The resort town of Cabo San Lucas, meaning Cape of St. Luke, is named for the slender cape-like peninsula, extending east from Baja's southernmost tip. For centuries, it was a small, sleepy fishing village, inhabited by the peaceful Pericu Indians. During the Spanish colonial era, its natural harbor was used occasionally by seafarers, but since it offered no source of fresh water and hardly any protection during the late summer storms, it was largely ignored by the Spanish.
By the 1930s, a small fishing village and cannery occupied the north end of the Cabo San Lucas harbor. And in the late 1950s, Cabo began to experience a sport fishing craze, and the waters off the peninsula's southern tip earned the sobriquet of "Marlin Alley.” Cabo is now one of the top five Marlin fishing destinations in the world. The Trans-Peninsular Highway was completed in 1973, allowing a paved highway link between North America and Cabo San Lucas. For anglers and sports fishermen, the highway meant the end of a fishing village and the beginning of a small resort community.
(For sale by: Snell Real Estate | Engel & Volkers Los Cabos, Listed price: $9,850,000)
Today, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, 20 miles away are now very different luxury resort areas connected by another highway, the 20 mile Resort Corridor. It is said that Cabo San Lucas, with its nightlife, clubs, and restaurants, attracts those under thirty, and San Jose Del Cabo, an older, quieter town, attracts those over 30. But collectively, Los Cabos, what both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are called together, is the seventh most popular tourist destination in Mexico and is the second fastest growing resort area in Mexico.
(For sale by: Los Cabos Sotheby's International Realty, Listed price: $ 4,495,000)
There are reasons why this occurred, and why so many purchase luxury property here. Certainly, a major dimension is location – ocean views are almost everywhere. Another part of the reason is its accessibility to and from the United States. It is a few hours driving time from San Diego, and the Los Cabos airport is the 7th largest in Mexico, serving Delta, American, and AeroMexico among others, There are multiple private jet charters to and from Cabo also.
(For sale by: Snell Real Estate | Engel & Volkers Los Cabos, Listed price: $ 7,500,000)
But there are more formidable reasons than location.
According to Juan Diaz Rivera, developer and founder of two major resorts in Los Cabos, Capella Pedregal and the new Mar Adentro and whose family has lived in the area since the 1800’s, said, “There is an equanimity, a personal balance here that is not found in other parts of Mexico. The shopkeepers accept American dollars in addition to Pesos, and most everyone speaks English. The weather most all the time, is warm and dry. The year-round average temperature is around 78 F. and, Los Cabos has on average between 300–350 sunny days per year. All of these are magnets that attract many to come here initially, and then stay longer. And longer.”
(For sale by: Los Cabos Sotheby's International Realty, Listed price: $ 1,190,000)
“There is this attraction that I completely understand,” Says Julie Kershner, Broker/Manager, CIPS, at Los Cabos Sotheby’s International Realty. “I now work with luxury clients whose needs for diverse things -- ocean solitude and great nightlife -- are fulfilled. They have everything they need in a vacation destination, and they can live here, or have a vacation second or third home here, easily. The range of real estate options – villas, condos, Mexican colonial homes, – from $250,000 to $5,000,000 US and up – are here also.
(For sale by: Los Cabos Sotheby's International Realty, Listed price: $ 1,249,000)
“Of course, in all areas, and in all price ranges, they all want a view of the ocean, which most can have. And, in the highest end luxury areas, they want and receive all the amenities you would want in a luxury resort: proximity and access to golf courses, spas, beach clubs, great restaurants, and security. In addition to home security systems, they often want a one or two gated enclave, and security personnel. Of course, these things, at this level, can be easily provided, even though I must say that Los Cabos is one of the safest areas in Mexico.”
(For sale by: Snell Real Estate | Engel & Volkers Los Cabos, Listed price: $ 3,950,000)
“It is a beautiful, safe, place,” commented Vanessa Fukunaga, Managing Director of Engel & Volkers, Los Cabos. “What I see happens again and again. The Ultra High Net Worth and the High Net Worth buyers come here, and are charmed by the ease and generosity of the people here. And, everyone speaks English. Though we are on the southernmost tip of Baja, we are a peninsula, and almost an island unto itself. In our time selling to UHNW buyers, we have learned that the needs and wants of the ultra wealthy are not that different from others – they want excitement, sports, sanctuary, health, safety, happiness, yet want to be connected to the world outside. Our clients want the best of inside and the best of outside at the same time, and they find it here. Time after time, buyers started out renting a high end residence for a month long vacation, fall in love with the area and how relaxed they feel being here, buy a second or third property, and never go home.”
By Susan Kime
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