Viva Mexico - Celebrate Mexico's Independence!

1

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

3

IN THIS ISSUE 6 6 7 8 14 20 22 24 24 26 26 27 28 28 30 31 32 34 36 36 38 40 41 41

BAJA 101 Destinations Useful Information Maps ACTIVITIES TOP BEACHES VIVA MÉXICO ART & CULTURE Mariachi - The Musical Heart of Mexico Historic Mexico Awaits - El Triunfo & La Ramona Los Cabos Non Profits San José del Cabo Art District DISCOVER Valle de Guadalupe - Mexico's Premier Wine Region Ex-Pat Chronicles - The Here and Know Los Cabos Wildlife - Freediving RAIN SEASON IN BAJA ALL THAT'S FISHY - FISHING REPORT OUT & ABOUT Events Social Cabo Coupons Instaworthy Spanish Lesson

letter from the EDITOR Mexico is a Country with magical people, a colorful culture and abundant natural resources. Colonial hill towns, metropolitan cities, ancient archeological sites, lush tropical jungles, vast deserts; you will be surprised with what you can explore within this nation. Mexico has eight of the twelve climates of the world, which allows for enchanting natural settings, and of course, Los Cabos is one of them. Originally from Mexico City, I lived in the U.S.A. for a period of time in my life, and whenever I travelled home I would tell my husband that it felt as if my blood boiled every time I stepped on this soil... there's just nothing like it. For this reason we decided to dedicate this issue to celebrating our beloved Mexico, with the excuse that this month is the celebration of the anniversary of our Independence.

Within the pages of Destino Los Cabos you can find useful information that will help you make the most of your vacation. Our goal is for you to have the best possible experience in Los Cabos. Don't forget that you can find all of our useful information online at: www.DestinoLosCabos.com. Enjoy!

Michelle Monroy Editor in Chief

Publisher Owen Perry

22

Editor in Chief Michelle Monroy Art Michelle Monroy Writers / Contributors / Photographers Alex Navarro Ami Doss Gary Graham Justin Porter Biel Justine Schock Kate Neal Laura Tyrrell Luis Hector Antuna Michelle Monroy Sabrina Lear Salvador Salgado PR and Marketing Manager Justine Schock - justine@destinoloscabos.com Advertising Account Executives Ali Lohrman - ali@destinoloscabos.com Justine Schock - justine@destinoloscabos.com Editor's Contact: michelle@destinoloscabos.com

26 32

FOLLOW US: Facebook: Destino Los Cabos Instagram: @destinoloscabos

Next advertising reservation closing date for our OCTOBER CULINARY CABO issue: SEPTEMBER 8th.

Próxima fecha de cierre para reservar espacios publicitarios en la edición del mes de OCTUBRE: 8 de SEPTIEMBRE. For advertising rates and placement, please contact: advertising@destinoloscabos.com (624) 105-9700 / (624) 142-4949 DESTINO GROUP SA de CV

(011 52) (624) 142-4949/105-9700

Carretera Federal Libre Transpeninsular San José-San Lucas. Km. 4.3, Local 6, Col. El Tezal, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.

contact@destinoloscabos.com

ISSUE 104 SEPTEMBER 2017 Printed in USA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. © 2017 Destino Group SA de CV NÚMERO 104 SEPTIEMBRE 2017 Todos los derechos reservados por Destino Group.

Prohibida la reprodución total o parcial del contenido sin previa autorización por escrito de los editores. © 2017 Destino Group SA de CV

Imported by: Comercializadora Californiana, S. de R.L de C.V. DESTINO GROUP welcomes all written and photographic material. We cannot guarantee return.

Rights to publish unsolicited material are retained for 12 months.

Circulation throughout Southern Baja. For more information on distribution visit:

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

5

Los Cabos

(the capes) is located in the southernmost tip of the State of Baja California Sur and consists of four main areas: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Todos Santos and the East Cape. La Paz is the Capital of the state. If you take a look at the Baja Sur map you can see that the highways and towns form a loop. The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet at the very tip of the peninsula. It's very clear when you're on the Pacific side; the waves are much larger and powerful and the winds are stronger. If you go further north along the Pacific side the climate and beaches are very different than on the Sea of Cortez. It's usually a few degrees cooler, which is very pleasant during the warm summer months. The mountains meet the desert and the desert meets the ocean. The Sierra de la Laguna is a mountain range that lies at the southern end of the peninsula. Above 800 meters in elevation dry forests transition to pineoak forests. The main climate of the region is arid to semi-arid; however, there are farming areas where the soil is wet, especially on the Pacific side of the Peninsula.

"The aquarium of the world"

is how Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez.

It is said that eons ago, back when the Earth and Continents were still taking their shape, the edge of Mexico split from the mainland to form the Gulf of California and the Baja Peninsula. This allowed the Pacific Ocean to rush into the gap and create the Sea of Cortez, or as some call it, Mother Nature’s own fish trap. Hundreds of varieties of fish and mammals found their way into this "trap" and either stayed in the warm shallow waters or ventured down into the cool two mile-deep San Andreas Fault. For millenniums, the Colorado River has been dragging its rich minerals and nutrients into the Sea of Cortez, aiding the living species to thrive in these waters. In the months of January through March, Gray whales make their yearly migration from Alaska to give birth to their young in the shallow and warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. Ready to explore?

6

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

destinations Cabo San Lucas

This tourist friendly town, also just known as “Cabo,” is located on the tip of the Baja California peninsula and is full of entertainment for every age and liking. The Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet at Land’s End, where you can observe the beautiful rock formations and the famous Cabo arch. In Cabo San Lucas you can find Medano Beach, the liveliest beach in the Los Cabos area, an impressive marina and countless restaurants and bars that keep the town alive day and night.

San José del Cabo

Walking around downtown San José will allow you to experience a traditional Mexican town. You will find yourself surrounded by colorful buildings and quaint cobblestone streets that lead to the town’s picturesque zócalo (main plaza). Over the years, San José has become an artistic and cultural centre with numerous fine art galleries in its downtown art district as well as world-class restaurants. San José has a beautiful beach where you can take a horseback ride to explore the estuary that is home to many different bird species.

The Corridor

The corridor is the 40 km highway that connects Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (about a 20 minute drive). Along this road you can find various hotels, luxury ocean front homes, championship golf courses and beautiful views. Have your camera ready and make a roadside stop at the Costa Azul view-point for photo opportunities and a refreshing coco frío (cold coconut).

Todos Santos

Located on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula, Todos Santos is an oasis where artists and surfers flock to enjoy the culture and excellent surf. Home to the famous Hotel California, this charming town offers great restaurants and a cooler climate than Cabo San Lucas and San José due to the breezes coming from the Pacific.

East Cape

People often call it “the old Cabo” because of its pristine beaches and small fishing towns such as Buena Vista and Los Barriles. The East Cape begins just east of San José and extends about 100 miles up the Sea of Cortez coast. Sixty miles outside of San José is the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Nationally Protected coral reef that offers outstanding snorkelling and scuba diving. Very popular for fishing and surfing, the East Cape also attracts kite surfers, campers and those who just want to get away from it all.

La Paz

La Paz is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur and is known for its warm people and beautiful beaches. This authentic Mexican city (as well as the general south Baja region) has been rated as one of the safest in Mexico and still maintains the small town feel that is very welcoming for tourists. La Paz is a departure point for tours and charters to the stunning Espiritu Santo Island as well as whale watching excursions. Stroll down the colorful malecón (boardwalk), walk hundreds of feet in waist high water at Balandra beach or have a fine dining experience; La Paz has a lot to offer.

Loreto

Loreto offers the best of both worlds for tourists who long to escape to an 'authentic-Mexico' with settings that take you back-in-time along with ocean activities that rival that of any other modern coastal city. In Loreto you'll find historic buildings such as the enchanting Mision de Loreto - a mission-style church that was built in 1697 as well as The Islands of Loreto which boasts Mexico's largest marine preserve where dolphins, seals, turtles and sea lions all play in the sea. For those who are partial to adventures on land; there is hiking, biking, and nature-tours that fill up a camera with pictures of radiant natural settings.

Loreto is the perfect place for everyone from honeymooners to large families.

useful information CURRENCY EXCHANGE Dollars are accepted almost everywhere and you will get your change in pesos. The exchange rate varies every day, but some places have a set rate.

ATMs - The easiest way to get pesos is to simply withdraw money from an ATM in Los Cabos. Bank ATMs give the daily exchange rate (best possible rate). Examples include Banorte, Bancomer, Santander, Banamex, and HSBC. Non-bank ATMs located in the street will charge higher fees. Some ATMs only give you dollars, some only pesos and some give you the option to withdraw both.

Pay close attention to what currency you’re withdrawing and try to get as much cash as possible in one transaction to avoid paying high fees.

CASH OR CARD? Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are generally accepted, but you often run into cash only places. Always ask beforehand and carry cash. Your bank will most likely charge you international transaction fees if you pay with your card.

GROCERIES - In Cabo San Lucas, Wal-Mart and Costco are good options and easy to get to. You can always find a taxi outside of these stores. San José has a Wal-Mart and Mega. If you just need to grab something quickly, OXXO stores are small, reasonably priced convenient stores located all over town.

HOW DO I DIAL? The local area code is 624 To dial to other countries: 00 + country code (1, 2 or 3 digits) + number From a Mexican land line or cell phone: To a Mexican long distance number: 01 + 3 digit area code + 7 digit number To a Mexican cell phone number: 3 digit area code + 7 digit number To a U.S. phone number: 00 + 1 + 3 digit area code + 7 digit number From your U.S. cell phone: To a Mexican land line or cell phone: 011 52 + 3 digit area code + number To a U.S. phone number: 00 + 1 + 3 digit area code + number Some U.S. cell phone carriers have arrangements with Mexican carriers and when you travel here your cell phone uses their towers. If this is your case, you will have to dial as if you had a Mexican phone.

