Mexican gastronomy is “Patrimonio Inmaterial de la Humanidad” (Intangible Heritage of Humanity) since 2010 when it was named by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the food of Baja is not the exception. The Peninsula, surrounded by abundant waters in heavenly delicacies, gives us a unique experience. Fish and seafood stand out for their freshness and the ways of preparing that are distinguished between the cuisine of the rest of the country and the world.

We talked with the Mexican chef Ricardo Sóancatl, originally from the state of Tabasco in southern Mexico, who was based in Cabo, cooking in one of the most important hotels, the RIU Palace, where he was able to experience the culinary magic of the region.

Chef Soanky, as his friends call him, tells us that in this region you can find a wide variety of dishes, as there is international food for all tastes and, in addition, renowned chefs. He emphasizes that the fusion of flavors that can be tasted in Cabo is unparalleled. The kitchens of different parts of the world have been adapted, with local ingredients, to satisfy the most demanding palates; likewise, Mexican food has been rebuilt to reach the hearts of all visitors from the country and abroad.

The kitchen here, says the chef, has many admirable surprises. “Just by taking a walk along the pier of the marina, you will be able to see, smell, feel and taste a culinary offer that could not be found anywhere else.” Dishes such as fish meatballs, tamales fajados, smoked marlin, a wide variety of “zarandeado” fish, highlight, in addition to the stars: the chocolate clams and the famous Baja fish tacos or governor tacos.

Soanky is a fan of mollusks, and when he prepares the chocolates, baked to the wood, he gives them his touch with garlic oil and dried chili. The traditional ones, he says, have salt, pepper, lemon and ¡pa’ dentro!

The Baja tacos, recognized throughout the world, are the perfect example of how something so simple can be the tastiest. Corn tortillas, crispy beer-battered fish, white or purple cabbage, accompanied by chipotle sauces are the ingredients to create these incomparable taquitos. “My governor tacos, I make them with blue corn tortilla or red tortilla from guajillo chili, the freshest fish battered from beer and grain mustard, and do not miss the avocado. Never miss the avocado. “, Soanky swanked, who has worked in renowned places around the Republic, where also stands out Cabo, Punta Caliza hotel on Holbox Island in Quintana Roo.

The chef Ricardo Soáncatl said goodbye inviting us not to miss the exquisite proposals perfumed with the sweet and minty touch of damiana, which can be found in Los Cabos and throughout the Baja California Sur area. Now he is working on the formula to make the perfect croissant.

Cabo is located on the southernmost point of Baja California’s peninsula, and one of the main reasons for its great biodiversity, especially regarding aquatic species, is that it is located in the middle of three ocean currents between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, which favors the attraction of whales of different types. They come to breed in wintertime, and for the sun and fun! Great numbers of whales come in droves and swim thousands of miles. There are shallow protected bays that are used by pregnant females for calving and for nursing. 

The official season for whale watching is set every year by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Mexico’s environment ministry), but regularly it is between December to April; around May they begin to migrate back to Alaska, but you can spot some good whales in Spring also. Even though we have no control over nature, and it can change suddenly, the chances of seeing whales in Cabo during the whole season are really high, approximately 90% to 95%. Of course, whales are wild creatures, and there are no guarantees. A number of factors affect the number of whales that you can spot every day or in the proximity with which you can get to observe them. Sometimes you only will see some tails in the distance, other times, you will be lucky enough to observe them very closely and feel that you ALMOST touch them. 

There are different types of whales that you can spot around Cabo, let us give you the highlights of the biggest stars: humpbacks, blue whales, and gray whales.  

For Humpbacks, the peak season to spot them is late December to late January. When February comes, you will be fortunate to see baby humpbacks! 

Humps are easy to identify with their unique long flippers (up to 15 ft. long, longest “arms” in the animal world), and when they dive, they hump their backs. 

The warm and sweet waters around the Baja are perfect nurseries for calves. After 11 months of pregnancy, the one-ton newborn is fed with rich and thick as yogurt milk that makes it grow fast! (growing up to 45kg a day.) 

They are appreciated for their aerial exhibitions and their sensual behaviors during the courtship that leave anyone open-mouthed. The males compete for the love of the females and are even capable of hoarding them to block their rivals, also they make bubble screens to hide them from others. They are able to fight, slap with the tail and jump on the back of their rival (have you heard of Mexican wrestling? Lol). They protect them so much because they have traveled a very long way to have this opportunity. Humpback whales can travel great distances and the ones we can observe during the season in Cabo come from the Pacific Northwest.

