Okay, in case you are a busy and important person and want someone else to choose the adventure for you, here are some vaguely relevant pages:
Friday, April 8th
6 p.m
Drinks & Appetizers
Hotel California.
7 p.m.Rehearsal Dinner, Speeches, Dancing, Hotel California.
Saturday, April 9th
Meet at the Hotel California
(Specific Times T.B.D.)
Morning Waterfall Hike (Optional)
Cliff Walk (optional)
LunchNothing organized, for recommendations click here.
Afternoon
For other things to do while in Todos Santos click here.
Early Evening
Vans depart for wedding site from wedding
or
Drive directly to site. Directions will be available soon.
Sunday, April 10th
Morning
Brunch (Optional)
Afternoon
Late Afternoon
Monday, April 11th
Morning
Camping folks will take boats out to Espiritu Santo for three night camping trip (though each morning a boat will come to pick up those who need to leave early.)
What kind of weather can we expect?
Rain! Rain! Rain! In other places. But not in Baja in April. During the day the weather will be in the high 70’s or low 80’s, but much colder at night than you might expect. The average low in Cabo is 65 degrees but Todos Santos can be 10 degrees colder (in other words, 55 degrees.) So be sure to bring a sweater, especially given that the wedding itself will be in an outdoor location.
What should I bring?
Casual clothes for the day
Sweater(s)
Hat/Sunscreen/ Bathing Suit
Long Pants
Walking Shoes
Bribes for Cops
Very-expensive present(s)
Police Ball Costume
Snake Bite Kit
Extra Suitcase for Babies/Drugs
What should I wear? What about dress-up clothes?
Friday Night: There are all sorts of buzzwords to describe what people should wear at events (i.e. “clothing optional.”) But we find them confusing. This is what we have in mind: Friday night will be a bit fancier than Saturday night: cocktail attire, some kind of nice dress or pant suit for women. For men, a button up shirt, perhaps with a sports jacket, though ties definitely aren’t necessary. People may want a sweater or a shawl as this will be an outdoor location, albeit one protected from the wind.
Saturday Night: This is an outside event and will be more casual than Friday night. For example, we’re thinking women may want to wear a sundress with a sweater and men may want to wear a buttoned-up shirt and trousers. But definitely bring a sweater or something warm as it could be windy.
Where does corn oil come from?
A kernel of corn has an outer husk surrounding a white or yellow starchy substance. At the core of the starchy substance and toward the pointy end of the kernel is the germ. The germ contains a small amount of oil. If you cut a popcorn kernel in half, you can see the husk, starch and germ. If you cut out the tiny piece of germ and squeeze the germ on a piece of paper, you will see the oil.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. You need a passport or an original copy of your birth certificate (see below) to enter Mexico. This is a good time to make sure your passport has not expired (or buy a stranger’s) as getting a new passport or renewing an old one could take a few months, though there are expediting services that can reduce that to a few days.
A note on birth certificates:
Birth certificates should be the original with a raised seal. These will be accepted in conjunction with an official picture ID such as a drivers license. If the name on the birth certificate differs from the current name, additional official documents should be carried (i.e. marriage certificate, name change documents.) Photocopies are not accepted.
Minors traveling with only one parent should carry a notarized letter from the absent parent authorizing the visit.
Non-U.S. or Canadian Citizen: may have other requirements to enter Mexico, such as a visa or a watermelon.
Can I drink the water?
We spent six months in Mexico without getting sick, but if you are one of those people who always seems to get sick when you leave the burbs, then you might want to drink bottled water and pack some Pepto Bismal and start taking it the day before you come. Sadly, Cabo San Lucas is one of the only cities in Mexico where you can’t drink the water (because of its fast growth) but you will be fine in Todos Santos where the water comes from high in the mountains. So feel comfortable joining us Sunday for our “Mexican Water Drinking Contest.”
Do I need vaccinations or shots before coming?
No.
What about bringing children?
We fully support little people. We’re planning to have supervised activities available for kids during both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. We know of at least two children coming. Mexico is not necessarily more dangerous - or in parental speak, unsafe - for kids than the worst areas of Detroit or Chicago. That is just a joke. Baja is by far considered the safest area in Mexico; Todos Santos is a small town where the majority of inhabitants that weekend will be in the wedding party; La Paz too is very family friendly, and Cabo is mostly full of Californians trying to get away from their children; there is a doctor in Todos Santos, and a very good hospital in Cabo San Lucas (see medical emergencies.) Children will be fine and will have fun.