U.S. TOLL FREE NUMBERS (International rates will apply): To a 1 (800): 00 + 1 + 880 + phone number To a 1 (888): 00 + 1 + 881 + phone number To a 1 (877): 00 + 1 + 882 + phone number To a 1 (866): 00 + 1 + 883 + phone number DRIVING Renting a car will allow you to enjoy the freedom of exploring Los Cabos. Driving in Mexico might be intimidating, but if you just go with the muddled flow, you will realize that there is some organization within the chaos. If you are pulled over by local police for committing a driving infraction, the standard procedure is for them to take your Driver’s License. You will then have to go to the Police Station to pay your ticket and pick-up your license. There are two types of gasoline: Magna, which is regular, and Premium. Lleno (pronounced ye-no) means full. Major credit cards are accepted. Tipping the gas station attendant around $10.00 pesos is customary. There is a toll road that takes you from the airport to Cabo San Lucas or to the Todos Santos highway. By taking this road you avoid the taxi and shuttle traffic on the main highway. The cost varies from $63.00 to $75.00 pesos, depending on your destination.

ALTO STOP

CUATRO ALTOS FOUR WAY STOP

4 ALTOS

NO ESTACIONARSE NO PARKING

ESTACIONAMIENTO PARKING

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCIES: 066 from a local number ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: 074 from a local number POLICE DEPARTMENT: - Cabo San Lucas 143-3977 - San José del Cabo 142-0361 FIRE DEPARTMENT: Dial 116 or: - Cabo San Lucas 143-3577 - San José del Cabo 142-2466 HIGHWAY PATROL: 146-0573 TOURIST POLICE: 143-3977 HOSPITALS: Amerimed: - Cabo San Lucas 105-8500 - San José del Cabo 105-8550 Baja Medical Response: 144-3434 Blue Medical Net: - Cabo San Lucas Hospital 104 3911 - San José del Cabo Clinic 142-3511 Cabo Surgical Center: 172-6030 Hospital H+ Los Cabos: 104-9300 North American Hospitals and Clinics: 142-2770 One World Hospital: - Cabo San Lucas 143-4911 - San José del Cabo 142-5911 - Todos Santos (612) 145-0600 Saint Luke's Hospital: - Cabo San Lucas 143-4911 - San José del Cabo 142-5911 Walk-in Medi Clinic: 130-7011 * For a complete directory of Doctors, hospitals and clinics in Los Cabos, visit: www.loscabosdoctor.com AIR AMBULANCES: SkyMed International Air Ambulance: (624) 154-4919 Air One Ambulance: (800) 236-8080 U.S. CONSULATE: 143-3566 CANADIAN CONSULATE: 142-4333 TAXI CABO SAN LUCAS: 143-2221 TAXI SAN JOSÉ DE CABO: 142-0401 IMMIGRATION: 143-0135 AIRLINES: Aero Calafia: 130-7822 Aeromexico: 146-5097 Air Canada: 01 (800) 719-2827 (Toll free within Mexico) Alaska Airlines: 146-5166 American Airlines: 146-5302/5303 Continental Airlines: 146-5050 Delta Airlines: 146-5005/146-5217 Interjet: 01 (800)-011-2345 (Toll free within Mexico) Southwest: 01 (800) 435-9792 Spirit Airlines: 1 (800) 772-7117 Sun Wing: 1 (800) 668-4224 Volaris: 01 (800) 7VOLARIS (Toll free within Mexico) US Airways: 146-5380 West Jet: 1 (800) 538-5696

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

7

BAJA 101

Baja Sur

Baja Peninsula

Tropic o

f Canc

8

er

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

BAJA 101

Cabo San Lucas 2 8

To La Brisa Mariscos & Bar

6

13 10

14

3

5 9 7

1 4

15

1 Buccaneer Queen, Cabo Escape, Cabo Legend 2 Cabo Fitness 3 Cabo Flyboard 4 Cabo Trek 5 Cabo Wabo 6 Desperados 7 Drip Spa 8 La Brisa 9 La Dolce 10 Paraiso Residences 11 Playa Grande Spa 12 Puerto San Lucas 13 Sea Cabo Activities 14 REmexico Real Estate 15 Sun Rider Sea Tours

12

11

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

9

BAJA 101

San José del Cabo

2

2

3

1 1 Cabo Fitness San Jose 2 Tienda 17 3 Wirikuta / La Kermés

The Corridor

6

4

10

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

5 1

7

2 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Cabo Fitness San Lucas Beach Blu I.O. Domani La Brisa Mariscos & Bar Simply Divine Wild Canyon Windermere Real Estate

Show this coupon and get

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

11

12

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

13

BOATING & FISHING

With calm waters, extraordinary fishing and perfect weather, some may argue that boating is the most popular attraction in Los Cabos. Whether you want to take a cruise to Santa María Bay on a luxury yacht or wake up at the crack of dawn for a fishing adventure, there are endless options to fit your needs.

SEASONAL FISHING CHART

Photo courtesy www.WildCanyon.com

BOAT RENTALS Private yachts and sailboats There are several charter companies that can accommodate your needs.

What you do on your trip is really up to you, but it will typically consist of a tour of the landmark arch, a few hours of fishing, and a cruise to one of our beautiful bays for a swim.

Most boats have fishing equipment and a knowledgeable crew, but the biggest difference between a yacht and a fishing boat rental is the cost.

Fishing Boat Rentals You can always fish on a yacht, but cruisers, pangas and super-pangas are a more affordable option. Cruisers accommodate larger groups and are more comfortable when the sea is rough on a windy day.

THE MARINAS Marina Cabo San Lucas The area’s largest commercial marina features 380 slips and accommodates vessels of up to 375 feet.

Amenities include 24-hour security, electricity and potable water, a fuel dock, and convenient laundry and shower facilities.

Puerto Los Cabos Located in La Playita just north of San José del Cabo is the newest marina in the area with 200 available slips 14

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

for boats up to 400 feet. Amenities are similar to Marina Cabo San Lucas, though the boatyard’s 150-ton travel lift can accommodate larger vessels.

FISHING There’s a reason why the world’s richest fishing tournament - the Bisbee’s Black & Blue - has taken place in Los Cabos for over thirty years. This part of the world offers abundant sea life and an exceptionally high catch success rate, no matter what your level of fishing experience is.

What to Expect Most charters include a fishing license, bait, tackle and equipment. Some also include food and drink or these amenities can be added at an additional cost.

It is better to leave early; trips usually begin at 6:00 and 7:00 am and last around 6 hours. Cost will depend on the number of people in your party and the size of the boat you choose to rent. It is customary to leave the crew a gratuity of 15% to 20%.

Bait and Tackle Most likely, the boat you charter will include your bait and tackle. If you need your own fresh bait, you may buy it along the Cabo San Lucas Marina or the crew you hire may also stop to buy it from the local fishermen on your way out.

SPORT FISHING FLAGS COMMONLY SEEN IN LOS CABOS

BOATING AND FISHING TERMS IN SPANISH Captain - Capitán Aboard - Abordo To fish - Pescar To float - Flotar Wind - Viento Tide - Marea Fish - Pescado Bait - Carnada Fishing rod - Caña de pescar Hook - Anzuelo Life preservers - Salvavidas Throttle - Acelerador Anchor - Ancla Bow - Proa Stern - Popa

SNORKELING & SCUBA DIVING

Prepare yourself for an incredible show of nature as you swim side by side with colourful schools of fish, eels, rays, octopus, sea turtles and more.

The Sea of Cortez or the “Aquarium of the World” offers many opportunities to experience incredible underwater wildlife.

SCUBA DIVING DESTINATIONS Note: travel time is from the Cabo San Lucas marina.

Land’s End Intermediate-Advanced - 50’-60’ Five minutes by boat and you can share the water with sea lions and moray eels, with a sunken boat visible in the Falls.

Sand Falls Beginners - Advanced - 30’-100’ Steep sand banks drop sharply into a canyon filled with tropical fish. The canyon runs from the depths of the Cabo San Lucas bay to within 30 feet of the beach.

Pelican Rock Beginners - 25’-80’ This large rock attracts many tropical fish and is only five minutes from shore.

Neptune’s Finger Advanced - 80’-100’ A spectacular canyon wall dive.

Cabeza de Ballena Beginners - 20’-40’ A 25-minute boat ride leads to a dive through large boulders with many fish.

Santa María Cave Beginners - 20’-40’ Reachable from the shore or a 35-minute boat ride, the entrance to Santa Maria canyon has a huge variety of fish which feed right from your hand.

Chileno Beginners - 30’-70’ This location offers parking, sea turtle sightings, tropical fish, and night dives over a sandy and rocky bottom following a 35-minute boat ride.

El Gavilán Intermediate/Advanced - 70’-100’ This rocky ledge leads into a canyon where groupers and larger fish are often sighted; 35 minutes by boat.

Blow Hole Beginners/Advanced - 30’-70’ 35-minutes from San Lucas, or just 10 minutes from Chileno beach, this dive offers rocky valleys presenting a variety of fish.

Las Salinas Beginners - 30’-45’ - A sunken Japanese fishing boat attracts a large assortment of fish at this beginners’ dive; about 80 minutes from Cabo San Lucas or one hour from La Playita.

Gordo Banks Advanced - 110’-120’ - A seamount provides views of marlin, hammerheads, skip jacks and at times huge manta rays; one hour from La Playita.

Cabo Pulmo Beginner-Advanced - 30’-100’ A one hour drive east of San José or five minutes by boat and you’ll find the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

SNORKELING SPOTS Cabo offers several methods for snorkelling. You may drive to a local beach and swim out, book a tour with one of the many popular companies, or charter a private boat. Tours are typically two or three hours. Stay away from the Pacific side of the peninsula; its strong currents make it very dangerous for any kind of water sports.

Pelican Rock

A quick five-minute ride from the Cabo San Lucas marina or Medano Beach is all it takes to get to this fish-attracting rock.

Lover’s Beach This popular and uniquely-named beach is accessible only by boat. Be on the look-out, however, as the water is not roped off for swimmers.

Santa Maria Bay Snorkel tours regularly visit Santa Maria Bay. If you choose to drive there, it’s an easy swim from the shore to the reef on the right side of the cove.

Chileno Bay Snorkelers will find a safe, roped-off area for swimming at this common tour destination.

Cabo Pulmo A Natural Marine Reserve in the East Cape, and may offer the best snorkelling in the area. This eight-fingered coral reef is about a 1.5-hour drive from San José del Cabo, but it is well worth it!

ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES Photo courtesy Wild Canyon

Adventure Parks There are several adventure parks in Los Cabos where you and your kids can experience zip-lining, backcountry ATV tours, a camel safari, and more. Zip-lines are appropriate for kids of 8 years and up and be prepared to hike from 5 to 15 minutes from line to line. Most companies include transportation.