The gray whale is the one that travels the farthest, coming from the Arctic feeding grounds, where they feed on small shrimp-like amphipods, fatten up for winter, and the head south to our surroundings. You will identify them by their marbled gray and white hide, rough with patches of barnacles and even orange whale lice growing on their heads. Know as the friendliest of whales, usually, they come close to the boats to say hello, poking their heads straight up out of the water.

The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived on Earth, and they also come for the season in Cabo because of the krill-rich waters. They grow up to 100 ft. long and they don’t have a predictable migration pattern, so we do not know for sure where they come from every winter. Among its special features, they are the loudest of whales, because they have to communicate across the farthest seas, and their low-frequency sounds can travel hundreds of miles. 

But they are not the only ones that you are going to see. They join the species that live here year rounds such as sperm whales and fin whales, but there are thirty-two species of cetacea in our waters, including dolphins. 

The best time to whale watching is really early in the morning when the sea is calm and quiet, also the whales! There are different tours offered to see them, and if you have any questions, don’t be shy 🙂  But here are some recommendations in case you are going to experience this. Use eco-friendly sunscreen, bring a hat with a strap (also sunglasses), put on light layers, sometimes is windy during mornings, a raincoat if you don’t want to end soaked wet, and maybe a fast shutter speed camera so you don’t miss anything. 

SJD Airport is located less than 7 miles from San José del Cabo, serving the whole Cabo area, composed of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas municipalities.  

It is the 5th busiest in Mexico. The architect of Los Cabos International Airport’s 1997 renovation and expansion was a Mexican architect and great-grandson of Queen Isabella II of Spain, Manuel De Santiago-de Borbón González Bravo. He was a member of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), and his lifetime architectural legacy to Mexico adds to 11,000,000 square meters (120,000,000 sq ft) built nationwide, including famous buildings and national sites, as well as important national restorations like the Mexican Houses of Congress Palace “San Lazaro”.

From the moment you land, you will feel the peace and tranquility before being amazed by the majesty of the southern tip of the Baja peninsula.

There are over two dozen airlines that fly regularly into SJD Los Cabos Airport, and you can consult them here.

The International Airport of Los Cabos has incredible facilities, a lot of places to eat to fulfill the taste of every traveler, recognized brands and a wide offer of stores, banks, wireless internet, of course, VIP lounges and friendly service in all the place.

The airport has two terminals with 4 rooms. Terminal 1 serves all domestic operations and some international flights, while Terminal 2 works for international operations only. (Terminal 3 is currently under construction and will also work for international flights.)

There is medical service on duty 24/7, with specialized staff. Room for emergency and ambulance type One for emergency transfers.

During the inbound flights, you will receive and need to fill out a customs form (Hacienda). After passing through immigration, you collect your bags and proceed to the exit. You will hand the form to the customs agent and press the button on what looks like a traffic light.

Passengers leaving items on airplanes should contact the airline directly. If items were left in the terminal area or passenger security screening areas, you should contact the airport authority. You must be able to describe the item, when it was lost, the color of the item, or any information identifying the item, to ensure it is reunited with its rightful owner.

There are 2 money exchange offices located in Terminal T-1 and Terminal T-2 as well as an ATM in each terminal T1 & T2.

Many do not realize there are two airports in the Los Cabos region: SJD Airport (San Jose del Cabo International Airport) and, CSL Airport (Cabo San Lucas Airport). The Cabo San Lucas airport code is CSL.  

Cabo Airport private ground transportation, like Easy Trip Cabo, provides more options for your traveling convenience. You’ll have a private vehicle and a bilingual driver ready to meet you at the exit. All are luxury vehicles, insured and meet US security standards.  Private Transportation will have a sign with your name and will be waiting for you. Once connected with your driver you’ll be escorted to the vehicle you previously booked and be taken to your destination. Many include free beer and drinks (we do). If you booked a round trip you are most likely to be picked up at your Hotel three hours in advance of your actual departure flight time.

All of these services are commonly pre-arranged from home, meaning that when you arrive you’ll be greeted by a representative of the company you hired holding a sign with your name and they’ll have a driver ready for you, this is most convenient for travelers who want to get to their destination in both timely and luxury.

Los Cabos has become a favorite destination, being a referent for beautiful landscapes, blending sea, palm trees, mountains, and desert. And that’s not it. Cabo is now the place you must go if you want to experience something beyond conventional. The art, the food, the places you’ll see. The fauna and how you can see it from really close. It is breathtaking.

Maybe you remember hearing about Cabo like a place that was always flooded with spring breakers and noise, but now you can expect a so well balanced haven where you will mix whales, dancing, sunsets, golf, the most savory marlin, face masks, to say the least.

