Los Cabos is gearing up for another busy year with the recent launch of its new tourism marketing campaign, Time2Cabo, and plans to host world leaders at the 2012 G20 Summit in June. The Los Cabos municipality, which includes Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, the Los Cabos Corridor and the surrounding areas, is internationally known as one of Mexico’s top resort destinations. From private villas and spas to world class restaurants and 5 star golf resorts, here are five reasons to visit Los Cabos.
Luxury
Los Cabos which has always been one of Mexico’s most exclusive resort destinations. Los Cabos first gained its reputation as a high-end holiday destination in the 1950′s when it began attracting Hollywood celebrities. In the mid-1970′s the Mexican government began to take notice and invest in the region. Today, timeshares, private villas and lavish all-inclusive resorts and spas, many with private beaches and very upscale amenities, line the roughly 20 mile tourist corridor that extends along the southern coast of the Baja Peninsula from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo. Read more
If you’ve vacationed in Cabo San Lucas then chances are you have. If not, there’s still a good chance you’ve seen it in photos. The Land’s End Arch (El Arco) is one of Cabo’s most famous landmarks and one of the Baja Peninsula’s most iconic images.
Mexico’s Baja Peninsula extends for more than 800 miles from north to south and is divided into two states — Baja California and Baja California Sur. Land’s End is located at the southernmost tip of Baja California Sur where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. It’s one of the top attractions for visitors to Cabo San Lucas and a fine example of the rugged, natural beauty for which this region of Mexico is known.
Land’s End is a series of rock formations carved by the wind and sea, the most famous being the Land’s End Arch — a 200 foot granite rock with an eroded passage in the shape of an archway. Nearby are several more rock formations, including a few that are as tall or taller than the arch. Here you’ll also find Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor), a hidden cove that’s only accessible by boat, water taxi or one of the many tours that depart from Cabo San Lucas. During low tide it’s possible to walk along Lover’s Beach to the arch.
A Magic Town since 2006, the once quiet off-the-beaten-path town of Todos Santos has developed into a busy community of artists and creative types. In recent years the town has seen an influx of foreign tourists, many of whom have chosen to put down roots creating a new market for houses, condos, hotels and tourism services. Real estate is booming in Todos Santos and many of the town’s colonial-era buildings are undergoing intensive restoration as they are converted into boutique art galleries, artists studios, tourist shops and cafés.
Boutique Galleries, Todos Santos, Baja Sur, Mexico
Todos Santos is located 68km (42 miles) north of Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. The town is situated in an oasis valley surrounded by the dry desert landscape of the southern Baja Peninsula. As a result of the run-off from the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, Todos Santos is the only destination south of La Paz with a continuous natural water supply. The coastal area of Todos Santos remains a popular surfing destination despite the fact that its laid-back beach town vibe is being threatened by large scale development plans.
In early February Todos Santos hosts its annual Arts Festival (Festival de Artes) which includes film festivals and performances of music and dance. Early October is another great time to visit. Beginning on October 10th and running through October 14th, the town of Todos Santos celebrates the anniversary of its founding with the Founder Festival (Festival Fundador). Throughout the year it’s possible to visit the galleries and tour the workshops of local artists and weavers.
As reported in Travel Weekly, the Mexican Tourism Board has recently announced a new cultural tourism initiative aimed at increasing tourism to destinations throughout Mexico. The Mexican Tourism Routes (Rutas de Mexico) program launched this past May.
Along the Mexican Independence Route, Guanajuato, Mexico
According to the MTB website, the Mexican Tourism Routes program was designed,
“to enable future visitors to partake of Mexico’s natural beauty, archeological sites, charming towns, colonial cities, ecological reserves, sustainable areas and sun and beach destinations in a more integrated and organic manner.”
Ten Mexican Tourism Routes have been created, each focusing on a specific aspect of travel in Mexico. Themes include food, wine, culture, history, art and more.
Wine Route and the Sea of Cortes – This route includes the cities of Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, and Todos Santos, as well as the Valley of Guadalupe (the largest wine producing area in Mexico) and approximately 60 islands off the coast off the Baja California Peninsula.
Tarahumara Route- This route extends throughout the majestic Copper Canyon, beginning at the port of Mazatlan in the state of Sinaloa and making its way to Los Mochis to tour the mountains of the extensive Sierra Tarahumara. The route also visits the city of Chihuahua to admire colonial architecture and historic sites.
Route of Traditions and Nature – This route visits culturally significant towns and attractions in the region surrounding Mexico City. Destinations include the magical town of Patzcuaro, the colonial towns of Morelia and Uruapan, the artistic towns with archeological traces of Purepecha culture Tzintzuntzan and Santa Clara del Cobre and the beautiful beaches of Zihuatanejo.
