Mexico To Go. Los Cabos Magazine Issue #30 Fall 2012.
Celebrate your getaway with these sophisticated souvenir finds
With every stamp in my passport, I fall more in love with México. To get specific—and perhaps a wee saccharine—I love the Baja Peninsula. The whales that arrive each winter, their visits seemingly timed with the caravanning snowbirds, charm and fascinate. The Technicolor sunsets over Land’s End, followed each night by stars that brilliantly blanket the sky, mesmerize. And the flavors—rich, bold, and unexpected—that greet me at restaurant after restaurant … well, calories don’t count in México, right?
My stomach knots each time I have to leave. To paraphrase the Bard, departing is such sweet sorrow. I’m eager to see friends and family but loath to say good-bye to Baja. And so I’ve taken to always carrying little tokens of affection with me, trinkets that transport me back to Baja. Most days, you’ll find a silver whale tail dangling from my neck. A custom bracelet, also a salute to whales, is always on my wrist. I own Baja-shaped pendants in silver and gold.
Should your Baja love story at all parallel mine, there’s no reason you need to leave the affair at the airport. Artisanal marketplaces dot the Los Cabos region. Pick up novelty souvenirs or other arts and crafts at spots like Marina Mercado in downtown Cabo San Lucas or in the shops that line the streets in San José del Cabo’s historic art district. Souvenir stores abound, and many activities companies have their own little shops, too (kids will love the stuffed toys at Cabo Dolphins). Most impressive perhaps, though, is the lineup of stores where you can shop for megawatt mementos.
One of the newest entries in the downtown Cabo San Lucas shopping scene is W3 Gallery, which celebrates the “Wild World of Whales” through a collection of Mexican-made themed jewelry and Talavera pottery. The original designs—nickel-and-lead-free gold plated, rhodium plated, and in silver—work for men, women, and folks of all ages. Not a whale person? The shop also features other marine animals; the theme here is to reflect people’s bonds with animals. Stop by W3 Gallery early in your visit to Los Cabos to pick up pendants in the shapes of humpbacks, blue whales, vaquitas, orcas, bottlenose, or other marine life to really impress your tour guide—and your friends back home. Located near the Hotel Mar de Cortez, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-2377, www.w3whales.com, e-mail: pbernal2k@gmail.com.
Locals love Feinstein Custom Design Jewelry, an institution in the Los Cabos area. You will, too, once you see the custom designs by owner Ed Feinstein and the wholesale prices he makes available to the public. Feinstein has more than 60 years of experience, and he applies his extensive skillset to crafting custom pieces—either his own designs or those of his clients. If you’re marking a special occasion while in Los Cabos—time to pop the question?—this is a great place to pick up the hardware: maybe a string of pearls or a white gold solitaire, perhaps an oversize pearl and diamond pendant. For an unlikely yet one-of-a-kind souvenir from your trip in Los Cabos, spend some time perusing the selection of Small World Rhythm Clocks. You can save even more money on a Feinstein purchase by picking up some prepaid vouchers at www.loscabosguide.com/discount.htm. The vouchers function like traveler’s checks and are available at discounts of up to 50 percent. Learn more on page 77. Pedregal, Local No. 4 in Pedregal Park, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-2559, www.feinsteinjewelry.com, e-mail: feinjewels@yahoo.com.
The One&Only Palmilla is one of the most exclusive resort properties in Los Cabos—and a darling of celebrities. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to shop like one. The Shoppes at Palmilla is the only property within the Palmilla development that is open to the general public, and savvy travelers take advantage of the boutiques as well as the stunning views of the Sea of Cortés. Shop names may not be familiar, but many of the brands they have available are internationally recognizable: Chopard, Harry Winston, Montblanc among them. Stroll the walkway, popping into the attractive art galleries, clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and home decor shops. The showroom at Antigua de Mexico features exotic timbers and intricately designed furniture pieces. The skilled staff can tailor designs to your needs, and you can take home a little bit of México to spice up your living space back home. Km 27.5 on the Tourist Corridor, San José del Cabo, (624) 144-6999, www.lastiendasdepalmilla.com.
In Cabo San Lucas, shoppers flock to Puerto Paraiso and the adjacent Luxury Avenue for their blend of premium boutiques, top-tier brands, and only-in-México specialty stores. You’ll recognize names like Coach, Montblanc, Cartier, Carolina Herrera, Fendi, and Ferragamo (always worth checking out regardless of location). But you’d be remiss if you didn’t also spend some time exploring places like Ultrafemme. What began as a Quintana Roo perfumery in 1975 has grown into a bona fide beauty emporium with more than 500 brands of fragrances. UltraJewels, its sister operation, is where to go for watches, jewelry, and other unique gifts. We’re obsessed with a certain pair of Montblanc earrings from its Grace Kelly collection. Luxury Avenue: Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, www.luxuryavenue.com. Puerto Paraiso: Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, www.puertoparaiso.mx. Ultrafemme: Located within Luxury Avenue, Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, www.ultra femme.com. UltraJewels: Located within Luxury Avenue, Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, www.ultrajewels.com.
Stock up on chic swimwear for the ladies—and little girls—in the traveling party at Agua Bendita, a Colombian-based company that specializes in sexy, funky, fun fashions and accessories that will make you stand out from any crowd. Puerto Paraiso, Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, www.aguabendita.com.co, e-mail: aguabendita.loscabos@pinkbluesky.com.mx.
Blu Lagoon is another swimwear boutique located within the always-cool Puerto Paraiso shopping center. This one features swimwear and accessories for the entire family, from brand names that include True Religion, Ed Hardy, and more. Puerto Paraiso, Cabo San Lucas Marina, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-0189, www.facebook.com/blulagoonswim, www.twitter.com/#!/blulagoonswim.
You can save some of the very best shopping for last if you’re fortunate enough to fly out of Terminal 1 at international airport in San José del Cabo. (Airlines that fly out of this terminal include Aeroméxico, Air Canada, American Airlines, U.S. Airways, and Virgin America.) That’s where you’ll find one of the only two Adolfo Dominguez stores in Baja California Sur, the state that encompasses Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo and stretches north to Guerrero Negro. The other store is located within the Puerto Paraiso shopping center. While the eponymous fashion lines for men and women—from Spanish-born fashion designer Adolfo Dominguez—are not strictly speaking Mexican in origin, they do reflect a style that has left an indelible mark in Los Cabos and Latin American culture more broadly. Pick a fashion, and you can bring that sensibility wherever your travels may take you. Los Cabos International Airport, Terminal 1, San José del Cabo, (624) 146-5406, www.adolfodominguez.com.
To learn more about the shopping opportunities throughout the Los Cabos region, go to www.loscabosguide.com/shopping.