How do I make phone calls?
To call Mexico from the U.S:
Dial 011+52 +area code+ number i.e. 011-52-612-14-50400. 011 is the international access code. 52 is Mexico’s country code.
To place calls within Mexico:
If you are already in Todos Santos, usually just dialing the last seven digits will do (i.e. 14-50400). If that doesn’t work, try dialing 01-area code+ number (i.e. 612-145-0400.) As in the U.S., the last seven digits are the local number which are sometimes proceeded by an area code (612 for Todos Santos, 624 for Cabos San Lucas) but instead of dialing 1 in front of it, you dial 01. (Note that dialing a Mexican cell phone from a land line requires that you begin the call with 044+area code+ number. (i.e. 044-646-130-55555) Or that is the theory at least.
To call the U.S. from Mexico:
Some hotels may have phones that let you make calls but your best bet is to buy a calling card from any local store and use it in a payphone. There are many downtown. Here are a few access codes if you happen to have one these cards: AT&T (001-800-462-4260); MCI (001-800-674-7000); Sprint (001-800-877-8000).
Why do election-year autobiographies always have such boring titles?
This is one of the great mysteries of the universe. You would think they want people to read them. Or at least buy them. But in any case, we think this is a great ice breaker at your rehearsal dinner table. “So you’re from Irvine and you’re the aunt of the groom. Why do you think election-year autobiographies always have such ho-hum titles?”
I want to share a room and/or a rental car with someone but don’t know any other single travelers going to the wedding?
Not a problem. Just contact us and we’ll match you up.
Is there a local bank and ATM?
The local bank, Banco Banorte, will exchange dollars (and other currencies) for pesos at the current exchange rate. To exchange dollars you'll have to show a valid ID. Banorte will only exchange traveler's checks with a passport as ID. An ATM machine is located outside the bank. It accepts most major cards.
Should I bring traveler’s checks?
Depends. Check with your hotel or house about specific payment arrangements – many do not accept credit cards. There are ATM’s in the airport in Cabos but in case the one in Todos Santos is not working traveler’s checks might be handy.
I want to go the wedding but not sure if I can afford it. Any advice?
We very much want everyone invited to be able to attend the wedding so if the cost seems prohibitive, please contact us.
Can you tell me a bit about Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in the fateful winter of 1812?
Sure. In June of 1812, Napoleon began his fatal Russian campaign. Virtually all of continental Europe was under his control, and the invasion of Russia was an attempt to force Tsar Alexander I to submit once again to the terms of a treaty that Napoleon had imposed upon him four years earlier. Having gathered nearly half a million soldiers, from France as well as all of the vassal states of Europe, Napoleon entered Russia at the head of the largest army ever seen. The Russians, under Marshal Kutuzov, could not realistically hope to defeat him in a direct confrontation. Instead, they begin a defensive campaign of strategic retreat, devastating the land as they fell back and harassing the flanks of the French. As the summer wore on, Napoleon's massive supply lines were stretched ever thinner, and his force began to decline. By September, without having engaged in a single pitched battle, the French Army had been reduced by more than two thirds from fatigue, hunger, desertion, and raids by Russian forces.
Nonetheless, it was clear that unless the Russians engaged the French Army in a major battle, Moscow would be Napoleon's in a matter of weeks. The Tsar insisted upon an engagement, and on September 7, with winter closing in and the French army only 70 miles (110 km) from the city, the two armies met at Borodino Field. By the end of the day, 108,000 men had died--but neither side had gained a decisive victory. Kutuzov realized that any further defense of the city would be senseless, and he withdrew his forces, prompting the citizens of Moscow to began a massive and panicked exodus. When Napoleon's army arrived on September 14, they found a city depopulated and bereft of supplies, a meagre comfort in the face of the oncoming winter. To make matters much, much worse, fires broke out in the city that night, and by the next day the French were lacking shelter as well.