There is so much to see and feel and taste and hear in this enchanted place at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, and it is very important to plan your trip ahead so you do not miss any of the things you want to do. And let us help you! Through this blog, we will give you all the insider tips and recommendations to make your vacation unforgettable.

The Essentials.

Just a few proposals to give you the idea.

BEACH

Pack the swimsuits and sunscreen to enjoy all the heart-stirring waterfronts in the Baja! Swim, scuba dive, snorkel, nap, surf, marry… You name it. Let’s just take a quick glance at a few of them.

El Médano. For starters, from here you will appreciate The Arch, but that’s not the only reason to love this shore while you feel the nuances of the fine sand under your feet.

Playa del Amor (Lover’s beach). Romance? Yes. Tranquility? By all means. Bring your camera to capture all the charm on the bay side of Land’s End.

Balandra. Considered not only the most beautiful beach in Mexico but one of the prettiest of the world. You can swim by the ‘Balandra’s Mushroom’ which is a symbol of the city. Crystal clear, glassy like water that is as calm as a swimming pool. But, there will always be fish around you, so snorkeling here is amazing.

CREATURES

Infamous explorer Jacques Cousteau described the abundant seas here as the “Aquarium of the world”. The Sea of Cortez has an almost legendary status among divers and marine naturalists.

Humpback Whale. Big, glamorous and charismatic species, with haunting songs, spectacular acrobatics that you will love. Do you want to have a life-changing experience with this playful giant? From mid-January to mid-March is actually the best time for whale watching in Cabo San Lucas, when humpback whales and gray whales often get really close to the bay and the coastline.

Whale Sharks. Not a whale nor a shark, the biggest fish in the world. Snorkeling with them for many is a bucket list dream and it’s possible to take your family, including young children, to enjoy this awesome adventure.

Sea Lions. You can visit his friendly mammals at The Arch in Land’s End. They are used to human visitors and now are social beings. Colonies of sea lions and seals live around this beautiful rock formation environment and sea.

Camels. It sounds crazy, right? You will have the rare opportunity to see the breathtaking landscape of Los Cabos and stunning beach scenery while astride a gentle came.

CUISINE

The gastronomy in Cabo is now on it’s best moment. The fresh seafood is going to be the main dish, but not the only one. If you are a demanding foodie, you will find many delicacies from the famous Baja fish tacos and chocolate clams to 12-course menus by chefs with Michelin stars. Tamales, ‘elotes’ , lobster, marlin tostadas, organic and local veggies and fruits; you can pick fine dining, maybe a nice view or a romantic set up. Or what about tacos and mezcal? Have you heard about Damiana? It is an aphrodisiac liquor made by Guaycura indigenous for ceremonial purposes.

ART

Los Cabos is experiencing an artistic boost. Many of the galleries are high-end, fine art establishments; many also feature top Mexican works of art. They have these famous “Art walks” on Thursday nights where you can visit dozens of galleries, and different performances, while you taste good wine and cheese.

SURROUNDINGS

La Paz. Baja California South’s capital is the perfect blend of a sleepy Mexican town with all the amenities of the big resort towns, where there’s something for everyone, from exploring the Malecón to sea kayaking.

Los Barriles. If you are looking for a small, intimate and quint town this is it. Fishing, horseback riding by the beach, relaxing sunrise yoga sessions and playing pickleball.

Todos Santos. There’s a lot to say about this magical place, and we will. But one of the most outstanding spots is Hotel California. Don’t you think this iconic place is something special to see? You can stay here or just visit the place, try the food at La Coronela Restaurant & Bar or wander around the Emporio Gallery & store.

Loreto. A still hidden jewel for conventional tourists. In this secret hotspot, you won’t have to choose between beautiful scenes, outdoorsy activities, friendly locals, food to die for, and historic sites.

Cabo Pulmo. You will fall in love with the only living coral reef in the northernmost part of the American continent, it is the only hard reef in the entire peninsula of Baja California, and it is also one of the only three living reefs left throughout North America. The Cabo Pulmo Reef has eight fingers of hard coral reef, providing a safe haven for many of the 800 species of marine animals found throughout the Sea of Cortez.

The options go on and on. Which ones are you going to put down on your list? Have you ever done some of this? Let us know, and keep following Easy Trip Cabo for the best tips and information about this magical place.

The most important thing here is, and maybe you are already wondering about it: how are you going to get from your hotel to have a fine dinner at Edith’s on your way to El Médano beach or an art gala in El Ganzo Hotel? We will take you. All of your ground transportation.