It’s a little after 5 p.m. when our plane descends into Cabo San Lucas.
Joanne, my best friend of nearly four decades, and I are about to embark on a 10-day luxury getaway through the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.
As we pass through the clouds, the vast coastline appears, sun-kissed and drenched in the blue, blue waters of the Sea of Cortez at the point it joins the Pacific Ocean. Joanne and I can’t believe that after dreaming about “someday traveling to an exotic locale together” that someday is actually here.
This adventure is all about relaxation, decadence and some serious best girlfriends bonding and, like A-listers, we’re lucky enough to have been invited to visit two of Cabo’s most magnificence resorts and dine in some of its finest restaurants.
Considered one of Mexico’s fastest growing tourist centres, breathtaking kilometer after kilometer of oceanfront playground separates Baja’s two cape towns — one lively, the other more laidback.
We grab a cab and head to the Esperanza, our home for the next few days. Imagine a resort where you have commanding views of both the Sea of Cortez and Punta Ballena, and your room is a haven of luxury. (We are in good company — President Obama stayed during the G20 summit in 2012 and actress Gwyneth Paltrow married rocker Chris Martin here.)
As we found out, there is so much to do (or not) that you really never have to leave the resort.
When it came to lounging away entire afternoons, the poolside beckoned. After walks along the beach, we would laze on the side of the infinite pool, submerge our feet and order mango margaritas. Whoever said sunbathing was bad for you was obviously at the wrong resort. But we did a lot more than lounge in the sun.
Snorkelling and kayaking at Arch and Lover’s Beach, Cabos San Lucas
“It’s a seahorse… I’m telling you it’s a seahorse!” I swim towards Joanne, who is diving in and out trying to catch another glimpse of an
“honest to goodness seahorse.” I dive in and there it is moving away from me — a yellow seahorse!
Earlier, after a short instructional lesson by our Cabo Outfitters guides, we kayak out to what’s known as the Arch, past the sea lion colony and around Land’s End into the Pacific. The distinctive landmark of Cabo San Lucas is the rugged El Arco, the arch rock formation at the tip of the Baja Peninsula.
We land at Lover’s Beach and instantly dropped our towels. The clear azure water is one of the best and safest snorkeling spots in Cabo San Lucas. With its colourful coral-coated rocks, we bob past other snorkellers around the base of the rocks. Besides our excitement over our seahorse sighting, we are rewarded with a kaleidoscope of marine life including schools of green and blue parrot fish and striped sergeant major fish.
A day in historic San Jose
Although the next day is scorching hot, we are told San Jose is worth a visit. It’s as if time stood still here. Joanne and I walk the quiet streets of this quaint town and take in its 18th century Spanish colonial architecture and picturesque central plaza, poking our heads in a number of clothing boutiques and art shops. (Tip: we found some great silver jewellery).
Hearing rave reviews about eatery La Panga Antigua, Joanne and I make a reservation. Right after our tour of Mission San Jose del Cabo (circa 1730) in the epicenter of the historic square — where we witness a lively, colourful wedding — we walk over to the restaurant.
Tucked away behind a small door, La Panga delights all of our senses. The hostess takes us to our open-air courtyard table and we are completely enchanted by our surroundings. Beneath a crown of lit trees, the courtyard features unique stonework, centuries-old wood artisan pieces and authentic Mexican artworks. Our dining experience at La Panga Antigua was flawless — from the excellent cuisine to the service to the surroundings. This is definitely a must in San Jose.
On to the “other” Cabo
The last leg of our journey takes us to the Hacienda Beach Club and Residences at Medano Beach. Equally stunning, here we have our own villa. Steps away from the bustling downtown corridor, the Hacienda is home to the only swimmable beach in the vicinity.
The first evening, we dress up and head to the Hacienda Cocina y Cantina. The resort’s signature restaurant merges traditional Mexican architecture with casual beachfront dining for an elegant, relaxed experience. With a breeze gently cooling us, we sit on the terraza overlooking the infinity pools, cascading water features and ocean. The only thing to rival the view was the cuisine.
It’s all about girls’ favourite pastimes
Besides shopping and dinning our way through Cabo, we completely submerged ourselves in sublime leisure. In spite of all the tourists,
Cabo still manages to retain something of a small town feel. As we flew home, we both agree — this isn’t the last time we visit this gem.