Parasailing If heights over land are not right for you, try a parasailing trip and gain some altitude to enjoy beautiful views of Cabo while tethered firmly to a speedboat!

Buggy, Atv, Or Bike Rentals There are several local companies which offer ATVs, buggies, and other off-road vehicles for trail and beach cruising. Strap on some goggles and hop behind the wheel of one of these off-road racers for an afternoon of fast-paced fun! Vehicles include typical ATVs or enclosed rail buggies or RZR ATVs. Tours are typically three hours, and drivers must be 16 years of age with a valid drivers’ license. If pedal-powered rides are more your speed, look into renting a mountain bike, beach cruiser, or joining a guided bicycle tour of town. Just make sure to wear a helmet!

Wet Fun Water Park Located about 20 minutes from San José, this water park has shallow pools and small slides for young children, water mushrooms, a pirate ship and a giant bucket that dumps water on the bystanders bellow. For the adrenaline seekers, several fast and large slides stand tall and mighty and offer a great view of the beautiful surrounding mountains. To get there take HWY 1 north from the San José International Airport towards La Paz and East Cape. After about 15 miles, the exit for Caudaño and the water park will be at km 66. Follow this road for a few minutes and you will find the park on your right.

Turtle Release Every year, several species of endangered sea turtles nest in the warm sands of Los Cabos. Your family will have the opportunity to help these fragile and tiny creatures make it safely into the sea. Children will learn about the importance of conservation and they will surely enjoy the experience of helping these little friends.

Horseback Rides, Nature Walks, and Bird Watching Los Cabos (particularly San José del Cabo) offers a number of horseback excursions for all ages. Saddle up for a sunset guided beach ride, venture up Sol de Mayo Waterfall Cascade a hidden canyon trail, or just sit back Located about an hour and a half in the shade while experienced horse away from Los Cabos, the Sol de Mayo trainers give the kids lessons in horseOasis is yet another natural beauty of manship – there’s something for evethe Southern Baja California region. ryone! San José also boasts a natural The hike leads the adventurous to estuary and nature preserve. Enjoy a a majestically beautiful oasis where peaceful, self-guided nature walk to everyone can swim and even dive into observe some of the lushest landscape the cool, serene waters. Be sure to in the area. Species of flora and fauna pack a lunch, and take plenty of waare abundant: dozens of species of cacter. There are plenty of signs to guide tus, lizards, and birds can be spotted everyone to this wonderful piece of on this solitary walk, just a few minparadise. After arriving in Santiago, utes from downtown. Cactus-lovers turn right up the little hill towards the may also want to check out the nearby town square. The cost is $6 US per cactus gardens Wirikuta, offering a person to access the easy hike to the large variety of cacti laid out in an artclear-water falls. ful outdoor setting.

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur 15

FLYBOARDING

SURFING

Baja Sur has been a popular surfing destination since the ‘50s.

The East Cape is popular for kite surfing and the Pacific coast has several surf breaks where you will find less crowds. See our Baja Sur map and look for this symbol to locate the surf spots mentioned bellow.

SAN PEDRITO Level: Advanced. Direction: Right, left.

Location: Pacific side right before arriving to Todos Santos.

Have you ever had a dream about flying like Superman or maybe swimming like a dolphin? Dreams can come true in Cabo! The FlyBoard is a device connected and powered by a personal watercraft, which allows propulsion underwater and in the air.

Users are connected to the board by wakeboard boots, under which, water pressure provides thrust. A certified trainer controls the power and height and you control all the movement. Available at Medano beach or in the Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San José del Cabo.

STAND UP PADDLING

There is something special about paddling out and finding yourself floating in the ocean with just a paddle and a board. Stand up paddling is a great way to see marine life and to get a great workout and while enjoying nature. At Medano beach you can rent boards in several locations. Certain companies offer paddling lessons and some have yoga classes on the board.

KITE SURFING

This sport is most popular in the East Cape due to the El Norte winds. Playa Norte (the north-east side of the beach) in Los Barriles is said to be the most popular destination and is also the location for a professional kite-boarding school. La Ventana is also a popular spot and is closer to La Paz. There is less wind in Los Barriles than in La Ventana, but the surf is bigger. The best months are January, February, March, October, November, December. Every January, the Lord of the Wind tournament takes place in Los Barriles.

16

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

CERRITOS Level: Beginners. Direction: Right, left.

Location: Pacific side at Km 65 of the Cabo San Lucas- Todos Santos road.

MONUMENTS Level: Advanced . Direction: Left.

Location: at Km 6.5 of the Corridor, closer to Cabo San Lucas.

EL TULE Level: Advanced . Direction: Right, left.

Location: Exit at Km 16.2 at El Tule bridge COSTA AZUL consists of three breaks: The Rock or La Roca Level: Advanced. Direction: Right.

Zippers Level: All level. Direction: Right.

Acapulquito Level: All levels. Direction: Right.

Location: at Km 28.5. Access is below the Costa Azul bridge.

LA BOCANA AT THE ESTUARY Level: All levels. Direction: Right, left.

Location: San José del Cabo’s main beach, close to the Holiday Inn. SHIPWRECKS Level: Advanced. Direction: Right.

Location: East Cape, about 25 Km from San José del Cabo.

NINE PALMS Level: All levels. Direction: Long rights.

Location: East Cape, about 30 Km from San José del Cabo.

SEASONS June through November The summer months are known to be the best as the Southern Hemisphere’s swells send great waves to the Pacific, Cabo San Lucas, San José and the East Cape.

December through February East Cape and Costa Azul are on the flatter side. The Pacific can be good this time of year because it’s exposed to the west swell.

March through May This is the windy season. Swells are consistent and you’ll run into fewer crowds.

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

17

18

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

19

LOVERS B EAC H

ME DAN O

20 www.DestinoLosCabos.com SANTA M ARI A

CERRITO S

Imagine floating in a turquoise bay with pink sand, snorkelling with colorful fish or walking for hundreds of yards in waist-high water, every beach in South Baja offers something unique. Here is a list of the must-see beaches to help you decide which is the one for you or just visit them all!

LO S A RBO LITO S

BA LA NDRA

MEDANO BEACH

If you’re looking for the action, this is where it is. El Médano (as the locals call it) is a 2-mile stretch of hotels, restaurants and bars, right on the sand. It’s a swimmable and family-friendly beach with endless options for souvenir shopping. Numerous activities and water sports are available. If you want to take a water taxi to Lover’s Beach, this is the best spot to do it. Its stunning view of Land’s End and the vast entertainment options make this beach a must-see.

Location: In the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas. The beach is accessible by foot through the east side of the marina or via Avenida del Pescador.

Tips: Be prepared to be approached by souvenir vendors. If you’re not there for the shopping, just respond with “No gracias.” Water sports are available such as jet skis, parasailing, flyboarding, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and more. Visit Lover’s Beach while you’re there.

LOVER’S BEACH

Getting there is an adventure in itself, due to the fact that it is reachable only by boat, kayak or stand up paddle board. The easiest way is to take a water taxi from the Cabo San Lucas Marina or Medano Beach. Your captain will cruise by the arch and the sea lion rock for some great photo opportunities. Once you arrive, you’ll notice the striking rock formations and caves. Walk to the other side of the rocks and you’ll find yourself looking at the Pacific Ocean; the locals call this Divorce Beach. This side is very dangerous for swimming because of the powerful undertow, so swim on Lover’s Beach only.

Location: Land’s End beside the famous arch. This beach is accessible only by boat.

Tips: There are a couple of vendors who offer beer and water, but you won’t find any other services. An hour or two should be enough time to explore this natural wonderland.

SANTA MARIA

Santa Maria is a stunning horseshoe cove with coarse coral-colored sand and abundant marine life. Boat excursions and private charters often stop here to enjoy the snorkelling and scuba diving that this National Marine Preserve offers. This family-friendly beach is relatively secluded; therefore, you rarely run into beach vendors. However, the beach does have brand new bathrooms and palapas.

Location: Travelling west from Cabo San Lucas towards San José, follow the sign which reads “Santa María” and exit the highway at Km. 13. Follow the dirt road until you reach the parking area.

Tips: Swim from the shore towards the rocks on the right side of the beach for a great snorkeling experience.

CHILENO

Chileno is a very popular location for snorkelling, swimming or just spending the day under the newly-installed palapas. You’ll find tide pools at the east end of the beach and beautiful reefs offering excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. Public restrooms are available and there are plenty of palapas for shade.

Location: Going from Cabo San Lucas towards San José, follow the signs for Chileno Beach Club near Km. 14 of the main highway.

Tips: If you visit Chileno on a weekend, make an effort to arrive early; snorkelling visibility is often better in the mornings, you’ll avoid the mid-day snorkel tours and, if you beat the crowds, you’ll be guaranteed a palapa to yourself for some much-needed shade. Bring snorkelling gear!

PALMILLA

Palmilla beach is known for its family-friendly calm waters and a mile-long stretch of beach. Located within the resort community of Palmilla, you will find yourself surrounded by oceanfront luxury homes, the One&Only Hotel and the world renowned Jack Nicklaus Ocean Nine golf course. Pangas and

fishing cruisers are available for charter, but you won’t find water sport rentals such as kayaks or jet skis.

Location: Take the Palmilla ramp exit at Km. 27. Follow the signs and turn into the main beach parking area before the entrance to the One&Only Hotel.

Tips: Palmilla is popular among local families on the weekends, so arrive early if you want a palapa, or bring your own umbrella. No services are available here.

COSTA AZUL

If what you’re looking for is a good surf spot you can find it here without driving out of town. Head over to Zipper’s for a surf session and lunch and beers at the restaurant. To the west of Zippers is Acapulquito beach where the Cabo Surf Hotel and Mike Doyle Surf School are located. You can find surf shops in the area where you can rent surf and stand-up paddle boards and set up lessons. The surf is bigger during the summer, and in the winter this is a good spot for snorkelling and swimming.

Location: Exit into the arroyo at Km. 28 via the Costa Azul Bridge.

Tips: Swimming with caution is possible in this area but keep an eye out for surfers.

CERRITOS

Cerritos beach is a popular surf spot and swimming here is relatively safe. The scenic 45-minute drive from Cabo San Lucas is well worth the trip as you drive along the pristine Pacific coast. The Cerritos Beach Club Restaurant is a perfect spot to spend a relaxing day, maybe even get a massage on the beach. If you want to be active, you can take a surf lesson at Baja Surf Camp or rent surf and boogie boards at the Costa Azul Surf Shop.

