I really love exploring México and Chuck and I try to visit at least once a year. Several months ago, I had arranged for us to return to the Cabo San Lucas area to go fishing and get a break from the rain. Unfortunately, as many of you know, Chuck broke his ankle (while fishing) several days before we were planning to leave. The trip was pretty much bought and paid for, so I prepared to make the journey on my own – luckily my friend Melanie was willing and able to take an impromptu vacation with me.

We spent 5 nights at Hotel Mar de Cortez in Cabo and had a great time wandering around town, enjoying fantastic (cheap!) food and margaritas, and relaxing in the sunshine on nearby beaches – Playa Chileno and Playa Santa María are two of my favorites.

Statue on Playa Chileno; View of El Arco; Floating in Bahia Santa María; Token hibiscus photo (a subject seen frequently in my blog posts)

Palapas on Playa Chileno; Las flores; Playa Santa María

Una palmera

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration memorabilia

A voluptuous latina; Hotel Mar De Cortez Happy Hour – the best cheap margaritas de naranja y mango anywhere; Our collection of roses given to us by various old gringo fishermen; Enjoying the atmosphere and dinner at Mi Casa

I had spent the past month brushing up on mi español but I had forgotten that I really wouldn’t need to use it much in Cabo as a lot of the locals hablas inglés – although they very much appreciate any attempt you may make to speak their language. If you haven’t been [to Cabo] and are thinking of going, just a heads up that Cabo is a busy, very touristy place and you’ll find your fair share of rudeness and arrogance amongst the turistas (the kind that helped coin the phrase ‘Ugly American’). That said, we like to stay there as it is close to our various fishing excursions, the locals are very friendly, there are a lot of really great restaurants, and there are plenty of low-key beaches and quaint towns that are only a short drive away – all in all, a nice little getaway.

Playa San Pedrito

After Cabo, we were ready for a change of pace and headed an hour north along the Pacific coast to the tiny town of El Pescadero, where we stayed at San Pedrito Surf Hotel. We spent our time visiting the cute artsy town of Todos Santos, lounging on Playa Los Cerritos, beach-walking, and relaxing at our hotel.

Please note: the road between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos is under serious construction and can be hazardous at times – you’ll be unwittingly off-roading your vehicle as most of the highway is now a bumpy dirt road. Plan your trip accordingly  – you may want to allow an extra hour or 2 for the trip and will want to avoid driving at night.

El cacto

La cerca

Amigas

El cacto; Einstein the donkey; Mexican pride; A quaint hacienda; Senda las flores

Agua azul

La carretilla

Las olas

Tranquilo

Rasta tiki; Water reflection – it looks like we’re wearing sumo suits; Token old, rusted vehicle (another subject seen frequently in my blog posts)

Empty lifeguard station at Playa Los Cerritos

Lovin’ the hammock; Mas las flores; A reflective Melanie; Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos (Our Lady of Pilar Church)

Margarita de cítrico y Bloody Mary; Art & Beer stage; Various sculptures amongst the artwalk; El autobús

Tom and Melanie enjoying the sunset

Baha beach babes, sad to leave this tranquil setting…

Trip Details – 

Where we stayed:

Hotel Mar de Cortez – Chuck and I have stayed here each time we have visited Cabo (this was my 4th visit). Great value, convenient downtown location, and very friendly staff.

San Pedrito Surf Hotel – I just love this place (this was my 2nd visit). Super relaxing and low-key; seems worlds away from Cabo, yet only an hours drive. The tres perros (Chico Bandito, Izzy, and Tom) that Chuck and I enjoyed spending time with on our last visit were still there and funny as ever.

Where we ate (restaurant highlights):

La Fonda – my favorite restaurant in Cabo! You must try the Crema de Poblano soup and the Enchiladas Verde (the best ever!). My mouth is watering as I type this…

The Crazy Lobster Bar and Grill – $2 Don Julio shots, amazing Sopa de Tortilla, and delicious tacos – what more could you ask for?

Mi Casa – this place came highly recommended and it did not disappoint – very cool atmosphere with really good food.

Art & Beer – I’ve seen this place located off Highway 19 several times and it’s been highly recommended by everyone who has experienced it – very unique and eclectic with various art installations amongst the desert. The drinks are huge and tasty; I tried the Citrus margarita and Melanie had the Bloody Mary. We were also given complimentary ceviche and clam shooters. Note that neither Melanie nor I are fish eaters (I just like to catch fish) but we didn’t want to be rude so we each tried our first shooters on the rooftop palapa – not too bad! Oh, and the Veggie Tostada was divine. We enjoyed talking with the owner, Lourdes, about her and her husband’s various travels but I admit that I was a little disappointed that her husband wasn’t there – he was at an Aerosmith concert in Guadalajara (!). Chuck (who had visited while on a guy’s fishing trip last February) described him as an eccentric fellow who looked like Gandolf from the Lord of the Rings – the pictures all around the bar confirmed that observation.

What we drove:

This was my first driving experience in Mexico! Chuck usually takes the wheel when we go…We rented a VW Jetta through Dollar Rent A Car for $80 for the week (tax included)! Tip: rental companies in Mexico are required to cover liability insurance and I used my Alaska Airlines credit card for the rental, which covers collision.

Where we partied:

Yes, when in Rome… I rarely go out anymore, let alone drink more than a beer or 2, but we decided to channel our younger selves while in Cabo and went to Cabo Wabo and El Squid Roe for a few of our favorite pastimes – people-watching (primary) and dancing (secondary). As far a people-watching goes, the most entertaining subjects by far were all of the sunburned, middle-aged fishermen in various stages of drunkenness, getting hit up by the children peddling Chiclets, jewelry, roses and such – those kids definitely know who to target – mucho dinero!

Some images available for purchase here.

Hasta luego, Baja!