Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, México

“When people hear about México, they tend to think about the crime problems our country has right now,” says Los Cabos mayor Oscar Rene Núñez Cosío. “And when they think about the Baja, all they can picture is Tijuana. But there’s much more than that.” Indeed, Los Cabos, with its year-round good weather, endless beaches, restaurants, and activities, is the ideal destination for adventure seekers, gourmets, golfers, sun worshippers, and spa enthusiasts.

Contrary to many people’s fears, there is no reason for a sensible tourist to avoid travel to Los Cabos. México is an extremely large country, and Los Cabos, which is located at the southernmost point of the Baja Peninsula, is far removed from the violence affecting other parts of the nation; Tijuana is roughly a thousand miles to the north, and there’s an entire sea between Baja and mainland México. To call off a trip to Cabo because of recent news would be the equivalent of canceling a shopping excursion to Seattle or sightseeing in Portland because of violence in Las Vegas.

Since the U.S. State Department first issued a travel alert for México back in October of 2008, both American and Mexican government officials, tourism professionals, and travel journalists have gone to great lengths to ease people’s fears and counter the misinformation that has led some potential travelers to scrap their vacations to México. A recent Travel + Leisure story recommended exploring the northern Baja town of Ensenada and its surrounding wine country, while a February Budget Travel article by Travelocity’s senior editor declared, “It’s a prime time to visit Mexico.” And according to a report released in April, the tourist zones in México are up to 26 times safer than many tourist zones in the United States. Baja California Sur, the state that is home to Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo as well as other tourist favorites like Loreto and La Paz, has, according to the study, a homicide rate 12 times lower than Honolulu, 18 times lower than Miami, and 26 times lower than Orlando.

Last year Baja California Sur also was named as the second safest state in the entire country. This was due in large part to the government’s 2008 overhauling of the public safety policy and technology system. There were improvements to the security infrastructure at all points of entry (air, land, and sea) as well as new training for those working in the field of public safety. (Travelers wishing to steer clear of problematic areas can fly directly into the San José del Cabo airport, some 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas.) This year, the federal, state, and municipal governments have continued efforts to further improve the safety of Los Cabos. Police comandante Daniel Rodriguez and Mayor Núñez Cosío have spoken of plans to revamp the training program for officers, restructuring the process so that Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo police officers are better prepared for any incident. And the Mexican navy, which under the direction of Admiral Rommel Ledesma already polices and protects the waters surrounding the area, has now established a search-and-rescue team in Cabo San Lucas.

“Those of us who have been [to Los Cabos] know what a wonderful experience it is,” said Secretary of Tourism Alberto Treviño Angulo at the recent grand opening of a multimillion-dollar project in San José del Cabo. “We need to share that experience with others.” That sentiment was echoed by Los Cabos’ mayor: “Maybe the best testament to how safe Los Cabos is, is that when people come, they always come back.”

Open Salon blogger Karl Eysenbach, who has lived part-time in Southern Baja for years, explains, “We feel safer here than just about anywhere in the United States. If you want to drive a big flashy car in Tijuana in a bad neighborhood at 2 a.m., you’re asking for trouble. But the same thing is true if you’re near Nickerson Gardens in Los Angeles.” He continues, “Unfortunately, the American news media gets ratings by getting eyeballs. The school of ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ produces a lot of propaganda, and we know many people who’ve been scared away from México just by watching television. Get the facts. Talk to the people who know, and when you visit México, for God’s sake, use common sense! I can guarantee that if you go to México to buy dope, you’ll get in trouble pretty quick.”

It is impossible to guarantee that all travelers to Los Cabos will have an incident- and crime-free experience. To do would be foolish. But what is apparent to those who live in, visit, and love Los Cabos and its surrounding towns is that this is a safe area that is getting even safer. As long as vacationers act responsibly and remember their common sense, there is no reason they shouldn’t expect to enjoy a relaxing and problem-free time in Los Cabos.

For more tips, go to travel.state.gov.

Cabo Marine Show 2010 will take place on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17, 2010, along the marina in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.

