Tranquility, beauty, exquisite cuisine, and an exhilarating nightlife…what more could you ask for in a vacation destination? Los Cabos, located at the tip of the Baja California Sur Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, consists of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
While you’ll find several upscale peaceful resorts in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo tends to be a little more sophisticated, while those looking for a bit of the party atmosphere would prefer Cabo San Lucas.
With many gorgeous resorts to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar is located in the exclusive Cabo del Sol Golf Complex, thirty five minutes from the airport, ten minutes from the nightlife in downtown Cabo, and twenty minutes from San Jose del Cabo. I loved the perfect blend of comfort, hospitality, and fun. The Sheraton, like most of the resorts has the Sea of Cortez as its backdrop and is surrounded by twenty eight oceanfront acres.
The resort consists of 270 spacious guest rooms including 31 suites and the ultra comfy Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, a Jacuzzi, large walk in shower, and a private balcony or patio. The wonderful bed and extra large shower made it very easy to relax and feel rejuvenated. Dinner the first night was at the D’Cortez Grill, situated almost right on the beach. The mixed seafood soup and grilled shrimps were muy delicioso. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer ambiance than the sound of the huge waves crashing against the shore in front of us. Their international restaurant, Tomatoes, serves breakfast, lunch, and a different themed dinner each night. They offer a choice of their breakfast menu or an extensive buffet of fresh fruits, cereals, yogurt, a made to order omelet station, and traditional Mexican dishes.
For golfing enthusiasts, Ocean Course (The Pebble Beach of Baja) and the Desert Course are world class. The extensive beachfront features four swimming pool, Jacuzzis, and a swim up bar. The 11,000 foot Cactus Spa, a member of the Starwood Spa Collection, features a fitness center, beauty salon, 11 treatment rooms, and an outdoor lounge and plunge pool. Speaking of spas, if you are visiting Cabo, you’d be remiss not to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or two. In 2007, Travel and Leisure listed the top ten hotel spas in Mexico and Central and South America, and four of the ten are located in Los Cabos. I had a wonderful sixty minute massage at the Esperanza Resort and Spa, which was rated number one. With celebrities escaping to the exclusive property, it’s easy to see why. The spa at Esperanza has a steam cave, plunge pools and a cooling waterfall to enjoy before your treatment, as well as an outdoor shower in your own private treatment area. If it’s a nice day, you can opt for the sliding door to your room to stay open so you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the ocean around you. After you’re left floating from your massage, relax in their lounge as long as you’d like. The aguas frescas, made from indigenous Mexican fruits, vegetables, and desert plants are made fresh for you before your spa experience and are delicious and great for cleansing and energy. Since the Esperanza Resort is carved into the bluffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the restaurants offer an amazing view and atmosphere. Be sure to try their cerviche!
The Cuisine of Cabo is really phenomenal. The chefs are top notch from all around the world. Many who are hired to a hotel end up staying in Los Cabos to open their own restaurants. Casianos, located in San Jose del Cabo, is a true dining experience. With no set menu, you inform them of any foods you don’t eat, and Chef Casiano Reyes takes it from there. He will surprise you with delectable dishes, drinks, and desserts in a multi course dinner. Everything was truly mouthwatering and satisfying. Another unique dining experience can be found beachfront at the Fiesta Americana. We sat around a large wooden table and listened to the sounds of the guitarist and vocalist over the crashing waves of the Sea of Cortez. Dinner was delicious and featured creative dishes for the most discriminating palate.
The Villa del Arco is a hotel and time share property and features the largest gym in Los Cabos, a big pirate ship in the pool area, and delicious cuisine at your choice of restaurants. The service was impeccable. I was impressed by the attentiveness of the wait staff and how they all worked in unison to serve us our meals.
Cabo is so beautiful, and with such beaches as Medano and Lovers Beach, you’ll definitely want to kayak or take a glass bottom boat out to the famous arch and the surrounding areas. There are plenty of ways to explore the various beaches with activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, or taking out a wave runner. Baja Wild Outfitters is a tour and rental company and offers everything from snorkeling and kayaking to ATV riding, surfing lessons, hiking trips, jeep expeditions, and whale watching during peak season. Sportfishing is also very popular in Cabo San Lucas.
While in Cabo, you must go swimming with dolphins at Cabo Dolphins. Maya was our dolphin and she had me smiling the whole time we were with her. She let us feel her belly, gave us each a kiss, jumped over a pole we held over the water, and for the big finale, I took hold of her fin and rode her back across the pool. There was a professional photographer taking pictures throughout with an option to purchase them at the end.
After relaxing all day, be sure to party all night in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina is a favorite nightspot for drinks and dancing. Inside the cantina is a 24 hour internet radio station, Cabo Wabo Radio, which broadcasts rock and classic hits. The DJ sits in the radio studio looking out into the club, while fans can watch the live broadcast through the glass windows. The downtown area is also a good spot for shopping and bargaining with merchants for your favorite Cabo souvenir.
So if you’re looking to get away for a long weekend or an extended vacation to relax in gorgeous surroundings, enjoy delectable cuisine and party the night away, head south of the border to Los Cabos, Mexico! Have a shot of tequila for me!