After waiting in vain for Alexander to offer to negotiate, Napoleon ordered his troops to begin the march home. Because the route south was blocked by Kutuzov's forces (and the French were in no shape for a battle) the retreat retraced the long, devastated route of the invasion. Having waited until mid-October to depart, the exhausted French army soon found itself in the midst of winter--in fact, in the midst of an unusually early and especially cold winter. Temperatures soon dropped well below freezing, Cossacks attacked stragglers and isolated units, food was almost non-existent, and the march was five hundred miles. Ten thousand men survived. The campaign ensured Napoleon's downfall and Russia's status as a leading power in post-Napoleonic Europe. Yet even as Russia emerged more powerful than ever from the Napoleonic era, its internal tensions began to increase.
Note: Not such a good ice breaker.
What about gifts?
We know destination weddings can be expensive and understand you will be spending a fair amount of money and time to be with us. Your presence is very meaningful to us and we think the best present you can give. If you are determined, however, to give us something, please give us something very expensive. Just a little joke. Personal gifts are very much appreciated. For those so inclined we also have registered at Amazon.com (go to lower left of their page) and Weddingchannel.com. (Or if you not connected to the information superhighway, you can go in person to REI, Crate & Barrel, or Pier 1.)
Medical Emergencies?
This hasn’t exactly been a frequently asked question, but click here for more information.
Modern jet travel makes flying fun for the whole family. There is no airport in Todos Santos so you need to fly into San Jose del Cabo about 78 miles away.
When picking your flight, you should try to arrive to the Cabos airport by 2 pm on Friday in order to give yourself time to get through customs (approx. 30 min), rent a car (approx. 30 min) and make the drive (approx. 2 hours). This will still give you an hour or so to check in to your hotel and get ready for drinks and dinner which start at 6 p.m. To play it extra safe, however, you might consider arriving by noon or even the night before if you want to stop along the way and be more relaxed about things.
As for the best time to depart, there’s an optional brunch in Todos Santos on Sunday which all are welcome to attend, but otherwise a flight any time Sunday should be swell.
Flight Details
There are direct flights to San Jose del Cabo (SJD) from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, and Oakland. Alaska Airlines, United, America West, Delta, and others fly there.
Costs
Lastminutetravel.com has good prices (i.e. $150 round trip from LAX or $305 from Newark). There generally are cheap tickets and specials to Cabo so if you are checking the major sites and finding high prices, keep looking around or contact us to help find better prices.
Visas and Passport
No visas are necessary from the United States but you will need a passport. See FAQ.
It’s 985 miles from San Diego so you should allow three days to make the drive which is a bit of an adventure in itself. There are, however, lots of fun stops and interesting country to go through - and the roads are good - so if you are so inclined, contact us and we can pass along whatever tips we might have (i.e. – don’t hit black cows; and bring cash – no ATM’s for 750 miles.)
Mules travel at 3 mph. Max. The distance from San Diego to Todos Santos is 985 miles. That means you need to allow 13.7 days for the trip, assuming you can convince the mule to walk 24-hours a day.
There are no large hotels in Todos Santos so everyone will be staying either at small hotels (most are less than 6 rooms) or renting private homes. Wherever you end up staying, all the places on this list are comfortable and within either walking distance or a short drive of downtown.
NOTE: Many hotels are too small to accept credit cards so be sure to check with them about payment arrangements before coming. All will accept cash and some will accept traveler’s checks.
We’ve asked all these places to set aside rooms for the wedding so just contact them directly to make arrangements and say you are with “The Sarah and Alex Wedding.” We will be staying at the Hotel California, a small hotel where all are welcome and encouraged to hang out during various in-between times. If there are any questions or problems, please contact us.
Gordita Supreme Hotels
Posada La Poza-1.5 miles from town on a dirt road. 4 regular rooms, 2 junior suites (with private outdoor Jacuzzi.) One honeymoon suite with a private terrace, patio, king size bed etc. Reg room: $160; Jr. Suite: $230; Honeymoon Suite: $440. Also has a saltwater swimming pool, a beautiful ocean front location, and an upscale restaurant.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0400
Email: contact@lapoza.com
Contact: Juerg & Libusche
Todos Santos Inn- In town. Six beautifully decorated rooms. Small swimming pool and a nice garden. Rooms are $95 - $135.