Location: Exit at Km. 66 of the Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos Highway. Watch the markers and look for the signs. Drive about 1.7 miles to the beach area.

Tips: Lounge chairs, restrooms, food and drinks are available at The Cerritos Beach Club Restaurant. The ocean currents are strong and the waves can be quite powerful on a big day, so swim with caution.

LOS ARBOLITOS - Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo is a Natural Marine Reserve in the East Cape, and may offer the best snorkelling in the area. This eight-fingered coral reef is about a 1.5 hour drive from San José del Cabo, but it is well worth it.

Location: Take Highway 1 towards Los Barriles. Exit towards La Ribera and continue south towards Cabo Pulmo. Pass the small town of Cabo Pulmo and in about 4 km you will find a gate on your right to access Los Arbolitos, this is where you pay the access fee.

Tips: There is a small $30.00 pesos fee to access this beach which will allow you to use a fresh water shower and bathrooms. Palapas are available, as well as kayaking equipment rentals. Bring cash!

BALANDRA

A stunning bay that will take your breath away. You can walk back and forth in the bay in waist high water that is crystal clear with shades of blue turquoise. Follow the shore towards the north-east side and you will find the famous “mushroom rock” as well as other interesting rock formations. Pictures just don’t do it justice. You won’t regret visiting Playa Balandra!

Location: About 30 minutes from the boardwalk in La Paz. Simply follow the main drag along the boardwalk, then through Costa Baja Golf Course and continue to wind around the coast and through the mountains until you see the signs for the beach.

Tips: No bathroom facilities. There is a truck where you can buy water and snacks, but it is recommended to bring your own in case they are closed. There are palapas, but not a lot. You can rent kayaks and snorkel gear.

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

21

hero, Hidalgo appointed a vicar to run his congregation when he landed in the impoverished town of Dolores in 1802, shifting his own focus to intellectual pursuits, humanitarian efforts, and commerce built from the combination of the two.

A life-long student, Hidalgo’s enrichment studies included grape cultivation and raising silkworms, and he shared his newfound knowledge with the indigenous people of the area, creating jobs for the poor and industry for the town. He taught brick making, pottery, tanning and leatherwork; he encouraged the practice of bookkeeping to strengthen the economic value of the region; and through these crafts and occupations he did his very best to inspire autonomy to a people living under the firm thumb of an authoritarian Kingdom located thousands of miles across an open ocean.

by Kate Ne a l Everybody loves a good celebration- especially one accompanied by tacos and tequila. And fortuitously for “everybody”, several Mexican festivities have been adopted by a number of diverse cultures internationally. The most widely recognized example might be considered the beloved Taco Tuesday, a deliberately concocted weekly celebration of one of the more perfect foods, but one which has become an almost intrinsic part of the first-world culture of today. (Thank you, México.) Cinco de Mayo, while observed in other countries, is promoted largely in the United States, seeing stores all across the country selling out of piñatas as elaborate parties are held to honor the food, culture and traditions of their neighbors to the South. But, the most significant Mexican festivity of all- the most elaborate of their annual holidays, is all but entirely overlooked by the taco and tequila adulators of the world. In fact, few outside of the Mexican culture have even heard of Grito de Dolores - or the Cry of Dolores in English, known more liberally as Independence Day. It is a large misconception that Cinco de Mayo celebrates the independence of México. In fact, contrary to the large parties thrown in the US, México celebrates the occasion fairly quietly, with a federal holiday and a military parade in Puebla, the city where the French forces of Napoleon were defeated on May 5, 1862.

Conversely, the raucous celebrations of México’s Independence are held in September, rooted in a call to arms 52 years earlier.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Roman Catholic priest in the town of Dolores, and an eventual martyr for his call to freedom from the 300year tyranny unleashed by Spain’s conquistadors. An unassuming 22

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Spain enforced compulsory policies upon México, designed specifically to protect their own agriculture and industry.

Further, the colonial caste system created tensions countrywide, as a hierarchy of the classes was established based on sixteen individual combinations of ethnicity. Exploitation of the classes was immediate and sordid.

After being forced by the Crown to abandon his efforts to create self-sufficiency for the people of México, Hidalgo made a stand.

In the late hours of September 15th, 1810, he stood on the steps of his parish in Dolores, passionately ringing the church bell, calling all able bodies to arms. He offered words of inspiration to the people, urging them to turn away from the moniker “New Spain” that had been stamped upon their borders, and to throw from them the oppressive, autocratic government that had been thrust upon them in the days of Cortez so many years earlier.

It was unlikely that Hidalgo would succeed, seeing an army of less than 100,000 untrained farmers stand in defiance against one of the world’s greatest military forces of the time. But he did just that, although he would not live to see the victory. Hidalgo was captured and executed by the Spanish in 1811, but his ideas of liberation lived on in the hearts of a repressed people. Upon his death, the fervor of so many affected by him spread across the country like a flame, igniting ferocity, with resolute cries of “Viva Mexicanos!” The rise up would last eleven years, seeing 15,000 Mexicans giving their lives to the cause. In 1821 an agreement was reached with Spain, and México became the new name for the now-sovereign land so many had died for.

Today, the holiday is observed as a two-day celebration. Mexicans everywhere honor both September 15th, when Hidalgo first made

his cry from Dolores, and September 16th, established

by México in 1922 as the official day of independence from Spain. The two weeks prior to the holiday will have seen municipalities across México surge with pride in their heritage, flags strewn about townships, the country colors of green, white and red virtually everywhere; the caste system nowhere at all.

The holiday itself is marked with a reenactment of the Cry of Dolores, when, at 11 p.m., the President of México rings the very same bell Hidalgo rang, which was relocated to the National Palace in México City. A loud

“¡Viva!”

is called out at the start of

each delivered sentence, to which the crowd responds in kind. At the conclusion of the President’s impassioned words, political officials in towns large and small all across México can be heard ringing symbolic bells, giving similar ardent addresses to their constituents. And calls of ¡Viva Hidalgo! and ¡Viva la Independencia Nacional! (or Long live Hidalgo! and Long live the nation’s independence!) echo in the celebratory streets.

The bell that Miguel Hidalgo rang on the evening of September 15th, 1810.

Photo by AlejandroLinaresGarcia via Wikimedia Commons.

The second day of the holiday is observed with allday grand celebrations, complete with family feasts, colored confetti and booming fireworks late into the night. Parades, rodeos, bullfights and street parties call out townships across México to remember their roots.

Towers of braided willow and palm stalks are set ablaze, mariachi music booms into the night and traditional foods with ingredients that reflect the national colors are plentiful.

Los Cabos in September is a typical example of what happens all across México. The town is overflowing with national pride, street parades and fireworks to honor the event. Restaurants, hotels and nightclubs throw Noche Mexicana celebrations, showcasing specialty beverages like the Mexican Flag Shooter, an alcoholic drink with the colors of the flag layered in a shot glass. All of Cabo is awash in a flurry of green, white and red. And those same colors are ceremoniously and quite intentionally used in any sellable medium - flowers, apparel, strings of lights - in an effort to both honor a great independence, and contribute to the self-reliant economy of the Mexican people. And that, is exactly what Hidalgo cried for. i

San José del Cabo's Ciy Hall decorated with The typical independence celebration flare. Photo by Sabrina Lear.

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

23

ART&CULTURE

Photo and ar t icle by Sabr ina L e ar

othing symbolizes traditional Mexican music worldwide than the image of Mariachi with their distinctive Charro suits, broad brimmed sombreros and unique musical sound. Along with “Day of the Dead” and other Mexican traditions, in 2011 Mariachi music was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Mariachi, the music of the “folk," is the blending of México’s diverse musical traditions over hundreds of years. Eventually, the combination of Spanish, pre-Colombian, and African sounds formed a unique Mexican identity. Music played a significant role in religious rituals and was a powerful tool for conversion to Catholicism. The Spanish brought the guitar, violin, vihuela (a high-pitched, round-backed guitar) and harp for Mass. Later, they would be used to create satirical songs, known as son or sones.

Mariachi music was derived from son, with regional styles found throughout México. In Jalisco State, it’s son jalisciense (La Negra, Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes, La Culebra...). In Tamaulipas, Puebla, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Hidalgo and Querétaro it’s son huasteco or son huapango (Cielito Lindo, Cucurrucucu Paloma, La Malagueña…). Son jarocho (La Bamba, El Cascabel, El Coco…) is from the port city of Veracruz in southeastern México.

Yet the most famous Mariachi tune is Las Mañanitas, the “Happy Birthday” song.

It wasn’t until the late 1800s that groups grew and became more professional, beginning with Amado Vargas’ ensemble of guitar, violins, vihuela and harp. Son Gaspar and grandson Silvestre would profoundly influence the genre in coming years. Mariachi was first known in Jalisco until bands began traveling outside the state. With the onset of radio in the early 1920s and the trumpet and guitarron replacing the harp, modern Mariachi music was born. In future years, Mariachi groups would grow, adding more violins and trumpets.

24

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Vargas’ famed Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, established in 1897, traveled to México City in 1934 seeking an audience with President Lázaro Cárdenas, a big promoter of Mexican culture. Impressed, they performed at Cárdenas’ inauguration and became the city’s official Mariachi band. With the arrival of the silver screen in the 1940s, Mariachi Vargas appeared in some 200 films, backing such vocal greats as Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete and Lola Beltrán. The rustic folk music of the campo had evolved into a sophisticated sound, gaining world popularity. Decades later, in 1987, Mariachi Vargas would tour and appear on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” with Linda Ronstadt, bringing them more fans.

In the 1930s, Mariachi bands began wearing the charro (Mexican cowboy suit).

Consisting of ankle boots, wide sombrero, an embroidered chaleco (waistcoat), a mono (large bow tie), snug, high-waisted pants and a wide belt, it is worn to this day and is the universal symbol of Mariachi style.

Mariachis play at birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baptisms, graduations, patriotic holidays and events, and celebrations of Mexican life, including funerals.

Many Mariachi groups perform a broad repertoire including contemporary standards. Today, a Mariachi group usually consists of a vocalist, two or four violins, two trumpets, a guitar, a vihuela, and the guitarró, a Mexican bass guitar.