Boating and sailing enthusiasts from North America, and their suppliers, will converge at the Cabo San Lucas Marina with its breathtaking backdrop of the Sea of Cortez and the famous arch at “Land’s End.” Charter companies and water activities promoters—sport fishing, boating and luxury yachting—as well as resorts and marinas, hotels and world-class golf courses, will have an opportunity to make themselves known to the select Los Cabos travel market, its visitors and the eyes of the international travel media. Cabo Marine Show 2010 will be open to the general public with live entertainment.

A VIP opening cocktail party at the Baja Lobster Co. will feature a live performance by Los Cosmopolitans, as they launch their new album with original music and lyrics. The VIP closing cocktail will be held at Barómetro Restaurant Lounge along with the grand closing nautical-themed “Cabo Marine Party” to be held at the Passion Club inside the ME by Meliá resort, where awards will be given to the night’s best dressed. Official event sponsors include Puerto Paraíso Mall, Luxury Avenue Boutique Mall and Marina Fiesta Resort Spa, which together form the Marina Golden Zone.

Principal supporters include the Los Cabos Conventions Visitors Bureau, the Tourism Department of the Los Cabos Municipality, Marquis Los Cabos Resort and Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort. Others will soon be announced.

May 29 – 30,  2010 – Club Polo Los Cabos Tournament – Season Finale

The two-day10 Goal Tournament Event will feature four teams representing the USA, Mexico City, Baja California Norte, and Club Polo Cabo, Mexico.
Saturday, May 29, 10 am to 2 pm; Sunday, May 30, 11 am to 3 pm.

General tickets are $10.0 USD.
VIP seats under the tent (includes lunch and beverages are $50.00 USD

Join us for polo, party, and fun at our recently constructed full size regulation polo field located at Km. 115, north-west of Cabo San Lucas.

The entrance is located off Mexico 19 at about Km. 115, on the mountain side of the highway, just past Rolling Hill Estates. Pass through the gates and drive about 2.4 miles (7 minute drive) along a hard packed dirt road to Club Polo Cabo. It is about a 15 to 20  minute drive from the intersection of Boulevard Constituyentes (El Bordo) and Mexico 19.

Club Polo Cabo is in its first stages of construction in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, less than two hours flight from the US south-west border. This luxurious Polo country club will offer polo players and enthusiasts a complete experience from the sport to the lifestyle.

Polo is arguably one of the most exciting of games in the world. The King of Games is still the game of kings. Today, polo is played around the globe, and is a national sport in many countries and growing rapidly. Join us at Club Polo Cabo to discover the magic of this ancient game.

http://www.loscabosguide.com/clubpolocabo/

For sponsorship opportunities contact Rhonda R. Ohnesorge
Email: rhonda@clubpolocabo.com
Phone: 858-437-3322

The New Year has delivered exciting new growth and momentum to Bahía de los Sueños. The Bahía de los Sueños team has made an aggressive commitment to ensure that 2010 is both thrilling and prosperous at The Bay… from the completion of our much-anticipated golf course to our accommodating new financing programs. I am proud to share some of the exciting developments of the past 60 days.

Our magnificent 18-hole, Tom Doak-designed golf course is now complete and open for preview play. Homeowners, resort guests and those interested in purchasing real estate at The Bay are encouraged to be among the first to experience what many are hailing as one of the finest courses in all of Mexico. The press has started to take notice: both Golfweek (“Beauty along the Baja Coastline”) and Links magazine have praised this masterpiece. Be sure to check out these beautiful new photos of the course, captured just two weeks ago! Call us today to schedule your tee time.

And it has never been easier to begin enjoying the dream of international home ownership. The Bay’s new construction loan program from ConfiCasa Mortgage International offers more ways than ever to afford your dream home. ConfiCasa’s Premier VIII program, allows buyers to borrow up to 65% of their property value during the construction process to directly disburse to contractors. Premier VIII lets borrowers roll construction financing directly into a permanent mortgage, negating the need for multiple closings and closing fees. Ask a Bahía de los Sueños sales representative for more information.

Also, after acquiring two magnificent homesites last fall, The Bay’s first luxury guest builder – Timberhaven Homes – has broken ground on its first residence. Click here to view floorplans and renderings or here for photos from the first days of construction. The estate sits within the coveted Spanish Hill enclave and offers beautiful east-facing, bay views. It is expected to be completed and on the market this summer.

