Mexican resort a laid-back treat for everyone

33
The Toronto Sun n Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Mexican
resort a
laid-back treat
for everyone
The beach at Capella Pedregal resort in
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A diver, right,
contemplates whether to take the plunge
into the Sea of Cortez. Chef Victor, far
right, grills vegetables for salsa during a
cooking class at Flora Farms.
PHOTOS BY MEGHAN MITCHE
LL/Q
MEGHAN MITCHELL
QMI Agency
Watching the waves off the
Pacific Ocean roll in towards
the gleaming, pristine, whitesand shoreline, it’s easy to see
why Los Cabos has long been a
popular getaway destination of
Hollywood’s elite.
Located south of California,
on the tip of the Baja Peninsula,
the area — which includes
the towns of Cabo san Lucas
and san Jose del Cabo —
combines mountainous desert
landscapes and picturesque
ocean views, making it ideal for
those wanting to relax or have a
bit of an adventure.
stars like Bing Crosby and
John Wayne came for the latter
in the 1950s, drawn by the
allure of sport fishing. While
I didn’t try it myself, I’m told
this is one of best places in
the world for deep sea fishing.
anglers descend on Los Cabos
every year in search of the big
catch during Bisbee’s Black &
Blue Marlin Tournament.
If fishing isn’t your thing and
you would rather kick back and
let your hair down, Cabo san
Lucas has a vibrant nightlife,
thanks in part to sammy Hagar.
The former Van Halen frontman
opened his Cabo Wabo Cantina
in 1990 and — in what seems
like an appropriate pairing —
later branched out into the
tequila business.
It’s hard to tell from the
outside, but the club’s interior
has a very ’80s rockstar-glam
feel. There is graffiti-style
artwork painted on the walls,
women’s lingerie hanging
above the bar and — of course
— classic rock pumping out of
the speakers.
Whether you are looking
to party it up, embrace the
beauty of nature, enjoy some
traditional Mexican cuisine or
take it easy at a resort — Los
Cabos has a little something for
everyone.
The laid-back atmosphere
may explain why celebrities
keep coming. George Clooney
and Cindy Crawford are making
it their home away from home.
MI Agency
ONLY IN CABO
and I got to see the room at
One and Only Palmilla resort
where celebrity chef Gordon
ramsay was due to check in
later that day.
FLORA FARMS
Getting here is bit of an
adventure that requires you to
leave the highway and travel
down a dirt road. But if you
are looking for fresh, regional
cuisine, it is worth the trip.
Located in san Jose del
Cabo, Flora Farms is an organic
operation that grows all of its
fruits, vegetables, flowers and
herbs without pesticides or
chemicals. But it’s not just a
farm. It has expanded to include
a grocery store and restaurant,
which cater to locals and
tourists looking for a field-totable experience.
The restaurant serves only
produce grown at the farm and
gives diners the opportunity to
eat food overlooking the fields
where it was grown. Menus
change as the crops change.
For a hands-on experience,
they also offer cooking classes
that teach the basics of Mexican is like going to disney World and
fare.
not getting a photo taken with
I had the opportunity to take
Mickey Mouse.
part in a class and learned how
The arch is accessible by boat
to make salsa, pico de gallo and
and many tours are offered at
corn tortillas.
the marina.
Our chef, Victor, let us help
We boarded a glass bottom
out and gave us
boat, which allows
tips on basics such
passengers to see
as de-seeding spicy
the fish swimming
peppers and the
beneath the waves.
easiest way to cut
Once we were
up an avocado.
moving, however, it
since I enjoy
hard to decide
torontosun.com/ was
cooking, I found it
where to look —
loscabos
interesting to learn
below the water or
about local dishes
above. The scenery
and bring that
was incredible. We
knowledge back into my own
passed a group of lounging sea
kitchen.
lions, divers jumping off a large
I also learned that bottled
rock sticking out of the water
salsa has nothing on the real
and pelicans hanging out at
deal!
Pelican Beach.
Most area beaches aren’t
SIGHTSEEING BY BOAT
suitable for swimming, but
el arco — an arch-like rock
Lovers Beach on the sea of
formation where the sea of
Cortez side is. swimming is
Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean
not possible at nearby divorce
— is possibly Los Cabos’ most
Beach on the Pacific Ocean
iconic landmark.
side because of its dangerously
Coming here without getting
rough waters. Ironically, it’s a
your picture taken with the arch
very short journey between
Lovers and divorce.
Our boat didn’t stop at the
beaches but some will drop
passengers off and pick them up
later if they want go sightseeing.
SPAAAAH TIME
If you want to really wind
down, the auriga spa at Capella
Pedregal may be just the spot.
The spa offers many
treatments, including
specialized ones based on the
phases of the moon. (My visit
was during a full moon phase.)
With massage rooms
overlooking the spa pool and
the sounds of soft tranquil
music — combined with the
waterfall outside — it doesn’t
take long to feel at ease.
Before or after the
treatment, you can sip on a cup
of tea or flavoured water and
take a turn in the sauna, steam
room, ice room or pool.
Capella Pedregal’s setting
is unique. The hotel faces the
ocean, but also has a mountain
directly behind it. The entrance
— a private tunnel known as
dos Mares — is impressive.
NEED TO KNOW
n Flora Farms has public
and private cooking
classes from November
until May. These should
be prebooked. See florafarms.com.
n For a walk on the wild
side, Cabo Adventures
offers swimming with
dolphins, camel rides,
whale watching and
snorkelling. See caboadventures.com.
n For travel info, visit the
Los Cabos Tourism Board
at visitloscabos.travel.
n Esperanza, an Auberge
Resort in Cabo San
Lucas, offers a secluded
atmosphere, fitness
classes, a spa, the Cocina
del Mar restaurant and
an outdoor firepit. See
esperanzaresort.com.
n Los Cabos International
is serviced by U.S. and
Canadian airlines, including
WestJet and Air Canada.