Los Cabos To Host New Outback Champions Series Tennis Event
Palmilla Tennis Club will host a new tennis tour event, the Outback Champions Series, on March 18-22, 2009. Some of the biggest names in tennis, including Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, and Michael Chang, are among the potential players. Del Mar Development, which is responsible for such luxury properties as Villas Del Mar, Oasis Palmilla, and Espíritu Del Mar, is the title sponsor for this event. It is sponsoring the Champions Cup in support of the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing medical, educational and humanitarian services in the Los Cabos area. For more information on the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation, please visit www.loscaboschildren.org. For Del Mar Development, www.delmardevelopment.net.
Centro Histórico de San José del Cabo
The recently organized Centro Histórico de San José del Cabo, whose adage is “The Mexican Heart of Los Cabos,” was formed by a group of local business owners to help promote the pedestrian historic downtown area of this colonial Mexican city, which was established in 1730. Historic landmarks buildings now house fine restaurants, upscale boutiques, top quality jewelry shops, art galleries, and more. Restaurants take advantage of the local organic fruits, vegetables, and fresh seafood from nearby waters. Galleries display original art by local and international artists. Traditional Mexican arts and crafts abound in the town plaza and street markets. The Centro Histórica de San José del Cabo has organized to promote the richness of this beautiful time-honored location.
San José del Cabo’s Art Walks
San José’s Historic Art District, which is an informally designated area behind the central cathedral, rivals any other place on the Baja Peninsula as an artistic capital by exhibiting both progressive and permanent exhibitions of local and international artists’ works. When San José’s art season re-opens in mid-November, the popular Art Walks are begun anew. Stroll the charming narrow street of the district and enjoy not only the art itself, but have a chance to chat with artists and gallery owners. Be sure to visit some of the great eating establishments in the district where you can find everything from fine formal dining to small restaurants and bistros.
Dreams Los Cabos New Conference Center
Dreams Los Cabos Resort and Spa, located along the Carretera Transpeninsular at Km 18.5 between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, is an all-inclusive, luxury oasis located on the sparkling Sea of Cortéz in Baja California Sur. Dreams Los Cabos’ new state-of-the-art conference center is an ideal location for your company’s next conference, incentive meeting, or training program. Two ballrooms and eight salons, with a range of capacity from as many people as 330 to as few as 50, as well as terrace and beach areas, are available for your next important event. For additional information, visit www.dreamsresorts.com or call (624) 145-7600
Events - Los Cabos
When the Moon hits your eye
7 Seas Restaurant at the Cabo Surf Hotel in San José del Cabo has the most perfect location to watch the moon rise over the Sea of Cortés. Celebrating the magnificent full moon every month, 7 Seas’ Executive Chef has created special prix fixe four course dinner menus for the occasions. It’s a fabulous night to treat all your senses as you are awed by the shimmering moonlight, dine in high style in a relaxed atmosphere, and listen to the waves’ constant ebb and flow. Check the dates for the next full moon and get over to the 7 Seas Restaurant for a night you won’t forget. www.7seasrestaurant.com.
In Our Sky
Celebrate the full moon at 7 Seas Restaurant at the Cabo Surf Hotel in San José del Cabo featuring a special dinner menu as you watch the fantastic moon rise over the Sea of Cortéz. (624) 142-2666. At Baja Cantina Beach Grill, celebrate with wonderful tapas, sushi and other special dishes, while the moonlight shimmers on the Cabo San Lucas Bay. (624) 143-9773.
Full Moons: October 14 • November 13 • December 12 • January 10, 2009
Longest Night of the Year
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Following the Winter Solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter. Ancient rites and rituals have marked this day for centuries. Many societies, such as the Romans, the Scandinavians, and the Celts, used this occasion to welcome back the light of the sun. Several of our Christmas traditions are traced to the midwinter celebrations of our ancestors. Celebrate the 2008 Winter Solstice on December 21, at 5:04 am Mountain Time.
Health & Wellness
For the body and the mind... It’s a Beautiful Morning!
There is nothing better than a brisk walk or jog in the morning to jump-start the day. And certainly here in Cabo, it is best to start one’s journey in the earlier hours when it is cooler. While there are not many trails to speak of, there’s always the beach for a challenging workout. Often resort beaches are un-crowded, and sometimes you will have them all to yourself. Be aware of waves and drop-off that can clobber and even injure you if you are jogging on the wet sand. A hotel concierge or activities desk are also a good resources for information regarding local walking/jogging routes. Many have maps and/or marked trails for you to follow. Best to do just that. And on unfamiliar terrain, it’s wise to go with a partner or a group. A hat, sun block, and cell phone are recommended to have before heading out. Drinking water is also extremely important in order to stay hydrated in Cabo’s warm climate. Wear comfortable workout clothing and make sure shoes are right for the feet using them! You may to even want to take a camera to capture the great beauty surrounding these trails. Note: Jogging or walking on the shoulder of the road is highly discouraged.
Habla Español? Spanish Language Learning Programs
Everyone has heard the expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Here in Los Cabos, we eat Mexican food, we drink Mexican tequila, we go to fiesta shows, all to experience the culture and life of this country. Shouldn’t we learn some Spanish, as well as relaxing or walking away with a good tan? Whether before or during a trip here, you have options that will help you learn and use the native language. Many of the big box stores carry a decent selection of Spanish language programs on CD. The Internet has also become a fast-growing supplier. Visual Link Spanish is just one of the programs offered online at www.visuallinkspanish.com (Link to Visual Link can be found on www.loscabosguide.com.) Designed for beginners through advanced learners, it contains sample interactive activities that teach you to build sentences, ask and answer questions, and truly enable you to communicate in Spanish, while allowing for flexibility of learning independently and at your own speed.
