Baja California dreaming

There’s something very Mexican about Baja California that is difficult to explain without a visit!

As product manager for Mexico I knew I needed to visit Los Cabos as there is a different side that will appeal to those adventurous in spirit. Take away the entire infrastructure and you’re left with a wild, beautiful coastline peppered with protected natural reserves and long, wide, windswept beaches. Rocky bays full of marine life and birds are in abundance.

The first thing you’re required to get your head around is the geography:

What’s the difference between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas?

What or where is Los Cabos and or Cabo?

Cabo is what most locals call the far end of the peninsula that takes in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. San José del Cabo is a little further north than the former and the two are joined by a strip of coast called ‘The Corridor’ which has many amazing high-end properties such as Grand Velas Los Cabos, a large all-inclusive contemporary property catering for every requirement and aspiration and Las Ventanas al Paraíso, an exclusive, top-of-the-range resort popular with celebrities.

Whilst Cabo San Lucas is brash with a lot of bars and nightlife, it has a sleek marina full of well maintained boats that can take you away to hidden coves and lagoons protecting pods of grey whales. Humpback whales and whale sharks are also a big draw in December – April.

By contrast, San José del Cabo is a cool, arty, colonial-style town with a bohemian vibe and laidback atmosphere – it even has its own micro-brewery. Once a week (in season), an art evening takes place that is far from highbrow, but rather an accessible event for all where galleries and artists open their doors, display their crafts and sometimes offer food to passing visitors, and there really is no pressure to buy anything. With a handful of lovely little boutique hotels, it’s worth stopping here for a night or two. Casa Natalia, located in town and a 5-minute drive to the beach, is one of my favourite hotels in all of Mexico if not Latin America. It has a homely feel, traditional but stylishly appointed rooms and cool courtyard where you can sample some of the best food the region has to offer.

Talking of food, you’re never far away from a fresh Baja fish taco, and if you think your burritos are going to be like anything you’re used to from Mexican chain restaurants, forget it. These are the real deal with pulled pork, habanero salsa and homemade flour tortillas.

Having been and seen Baja California myself, it’s not a question of would I go back, but when can I go back…