The late musical director, “Pepe” Martínez of Mariachi Vargas, described a typical set: “We start with sones, steeped in tradition, where mariachi began. Then we pay tribute to famous composers like Jose Alfredo Jiménez. Then we’ll perform romantic stuff, songs that people know and sing along to. And then we play huapangos for dancing…and finish with the classic songs, the ones that make you laugh and cry.”

If you’re out in the evening and asked if you would like a song, check the rate before the Mariachi (and all musicians) begin playing. Expect to pay at least $5 USD per song for smaller groups and $10-15 USD each for a full group of 8-12 members. If it sounds pricey, remember, it’s well worth the experience. If you’re looking to hire a local Mariachi band for a special occasion, “Google” Mariachi Cabo, Mariachi Nuevo Jalisciense or Mariachi El Gavilancillo. i

ART & CULTURE

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

25

ART & CULTURE

Histor i c Me xico Awaits

h 7 h 7 h 7 h 7 h

E l Tr iu n fo & L a R amona

by International Community Foundation

TWO HOURS NORTH of Los Cabos, on scenic Hwy 1, lies the pueblo of El Triunfo. Steeped in the mining history of Southern Baja, El Triunfo is now attracting visitors and travelers to enjoy the charm and beauty of this unique little town, and they are adding it to their list of Baja adventures.

A day trip to El Triunfo offers hiking and horseback riding opportunities, a visit to the Museo de la Música (music museum), art galleries, annual festivals, and foodie experiences at any of the newly opened restaurants. Plans are also underway to install the Museo Ruta de Plata in January 2018, which will highlight the mining history of the region.

One of the long-time attractions to El Triunfo is the iconic “La Ramona” smokestack, a relic of the mining boom that brought rapid prosperity and transformed the Baja California peninsula in the 1890s. La Ramona was designed by none other than French architect Gustave Eiffel, who in addition to the famed Eiffel Tower, designed numerous structures throughout Latin America and Mexico during his career.

Today, the abandoned 47-foot tall “La Ramona” is unstable. Since 2015, ICF and Corredor Histórico CAREM, A.C. have partnered to restore this symbol of the town’s history. The project partners believe that restoring this historic icon will create a healthier public space for local community members, and will contribute to the cultural and economic revival of El Triunfo by driving alternative tourism.

Over the last year two successful Gastro/Vino events brought attention to El Triunfo and the restoration of La Ramona. The events were sponsored by the International Community Foundation (ICF) & CAREM in participation with the local Ejido, Government authorities, and restaurant and wine distributors from throughout the region. These events were a big success and were enjoyed by hundreds of donors from Los Cabo to La Paz, eager to support the restoration project!

If you would like a chance to be part of the lasting legacy in Baja California Sur and help to promote tourism and growth, in the spirit of preservation, there are several ways to contribute. The La Ramona Adopt-A-Brick Program, provides the opportunity to “adopt a brick” for the smokestack. There is also the La Ramona-CAREM Fund at ICF, which accepts general donations for the Initiative. Both donation links can be found at www.icfdn.org.

Though construction has been put on hold for southern Baja’s hurricane season, it is scheduled to begin again before the end of 2017, with completion expected in Spring 2018. Sign up for ICF’s mailing list to receive updates about construction progress and inaugural celebrations!

Be a part of the rich Mexican Heritage and enjoy a day trip to El Triunfo to relive the charm of Old Mexico! i 26

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Giving Guide Cabo San Lucas / San José Del Cabo

Amigos de Los Niños (Friends of the Children) www.adlncabo.org - 624 144 3195 Baja SAFE, Salud de los Animales y Familias con Educación A.C. www.bajasafe.com The Bomberos Voluntarios (Volunteer Fire Department) Cabo San Lucas: 624 143 3577 - San José del Cabo: 624 142 2466.

Building Baja's Future www.buildingbajasfuture.org - 624 355 4314 Casa Hogar de Cabo San Lucas, A.C. www.casahogarcabo.com - 624 123 1285 Gala de Danza A.C. www.galadedanza.com Gente Joven Por Un Cambio, A.C. www.gentejovenac.org H+ Foundation Fund www.donatricfdn.org Liga M.A.C., A.C. (Mexican American Canadian League) www.ligamac.org - 624 120 1060 Los Cabos Children's Foundation, A.C. www.loscaboschildren.org - 624 157 3851 Los Cabos Humane Society www.loscaboshumanesociety.com - 624 129 8346 Los Niños del Capitán, A.C. www.losninosdelcapitan.com - 624 173 3807 Mobilize Mankind www.mobilizemankind.org - 624 129 8223 Red Autismo www.redautismo.org - 624 166 8186 Sarahuaro www.sarahuaro.org - 624 122 4955 Solmar Foundation Fund www.solmarfoundation.com Vifac BCS www.vifac.org - 624 688 5062, 01 800 362 2207

East Cape

Amigos para la Conservacion de Cabo Pulmo, A.C. (ACCP) www.cabopulmoamigos.com East Cape Community Urgent Care Clinic, A.C. www.eastcapemedical.com East Cape Guild www.eastcapeguild.com

Todos Santos

The Palapa Society Todos Santos, A.C. www.palapasociety.org Todos Santos Community Fund www.donate.icfdn.org

La Paz

Centro Mujeres, A.C. www.centromujeres.org Como Vamos La Paz, A.C. www.comovamoslapaz.com Fundación Ayuda Niños La Paz, A.C. (FANLAP) www.lapazninos.org Fundación Cántaro Azul, A.C. www.cantaroazul.com - Water and environmental solutions.

La Paz Community fund www.donateicfdn.org Pelagios Kakunjá www.Pelagioskakunja.org Raíz de Fondo Jardines y Educación, A.C. www.raizdefondo.org

Magdalena Bay

Vigilantes de Bahía Magdalena, A.C. Facebook: @vigilantes.bahiamagdalena

Loreto

Eco-Alianza de Loreto, A.C. www.ecoalianzaloreto.org

ART & CULTURE

Relief From Joint Pain SAN JOSE DEL CABO ART DISTRICT

View art as you stroll the enchanting streets of the Gallery District in downtown San Jose del Cabo.

Later end your evening with a dining experience at one of the many exquisite restaurants in the area.

Musical Tuesdays

Enjoy traditional Mexican music and complimentary drinks at participating venues. Starts at 6:30 pm every Tuesday.

EAT SHOP PLAY

www.artcabo.com

Stem cells! Easy peasy!

Don’t have surgery, get a quick, easy stem cell treatment

If you’re suffering from joint pain, an injury, osteoarthritis, or other degenerative and painful joint conditions, you may be a good candidate for a stem cell implant.

If you have failed other treatment options including rest, medications, injections and physical therapy, you may be reluctant to try invasive surgery that’s risky and can take months of recovery time. But the recent advances in stem cell therapy, and its growing use to treat painful joint conditions, has become a popular alternative to invasive surgery.

People who may benefit from stem cell therapy include those suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, spinal injuries, type 1 diabetes, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, stroke, burns and surprisingly, many other conditions.

CryoVida is one of the leading stem cells clinics in Mexico, providing human stem cells for clinical and commercial applications worldwide, and offering the most advanced nonsurgical stem cell therapies available.

CryoVida has recently developed the stem cell implant which activates the body’s own stem cells to give relief of painful conditions.

The implant, containing 39 million cells, is injected into the fatty tissue of the abdomen, with a tiny needle that goes just under the skin.

The implant slowly release cells and nutrients to activate the body’s own stem cells.

The release of these cells and nutrients stimulate the body’s stem cells and help relieve pain caused by conditions such as arthritis of the joints and enhances the healing process. And, here’s a bonus: This treatment is known to boost libido for many individuals.

The stem cell implant is not the complete treatment of arthritic conditions of the joints however may provide relief for several months, and when used with physiotherapy can help relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis, fracture or sprain recovery, tendon rupture, low back pain, spinal surgery, and joint afflictions and replacements. The implant can also be used for preventive care and maintenance of good health.

The cost is $495 US and is a 20 minute outpatient procedure. If you’re a visitor to Cabo why not try this new stem cell therapy currently not available in USA and Canada and the procedure can be done same day. Ask also about the latest advances in stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, facial rejuvenation and many other conditions.

More information: www.saintlukeshospitals.com/stem-cell-therapy.php

E-mail: stemcellcabo@gmail.com Telephone 624 157 1970

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

27

DISCOVER

B aja's treasures

Valle de Guadalupe M exico’s Pre mi e r W i ne R e g i o n

By Jennifer Kramer It comes as a surprise to many that Northern Baja California is home to one of the world’s trendiest wine regions, the Valle de Guadalupe. It comes as an even bigger surprise to many that the region is making some truly exceptional wines.

Pair that with the exquisite open-air restaurants and the charming boutique hotels, and it’s no wonder that people are flocking from around the world to visit Baja’s newly famous wine region.

Located just 90 minutes south of the San Diego/Tijuana border, Valle de Guadalupe has been referred to as the Napa Valley of Mexico, but the comparison is not entirely accurate. While the abundance of wineries and worldclass restaurants may be similar, Napa lacks the rustic charm, frontera grit, and Mexican hospitality that Valle de Guadalupe possesses. This is a true Baja wine region, down to the unmarked dirt roads and rugged landscapes. Those with expectations for polished glamour will be disappointed, but adventurous spirits will fall irrevocably under the quixotic spell of the valley.

While wine has been made in the region for centuries (the Spanish missionaries brought the first grapes to the area in 1791), it wasn’t until about a decade ago that the modern wine movement blossomed, giving rise to a majority of the 150 boutique wineries that now populate the valley. Wine drinkers will find familiar varieties of grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. They’ll also be treated to new wines such as inventive red blends and Valle’s own versions of Italian Nebbiolo and Spanish Tempranillo, which are becoming signature varietals for the region.

While summer days can be hot, the valley generally has temperate weather throughout the year. Wineries and open-air campestre-style restaurants that take advantage of the beautiful views and pleasant outdoor setting are open year round, meaning it’s always a good time to visit Valle de Guadalupe.

Where to Drink While Valle de Guadalupe is home to some of Mexico’s largest wineries, the charm of the region lies in the more intimate boutique wineries. It’s here at the smaller producers where you’ll get quality wines, personal attention, and may even meet the winemaker—all while enjoying the stunning vineyard views.

There’s no better introduction to Valle de Guadalupe than Las Nubes (646156- 8037) winery. They offer tastings on their expansive deck, featuring wines that are easy to drink and stunning views of the valley.