Finally, our new blog continues to be an excellent source for up-to-date information and new photography from The Bay. Be sure to visit blog.BahiaSuenos.com for daily and weekly features, including “Photo of the Week,” construction updates, golf-course hole overviews and descriptions, and exciting stories from our growing resort community.

I thank you for your support and welcome any thoughts you have about The Baja that has always been.

Sincerely,

Charles Freedman
PCS Development, President
charles.freedman@teampcs.com

Off Road U-PRO 2009

En evento oficial y con la presencia de distinguidas autoridades Municipales y del Gobierno del Estado, así como representantes de la Federación Mexicana de Automovilismo Deportivo, la Comisión Nacional de Pilotos Organizados de Ruta (Off Road),  La Comisión Nacional de Motociclismo Off Road, el Instituto Sudcaliforniano del Deporte, la Asociación Estatal de Automovilismo Deportivo, El Pato Rojo Motorsport y la Dirección Regional de Ventas del Grupo Modelo, la noche de éste viernes 5 de febrero, se llevó a cabo la ceremonia de premiación y entrega de estímulos y reconocimientos a los pilotos más destacados del pasado Campeonato Estatal de Off Road U-PRO 2009 de Baja California Sur.

El evento realizado en el marco del espléndido Centro de Eventos de OOMSAPAS, en San José del Cabo, se realizó en un ambiente de cálida y familiar convivencia entre las más de 250 personas entre familiares, equipos de competencia y pilotos que se dieron cita para rendirle tributo a lo más granado del deporte motor sudcaliforniano. La cena-baile estuvo aderezada con la muestra de los videos de cada uno de los competidores galardonados, así como con un musical y un recuento audiovisual de cada una de las carreras que conformaron el Campeonato Estatal de Off Road U-PRO 2009.

El evento que comenzó a las 8:30 de la noche, dio inicio con la presentación de los integrantes de la mesa de honor, en la que se encontraban, el C. Secretario General de Gobierno del Estado, Lic. Luis Armando Díaz en representación del C. Gobernador Constitucional del Estado de B.C.S., Ing. Narciso Agúndez Montaño, el C. Director General de OOMSAPAS, Ing. Antonio Agúndez Montaño, en representación del C. Presidente Municipal del H. Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos, Lic. René Núñez Cosío, el C. Director General del INSUDE, Prof. Marco Antonio Hirales, el C. Delegado de la Federación Mexicana de Automovilismo Deportivo, C.P. Antonio Hernández Castro, el C. Salvador Carrillo Torres, Presidente de la Asociación Estatal de Automovilismo Deportivo, el C. Norman Ceseña Angulo, Director General del Corporativo de El Pato Rojo Motorsport, así como el Director Regional de Ventas del Grupo Modelo, Lic. Odilón Ocampo.

Después de las palabras que cada uno de los integrantes del presidium expresaron al público congregado, el Mtro. Carlos Navarro leyó una emotiva reseña de lo que fue el Campeonato Estatal U-PRO 2009, en la que mencionó algunos de los momentos más importantes que se escribieron en la historia del Off Road sudcaliforniano, como la realización de la tan anhelada Gran Baja Sur Internacional, final del Campeonato Nacional de Ruta, así como la Final del Campeonato Nacional de Pista, la Cabo Grand Prix, que rompió record de participación finalizando su intervención diciendo: “…queda el reto para este 2010 donde habrá que superar los resultados obtenidos. La historia aún no acaba y la Unión de Promotores de Baja California Sur, U-PRO, habrá de escribir más historias en el libro del automovilismo sudcaliforniano…sabemos que no somos los únicos partícipes en escribir esta historia, pero lo que sí podemos decirles es que somos los mejores.”

Posteriormente se hizo entrega de los trofeos, estímulos y reconocimientos no sólo a los mejores deportistas en cada una de las categorías de competencia además de  algunos títulos especiales a pilotos y escuderías sino que se dieron reconocimientos también a las autoridades municipales y estatales así como al representante del Grupo Modelo, todos los cuales han sido fieles acompañantes y coadyuvantes de años en el esfuerzo realizado por U-PRO para elevar el nivel de competencia y espectáculo del OffRoad en nuestro Estado.

