With over 6,000 miles of coastline, it’s easy to understand how Mexico and marine life are forever intertwined. The Baja Peninsula, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other, is one of the best locations anywhere to witness some of nature’s most magical wonders. The Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) is one of the world’s unique ocean environments, and is considered by some to be the most biologically rich body of water on earth. More than 850 species of marine life (including up to a third of the world’s cetacean species, i.e., whales, dolphin, porpoise) are found in these waters. (more…)

In previous articles we covered Los Cabos as a golf destination and as a great place for a day at the Spa - but there’s more! Here a few Los Cabos extras not to be missed on your next vacation to Mexico.

San Jose del Cabo

Visit the estuary of San Jose del Cabo. Just east of the downtown San Jose you’ll discover a quiet freshwater lagoon. This picturesque oasis was once a stop for pirates in search of drinking water, but now this 125-acre estuary is a game reserve and home to almost 200 species of birds. Ducks Unlimited of Mexico recently dredged and rehabilitated the area, making it the ideal spot for nature enthusiasts. Kayak rentals available.

Los Cabos Road Trip

If an adventurous road trip is on the agenda, check out Cabo Pulmo, Santiago and Miraflores. You’ll need at least four hours, your snorkeling or dive gear, and a vehicle that can handle some bumpy dirt roads to explore the coastline northeast of San Jose del Cabo. From San Jose, ask directions to Santa Rosa and then turn toward the coast to Rancho la Vinorama and continue north to Cabo Pulmo. (This is easy to follow on a map!) Cabo Pulmo is a wonderful underwater park featuring the only live coral reef on the west coast of North America – perfect for diving, snorkeling and kayaking. From there, you can go on to La Ribera and return to Highway 1 for the drive back to San Jose. On the way back, you’ll discover the village of Miraflores (known for its fine leather goods), and the charming town of Santiago (known for its colonial mission and small, but interesting zoo). These are simple, traditional Mexican towns that offer insight into the true charm of the Baja.

Todos Santos

Just 45 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, the Pacific coastal village of Todos Santos is a nice day trip for those in search of some “real” Mexico. Founded in 1734, this funky little town came to life in 1986 when the main highway (Hwy. 19) was completed and actually put it on the map. Some American artists have opened a smattering of galleries to compliment the great surfing beaches, historic church, a couple restaurants (including the superb Café Santa Fe, known for its gourmet Italian food), and a number of intimate Bed and Breakfast inns. The most famous resident of Todos Santos is the original Hotel California, made famous in the song by the Eagles. A great stop for a long lunch! Todos Santos also hosts an art festival every year during the first week of February.

Since pre-Hispanic times, the indigenous people of Mexico have tapped into their country’s wealth of native plants, mineral-rich volcanic mud, and soothing hot springs to bring health and wellbeing. Today, Mexican spas blend this treasure-trove of natural energy and ancient practices with modern facilities and professional services to create a rare spa experience.

The hoteliers of Los Cabos know how important this aspect of travel is for their clients. Visitors play very hard here; they come to reel in the world’s largest fish, to dive among shipwrecks and undersea caves, they come to dine, to dance, to horseback ride…you name it. In between their sundry activities, visitors want not only to be pampered, but to be pampered in proportion to how hard they’ve played: they want to experience the ultimate in relaxation. The Los Cabos Hotel Association has coordinated their efforts and made sure Los Cabos is a destination that has no problem combining fun, fitness, health, luxury and relaxation all in one vacation.

Some of Los Cabos’ most extraordinary hotel spas include the following:

Fiesta Americana Grand Spa - The spa at this world-class hotel offers an array of services, including the incredible Beauty Flash Lifting Treatment to renew and beautify tired facial muscles. Salt glows, body wraps and the one-of-a-kind “Moon and Stars Massage” are also options.

Las Ventanas Al Paraiso Rosewood - Known worldwide as one of Mexico’s finest properties, the Spa at Las Ventanas offers meditation gardens with balneotherapy pools. (Balneotherapy is hydrotherapy with the addition of a healing substance like minerals, oils or aromatics.) With eight massage treatment rooms, nature walks, stretching, and relaxation classes, the spa keeps step with its prestigious reputation.

The Spa at Esperanza - This coastal hideaway offers a spa that specializes in advanced techniques and superior services. Tropical fruits, rich oils, seaweed, and aloe are only some of the indigenous ingredients used here to invigorate the body and relax the mind.

Casa Del Mar Spa - This full-service spa offers sophisticated European styling and features special herbal and hydro massage treatments, as well as health and fitness workout facilities. Its Holistic Crystal Healing program is a popular specialty that inspires physical, spiritual and mental renewal.

Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort’s Ixchel Spa (named after the moon goddess who presides over healing and fertility) offers health and beauty treatments designed to relax, rejuvenate and make the most of the goddess’s restorative powers. Guests may choose therapeutic and detoxifying body treatments, and the massage therapy menu includes Swedish, aromatherapy, reflexology and sport/deep tissue. Other favorites include the clay-herb-mineral treatment, herbal foot soaks and “smudging,” an ancient technique employing desert sage.

Meliá San Lucas offers guests treatments in any of the resort’s three treatment rooms, including relaxing, Swedish, sports and signature hand massage. Salon services manicures, pedicures and facials are available as well.

Meliá Los Cabos houses a beautiful, spacious spa with 20 treatment rooms. Services range from relaxing aromatherapy and sports massage, to reflexology, full body mud or seaweed wraps and facials. Guests may contact the spa directly to learn more about the spa’s growing list of signature services and specialty treatments.

Pueblo Bonito Rosé Spa offers the largest gym facility on the coast. The spa compliments with all forms of energizing, revitalizing, relaxing and exotic treatments in an elegant setting. Therapeutic massages, invigorating hydrotherapies and facials are a great way to relax after the challenge of a total fitness program or an individualized training session.

Westin Regina Resort - The Spa at the Westin offers a full gymnasium, salon, body treatments and balneotherapy. Their sports massages and deep cleansing facials are excellent, and the “Ocean view” massage, performed in a tent on the beach, allows massage recipients to enjoy the fragrance and music of the sea.

The Spa at the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar also offers a pavilion on the sand providing treatments at the water’s edge. Their treatments include “La Stone” therapy, which uses heated and chilled stones to stimulate and relax muscles and mind. The “Sun Lover Therapy” is ideal for visitors who have spent a few hours too many under the strong Baja sun.

Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas Resort has the largest spa in the area at close to 27,000 square feet. This gorgeous facility offers a seemingly limitless list of services and features holistic spa treatments that use indigenous ingredients, such as cactus oils, sea salt and agave.

Whether you come to Cabo for golf, spas or just to relax and enjoy the beach, Los Cabos is the perfect choice!