Route of Sun and Tequila – This route visits tequila factories in the municipalities of Amatitan and Tequila in Jalisco state and includes a visit to the city of Guadalajara, the capital of mariachi music in Mexico. The route also visits the beach resort city of Puerto Vallarta and the smaller beach towns along the Riviera Nayarit.
Huasteca Route – This route visits the Huasteca Veracruzana, which includes the north of Veracruz State, the Huasteca Potosina, and the Huasteca Tamaulipeca located in the south of Tamaulipas State. The Huasteca Route is rich in natural beauty, archaeological sites, culture and regional cuisine.
Mole Route – This route begins in San Pedro Actopan located in Milpa Alta in the southern part of Mexico City and travels south visiting Puebla, Tlaxcala and Oaxaca. Mole is one of the most representative dishes of Mexican cuisine and the Mole Route provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about the history of mole, which goes back to pre-Hispanic times, and sample regional varieties of the dish.
Route of the Treasures of the Ancient Maya – This route is divided into two itineraries. The first visits Tuxtla Gutierrez, Sumidero Canyon, Chiapa de Corzo, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Villahermosa, the city of Campeche, and the ruins at Edzna and Sabancuy. The second tours the Mayan Ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula and includes sites such as Kohunlich, Xpujil and Calakmul.
Revolutionary Route – This route visits the key cities of the Mexican revolution including the beautiful colonial cities of Zacatecas and Jerez in central Mexico. The rugged terrain of Aguascalientes adds a bit of culture and adventure to the itinerary with visits to cattle farms, fine wine tastings and bullfighting traditions.
Route through Modern Mexico – This route visits Ciudad Lerdo in Durango, Torreon, Monterrey, Saltillo, San Carlos Hermosillo and Guaymas. The Route through Modern Mexico provides insight into modern day Mexico in a historical context while exploring beautiful landscapes, agricultural areas and modern attractions.
And if you’re still not convinced, check out this video promoting the Mexican Tourism Routes program:
The summer season has officially arrived and although anytime is a great time for a celebration in Mexico, the summer months see some of the country’s most unique festivals. From the Central Highlands to the southern state of Oaxaca and Baja California in the north, these are some of the best summer festivals in Mexico.
Masks in Michoacán
Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo – Ocumicho, Michoacán
Beginning on the 29th of June and continuing through the 1st of July, the Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo is celebrated most colorfully in the town of Ocumicho in Michoacán state. Ocumicho is a small town best known for its production of colorful masks. An elaborate ceremony is held to celebrate the holiday complete with traditional costumes, decorative images, offerings to the saints, dancing and regional bands. Ocumicho is located just south of the town of Zamora. Zamora’s bus terminal has regular connections to major cities including Guadalajara, Morelia and Mexico City.
Beginning on the 23rd of July and continuing through the 1st of August, the town of Santiago Zapotitlán in the southern Tláhuac borough of Mexico City celebrates its patron saint with 10 days of festivities. The main day of celebration takes place on the 25th of July. The festival includes regional bands, dancing, traditional foods and an enormous fireworks display on each Sunday of the celebration. The fireworks are set off from castles that reach heights of as much as 30 meters. It’s a truly spectacular sight.
La Guelaguetza, Oaxaca, Mexico
La Guelaguetza – Oaxaca, Oaxaca
La Guelaguetza is a festival of traditional music, dance and folklore that takes place on the last two Mondays of July in the capital city of Oaxaca in Oaxaca state. Meaning offering in the ancient Zapotec language, la Guelaguetza is one of the largest and well-known festivals in Mexico and attracts thousands of tourists to the city each summer. La Guelaguetza has grown into a nationally recognized cultural event and is organized by the state of Oaxaca. Performances are held in the Cerro del Fortín amphitheater located up on a hillside overlooking the city of Oaxaca. Tickets must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster or from local distributors.
Morisma en Zacatecas – Zacatecas, Zacatecas
The Morisma en Zacatecas takes place during the last weekend of August in the city of Zacatecas, capital of Zacatecas state and a UNESCO cultural heritage site since 1993. The brotherhood of San Juan Baptista organizes celebrations in the lomas de Bracho in the northeastern part of the city. Three reenactments are staged, the first is the symposium of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist and the other two represent the peninsular wars between the Moors and Christians during the eight hundred years of the Spanish reconquest. Zacatecas is located roughly three hours from San Luis Potosí in Mexico’s Central Highlands or Altiplano Region.
Fiestas de la Vendimia
Fiestas de la Vendimia – Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California
Originating in ancient Greece, the Fiestas de la Vendimia take place in mid-August in Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California. The festival celebrates the grape harvest with numerous events including pageants, concerts, wine and cheese tastings and a running of the bulls. The festival coincides with several other local food and drink festivals including a Paella festival and a wine and tango festival. The Fiestas de la Vendimia that take place in Valle de Guadalupe are unique to Mexico and a popular attraction for visitors to the northern region of the country.