Inmediatamente después de la entrega de éstos reconocimientos, se cedió la palabra al C. Luis Armando Díaz, , Secretario General de Gobierno de B.C.S., quién a nombre del C. Gobernador del Estado, Ing. Narciso Agúndez Montaño emitió un mensaje de clausura de la ceremonia y dió el simbólico banderazo de salida para dar comienzo al Campeonato Estatal de Off Road U-PRO 2010.

El evento que prosiguió con una suculenta cena para todos los invitados y culminó con la presencia de un grupo musical que aderezó el convivio con una agradable sesión de música regional que sin lugar a dudas redondeó espléndidamente una noche llena de emoción, fiesta y orgullo para el deporte de nuestro Estado.

A continuación la lista de los pilotos galardonados quienes prácticamente en su totalidad estuvieron presentes para recibir sus reconocimientos, incluyendo a algunos pilotos de otros estados de la república que compiten en nuestra tierra y que no quisieron perderse tan emotiva e importante ceremonia:

Clase 10:

1. Heliodoro Jiménez Orozco
2. Oscar moreno
3. Flavio Navarro

Clase 14:

1. Héctor Perales
2. Fco. Santiago Robles verdugo
3. Rick Myzes

Clase 11:

1. Luis Enrique Cataño y Lorenzo Raúl González
2. Alejandro López Conde
3. Diego Robles
4. Raúl Antonio Dorado Sotelo
5. Jesús Fco. Chacón Agúndez

Clase 9:

1. Alfonso Ojeda
2. Jorge Green y Juan Luis Ojeda
3. José Adrián Flores Cannet
4. Vicente García y Rafaél Ibarra
5. David Cháidez

Clase 8 Stock:

1. Fco. Tamayo y José Fco. Tamayo G.
2. Gabriel Sánchez Meza
3. Humberto Hugo Gómez

Clase 5-1600:

1. Hill Ballester y Benito Aguirre González
2. José Juan Islas Rodríguez
3. Javier y Jorge Sandoval

Clase 1-2 1600:

1. Carlos Olmos
2. Julio Miguel Herrera y Juan Pablo Domínguez
3. Fernando Hoyos

Clase 5 Libre:

1. Victor Hugo Ceseña Mr. Y Jr.
2. Juan Carlos de Jesús Jiménez y Héctor –Pípi- Ibarra Espinoza
3. Gerardo Mora

Clase Stock Mini:

1. Juan Manuel Echavarría Cota
2. Mario Cham Sánchez
3. Israel Abarca

Clase 7:

1. Carlos Ramos murillo
2. Juán Hernández Paularena
3. Marco Antonio Castro Agúndez

Clase 12:

1. Samuel Araiza Vázquez
2. Jesús Araiza Zumaya
3. Sergio Ojeda

Categoría 1:

1. Julio Miguel Herrera y Carlos Olmos
2. Luis césar Ramírez Payán
3. Juan Carlos Flores

Clase 8:

1. Tom Bradley y Eduardo Gastelum – Lupito Abaroa
2. Andrea Tomba y Bert Jenk
3. Miguel Monroy Maya

Clase Trophy Truck:

1. Luis Camarena
2. Oscar Salazar
3. José de Jesús Flores y Juan Amézquita

Reconocimientos Especiales:

Novato del año: de la Clase 7, Juan Hernández Paularena

Campeón de Categorías Restringidas: de la Categoría 1-2 1600, Carlos Olmos

Campeón de campeones con más victorias en la temporada: Victos Ceseña

Overall General con la mayor puntuación obtenida: de la Clase 7, Carlos Ramos Murillo.

¡ENHORABUENA CAMPEONES Y MUCHA SUERTE PARA EL CAMPEONATO ESTATAL U-PRO 2010, QUE ESTE FIN DE SEMANA SE INICIA EN LA HERMOSA POBLACIÓN DE SAN JOSÉ DEL CABO!