ALMEJAS CHOCOLATAS

The Buried Treasure Of Loreto

An Interview with Isidoro Mendez

For generations, the fishermen of Loreto have buried their hands in the sand in search of treasure. Although Baja has its fair share of pirate stories, this particular treasure isn’t gold, jewels, or found in a chest. These gems are as big as your hand and brown like chocolate. Almejas chocolatas are well known because of their size. They are not your average clam, as they can get as large as six inches wide and can only be found in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. Finding them is only part of the magic. The ritual that follows is a tradition that honors fishermen and traditional Baja recipes to this day. We spoke to Isidoro Mendez, Food and Beverages Director at Villa del Palmar at Islands of Loreto, about the fascinating way these clams are prepared.

Loreto has stolen Isidoro’s heart. He moved here because of the job offer a couple of years ago but stayed because this corner of Baja has turned into his dream Paradise. This land has that effect on people. Among the surprises he found is the Almeja Tatemada ritual. As a foodie himself, this celebration piqued his interest because of its longevity and the mouthwatering recipe.

Fishermen need nothing more than their snorkels and their hands to retrieve the clams. On some occasions, the tide is so low that they can walk on the sand and find them easily by stepping hard and noticing if a spurt of water emerges from the ground. Years of tradition have trained their eyes to easily spot them. The abundance of this species allows over one hundred clams to be gathered for the ritual.

“The first step is to make a square, or sometimes a circle, on the sand and to place the almejas chocolatas one next to the other. Then, they are covered with a special kind of gravel” Isidoro told Destino. “Then, we find chamizo or romerillo which is like the tumbleweed you see in Western films. The gravel is covered by this dried plant and then set on fire, roasting the clams, which is how the smoky flavor is achieved” he added.

After about forty minutes, the clams are once again dug up and cleaned. “If they were cooked correctly, they’ll open up by themselves,” said Isidoro. To accompany them, you’ll usually find flour tortillas, mustard and mayonaise dressing, and lime. “It is an amazing ritual to witness,” he added.

This recipe is part of the prehispanic historical legacy left by the first settlers that arrived in Loreto. Scientists have been able to discover a lot of information about their eating habits by finding large quantities of shells buried in the sand. Clams, and mollusks in general, are an important part of this region’s diet. Although the almeja tatemada ritual is usually saved for a special occasion or visit, it is common for Loretan families to enjoy this delicacy on any given Sunday.

As an avid promoter of Baja’s gastronomy, Isidoro’s dream is to shine a light on Loretan cuisine around the world. Due to the process by which the clams are retrieved and prepared, his goal is to have the almejas tatemadas awarded protected designation of origin, which is a label given to products that owe their quality or characteristics to the geographical environment. To achieve this, Loreto hosts the Almeja Chocolata Gastronomic Festival in June. For two days, chefs from Loreto and all over Baja show off their recipes with different types of clams, fish, and other local delicacies. However, due to its flavor and Indigenous tradition, the star of the show is the almeja tatemada, a true symbol of Baja California Sur.

Destino Magazine Sound Healing Experience

We welcomed 2023 and our Wellness Edition with an incredible Sound Healing Experience by Paola Calderón at the Rooftop 360 in Corazon Cabo Resort and Spa. We want to thank everyone who joined us!

After the Sound Healing Session we had the unveiling of the cover for the January-February Wellness Edition

We all had a great time relaxing, unwinding and enjoying the sunset at The Rooftop 360.

Watch our sound healing experience!

BY FLETCHER WHEATON

Is Cabo a good market to own an investment property for Airbnb rental income? The answer, in my opinion, is a resounding yes! With high interest rates and elevated property values back in the United States, rental properties here in Cabo can make much more sense from a value perspective. The return on investment is often higher in Los Cabos as well. For 2022, hotels were able to maintain an average daily rate (ADR) of $460/night at 75% occupancy according to the Los Cabos Hotel Association. That is by far the most expensive hotel room in the country and double the daily rate of hotels in the Riviera Maya. But why is this so important? Because at the end of the day, your Airbnb listing is competing with the hotels. This means that having an affordable Airbnb listing in the range of $125-$300/night fills a much needed void for the budget-conscious traveler. Luxury rental properties also do very well here, especially for large families or corporate retreats that want to have an oceanfront villa to themselves.

