Reading and learning have always been a big part of my life. I recently met Meg Graham the author of Ahora Hablo! Travel Edition, Seven Simple Steps to Authentic Spanish. Her book is designed for the native English speaker who would like to gain Spanish communication skills quickly and easily. This compact book offers readers a way to combine basic verbs and vocabulary to communicate in everyday situations. All words have a phonetic key, based on English pronunciation. I particularly like the phonetic key. After living in Cabo I discovered there are a number of words that look the same but are pronounced a bit differently with very different meanings. This book with its user-friendly approach is perfect for travelers who want to learn conversational Spanish. In addition to the Traveler Edition there is an Educator Edition and a Medical Edition
If you would like to review or purchase this book I have provided a link below.
Vacation Rental How-To’s
Taking a vacation? What about the Vacation Rental option?
Despite the down turn in the economy, many individuals, families and groups are still traveling but just on a more conservative budget. Renting vacation homes is gaining popularity as many people are realizing they offer affordability, amenities and privacy that is very difficult to find in a hotel or resort stay.
When you have a large group or family reunion, renting a home with several bedrooms can be up to 40% less expensive that the cost of several hotel or resort rooms.
When searching for the vacation rental for you and your group, use the following guidelines:
Be flexible on your dates as this will help in the booking of a vacation home. Expect to pay a premium rate during the holiday seasons and discounts during the off season. So, if you are on a restricted budget, you may want to look at the off season.
Decide on your list of amenities you will desire during your stay as many homes offer private pools and Jacuzzi’s, BBQ’s, tennis courts, recreational rooms and patios or decks for gathering and viewing. You should decide on how many bedrooms and bathrooms you will need and just as important, what sleeping accommodations are needed. That is, do you want a king, queen or twin size beds for your group and will the rooms be private or shared.
You also want to ask the question on what supplies are in the house. Most homes have all of the sheets, towels and paper products needed. Obviously, many of the larger villas offer toiletries, hair dryers and much more… To avoid any problems, ask he rental agent about your needs and requests prior to your arrival.
You should also do a little homework about the area so you are somewhat familiar with attractions, activities, shopping areas, grocery stores and emergency facilities in the area. You can also ask your rental agent about concierge services and everything they have to offer to you during your stay. Your contact at Baja Sur Vacation Rentals has lived in Cabo full time for over 10 years and has been in every home we rent.
Please contact Baja Sur Vacation Rentals about their vacation homes and the professional concierge services they offer to their clients.
www.baja.ryancharleston.com
E-mail: info@bajasurvacationrentals.com
Toll Free (888) 332-8477.
This is something exciting to do while you are in Cabo. With over 40 years of offering tours in Mexico, the Caborey has firmly established its reputation for quality, safety and fun. Whether you prefer to see the spectacular sites of Cabo San Lucas from the upper deck of a 144 ft. catamaran or from 600′ in the air suspended from a parasail or from the window of a helicopter the Caborey has a special tour for you.
A bilingual staff is there to assist you 364 days a year as they work hard to make your experience a great one whether you are an individual, family or with a private or corporate group.
Reservations can be made in advance for the gourmet Dinner Cruise with sit a down dinner or the Margarita Tour. Enjoy the professional Argentinean Tango and Mexican Folklore Las Vegas style show that is truly enjoyable and a must see.
Come and enjoy your time in Cabo and spend a relaxing day or evening on the water with the Caborey.
If you want to “Live the Experience” book a special tour with High Tide Los Cabos. Listed below are scheduled tours, however High Tide Los Cabos will custom design any tour to your desire.
Surf Lessons at Cerritos Beach in the Winter
This world renowned surf spot with a beach break is exposed to west swells that can light up for days on end with super clean conditions. It’s a great spot seasoned surfers and beginners alike.
2 Bay Kayak and Snorkel Tours
Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Bay are the best bays in Cabo for swimming and snorkeling. Santa Maria is surrounded by craggy cliffs and you might see many species of tropical fish and gorgonians lining the rock walls. East of Santa Maria is Chileno Bay. Tidal pools towards the eastern bluff are great to explore. You will take a Kayak from Santa Maria to Chileno Bay and enjoy a protected finger reef, teeming with tropical fish, eels, starfish and urchins in calm shallow water.
Kayak and Snorkeling to the Arch
The famous arch is an ideal habitat for marine birds and multicolored fish. This landmark has overwhelming beauty and an amazing rocky formation. It brings together the crystal blue Sea of Cortez and sparkling Pacific Ocean. The emerald waters hid a cascade of sand with a spectacular, never-ending drop. Enjoy the sunset, the sea lions’ colony and enjoy a walk at Lover’s Beach.
Surf Lessons at Costa Azul in the summer
Summer and fall are the best seasons to catch waves in Cabo as the water temperature is perfect for surfers.
Surf Lessons Todos Santos
Another popular place where the surfers hang!
Jeep/ Hummer Expeditions
Explore the back roads of southern Baja and enjoy views of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains while following the river bed into the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Each expedition includes a bilingual guide, driver, sunset drinks and snacks and dinner on the beach.
Art Walk in old San Jose del Cabo
Enjoy a night’s stroll through the beautiful streets of San Jose. Walkers may choose to purchase or just appreciate the quality of the works shown while savoring a glass of wine. This tour includes round trip van ride, bilingual guide, glass of wine, bottled water and sodas.
