Having only been to Mexico once, Cancun in the late 80's, I was excited to be heading back. Only this time, on the opposite coast to Cabo for my first FAM trip (familiarization trip) in the travel industry. It did not disappoint!
After a short layover in Houston, we arrived at Los Cabos International Airport. Thankfully, a woman sitting next to me on the plane has traveled to Cabo often and warned that once we get through customs, do not stop and speak to anyone trying to help you until you get outside. Apparently, Time Share Sales are a big business there and the salespeople will descend upon unsuspecting tourists and be very persistent! Say "no thank you", avoid eye contact and keep walking! Good to know! Thanks!
Once we got outside, there was seating and bar service! Yes! There we met our tour leader/Owner's, Cesar of Nomadic Totem and Moises with Pacific Bayside DMC They scored us a couple of Mojitos with some fresh ceviche and BOOM, we're in vacation mode and we hadn't even left the airport! This trip was off to a great start!
A quick van ride and we arrived at our hotel. Reflect Krystal Grande
We had a bit of time to unpack and unwind and then a personalized tour of the property and dinner on the beach! This hotel is very welcoming and comfortable. It is in a convenient location, but just a note that it is close to the road and currently undergoing some restaurant renovations that are due to be completed soon.
Day 2: Todas Santos
About an hour north of our hotel is Mexico's not so secret, best kept secret Todas Santos. We were fortunate to have Augustus join us, with a wealth of information. I wish I recorded him because everything he was sharing was so interesting but it was so easy to get lost in the beautiful views outside.
We made a couple of pitstops on the way, one just off Highway 19 near Cerritos beach at Justina's Factory Blanket for beautiful handmade authentic Mexican blankets made on site and other handmade gifts. The property brought you back to simpler times, open air covered living spaces, vegetable, flower and herb gardens. It's a don't miss spot for an authentic feel of Mexican culture. The other spot, down the road a little further at a candy shop that was family run for generations, where Jose the owner, allowed us to sample some homemade goodies. We sampled Tamarindo Candy (strangely spicey) and sampled and bought Candied Orange Peel. Again, a great stop for a small sample of Mexico.
Once we arrived to Todas Santos we understood what all the buzz is about. It really is a magical place. It's not your typical colorful Mexico. It's a charming bohemian own world. They've managed to keep it simple and original yet with a cool young artsy vibe. We were told it is not uncommon to see a celebrity. We didn't but it wasn't what we were there for anyway. :) We did get to visit Hotel California, the debate is was this the location that the Eagles song is about? Apparently not, according to both the hotel and The Eagles.... but it sure felt like it could have been. I don't know if I'm convinced it's not. Go and judge for yourselves.
After spending some time wandering and exploring shops and museums, we set off for an incredible lunch at Jazamango by Chef Javier Plascencia
This was a culinary experience where farm to table is an understatement. The open air, covered patio setting over looking the orchard paired with the light breezes blowing made for a wonderful setting. The majority of the menu items come directly from the orchard right on the grounds and the rest is brought in from local suppliers. The food and drink was delicious, the Tuna Crudo being my favorite. The service was excellent and the tour of the orchard very informative and simply made you feel good about eating there.
Day 3 Hotel Inspections
Casa Del Mar is a beach front, 5 star boutique type hotel with only 42 suites, hacienda style architecture. It is part of a few hotels we would be inspecting and probably my favorite. It has a view of the Sea of Cortes and a great spot to watch the whales (Nov-May). It has three championship golf courses. My husband got to play at Club Campastre San Jose Golf and said it was amazing and wished he had time to play the other two! The spa looked to die for! I begged them to allow me stay and I would meet up with the rest of my group later somewhere, but they just smiled politely and moved me along. I will definitely be back! It is an ideal place for a romantic getaway or to rent out all the rooms for an intimate wedding.
Next stop was Hotel El Ganzo in Puerto Los Cabos also a boutique style adults only hotel but a completely different vibe than Casa Del Mar. It was designed with a museum in mind. Local artist work throughout. clean white architecture and modern comfortable decor. It has a harbor on site so you can pull up in your yacht. Rooftop bar and pool and a pontoon to bring to a swimmable beach the hotel has made every effort to minimize its negative impact on the surrounding natural environment. The staff are accommodating and anxious to help.
After the hotel inspections we set off on an amazingly informative walking tour of San Jose del Cabo where again, I wished I had recorded more of it but there was just so much to see and take in. I did however, pick up that mission churches always face east to get morning light in and the nopal cactus is in the middle of the Mexican flag. (In case we're ever on Jeopardy)
We had a quick lesson in beer at the Baja Brewing Company with some yummy beer samples, a ceviche appetizer and even kumbacha for us gluten free folks.
For our late lunch we headed out to the outskirts of San Jose del Cabo, down a long unpaved road where I started to wonder if we took a wrong turn but we found ourselves at Acre , a 25 acre sanctuary with an organic farm, beautiful private treehouses set in lush jungle forests and an amazing local farm to table style restaurant. The food was tasted amazing and beautifully plated and our mixologist even made us a custom drink. I'd love to come back and stay in a treehouse!
Our lunch ran so long we didn't have time to stop at our hotel to rest and get cleaned up or even build up our appetites again before we headed to our next stop where we did our last hotel inspection of Casa Dorada - a five star, family friendly resort that offers a kids club, in room babysitting if booked in advance a turtle sanctuary (where as our luck would have it we were able to witness the hatchlings being released into the ocean!) we had a countless course meal....seriously...they kept bringing more! We were so appreciative but sooooo full. We even got to sample Mole (a traditional Mexican dish pronounced Mo-lay) of chicken, spice, sweet and chocolate.
After dinner, a couple of us.. (my husband, Mike and I, okay ...Mike) wanted to head over to the infamous Cabo Wabo Cantina to check it out and maybe grab a t-shirt. Moises was awesome enough to take us and we had the best time! Sammy Hagar was actually on the property preparing for his birthday concert the next night so they weren't letting any more people in the bar but the energy was electric. After picking up some Cabo Wabo merch we decided to walk around, check out some other venues and grab a drink. We ended up at The Jungle Bar and I have to say the classic rock band they had playing were really good and had great energy, it was exactly the vibe we were looking for.
Our final full day - El Arco (Lands end)
First breakfast for royalty! Then off to The Glass Factory Yes, it is a "touristy" spot but watching these artisans was pretty amazing and the shop had lots of cool things to bring home. So, sometimes it's worth checking out the "must sees"
Then it was off to the docks! We got there a little early so while we waited for our yacht we wandered the markets, (just in case there was a t shirt or souvenir that we couldn't live without). Tu Enamorado arrived and she did not disappoint! Aboard we were offered beverages and appetizer while we set sail to El Arco and then for some snorkeling! Once we were back aboard we were fed more amazing food. Mexicans apparently love to eat good and are very generous with sharing their bounty and we were very grateful.
Our little "FAM"
Our final morning, what a sunrise.....until next time.
