I just returned from my 10th trip to Baja since pandemic and had the same feelings as when I wrote this letter over a year ago. I had been meaning to post it but never did so now is as good as ever. Originally published in ASTA Travel Advisor magazine Aug 2021) – link here […]
Mexico
Palmaïa, The House of AïA Review – Transformations
You could fully enjoy Palmaïa like another luxury all-inclusive beach resort and have a grand time simply eating delicious locally-sourced food and drinking craft cocktails while being mesmerized by the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Or you could do that and some self-discovery if you go in with an open mind and let a shaman light you […]
Flora Farms – California Lifestyle in Cabo
Flora Farms – a popular farm-to-table dining concept for American tourists to visit while in Cabo. Like I don’t think a single patron is from Mexico. It’s located up in the hills near San Jose del Cabo – close for those staying in that area but is a good 45 mins from San Lucas. In […]
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos – Japanese Hollywood Chic in Mexico
Not sure if Japanese/Hollywood/Mexico is a thing but it is now with the entrance of Nobu to the Los Cabos hotel scene. Examples of what I mean by that: The design of the 200 rooms and suites is Japanese minimalist with wood elements and a coastal feel, which really doesn’t make sense but it works. […]
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos – Dining Options Overview
Malibu Farms My Oregonian mom’s favorite restaurant after a week in Cabo. It’s very California-esque, light and bright. Prices are extremely reasonable for an upscale resort establishment (drinks are not). I can certainly see the appeal but for us from SoCal, the farm-to-tables are a dime a dozen (but in a good way still – […]
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
The Hard Rock Hotel Cancun actually surprised me. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be dated and a little trashy like those many weekends at the Hard Rock Las Vegas in college (and immediate years after) as the club/pool party scene progressed from Baby’s to Body English and Rehab to now Vanity, a […]
Belmond Maroma – Mayan Paradise Found
The Belmond Maroma is truly a Mayan Paradise, luxurious and exotic, yet it feels authentic and grounded. Its just enough to escape reality without being obnoxious. This 5-star luxury boutique property sits off the main highway on a literal off-the-beaten path between Cancun airport (30 minutes to the north) and Playa del Carmen (20 minutes to […]
Gran Cenote – Snorkeling in a CAVE
What I lacked in enthusiasm for Mayan ruins, I made up for at Gran Cenote. Maybe it’s because I have this weird affinity for caves but when I climbed down into that sparkling abyss, I felt like my 8-year-old tubby self had just walked into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Usually when I have high expectations, I’m let down […]
Day Trip – Tulum Ruins and Pueblo
Tulum has somehow risen to infamy in the last several years as an LA/NYC bohemian/hipster type of mystical destination. It’s the kind of place you want to go to because the attractive girl that you see every other day at Core Power Yoga/Soul Cycle was gone for a week and when she came back, you asked […]
Chichen Itza – A 7 Wonder of the World?
I’m trying to figure out how this is one of the “New 7 Wonders” of the World. The original “seven wonders”, as passed down by ancient historians in Alexandria, was thought to be: Great Pyramid of Giza Hanging Gardens of Babylon Statue of Zeus at Olympia Temple of Artemis at Ephesus Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Colossus […]