Despite its prehistoric landscape, the Baja peninsula is ever changing. Under the exacting eyes of tourism and real estate developers, Baja's latest theme is large-scale resort development.
Los Cabos
Adding to the SoCal feel of the twin capes at Baja's tip, countless residential developments, car dealerships and retail shopping centers are popping up along both sides of the highway in the Tourist Corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Cadillac, Volkswagen and Hummer are among the new local dealerships and, in addition to the recent influx of supermarkets like CCC, City Club, Comercial Mexicana, Soriana and Costco, Wal-Mart is under construction off Highway 1 just outside of Cabo San Lucas, near the old bullring.
With the influx of tourists and mainland Mexico transplants, and the subsequent increase in the number of vehicles on the road, the city fathers and the Los Cabos Tourism Board have commissioned a study to review the flow of traffic and ensure future ease of circulation throughout the destination despite an increase in visitors. The study is geared toward improving traffic flow and focuses on long-term and short-term improvements in specific high-traffic zones along the Tourist Corridor and in the downtown areas of San José and Cabo San Lucas.
Accordingly, as air traffic grows exponentially, the Los Cabos International Airport is set to undergo several upgrades to ease the flow of travelers in and out of the destination. The renovations include facility enhancements to increase the safety of travel upon arrival and departure, a new terminal building (Terminal 4, scheduled for completion in December 2009), the complete remodeling of Terminal 3, the addition of parallel landing strips for quicker departures. San José del Cabo is also establishing a new highway administration to manage improved airport access and parking.
Riu Hotels & Resorts is opening its largest property yet, the 902-room Riu Santa Fe (no phone; hotel.santafe@riu.com) this winter near Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas. Playa Hotels and Resorts has acquired The Grand Baja Resort & Spa, which is located on the malecón in San José del Cabo. The hotel will be renamed the Barceló Los Cabos Resort (tel. 800/227-2356) and will undergo a major renovation and expansion, including an additional 476 suites, restaurants, meeting space, services and amenities by the end of 2009. Capella Pedregal (tel. 866/956-7222 or 624/172-0374), the anticipated Horst Schultze-master minded boutique resort, has delayed its opening in the Pedregal development from this summer to November of 2008.
Club Campestre (tel. 624/142-5327; www.clubcampestresanjose.com), a 550-acre gated residential community on the road to the airport in San José, unveiled its new championship 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course in June.
For the latest on the always evolving Los Cabos nightlife, check out Noche Magazine, which is distributed at more than 70 restaurants and shops throughout Los Cabos, and can be found online at www.nochemexico.com. It's the easiest way to keep track of the bars and clubs that open, close, rise and fall almost on a daily basis in Los Cabos.
In Todos Santos, the annual Todos Santos Art Festival will be February 2 to 9, 2008. Visit www.todossantos-baja.com for more information.
A new mega-development is breaking ground at Punta Lobos near Todos Santos. Visitors can expect to see construction beginning on two Arthur Hills golf courses, three boutique hotels and a variety of real estate options. Although part of the community, Rancho Santa Ana, will be open to the public east of the highway, The Punta Lobos Club will be a private members-only club on the west side of the highway.
La Paz
Se HablaÂ?La Paz, on Madero at the corner of V. Guerrero (tel. 612/122-7763; www.sehablalapaz.com) now offers total immersion Spanish classes specializing in legal, medical and general Spanish.
Mid Baja: Loreto & Mulegé
As Fonatur, the tourism agency for the Mexican government, continues to mold Loreto into the next Los Cabos, progress has picked up a few notches. If you want a glimpse of Loreto's unspoiled small-town charm, get there fast.
The Villa Group has purchased 1,800 acres of beachfront property on Ensenada Blanca Bay, just south of Loreto. The mega-development and timeshare resort is scheduled to open in 2009.
The gravel mountain road to the San Javier Mission has been partially paved, which means rental vehicles soon will gain access to one of Baja's most impressive missions. Until the paving process is complete, it's best to rent a 4-wheel-drive car with a high carriage to safely make the trip.
Popular Gringo happy hour spot, Augie's Bar & Bait Shack, on the Malecón at the corner of Zaragoza (tel. 613/135-1224), has extended its menu to include sushi. The popular El Nido Steakhouse, Salvatierra 154 (tel. 613/135-0027) is under new ownership and has a new name, Domingo's Place. Summer renovations will leave La Cascada, Corner of Calle Salvatierra and Emiliano Zapata (tel. 613/135-0550) with more space and an expanded menu.
Also, Loreto Smokehouse & Fish Factory is no longer servicing Loreto anglers in search of smoked fresh catch.
Even the quiet village of Mulegé is experiencing a tourism boom. Mulegé's hottest news is the impending Estero Santa Barbara development (www.esterosantabarbara.com). Plans for this destination resort include a boutique hotel and spa, private residences, championship golf course, beach clubs, tennis center and water sports facility.
Northern Baja: Tijuana, Rosarito Beach & Ensenada
In Tijuana, hip Japanese fusion eatery, Negai, 201 Escuadrón (tel. 664/971-0000; www.negairestaurant.com) is now drawing sushi lovers in droves.
Rosarito Beach hosted the 2007 Mexican National Surfing Championship in September, and plans are in the works to host an international surfing tournament within the year.
The storied Hussong family, of Hussong's Cantina fame, has broken ground on a large-scale resort development on Todos Santos Bay in Ensenada. Scheduled for completion in 2011, Porto Hussong (www.portohussong.com) will include five residential towers, 17 villa-style houses, a 65-suite hotel and a 284-slip mega-yacht marina that will be able to accommodate yachts up to 400 feet.
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