Nearby is the family-run Bodegas F. Rubio (www.bodegasfrubio.com) winery, providing visitors with a range of tasting options from their selection of quality wines. Enjoy your wine with food from the on-site restaurant, Parcela 70, while enjoying the vineyard views from the large patio or the air-conditioned indoor dining room.

You’ll need an advance reservation to get into the intimate Lechuza (vinoslechuza.com) winery. Here you’ll find personal attention, a relaxing and enjoyable wine tasting experience, and some of the best wines in the region.

For a unique experience, head to Vena Cava (www.venacavawine.com), where the tasting room and wine cave are nestled into the hillside under upsidedown vintage fishing boats. This iconic micro winery is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates good wine and noteworthy architecture.

True wine connoisseurs won’t want to miss Torres Alegre y Familia (646688- 1033). The family winery is headed up by one of Mexico’s most famous oenologists, Dr. Victor Torres. He and his family create delightfully complex wines that can be enjoyed from their new tasting room, which offers nearly 360- degree views.

28

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Where to Eat Valle de Guadalupe has become famous for its outdoor campestre-style restaurants. The cuisine is true Baja California-style, with the seafood coming straight from the Pacific Ocean, the meats and dairy all local, and much of the produce coming directly from the gardens on the properties. Modern updates of traditional Mexican recipes are created with hyper-local ingredients, producing a truly unique cuisine.

The most popular campestre restaurant in Valle, Finca Altozano (fincaltozano. com), is well deserving of its reputation. Chef Javier Plascencia has created savory dishes that are cooked over wood fire and served in a beautifully rustic open-air setting. After your meal, grab a glass of wine and climb up to the top of one of the giant wine barrels scattered around the property to take advantage of the views and the photo opp.

Consistently on San Pellegrino’s list of the best 50 restaurants in Latin America is Corazón de Tierra (corazondetierra.com). Chef Diego Hernandez creates an intricate and delicious six-course tasting menu that changes daily. The restaurant’s beautiful dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows that open up directly to the garden, where most of the produce comes from.

Chef Roberto Alcocer creates delectably sophisticated dishes at Malva (malvarestaurant.com). Diners will enjoy the lush treehouse-like setting where they can enjoy a coursed tasting menu or order a la carte. Wines served come from Mina Penelope, the winery on the property where the restaurant is located.

For breakfast, foodies flock to La Cocina de Doña Esthela (646-156-8453).

This casual local’s spot has exploded with popularity in the past few years after being discovered for the delicious home-style food and Doña Esthela’s warm hospitality. Don’t miss the machaca con huevos or the corn hot cakes.

Where to Stay The tranquility of the region can only be truly appreciated by staying overnight in Valle de Guadalupe. With no large hotels or resorts, guests choose from a handful of unique boutique hotels and intimate B&Bs. The Tuscan-style La Villa del Valle (www.lavilladelvalle.com) is one of the premier accommodations in the region. Breakfast, evening wine and canapés, and a complimentary wine tasting are included in your stay, in addition to amenities like morning yoga and the serene pool area. The hotel is conveniently located on the same property as Vena Cava winery and Corazón de Tierra restaurant.

The unique architecture at Bruma (www.bruma.mx) takes advantage of the valley’s massive granite boulders, incorporating them into the structure. The new on-site winery and Fauna restaurant opened this summer to high acclaim, quickly becoming this year’s new buzzed-about operations.

The four airy cabins at Casa Mayoral (www.casamayoral.com) are lushly appointed and are surrounded by over 20 acres of shaded property, perfect for hiking or riding the provided bicycles. Breakfast is included and this is one of the few properties in the valley where children and dogs are welcome. i

DISCOVER

WHETHER IT’S A WEEKEND GETAWAY...

OR A WEEK AWAY, THE ISLANDS OF LORETO ARE WAITING FOR YOU.

$196 USD

Per night base on doublé occupancy.

Taxes included. 5-Night minimum stay. Restrictions may apply.

•

Includes: 5 nights accommodation in Deluxe Studio • 2 kids under 12 years old stay free • $500 USD Resort credit coupons per room per stay • $25 usd SPA certificate per person per stay Promo Code: DESSEP17 Booking window: August 1 - October 10, 2017 Travel window: August 1 - October 15, 2017 Villa Del Palmar will waive change penalties or provide a certificate for a future stay to customers at the resort in the unlikely event of a summer Hurricane.

800.790.418 RESERVACIONES.VDPL@VGLORETO.COM VILLADELPALMARLORETO.COM

29

DISCOVER

EX-PAT CHRONICLES

I n t he Her e & N ow

BY JUSTIN PORTER BIEL Two ratty fold out chairs, paddleboards, beach bags, and a massive cooler. I drive through the crowded parking lot, making a three-point turn at the far end before heading out, my eyes scanning a long row of cars for an empty spot. The road leading away from the beach is a strip of black concrete, situated beside a mountain of sand. I park at the end of the line, my tires hanging dangerously close to the drop off below. I hop out, lock the car and begin the long walk back.

I take a heaving breath of dry, desert air, allowing my eyes to close for a moment. Exhaling, I do my best to release the anxieties from the long trip. When I open my eyes again the sky is cloudless and there’s a light breeze. My breathing has slowed. I check the time on my phone, 2PM. It’s late, but better late than never.

Closer to the bay I smell salt in the air. I catch a glimpse of blue green water over beige palapa roofs. Across the cove, ivory sand sits on a deserted beach against a backdrop of pristinely carved mountains.

I’ve arrived at Puerto Balandra, and not a moment too soon. I head to the waters edge, my feet sinking into the damp sand, and stroll towards the far end of the cove where our camp has been setup. I gaze out as I walk, mouth slack, eyes searching the landscape, processing every little detail; the mirror-like appearance of the water, glints of sunlight catching thousands of small ripples, red rocks, cobalt sky, and an emerald ocean. In the shallows, metallic scales reflect from schools of darting minnows.

By the time I reach the group the journey to get here is no longer real. My exhaustion from the night before has ceased. The essence of this land has replaced all busy thoughts; the here and now is all that matters.

Everywhere I look, people are enjoying the day. They lie in the shallows and in the sand, sipping cold drinks, eating mangoes and coconuts. Kayakers, boats and paddleboards drift across the horizon all sharing in the casual, unconcerned pace. In the middle of the bay, walkers move through the water in groups of two or three. A man selling ice cream passes in front of us. He is knee deep in the ocean, the portable freezer behind him, halfway submerged.

After some time on the beach, three young men approach us. “¿Podemos refrescar cerveza en su enfriador?”

The man who speaks is holding a six-pack of beer. He motions towards our cooler full of ice.

“Si, para dos cervezas,” I say.

I stay serious as long as possible, but laughter soon follows, and then a smile overtakes my face.

Our new friends are laughing too, and with the ice broken, they sit down and join us. We engage the best we can, and with a Spanish-English merry-go-round, we learn they are engineers working at a job site in La Paz. Four months of flashcards, Spanish class, and countless nights of practice are finally paying off – sort of. I understand some of what they’re saying. The realization fills me with unfounded pride. Over the next hour much is lost in translation, but we always have 30

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

our universal language – kindness and laughter.

Up the beach there’s a woman with a wrinkled face and soft, almond eyes. On her head she carries a tray of golden, sugarcovered pastries. Our new friends buy some and pass them around for us to try. The woman stays with us for a moment and we talk. She radiates wisdom and she never once stops smiling.

Seeking reflection, I leave the group behind and head to the shallows. My back touching the sand, toes bobbing like oddly shaped corks, my body is light and free. Staring upwards I witness a rare, fleeting cloud, as it stretches and morphs across the sky. I continue to watch it, immersed in a state of oneness with these people and their land. My heart is pumping with strength; the beats are steady, in perfect rhythm with the natural surroundings. Lying in the bay, hours pass by in a blur of heightened awareness.

Something hits my arm and breaks the spell. I look up to see my fiancé standing above me. Her brown skin is covered by a black bathing suit, and a cream-colored Havana hat sits upon her head. Water is dripping off her and coolness sets in under the shade of her silhouette. She’s holding two paddles and beside her in the sand, lays a massive board.

We venture outwards over the water, taking turns falling, until we find a rhythm. Explorers with nowhere to go, our pace is leisurely, the world around us sublime. Wherever we look, beauty.

A school of fish swims towards the board. They split around the nose, passing underneath at an even pace. A gentle, gliding stingray, black and spotted, joins beside us. We follow his path toward a distant cove and dock upon and a deserted beach. For the next hour, there isn’t another human in sight, just lizards, birds and sand. i Article Location: Puerto Balandra is a costal area outside of La Paz (Baja California Sur). It has eight separate beaches, an interior salt lagoon and is home to the rock formation called “El Hongo” (the mushroom). Directions to Puerto Balandra: From La Paz, take State Highway 11 towards Tecolote for about 25 km.

EX-PAT CHRONICLE

LESSON'S LEARNED FROM PUERTO BALANDRA: 1. If you’re feeling short on time, go somewhere where time stops.

2. The truest communication happens in the space between words.

3. Beauty can never be described. It must be experienced.

4. All who visit the Sea Of Cortez are lulled into its peaceful currents.

5. Sometimes, a stingray is the only suitable guide.

About the Author: Leav i ng his hom e st at e of Colorado behind, Just in no w cal l s t he beaches of Baja California hom e. A wri ter and r ecent expat , he is a r esident of Todos Santo s, Mexico.

DISCOVER

FREEDIVING

by Laura Tyrrell, PADI IDC Staff instructor and dive guide at Cabo Trek

I’m a scuba diver and have been for over 10 years, 8 of which have been at a professional level.

There’s nothing better than experiencing the peace and freedom of descending into a deep canyon like a sky diver surrounded by fish of all shapes, sizes and colors of the rainbow. Except now maybe there is something better: I introduce to you the world of freediving. F R E E D I V I N G is like snorkeling on steroids. But peaceful, relaxing, gentle steroids.

What I mean is: Freediving is another way to explore the aquatic environment at a much more advanced level than you would on a snorkel tour. The key to freediving is relaxation and this makes a nice change from lugging 12 kilo tanks on your back and swimming against even a mild current as is common in scuba.

If you have ever donned a snorkel set and have duck dived down to any given depth then you technically have experienced ‘freediving’. However a course (conducted by many different organizations from AIDA to SSI to PADI) teaches you ways to relax in the water to be able to stay down longer and at the same time also teaches safety/rescue procedures.