Programs can be found in La Paz, Todos Santos, and Los Cabos for language and cultural immersion. “Se Habla La Paz.” offers individual lessons, or those that include home-stays with Spanish-speaking families. www.sehablalapaz.com (612)-122-7763. The Todos Santos Inn offers Spanish language labs either by the hour on a weekly basis, or as part of a package that includes lodging. reservations@todossantosinn.com (612) 145-0040. In Los Cabos, “California Conexion” has classes geared toward beginners and intermediate level students. This program guarantees effective Spanish within 20 lessons. thecaliforniaconexion@hotmail.com (624) 108-2095. Most of us are visitors and guests of a foreign country. Using the native tongue, or at the very least having a grasp of it, can be fun, as well as respectful and an enriched rewarding experience.
Under Construction
Par Vial
If you are exploring around downtown Cabo San Lucas, you can’t help but notice the construction that’s going on. You’ll see several traffic personnel and “Par Vial” road signs with alternative route directional arrows. It is all part of a major construction project whose objective is to identify infrastructure conditions and make improvements to the main streets through downtown. Those streets include Boulevard Lázaro Cárdenas, Boulevard Marina, Miguel Hidalgo and Vicente Guerrero streets, and Cabo San Lucas Avenue, among others. Phase I work commenced in July 2008 and is estimated to be underway for approximately nine months. The Par Vial integrated project will be performed in phases so as to minimize disruption of the daily rhythm of residents, tourists, and retailers in the downtown area. Progress continues and expectations are high that the Par Vial project will resolve several downtown infrastructure problems. Some of this undertaking’s goals are to replace road surfaces and uneven sidewalks; coordinate the traffic light system; improve signage, street layout, and safety; solve traffic congestion issues that occur while loading and unloading of people and goods; install uniform, energy-efficient urban street lighting; reconfigure bus stops, trash collection, and public rest areas; replant green spaces; create boulevards, plazas, and garden areas with an array of beautiful native plants and flowers to gentrify the area’s thoroughfares; and provide a convenient potable water network for confident consumption. Awareness of these detours and patience while navigating them are recommended for your safety and enjoyment of the Cabo San Lucas downtown area during these upgrades. With the growth of our tourist industry, these improvement plans and actions will enhance and reconfirm Cabo San Lucas as a major tourism area and an even more beautiful place to be. www.improvingcabo.com
Celebrations
Cabo’s Holiday Folkloric Dance Shows
México is alive with special holiday dances and music reflecting its cultures and religions that range from Native American and European to African along the Caribbean and Gulf Coasts. In Cabo, holiday dance performances explode in a whirlwind of Fandangos, Polkas and Mexcaltitans (indigenous dances) featuring bonita señoritas and guapo señors stepping their best, with children wrapping up the nightly events by energetically swinging at piñatas loaded with trinkets and dulces. It’s a time to enjoy special holiday foods, including sweet tamales, empanadas, fruit ponche, and Champurada, a hot, thick chocolate drink once served in golden chalices to Aztec royalty.
You can find a folklorico show just about every night of the week; inquire with your concierge. Folklorico dinner show prices vary from $35 to $70 US, depending on whether there’s an open bar, fireworks, or other features. Call ahead for prices and details. Here are some suggestions.
Cabo San Lucas
Baja Cantina Beach Grill – Médano Beach in front of Cabo Villas. Singers, dancers, mariachis, fireworks - complimentary with dinner. Wednesdays only.
Fiesta Cabaret Yacht – Cruise on a 150’ 3-level ship with open bar, buffet dinner/dance show. Includes Cabo Bay and Land’s End tour. (624) 146-3563
CABOREY - Cruise on a 140’ 3-level catamaran ship. Open bar, gourmet dinner/dance show. Includes Cabo Bay and Land’s End tour. (624) 143-8060, www.caborey.com
Playa Grande Resort - Solmar Beach. Sundays 6 pm - Mexican dinner and folkloric dance show. (624)143-7575
Pueblo Bonito Blanco – Médano Beach. Tuesday 7-9 pm - Mexican buffet, folk dancers and fireworks, M.C., and piñata games for the little ones. (624) 142-9797
Corridor
Fiesta Americana – Tuesdays 6-10 pm - Mexican fiesta buffet with open Tequila & Cerveza bar, mariachis & folkloric dancers. (624)145-6200.
San José del Cabo
Tropicana Inn – Strolling mariachi singers and folkloric dancers most nights complimentary with dining. (624) 142-2311.
Project KidSmart Teams Up With The Green Scholarship Program
Project KidSmart and the Green Scholarship Program are now working together serving as advocates for some very deserving young people who are eager to continue their education. The KidSmart program focuses on kids ages 10-18, who are at risk of having to drop out of school to help support their families. The Green Scholarship Program assists youths by granting four-year scholarships for higher education, based on need, character, personal merit and commitment. Both KidSmart and the Green Scholarship Program need your financial help to continue their successful and measurable programs. To read more about either organization go online to www.greenscholarshipprogram.com or www.kidsmartcabo.com
