Sea arch at Los Cabos.
Hola and welcome Mazatlan and Los Cabos, Mexico, to the WestJet family of hot winter getaways.
Leave your worries at home; all you really need to bring is sunscreen, a sense of fun and you.
WestJet is pleased to introduce two fabulous new destinations, giving you even more winter holiday options. Mazatlan and Los Cabos both have qualities that embrace old and new, luxurious and down to earth, activity filled and soothing tranquility.
Mazatlan, the Pearl of the Pacific boasts top-notch sailfish and marlin fishing, traditional architecture and lively culture; the twin resorts of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, known collectively as Los Cabos, are loaded with style which will leave you feeling pampered and relaxed. Check out exclusive shopping venues, fashionable clubs and elite spas so amazing, they draw ‘A’ list celebrities.
Stroll through historic streets on balmy evenings, feast on freshly caught seafood or laze on golden beaches to the sounds of crashing waves. This winter, beat the cold in either of these two extremely popular Mexican resorts for a vacation packed with fun and relaxation.
Grey whale.
Each winter, Los Cabos is the site of one of the most beautiful phenomena in the world: the courtship, mating and birth process of the gray whale. Whale watching tours can be found in any of the area’s marinas from January to March. Local fishermen usually offer these trips for a reasonable price.
Bring your clubs and visit one of the spectacular Mexican golf courses with stunning ocean views. One particular course in Mazatlan is the 27 hole, par 72 course designed by Larry Hughes and Lee Trevino. Los Cabos has renowned championship courses too, such as The Raven Club in Cabo San Lucas, a Dye family course and the El Dorado, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. In San Jose del Cabo you’ll find the Palmilla Golf Club, which is the first Jack Nicklaus signature course in Mexico.
Mazatlan has gorgeous beaches surrounded by impressive cliffs, lush vegetation and beautiful clear waters which are easily accessible to tourists. Waves vary from place to place for great swimming, surfing and parasailing. A 10km strip offers beach choices such as Playa Norte, Playa Gaviotas and Playa Venados.
Los Cabos sits right where the Pacific Ocean meets the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez and has some of the best swimming at Playa Medano or along the pristine beach at Playa del Amor at the foot of the rocky formation “El Arco”.
San Jose del Cabo itself isn’t the best location for swimming, although 2 miles east at La Playita and 5 miles west to Playa Palmilla you will find much calmer waters. Having said that, San Jose del Cabo has excellent surfing; the best breaking waves from March to November are at Playa Costa Azul and Cabo San Lucas has the famous right break at Chileno Beach.
Equipment rentals for both surfing and diving can be found even at remote hotels around Mazatlan.
Los Cabos is considered a top spot for divers and fishermen, especially scuba and sport fishing in nearby Magdalena Bay as it is full of colourful marine life and the most beautiful coral formations anywhere. Cabos San Lucas has “sand falls” off underwater canyon in San Lucas Bay.
Cabo is also known as “Marlin Alley” undisputed billfish capital of the world among sport fishermen. International fishing tournaments often take place in Mazatlan too, so your fishing choices are limitless in both resorts.
Kayaking rentals and equipment in Los Lobos del mar, near San Jose del Cabo.
Las Tres Islas, an island and ecological zone 3 km west of Mazatlan has exciting excursions and rock climbing, as does the Eco-tourism site el Cerro del Creston and Rancho el Venado near Mazatlan with hiking trials, 30 animal species, guided treks. In Los Cabos the jagged peaks of Sierra La Laguna offer rock climbing and hiking for adventurous travellers.
Check out the two marinas in Mazatlan each with docking and maintenance services available. A 300-slip facility with full services in Cabo San Lucas is also the pick up location for water taxis to get to El Arco and Playa Amor on glass bottomed boats. Cruise ships regularly dock at Cabo’s massive marina too as one of the more popular stops for loads of cruise lines.
In the evenings, stroll Mazatlan’s boardwalk and pleasant streets. Follow Los Cabos’s lush palm groves and quaint meandering streets to a tropical estuary or the Municipal Palace. In both resorts, charming restaurants with private courtyards can be found serving delicious fish and seafood dishes.
Nightclubs for those who enjoy pop or electronic music are always hopping. Discotheques are located in Mazatlan’s Zona Dorada exclusive area, mostly on Avenida Camaron Sabalo. Try Senor Frogs or Bora Bora.
The Mango Deck Beach Club, The Giggling Marlin, Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo and The Zoo in Cabo San Lucas each have a fantastic party going on each night.
Shopping in Mazatlan for arts & crafts, wickerwork, wood sculptures, saddlery, masks and ceramics is easy at Mercado Pino Suarez, the most traditional of markets on Benito Suarez Street. Also Mazatlan’s shopping in the Zona Dorada gives travellers the opportunity to look for traditional clothes, jewellery, artwork and souvenirs.
High-end retail stores and upscale boutiques at Puerto Paraiso Shopping and Entertainment Plaza in Cabo San Lucas and Las Tiendas de Palmilla in San Jose del Cabo have every imaginable amenity for the discriminating shopper. Find unique souvenirs too, small shops in Los Cabos specialize in pottery, cotton garments, wool shawls, baskets and rugs.
As there are so many spas to choose from in Cabo San Lucas, they are broken down into two categories. Destination spas or resort spas; which offer spa services and nothing else. Resort spas in hotels and vacation resorts have varying services but mainly include pools, steam/sauna, yoga, meditation and much more as well. All spas will have very well trained masseurs and highly experienced practitioners. Wherever you choose to spend a day – or even a week – you are sure to feel pampered and totally relaxed after your spa treatments.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Older, more established businesses and services in Old Mazatlan are still quaint and well maintained; however the area hasn’t taken on a lot of the same commercial or modern conveniences as other Mexican resorts.