Freediving is all about unlocking the body’s ability to preserve oxygen and reduce co2 build up by relaxation. Relaxing is key. Did you know the ‘urge to breathe’ is actually down to building levels of co2 in the body and not lack of oxygen? To be efficient freedivers we must learn to combine technique, relaxation and regular practice.

I took part in a 2* star AIDA course in Cabo San Lucas with Benoit Frachet at Ocean Tigers Dive House. The 2* course involves 4 disciplines over 3 days: Static Apnea (2 minute breath hold in confined water), dynamic (swimming horizontally with fins over 40 meters), free immersion (no fin use, using arms to pull yourself 16 meters down the line) and constant weight (duck diving with fins to 16 meters).

By the end of the course I actually beat the course performance and I now have a personal best of 19m!

All this among schooling mobula rays in the bay. Very exciting! Benoit’s course was interesting, challenging and a lot of fun. We dived 2 different sites in the bay and once out in blue water.

My 19m/2 minute breath hold personal best (aka ‘only recent attempt’) quite obviously shadows in comparison to the world’s best. The world record for free immersion is currently 124 meters (men) and 92 meters (women). Interestingly the world records for static apnea in the pool are: 11 minutes 35 seconds (men) and 9 minutes 2 seconds (women).

Incredible stuff! Better get practicing then. And remember if you’re not quite ready to get to this yet there is even an AIDA 1* intro level or you can simply just go snorkeling! i

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

31

Rain Season in Baja

by Alex Navarro

It's that time of the year again. The wonderful rainy season in southern Baja! I love these summer months for many reasons. Mainly, because the mountains in the area, The Sierra La Laguna mountain range, get a lot of rainfall and therefore the cold pools, waterfalls and hot springs get full of water and start flowing and gushing in all their glory. Other reasons that make it great here in Los Cabos during the summer are the awesome waves that hit the East Cape and of course because it is mango season!

So why not combine all three into one full action-packed day with all kinds of emotions. How about, something like starting off with an early surf session at any of the cool surf breaks around. My top picks would be Monuments in Cabo San Lucas, the Rock or Zippers, and Acapulquito or Old Man’s, which are all located in Costa Azul in San Jose del Cabo. “Pescaditos” meaning little fish, is also a wave in Costa Azul and is another great option for a fun and not so extreme surf session, as this spot usually has a friendly wave. Northeast up the East Cape coast road my top picks are for sure Shipwreck’s, Nine Palms and Punta Perfecta. You can find more details and characteristics of these surf spots, like wave direction and location, here in DESTINO’s activities section as well as in their Baja Sur map.

After that fantastic surf session, how about some relaxing beach time under an umbrella or “palapa” and enjoy eating some fruit or nuts with big gulps of cold water to replenish. Also, maybe a short nap or “siesta” as we say in Spanish, or maybe no nap and some beach games like throwing a frisbee or kicking a soft soccer ball. Around lunch time some good food would be perfect. So, if the surf session was within San Jose and San Lucas, try any of the restaurants or cafeterias in the area for lunch or brunch. But if you are in the East Cape, a great idea is to pack a lunch in a cooler and bring a picnic kit. You can also have some delicious lunch at the nice spots out in the east cape like Vidasoul and Zach’s Bar, or Buzzards just outside of San Jose near Punta Gorda, which is the end of San Jose bay.

So, after having some good food and maybe taking another power nap, it’s time to head out to the mountains for some relaxing hot springs before sunset. First take Highway 1 to the small town of Santiago and then my top picks would be the hot springs in Santa Rita or the hot springs as well at El Chorro in Agua Caliente. There are many other options in the area to find cold pools and waterfalls, like in San Dionisio, Sol de Mayo or Miraflores. But, since the surf session was so good, hot springs might be the perfect choice this time, and the cool thing, literally, is that at El Chorro and Santa Rita you can find cold pools nearby; and even some little waterfalls.

32

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

To get to either one of these spots, first arrive at Santiago, which is about one hour from Los Cabos, and then at any of the little stores in the main town square ask for the directions to the spot you want to go, and they will happily and easily instruct you in which direction to go and what little dirt road to take. Once on those roads, you will see some signs that point out the direction to these sites. If you get lost, there is always a Ranch nearby or vehicles on the road to whom you can ask for directions.

In this edition, I want to talk more about El Chorro because I just went a couple weeks ago and had the most unexpected but wonderful experience. I was enjoying the hot spring which is right next to the concrete water dam, when all of a sudden, I felt many tiny bites on my feet and toes. First, of course I was a little startled and shook my feet, and dozens of tiny fish swirled all around the water near my feet. I stopped shuffling the water and let the fish nibble at my feet again. I then realized I had found paradise. There I was in the middle of nowhere basking in the warm water and getting a foot spa-massage service for free. It was amazing. Highly recommended!

As I said, the really cool thing about both El Chorro and Santa Rita hot springs, is that you can jump from cold pools to hot springs in the same spot and the experience is very therapeutic, relaxing, and rejuvenating.

Let’s not forget that it is mango harvesting season! There are so many mangoes that fall from the trees that they can’t be eaten freshy, so many things are made from all these mangoes like, for example, dried mango, which is one of my favorites. But people in the ranches also make “mangate” which is kind of like a marmalade or jam.

Another great food you can find are mango “empanadas” or turnovers in English. So, while you are in Santiago or Miraflores, stop at one of the local stores and see if they have some mango “empanadas” or “mangate”.

Finally, I remember some summers when my friends and I would collect many crates full of mangoes, from many different ranches and orchards all through Baja Sur, like Santiago and also a lot from San Jose and Pescadero, a town on the Pacific side. Then we would take the pulp of the mango and make smoothies, but we would also put the pulp in large Ziploc bags and fill our freezers with them. These were great times and sometimes, we could still be making mango smoothies all throughout winter.

So, let’s enjoy this September to the fullest! Have some epic surf sessions, lots of mango foods, and for sure some mountain time in the cold and hot pools should not be missed, especially after some blessed rain. i

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

33

DISCOVER

ALL THAT'S FISHY From Land's End to La Paz

Monthly Fishing Report by Gary Graham

I

n spite of an abrupt increase in daytime temperatures and a little bit of rain here and there, August shaped up to be equally hot in the fishing world. In addition to hot in the “size matters department”, there are some giants out there just daring anglers to come get’em.

This is the beginning of the some of the most serious billfish tournaments Baja has to offer: The 18th Annual Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, Cabos San Lucas, BCS, October 15 – 19, 2017, the Los Cabos Offshore Tournament, Cabo San Lucas, BCS, 34

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

DISCOVER October 19 – 22, 2017 and the Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, Cabo San Lucas, BCS, October 23 – 28, 2017.

The first two have categories for additional species including dorado, yellowfin tuna and wahoo; however, billfish are the primary target. All three events enforce a 300-pound minimum on all billfish which include blue, black and striped marlin plus sailfish ... so most are released safely.

All are high stakes affairs with entry fees from a few thousand dollars to nearly $100,000 to be entered in all jackpots and categories in the “Black and Blue.” Of course, the payoff for the winners can be staggering. Last year as an example the winning team took home an incredible $2.183 million for a blue marlin that weighed a respectable 534 pounds.

Not to be outdone, yellowfin tuna looking more like Volkswagens than fish have been common recently from the tip of Baja all the way up above La Paz off of Isla Espiritu Santo.

Many were caught by trolling live tuna or skipjack weighing anywhere from a few pounds to 10 pounds. One ambitious and lucky – or maybe unlucky – angler caught two that exceeded 200 pounds in one day. Bet he was one sore so-and-so for a few days afterward.

Remarkably, the huge roosterfish that have been the talk of southern Baja since mid-April continue to amaze many as the bite remains intense throughout the region from the tip to La Paz. The wahoo is another surface fish that seemed to join the out-of-sight/outof- mind brigade. Wahoo are back in the forefront of the current fishing scene from San Jose to Punta Arena near La Ribera. It’s one of the most sought-after eating fish with flesh similar to swordfish, only not as dry.

If you choose to target them, it’s a good idea to advise your captain or pangero. Found close to shore early in the morning, they are known for their lightening fast speed run – hence the name – that takes an angler’s breath and line away in rapid fashion; they refuse to come in without a tough battle. Wahoo are usually caught by trolling lures and only occasionally on live bait; but be advised they have a mouthful of razor sharp teeth that will cut even the heaviest leader. Wire is almost a must to guarantee success.

Speaking of live bait, sardina (flatiron herring), the preferred bait, have been in very short supply throughout this season. There are many alternatives available, however: mackerel, ballyhoo, caballito, and green jack to name a few, both live or dead. Another popular choice is fresh frozen squid that is usually sold by the local bait pangeros or it can be purchased at most of the larger markets in the shopping centers.

There are plenty of choices for the month, inshore, offshore or even from shore for a variety of interesting fish. Whatever you choose, and whatever bites, fishing is fun here in Baja in August.

64 Te ams b e g in t he 3 rd and f ina l d ay of t he Bisb e e E ast C ap Of f shore in s e arch of a w inner...

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

35

OUT&ABOUT

EVENTS SEPTEMBER

2017

by Ami Doss

8

Dia de Nuestra Señora

This is a local holiday to celebrate the first mission in the Baja California. Juan María de Salvatierra, a Jesuit priest, established the first permanent Spanish mission in Loreto, BCS, on October 25, 1697. The Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó became the religious and administrative capital of Baja California. The City of Loreto celebrates this day with a variety of religious and cultural events.

9

ME Cabo celebrates with Paul Oakenfold

The 2-time Grammy award nominee will make a stop on his world tour at Blue Marlin Ibiza restaurant on September 9. Blue Marlin Ibiza is located in the heart of Medano Beach at the ME Cabo resort. Their pool opens at 10a.m. with the official Paul Oakenfold party beginning at 1p.m.. The DJ/producer will be helping ME celebrate their 10th anniversary in Cabo San Lucas.

You must be 18 or older to get in and will need to show your ID. General Admission tickets will go on sale July 24 at the hotel lobby and are $900 MXN each. You can also book at bmi-reservation@melia.com or by calling (+52) 624-122-2001.

14

Mexican Charro Day

Get the Independence Day celebrations started early! In Mexico, a Charro is not just a cowboy, but he’s a gentleman.

