Nikki Goth Itoi - Moon Los Cabos: Including La Paz & Todos Santos

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NIKKI GOTH ITOI

Once upon a time, the typical Cabo visitor chose this destination for one reason: to catch big fish. These days, any number of pastimes might inspire a journey to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. At Los Cabos International Airport, retirees mingle with tipsy spring breakers. Newlyweds wait in line with artists and anglers. And scuba divers roll bags full of gear through the crowd.

What brings them all to a remote peninsula that early explorers thought to be an island? Miles of white-sand beaches and a tropical-desert climate, luxury resorts with championship golf courses, protected marine preserves, and the promise of an eco-adventure. Surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling are among the most popular activities. Kiteboarding, golfing, mountain biking, and conservation work are possible, too.

Increasingly, travelers are discovering cultural attractions. Local chefs are shaping a distinctive bajacaliforniano cuisine, and the art districts in San Jos del Cabo and Todos Santos are thriving. Meanwhile, historic ghost towns and the state capital of La Paz offer opportunities to experience Baja Californias colonial past.

Los Cabos is more than the sum of its culture and history, however. In the last decade, dozens of local, national, and international organizations have teamed up to protect its fragile ecosystem. Together they are working to protect sea turtle habitats; rescue whales, sharks, and dolphins that get caught in commercial fishing nets; promote sustainable fishery management; clean up beaches; and teach local residents to be ecotourism guides. From Cabo San Lucas to La Paz, their efforts are making a difference.

Longtime Baja travelers will tell you that Cabo has changed--that its not the offbeat destination it once was. In many ways, they are right. As one of the most popular, fastest-growing, and most expensive destinations in Mexico, Los Cabos is more upscale and Americanized than ever. Although they may pine for the days of deserted beaches, these seasoned travelers still return year after year to enjoy the beautiful scenery and relaxed pace of life. There are many dimensions to this ever-changing destination, and its become much more than an anglers paradise. With a sense of adventure and willingness to explore, youre sure to discover a part of Los Cabos that captures your imagination.

Once just a quiet fishing village at the tip of Baja California, Los Cabos today encompasses two cape towns and a tourist corridor all wrapped up into one destination.

The original Cabo is an authentic town with a history that goes back to mission times. It has a historic art district, fine dining, boutique hotels, and a more traditional Mexican culture. This is a great location for surfing and sportfishing.

Along the Corridor that connects the two towns, luxury resorts pamper guests with every amenity imaginable, and designer golf courses abound. Beaches are not private, but finding access can be a challenge.

This Cabo entertains the young and young at heart in a uniquely Americanized fashion. The action centers around a busy marina district and crowded beach called Playa El Mdano.

Along the Pacific coast, a rugged shoreline extends from Cabo San Lucas north to the funky artist community of Todos Santos, a crossroads for painters, sculptors, yoga students, surfers, and early retirees. Experienced surfers camp out here for weeks on end, hoping to catch the perfect wave. Development is on the rise, but the West Cape remains the least-developed stretch of coastline on either side of the peninsula south of La Paz.

the Gulf coast near Cabo Pulmo

If you have the time to venture outside of the immediate Los Cabos vicinity, there are many more adventures to try. The East Cape holds intrigue for travelers with a passion for water sports and a willingness to rough it. Here, Cabo Pulmo is defined by solar power, dirt roads, restaurants. The Sea of Cortez offers secluded beaches, steady winds, abundant game fish, a living coral reef, and days of 30-meter visibility underwater.

Farther north, Los Barriles is the most developed town between La Paz and San Jos del Cabo, with services for anglers, kiteboarders, and divers.

In the Sierra de la Laguna, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders experience more rugged terrain. The silver mining ghost towns of El Triunfo and San Antonio hold hidden treasures, like a piano museum and a cactus sanctuary.

By contrast,