2021 was even more impressive. She took home the awards for Top Female and Top Overall Angler, helping to propel Team Laguna Madre to their first place finish by accounting for 800 of their 1300 points.

Both the kick-off party and the post-tournament awards ceremony this year will be held at Baja Cantina on the Marina, also the headquarters for Bisbee’s fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas. Registration for the event is open now, and will remain open until June 10th, the day before fishing officially begins. Base entry is $3,500 per team (up to six anglers), with $72,500 across-the-board for all jackpots and challenges. Prize money is tied to the number of teams entered, of course, but a reasonable expectation relative to 2021 puts the estimate in the 500,000 overall range for this year’s Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament.

Tournament sponsor Pelagic Gear is, as most of our readers probably know, a Newport Beach based company that’s one of the world’s leaders when it comes to lifestyle apparel and high-performance gear associated with watersports like fishing, boating, diving and surfing.

In addition to their Cabo San Lucas based tournament, Pelagic also hosts fishing tournaments in Palm Beach, Florida (Pelagic Shamrock Shootout), Costa Rica (Blue Marlin Classic), Puerto Rico (Rockstar Puerto Rico), and San Diego, California (Pelagic California Tuna Challenge).

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: Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing

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

Nature Nirvana: 5 Reasons to Visit Los Cabos This Summer

Tue, Mar 15, 2022

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

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

Tue, Feb 22, 2022

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