A young girl or woman Charro is known as a Escaramuza.

In most major cities in Mexico on this day, these skilled horse-riding cavaliers parade through the streets strutting their flashy jackets and colorfully dressed women while showing off their proud traditions.

36

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

OUT & ABOUT

Aug-Dec. Baby Sea Turtle Rescue

It is estimated that 35,000 sea turtles are hunted and killed illegally every year in Baja California alone. That is especially frightening since 5 out of 7 of the world’s endangered sea turtles species inhabit our beloved peninsula. Late August until early December is when the turtles come to lay their eggs in the Baja. If you want to participate in their conservation as well as enjoy a true lifetime experience, you can join in releasing the baby turtles into the ocean and witness their first swim in their new habitat. There are many local programs in which you can be a part of releasing the more than 28,000 hatchlings in Los Cabos. Local awareness groups want to remind us all that riding horseback and ATVs on the beach are harmful activities that pose the biggest threat during this laying and gestation period.

Many of these preservation groups are unable to operate this season because they lack funding. If you are able to contribute in any way, please contact any of the local conservation organizations to find out how you can help the cause. Please continue to check our event page for information as it becomes available.

15-16

El Grito de Dolares and Mexican Independence Day

Mexico’s War of Independence officially began when priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla cried out to the townspeople to join him in the rise against the Spanish crown on September 15, 1810. This brave act became known as el grito de Dolores (the cry of Delores), named after the town in Guanajuanto where it took place. September 16 is Mexican Independence Day and is a national holiday in which local banks, schools, government offices and other businesses will be closed. Mexicans celebrate their independence with fiestas, food, fireworks, music and dancing. Patriotic colors—green, white, and red— will be decorating flowers and flags all over town. Locally in Los Cabos, city officials perform reenactments of Hidalgo’s famous words around 11p.m. on September 15th, followed by late night celebrations. It is customary for each city to host a parade the morning of September 16. Feel free to join in the traditional ‘Viva Mexico!’ cries that will be heard frequently during this 2 day celebration of national independence.

Sept-Oct. Sportquest Holidays Group Trip (Dates Vary)

If you’re itching for group fishing trips this month, you will have 3 opportunities.

The first one is Paul Stevens’ yearly trip to Hotel Palmas De Cortez which is originating from the U.K.. This trip includes 6 nights and 5 days of fishing in the East Cape from September 17-23. Contact Paul Stevens at Paul@sportqh. com for more information regarding hotel, fishing, ground transfers and meals.

Be sure to check out the Roger Arden Group at the Palmas De Cortez from September 21-25 or the Gary Bettis Group Trip that will take place September 27-October 1 at Playa Del Sol.

ONGOING EVENTS Sa turd a ys: Bird walks at San Jose Estuary Reservation in advance is required Please contact: birdingloscabos@gmail.com ph: +1(624)151-1565

Mo nd a ys & Thursd a ys: Stargazing /Astronomy programs Reservation in advance is required Please contact: bajastargazing@gmail.com ph: +1(624)129-8701

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

37

OUT & ABOUT

by Just i ne Sch o c k , y o u r g u i d e t o t h e C a bo Social Scene

EAT DRINK BLUE THAI MARTINI BAR – Blue Thai is the new kid on the block in downtown Cabo San Lucas, serving tapas style Thai food along with fresh made martinis, wine, beers and spirits. The bar has only been open since late July, and it has already become one of my favorite places to relax and have a cocktail. The reasonably priced menu features a handful of traditional Thai dishes such as Basil Rolls, Pho Soup, Pad Thai, and Curry along with a long list of specialty martinis.

My favorites (and yes, I’ve tried almost all of them) include the Cucumber Martini with Masaman Curry or the Blue Thai Basil Martini paired with spicy Pad Thai and a side of peanut sauce. The vibe is very laid back with live music several nights a week, featuring local talent such as Bren’s, Angie Vertii, Walter Alvarez, and Corey Prentice. They even have HD flat screen TV’s to watch all your favorite sports teams and fights. But that isn’t even the best part! Every Tuesday and Thursday is ladies nights with 2x1 martinis for the ladies from 6-11 p.m. Located in Plaza Bonita on Boulevard Marina, behind Burger King. bluethaicabo.com @BlueThaiCabo

AMBER’S MARKET/MINT JUNGLE – Amber’s Market/Mint Jungle is the only 100% gluten free bakery in all of Los Cabos, but even if you aren’t on a gluten free diet, you will not be disappointed! I like to start my day with a delicious smoothie (I love the Banana Manana with coconut milk) paired with an omelet made with fresh organic eggs. For lunch and dinner, they have a tasty selection of sandwiches, pizza, and desserts, but the big salads are what keep me going back day after day. The Baja Cobb salad is the clear favorite for me and all my girlfriends. Ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you, I haven’t been able to eat gluten for nearly 15 years. When I found out I was also allergic to dairy a few years back, I wondered if I would be able to go out to eat like a normal person ever again!! When I discovered Amber’s Market had created a gluten AND dairy free cake that tasted like the real thing, I nearly cried tears of joy! Aside from the restaurant and bakery, the Mint Jungle portion of the business is a fantastic open air bar with flat screen TV’s, daily specials and ladies night every Friday from 9-11 p.m. Located in Plaza Pioneros behind Amerimed. @mintjungleandambersmarket

RELAX

DESERT SPA LOS CABOS – Last month, I had the opportunity to pamper myself with a visit to the Desert Spa and Fitness Center at Villa Del Arco Beach Resort, with my Destino partner in crime Ali. With 31,000 square feet, Desert Spa is the largest wellness facility in the state of Baja California Sur, and is rated the #1 Spa in Cabo by TripAdvisor! Upon arrival, a spa attendant escorts you upstairs to a locker room and provides comfy robes and slippers for the duration of your spa day. Having been there before, we knew to arrive early with our bikinis, ready to enjoy the rejuvenating hot, warm and cold whirlpools, pressure showers and steam rooms before our 80-minute massages. After relaxing in the expansive hydrotherapy area, we were escorted to our rooms. My masseuse Elvira was absolutely fantastic, giving me the best massage I’ve had since moving to Cabo!! Aside from hydrotherapy and massages, the Desert Spa offers facials, body treatments and scrubs, manicures, pedicures, hair and make-up services, several romantic couples experiences, gym classes and personal trainers. Even your little ones (6-12 years old) can enjoy a tiny treat massage, cool lime facial, coconut mani and pedi or sweet honey and oat body scrub. As an added special touch, a handmade paper flower for your hair, and assortment of refreshing flavored waters are offered free of charge. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. villagroupresorts.com/spas/desert @DesertSpaLosCabos 38

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

OUT & ABOUT

PLAY LA KERMÉS AT WIRIKUTA – La Kermés at Wirikuta is a new outdoor market and entertainment concept in San Jose Del Cabo. Families friendly activities include: yoga classes, kid’s art area, live music, and pop up shops featuring authentic handmade Mexican products. Foodies will enjoy plenty of mouthwatering options from local vendors such as: El Arrabalito, Pizzas Artesanales, Bajabundos food truck, Porco Rocco, Acapulkito, Under the Sea food truck, The Empanadas Factory, Xilef Airam Antojitos Mexicanos, La Galeria and Mi Vegano Favorito.

Cocktails and beer are also available as well as shaved ice if you need a sweet treat. There is plenty of parking and even a cacti garden to wander through on your way to the car. Opening it's doors again November, La Kermés will take place every Saturday and Sunday from 1-8 p.m. in the Wirikuta Garden at the entrance to Puerto Los Cabos. Entry is free. @TheWirikutaLosCabos

D o you k n o w a b u s i n e ss t h a t s h o u ld be featured?

Con t a c t : J u s t i n e @ D e s t i n o Lo s Cabos.com

DESTINO SOCIAL: @DestinoMagazine

@DestinoLosCabos 39

OUT & ABOUT

recommended

40

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

OUT & ABOUT

Although many locals in Los Cabos speak English, they also appreciate it when visitors speak Spanish. Don't be shy and give it a try!

PRONUNCIATION RULES

#DestinoLosCabos We'll be selecting photos to publish in each issue of Destino Los Cabos. Good Luck!!

• The letter "ñ" - When you see a wiggly line on top of the letter "n" use the "ny" sound that you use for the English word canyon.

• The double "ll" is pronounced like "y" in English.

• The letter "h" is always silent.

• The letter "j" is pronounced like "h" in English.

• If the word has an accent mark such as "á", that syllable is stressed.

THE BASICS

@snbroadley

Playa El Médano Los Cabos

Hello - Hola Goodbye - Adios Good morning - Buenos días Good afternoon - Buenas tardes Good evening/night - Buenas noches Thank you - Gracias Please - Por Favor Sorry - Disculpa Here - Aquí There - Allá Help - Ayuda Doctor - Doctor Water - Agua Food - Comida Money - Dinero Cash - Efectivo Change - Cambio Credit card - Tarjeta de crédito Tip - Propina

GETTING AROUND

Where is ...? - ¿Dónde está ...?

My hotel is ... - Mi hotel es ...

Please take me to ... - Por favor lléveme a ...

How much is this? - ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

Where is an ATM? - ¿Dónde hay un cajero automático?

Telephone - Teléfono Do you have WIFI? - ¿Tiene WIFI?

Hotel - Hotel Hospital - Hospital Beach - Playa Store - Tienda Pharmacy - Farmacia

AT A RESTAURANT

Table - Mesa Glass - Vaso Plate - Plato Fork - Tenedor Spoon - Cuchara Knife - Cuchillo Napkin - Servilleta Can you bring the check? - ¿Puede traer la cuenta?

MEETING SOMEONE

Nice to meet you - Mucho gusto What's your name? - ¿Cómo te llamas?

My name is ... - Mi nombre es...

Where are you from? - ¿De dónde eres?

Do you speak English? - ¿Habla Inglés?

I don't understand - No entiendo

WORDS OF THE MONTH: Fiesta Party Música Music Vino Wine Colores Colors Tradiciones Traditions Viñedo Vineyard Cantar Sing Orgullo Pride Lluvia Rain Nubes Clouds

Aguas termales Hot springs Cascada Waterfall Verano Summer

PLACES @daneposey

El Faro Beach Club & Spa

Bathrooms - Baños Restaurant - Restaurante

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

41

42

www.DestinoLosCabos.com

Everything you need to know about Baja Sur

43