To find gleaming new resorts and hotels you’ll only need to travel a short distance to the Zona Dorada - The Golden Zone – on the Northern extremity of Mazatlan.
Recently the four lane highway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, also known as the “resort corridor” has had loads of additions to tourist amenities. This connecting roadway is lined with miles of white same beaches and gorgeous coves, surrounded by modern luxury resorts and private villas.
Both San Jose del Cabo and Cano San Lucas have a wide variety of accommodation choices to suit every budget; all inclusive resorts, bed & breakfast inns, well appointed vacations apartments and condos as well as economy hotels.
Mexico’s beaches and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for love; the breathtaking views, the seductive smells and calming sounds are just some of the reasons thousands of couples spend their honeymoon in Mazatlan or Los Cabos. For your own little slice of paradise, you can rent simple and romantic bungalows at some resorts or stay in posh suites at others. Most places will have a bottle of wine and fruit basket waiting for your arrival. Imagine moonlit dinners with fine food, bars and nightclubs to continue the celebration at all hours or beaches for strolling on sunny days and clear, starry nights.
Many couples who decide to combine their wedding with their honeymoon come to one of these romantic places. Choose an intimate ceremony on the beach, a mystical ritual performed by a Shaman, an elegant fiesta in a garden or colonial hacienda, a celebration on a yacht/cruise liner or a traditional service in a beautiful old church. Most locations, including hotels and all inclusive resorts offer a variety of service packages, including photography, music, flowers, personal stylist, and judge or priest; right down to decorations, wedding cake and personalized wedding favours.
Several documents are required for a Mexican wedding:
- Each party’s "Tourist Card" received at the airport upon arrival.
- An original and copy of birth certificate for each party.
- Original prenuptial medical certificate with test results of syphilis, HIV, and Rh factor (blood type). This certificate should have been issued locally within the last 15 days.
- Passports of both parties.
- Divorce or death certificate, if either party is divorced or widowed.
- Originals and copies of the official identification of two witnesses.
Get to know the Mexican way of life at one of the many colourful and lively events taking place in Mazatlan and Los Cabos each year. Some notable events which take place during WestJet’s seasonal service are:
- The world famous Mazatlan carnival in February: 100 years of tradition, costumes and floats.
- Candlemas in Cabo San Lucas: A combination of pre-Hispanic and traditional European festivities marks winter’s end at this early February event.
- Fiestas Patronales de San José del Cabo: San Jose del Cabo honors its patron saint with a week's worth of festivities in March.
- La Paz Tequila and Mariachi Festival: A day trip from Cabo San Lucas, La Paz hosts the annual Tequila and Mariachi Festival takes place each April.
Mazatlan beach coastline.
Mazatlan is typically considered more traditional and time-honoured than Los Cabos; it has more Spanish influence. Beautiful colonial architecture in the historic center or ‘Old Mazatlan’ includes The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and streets with 19th century buildings.
Before becoming a Hispanic region, Mazatlan was populated by the Totorames, who survived as hunter/gathers and were particularly skilled in the art of pottery. Unlike their more famous inland neighbors, the Aztecs, the Totorames left behind no great architectural pyramids or structural works. Their civilization ultimately ceased 200 years before the arrival of the Spaniards and Spanish colonialism.
San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, collectively known as Los Cabos, have a newer, American atmosphere. While still having a distinctly Mexican flair; retaining the look and feel of quaint, colonial villages, Los Cabos is somewhat isolated from the rest of Mexico, and as a result it was American companies that built much of the area. Compared to the bigger and more touristy Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo is a bit more laid back.
Mexico has the largest speaking Spanish population in the world. The official unit of currency in Mexico is the peso, however unlike most other resorts in Mexico, Los Cabos features many American products in its markets, and American dollars are the preferred currency in most shops.
In Mazatlan you’ll see many small, white open-topped taxis along the seafront. You shouldn’t have to wait long for a taxi, always ask the price before you get in. negotiating a price is OK and as you get better at it, you’ll find you pay a very reasonable fare for your taxi rides.
There are two different types of public transport buses that run in Mazatlan. One runs along the main tourist strip right along the water and are air conditioned and quite new. Fares are around $.80 US per trip. The city is also served by regular "Mexican" buses which are not quite as modern but only cost around $.45 US per trip. The bus route is typically written on the windshield of the bus.
In Los Cabos, the main Terminal de Autobus is about a 10-minute drive west of Cabo San Lucas. Express buses with air-conditioning and restrooms travel frequently from the terminal to Todos Santos (one hour), La Paz (three hours), and Loreto (eight hours). One-way fare is usually about $4 to Todos Santos, $14 to La Paz, and $40 to Loreto. From the Corridor, expect to pay about $25 for a taxi to the bus station.
SuburBaja buses run along the Corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas with stops along the way. The bus runs every half-hour from 7 AM to 10 PM; the fare is about $2.
Taxis in Los Cabos are readily available and rates are negotiable.
WestJet is please to offer seasonal service to our Mexican destinations. Starting December 20, 2007 WestJet will fly direct from Calgary to San Jose del Cabo twice per week; and direct once per week from Edmonton beginning December 21, 2007 and from Vancouver commencing December 22, 2007.
On December 22, 2007 service will begin to Mazatlan from Calgary and Edmonton, direct, once per week. Be sure to check for connections from other fabulous WestJet destinations.
Mexico has the following entry requirements, for US & Canadian Citizens. Please note: you do not require a passport to enter Mexico, however; if you are travelling with a valid passport, points 1 & 3 are not required.
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