Another interesting dynamic at play is the change in Airbnb trends. With relaxed work environments and the rise of remote work, people are renting Airbnbs for much longer than they did just a couple of years ago. Many people are booking these properties for a month at a time or even longer. In places like Manhattan, we are seeing many smaller companies rent an Airbnb apartment as a flex work space instead of tying themselves down to a long term office commitment. I think many of these trends are here to stay. Therefore, an investment property in Cabo makes a lot of sense given its proximity to many major US markets. The pandemic seems to have accelerated interest in owning property in Los Cabos as a second home or an investment. Short term rentals in the downtown area can also offer renters a more authentic experience as opposed to staying at an all-inclusive resort.

This poses another question: Is it better to rent out your property short term on a platform like Airbnb or rent it out long term? Since most people decide to go the short-term rental route, there is a big demand for long-term rentals. Choosing to go the short-term rental route will generally net you more rental income at the end of the day. However, it also increases the wear and tear on the property. One of the main reasons many owners choose the short-term rental option is because they can come down and use the property themselves between renters. If you are renting the property out on a long-term basis, you can count on the fact that the condo or house is always occupied per the lease agreement, so you’ll have that constant flow of income. You should always consult an attorney when drafting a lease agreement. Airbnb has also made it very easy to pay your taxes to the Mexican IRS, also known as Hacienda. The Mexican government recently required Airbnb to withhold taxes if they want to continue operating in Mexico. This was because so many people were not compliant nor were they paying their fair share of taxes. About three years ago, they made it very simplethe Mexican government will get their portion of taxes on your rental income before you, as the property owner, are paid. This was convenient because it simplified the process. You needn’t worry about being compliant with taxes, as they are automatically deducted from your portion of the income.

Are you looking to buy an investment property here in Los Cabos? It makes a lot of sense with prices reaching unaffordable levels and such low returns back home in the United States. It kind of defeats the purpose of an investment to overpay for property, doesn’t it? Baja offers so many lifestyle options to invest in from Todos Santos to Cabo to the East Cape – the options are unlimited.

by SOUTHERN BAJA HOME INSPECTIONS

When buying or selling property, you enter a world that requires many different skillsets. That's why finding the right people for each task should be on the top of your priority list. One thing that becomes evident is the importance of knowing the condition of the main systems. Plumbing, air conditioning, and electricity are essential to our lives. Here are some of the most frequent questions we get asked when people come to us for home inspection inquiries.

How much does an inspection cost?

When doing a proper inspection, no stone can be left unturned. Every possible issue has to be addressed. Each house is different, which is why square footage is the biggest factor when evaluating the cost of an inspection.

How long does an inspection take to complete?

This will also depend greatly on the size of the property, but it’s not the only thing to have in mind. While a regular 3,000 square feet house would take about an hour to inspect, it can easily take longer if the space has a pool/spa, firepit, solar system, BBQ, etc.

When will the report be completed?

We make it our priority to offer you the quality and professional service you want when buying or selling property. When you enlist our services, you can rest assured that the complete, detailed report will be sent to your email within 24 hours of our visit!

How far will you travel for inspection?

We will travel wherever you need us to, whether your property is in Los Cabos, Todos Santos, East Cape, La Paz, or anywhere in between.

How long have you been doing home inspections?

We have been doing home inspections for three years. In that time, we have performed over 400 inspections in Cabo San Lucas, building a reputation and collecting testimonies as more and more clients choose us and trust us with the inspection of their properties.

What is the difference between inspecting a home in Mexico vs the US?

For better or worse Mexico has its own way of doing things. Even though regulations for new construction are in place, they might not always be enforced. That has led to people cutting corners and properties not having the standards you want and expect for your new house. Doing inspections in Mexico means being aware of these practices and knowing where to look so our clients can be fully informed on any possible issues.

"Bill Clifton and his daughter Kiley are very meticulous with their work and take it very serious. They are easy to work with and diligent within their field. Bill's knowledge is impeccable and thorough in his findings. I highly recommend Bill and Kiley for home inspections."

-Jeff Schmidt, Own in Cabo (cabobeachrealty.com)

by Dana Gimenez