Paradise Found in Southern Baja

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Spa Bliss

Los Cabos tops all of North America with its incredible cluster of five-star exquisite spas. Every major hotel offers a true spa as opposed to a simple massage center. This innovative collection of health and fitness spas, many of which feel like marble-lined private estates, offer wide-ranging treatments, some created on the peninsula.

Stretching along El Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, the palace-like Desert Spa at the Villa del Arco Beach Resort could easily be placed in the heart of Beverly Hills or Palm Beach. The deep-pocketed owners are pushing the envelope of spa opulence with their large water room fit for royalty, featuring a cold plunge flanked by three pools, a Swiss shower with four nozzles, a eucalyptus steam room and 19 massage rooms in two suites. One house specialty is the Tequila Wrap and a lime lotion recipe that is pure pleasure for the body.

An extensive range of services and healing rituals are also found at Las Ventanas' 3,893-square-foot spa suite complete with a dedicated spa butler, private pool and treatment room that resonates tranquility.

At the Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos, the luxurious and revolutionary Somma Wine Spa--the only wine spa in Mexico and one of seven worldwide--tantalizes the senses with the lavish spa vinotherapy. The concept is to enjoy the essence of the grapes as tranquilizers and cosmetics, utilizing high-tech research and the powerful antioxidants found within the grape skin and seeds. A barefoot reflexology wine evening shared with your significant other is like reliving the most romantic moments of a memorable honeymoon. The candlelit beach, the purr of the sea, a starry sky dropping down over you and a guitarist playing in the background form the backdrop to the action center stage: Tired feet are being soaked in grapes and massaged, while delightful treats are placed before you, each served separately with the appropriate wines, followed by a unique beach "barefoot elegant" dinner.

Take Pleasure in La Paz

La Paz, 151 miles north of Los Cabos, with great zest tossed her librarian glasses into the sea, slipped on a bikini and is offering a new demeanor to travelers with a sense of discovery. It caught the eye of the largest carrier to Mexico, Alaska Airlines, which said, "La Paz has been overlooked like an anxious wallflower, and it's time to begin offering direct flights to the city."

A favorite of Ernest Hemingway, as well as friend John Steinbeck, who wrote the classic La Paz short story "The Pearl," the authentic town is the real deal. The Sea of Cortes is lucid and sparkling, brilliant sunsets linger on the horizon, and the scent of wild sage and rare plant life abounds. Reminiscent of Mazatlan, La Paz has an impressive 3-mile-long Alvaro Obregon Malecon, a waterfront promenade decorated with artsy sculptures, which stretches along the seaside past hotels, shops, seafood restaurants and the family-style Bismarkcito Taco Restaurant with small wooden tables, where they claim fish tacos originated.

Long noted for a fine climate, seven splendid full-service marinas, spectacular kayaking and world-class sport fishing and diving, the city now welcomes its latest entry, CostaBaja Resort & Marina, an exclusive 550-acre resort community fronting the Sea of Cortes and featuring the first Gary Player Signature Golf Course in Mexico. A 6,800-yard, par-72 course is scheduled to open in summer 2010 and will flow across the desert property, offering stunning sea views.
The impressive double-basin CostaBaja Resort & Marina is tucked among ancient volcanoes and caters to the worldly boat crowd and water-sports enthusiasts on the prowl. Yachters and sailboaters from all parts of the planet relax at anchor and enjoy stylish waterfront cafes, tequila bars, colorful galleries, candlelit wine rooms and a live band or two jamming throughout the night.

CostaBaja Resort's Seth Romans explains, "CostaBaja maintains the highest standards in Mexico, which includes no timeshares. You can purchase state-of-the-art sea-view properties such as a condo, villa, penthouse or townhouse and take pleasure in a lifestyle that residents in La Paz believe is unequaled anywhere in Baja. We have swimming beaches and a family-oriented town that is 500 years old but just being discovered."

La Paz, a little city with a big heart, aims to please and rarely misses.

For more information, contact Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau, 866-LOSCABOS, visitloscabos.travel; Las Villas De Mexico, 877-LASVILLAS, lasvillasdemexico.com; La Paz Tourism Bureau, 866-733-5272, vivalapaz.com; CostaBaja Resort & Marina, 866 409-9940; costabajaresort.com.
 

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