Hiking Tour to Fox Canyon
This hiking tour will take you to a river across the mountains to a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. The hike starts down hill with a swim in the natural pool nested next to a great waterfall.
Organic Market and Estuary Tour in San Jose del Cabo
The Organic Market downtown has become a popular place for the locals. Join this tour of the market, estuary and Cacti Mundo (Cactus World) for a glimpse of los Cabos in its natural and cultural essence.
Custom Tours are crafted to meet each person’s wishes. Recently a group requested a bird watching tour which was arranged by Hightide. A photographer visiting Cabo asked for a “photo shoot” tour to capture the best of Los Cabos and it was truly a success.
For any of these tours or to request your custom tour contact:
Karen
624-142-0424
****Be sure to tell them Baja Sur Vacation Rentals and 2 Cabo Tours sent you!
I you are flying by commercial airline to Cabo San Lucas you will land at the San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD) about 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. There are two large terminals and one private terminal. Once you arrive you will clear customs and collect your luggage. When you have your luggage you will put the luggage through the security check machines and then be asked to push a button for a green or red light. If you get a red light not to worry, the officials just want to take a peek in your bags. Once you clear security you will be on your way to enjoying the beautiful weather, beaches, culture and people of Los Cabos.
Los Cabos offers one of the top private airports in Mexico. Information you will need before planning a flight is below:
The San Jose Del Cabo Airport is primarily used for civilian aircraft. Facilities include a control tower, Flight Service Station, fuel and tarmac jet parking and limited maintenance. No hangars are available.
Los Cabos International
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Time Zone: Mountain
Latitude: 23°09’07″N (23.151850)
Longitude: 109°43’16″W (-109.721044)
Elevation: 358
Variation: -10
Longest Runway: 9843
Dept: ATIS: 127.6
ARR. ATIS: 127.6
Tower: 118.9
Phone: 011-52-624-145-5111
Frequency: 129.9
Airport Ident: MMSD
Field Elevation: 374’
Customs: Airport of Entry
San Jose’s Estuary
The Estuary, located next to downtown San Jose del Cabo, is a beautiful place to take a walk, bird watch and observe the beauty of nature. Among the fine feathered friends you may see on your visit are herons, ducks, egrets, pelicans and osprey. The Estuary has brought visitors to the area for more than three centuries including pirates, nature lovers and over 250 species of migratory birds.
The fresh water that empties into the estuary starts in the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. These mountains are peaks of granite that tower 6000 feet above sea level where the rain is more plentiful than in the dry desert below. The river mostly travels underground for 30 miles or so before reaching the mouth of the estuary. It has been a crucial element in the development of the area. Pericu Indians, Spanish galleons and Jesuit missionaries were all drawn to this important source of fresh water.
When visiting San Jose del Cabo stop by for a walk through nature! You never know what you may see.
One of our favorite road trips when friends come to visit us is going to Todos Santos. Named “Pueblo Magico” in 2006, Todos Santos is a small coastal town at the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. It is about a 45 minute drive along a winding 2 lane highway through the desert and along the coast with a number of places to stop and enjoy the Pacific Ocean. Todos Santos is near the Tropic of Cancer and about an hour south of La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur.
Todos Santos thrived as the Baja sugarcane capital during the 19th century. Now the rich farmlands have been cultivated and the town prospers from an abundance of avocado, vegetable and chili farming, papaya and mango orchards, fishing and ranching.
Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz is a mission that was founded in 1723 by father Jaime Bravo. The mission contains the statue of the Virgin of Pilar, which is a focus of the town’s main festival in October.
The area offers a number of beautiful beaches. Playa Las Palmas and Playa Los Cerritos are great for swimming and shell collecting. Cerritos draws surfers from all over the world.
In town there are a number of art galleries, Mexican craft shops, restaurants, boutique hotels and restored colonial buildings. Todos Santos is a great day trip from Cabo or if you prefer to spend more time we can help you with accommodations.
Some of our recommendations include:
February: Annual Home Tour of Todos Santos
Restaurants: Cafe Todos Santos
Restaurant Las Fuentes
Shut up Franks
Hotel California
Places to visit: Mission Church
Art Galleries
Hotel California
Cerritos Beach
Accommodations:
Posada La Poza
Hotel California
http://www.hotelcaliforniabaja.com/
The Todos Santos Inn
http://www.todossantosinn.com/
Casita de la Tortuga
http://www.bajasurvacationrentals.com/rentals/view/Casa-de-la-Tortuga/
Casita del Pescado
http://www.bajasurvacationrentals.com/rentals/view/Casita-del-Pescado/
Casita del Sol
http://www.bajasurvacationrentals.com/rentals/view/Casistas-del-Sol/
Join Baja and Beyond on this five-day adventure where you’ll experience first-hand, the enjoyment and satisfaction of assisting an endangered species, the Olive Ridley sea turtle, as it makes its way to sea.
The 1000-acre Rancho San Cristobal Nature Reserve, a beautiful sandy beach along the Pacific Ocean just north of Baja’s Cabo San Lucas, is the venue for this unique and exciting program. We’ll search for turtles at night as they lay their eggs, then transfer the eggs to a protected nursery. There will be opportunities to release hundreds of tiny hatchlings to sea.
The camp is sponsored by ASUPMATOMA, a non-profit agency designed to protect the environment and the sea turtle in southern Baja California.
Join us for an experience you’ll never forget!