The major developments that are shaping Los Cabos By Carol S. Billups

Choices! Los Cabos has an overabundance of perfect weather, friendly people, recreational activities, and prime real estate. In fact, there are so many exquisite communities that it can be hard to decide where to focus your search for the perfect vacation or primary residence. From boutique neighborhoods to sprawling master-planned communities there is something here to fit most every taste—and budget. Let’s look at some of the largest and newest.

Cabo Riviera is changing the face of the East Cape. The still-developing large master-planned community features a new marina, where the choice building lots will allow you to dock your yacht right in front of your custom mansion. The 900-acre resort will feature an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II golf course with land reserved for the option of nine additional holes. The European-style Artist’s Village will contain shops, restaurants, and condominiums surrounding the shared marina. There are also plans for a tennis club, spa, and beach house. Cabo Riviera is located 19 miles north of the Cabo Pulmo National Park and 38 miles from the international airport in San José del Cabo. As of press time, management changes were expected.

On the opposite side of the peninsula, you’ll find Diamante and Copala. Diamante is another master-planned community with pristine Pacific Ocean beaches and challenging golf. The private Davis Love III course has already been ranked no. 52 in the world by GOLF Magazine; the Tiger Woods-designed course is under construction. Because swimming in the Pacific can be hazardous, Diamante built a 10-acre saltwater lagoon for swimming and water sports. A subcommunity named The Resort is planned for the area surrounding the lagoon. A variety of building lots and finished inventory are offered with full-deeded ownership. Diamante is only about 20 minutes north of Cabo on México Route 19.

A bit closer to the heart of Cabo San Lucas is the Quivira development (often referred to as Sunset Beach, as the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Hotel was the first element built). Historically, this very large parcel has been devoted to hotel and time-share use, but with the coming of the new Jack Nicklaus golf course the developers are venturing into deeded real estate. Copala will be an ocean-view community with views of the golf course as well. Copala will consist of both homesites and condominiums; currently the focus is on the presale of the luxury condominiums. With prices for full-deeded ownership starting in the mid-$200,000s U.S., the reservations have been selling well and about half were already reserved at press time. In addition to golf, a holistic club (spa) and yacht club are planned. Owners at Copala will have privileges at the hotels within Quivira.

Another of the larger communities is Puerto Los Cabos, which encompasses the new marina in San José del Cabo and two golf courses (one by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Greg Norman), offers a number of high-end neighborhoods. The exclusive Fundadores is made up of estate-size building lots; a number of custom homes are also for sale. The El Altillo and La Noria neighbors feature somewhat smaller lots, but home prices here are well into the seven figures. The views from these properties are stunning. The Golf Villas, located on the ninth fairway of the Greg Norman signature course, are 14 2,000-plus-square-foot homes that include private terraces, top-of-the-line finishes, five years of free play on the Norman course, and Beach Club membership. Prices here range from $900,000 U.S. to $1.2 million U.S.; at present no developer financing is available. Grupo Questro is the developer of Puerto Los Cabos; it has also developed many other premier communities in the Los Cabos region and is led by the real estate empresario Eduardo Sánchez Navarro.

Grupo Portus, having built three wildly successful subdivisions all under the Ventanas brand, is working on two very different projects. On the Cabo San Lucas side, work is already under way on the Cabo del Mar Ocean and Ecopark Village. This large project is just a few minutes’ drive from all the excitement to be found at the heart of Cabo San Lucas, and the product is targeted at families. The homes here start in the mid-$130,000 U.S. range, and are all incorporated into a park-like setting. There are two three-bedroom floor plans; both have an option to be enlarged. The condominiums start at $90,000 U.S. for a fully equipped one-bedroom unit. As is the norm for Portus projects, the center of the neighborhood will be a large clubhouse with pools, restaurants, spas, and shops. An outdoor amphitheater is planned, and the park will include biking trails, exotic plants, and the opportunity to participate in organic gardening. Portus is selling these homes pre-construction, with some developer financing available. Grupo Portus’s other new venture is an oceanfront luxury beach and spa resort in San José del Cabo, Soleado. The resort will offer hotel-style services and amenities; the units are sold furnished so owners can put their condo into the hotel rental plan when not being used. These beachfront condominiums are expected to start at about $400,000 U.S.

Las Villas de México is a gated subdivision within the larger master-planned community of Club Campestre (a Grupo Questro product). These colonial-style homes have been designed to attract foreign investors looking for middle to high-end vacation or retirement homes. The villas start at $375,000 U.S., and developer financing is available. As part of Club Campestre, owners at Villas de México will be able to enjoy playing on the Jack Nicklaus golf course and relaxing at the elegant beach club. Tennis, shopping, and dining are also planned for Club Campestre, and it is adjacent to the newly built Convention Center.

Palmilla had the first golf resort in Los Cabos, and it boasts one of the area’s most popular beaches. It is still considered one of the finest residential communities in the area, and the Jack Nicklaus course is considered one of the region’s best. There are many resale homes and condominiums for sale in Palmilla—those on the inland side of the highway are generally more affordable than those on the ocean side, but many still have good ocean views. The Villas de Oro townhomes on the inland side offer access to both golf and tennis; resale units here start at about $300,000 U.S. for a 2,000-square-foot two-bedroom home with top-of-the-line finishes. On the ocean side, you’ll find a variety of beautiful homes and condos. One “best buy” available at press time was a two-bedroom condo in Villas de Montaña with private pool and hot tub and sweeping views for about $750,000 U.S., and it is only steps from the One&Only Hotel and Palmilla Cove.

This is only a short list of the many communities of Los Cabos: Pedregal, Cabo del Sol, Hacienda Residence and Beach Club, Rancho Paraiso, La Vista, Las Misiones, Cabo Bello, El Dorado … the list goes on and on. The selection is vast, and the variety tremendous: from a $90,000 U.S. condominium to a $9 million U.S. single-family home, from traditional Mexican styling to ultra-chic urban design. There is something here that will fulfill anyone’s dream of owning a home in Los Cabos. With so very much to choose from, it is important to work with an adviser you can trust. Your independent real estate agent has access to each and every one of these properties via a multiple-listing system. They are the experts who can help you narrow your selection, search and find the perfect match, and help you through the process of securing your purchase legally. It is important to work only with an established firm that participates in the professional association MLS BCS. Several laws pertaining to real estate are scheduled to change in 2014, so working with the agent of a qualified broker who is part of the local organization is key to making sure your property is safely and legally transferred. With that peace of mind, you’ll be able to truly enjoy the dream home you deserve.

Carol S. Billups is broker-owner of Cabo Realty Pros, a full-service realty firm in Cabo San Lucas. She and her team have a combined 60 years of real estate experience in Cabo. To learn more, or to search the entire MLS, visit www.caborealtypros.com or call (624) 147-7541.