Phone: 011-52-612-14-50040
Email: todossantosinn@yahoo.com
Contact: Craig or John
Alegria- North of town about ½ a mile along a dirt road. This inn features very nice rooms with carved-beds and colorful tiles in the bedrooms. Rooms are $90 - $135 a night (large breakfast included.) There are 7 rooms- each room has double occupancy but more beds can be brought into the rooms for an additional fee.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0700
Email: alegriats@prodigy.net.mx
Contact: Elena
Chalupa Grande Hotels
Hotel California- 11 rooms- center of town, nice setting, comfortable rooms, small swimming pool, bar and deck. $90-125. Poker table.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0525
Email: hotelcaliforniareservations@hotmail.com
Contact: Debbie Stewart or Alejandro
Web: No web site available.
Hacienda Todos Los Santos - 3 individual bungalows of various sizes. Queen size beds & sofa beds, swimming pool, private courtyards, four blocks from town. $95-$150.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0547
Email: haciendadelossantos@prodigy.net.mx
Contact: Karen Rodriguez
Las Puertas. Three comfortable casitas about ½ mile from town on a dirt road.
The Casa Grande: $175 per night 2 bedrooms with queen size beds sleep 4 (will sleep up to 6 with additional cots) extra cots- $20.00. The Ocean View Suite: $150 a night- one bedroom with queen size beds sleeps two. Additional cots can be moved in and there are two couches in the living room. The small casita is $135 per night. One bedroom with queen bed. Additional cots can be installed in the living/kitchen area.
Phone: 011-52-612-14 50004
Email: reservations@alaspuertas.com
Contact: Mary
Las Palmas- 3, one bedroom casitas, each with kitchen and bath as well as attached covered patio. Each casitas sleeps two but extra foam mats can be brought in. All three casitas are inside a nice courtyard. $90 a night, plus $20 extra for additional bed.
Phone: 011-52-612-14-50213
Email: janelb3@yahoo.com
Contact: Janel
Bougainvillea- 3 rooms- 2 casitas, one with 2 bedrooms, 1 with 1 bedroom, both recently made with their own small kitchens. Swimming pool. Casasitas feel very private. About 2.4 kms from town across from Las Puertas.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0106
Email: omommag@aol.com
Contact: Pat
Bean Burrito – Without Cheese Hotels
Pasado Del Molino-4 studios made from an old sugar mill. A short drive to the edge of town. Cute rooms and a nice swimming pool. $75 - $90 per night. $10 extra for additional folks.
Phone: 011-52-(612)-14-50233
Email: corado1@prodigy.net.mx
Contact: Alice
Hotel Todos Santos 4 rooms. Centrally located. $65 a night. Could be loud because of a nearby restaurant.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0009
Email: brad@hoteltodossantos.com
Contact: Brad
Hacienda Inn Todos Santos 14 rooms. A little far from town (2.5 miles). A strange but kind of a cool place with clean rooms and antique furnishings. Swimming pool, bar area, and rooms with patios. $65-$110.
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0192
Email: info@haciendainntodossantos.com
Contact: Silvi
Houses to Rent
All of the following houses have been set aside for the wedding party and can be reserved through Su Casa Property Management. Note that these houses tend to rent far in advance so the company has asked that guests make arrangements for these houses as soon as possible. With a small group staying together, these could be a lot of fun. Here is their contact information:
Contact: Herbierto
Email: SuCasa@bajaretreats.com
Phone: 011-52-612-145-0657 (English spoken.)
These descriptions are from Su Casa Property, so take them with a grain of salt, whatever that means.
Casa Azul
Close 10 minute walk to the beach and one of the few homes in Todos Santos with a beautiful secluded pool. Main house offers 1 full and 1 twin bed , good kitchen and spacious living room with fireplace. Guest house offers a queen bed, private bathroom with shower, fireplace and air conditioning. Lush gardens surround the house with plenty of patio space for outdoor leisure. Sleeps at least five.
$250.00 a night
$1500.00 a week
Casa Cascada
A five-minute walk down a sandy lane through the mangos to the beach. Casa Cascada offers a tranquil getaway, complete with furnished patios, canals & a waterfall in a tropical garden, high speed DSL internet connection, washing machine, complete kitchen & rooftop palapa. There are two bedroom & bath suites with queen-sized beds, plus a large studio & an extra (single futon) bedroom.
Suite rentals include full access to the kitchen, laundry, gardens, etc.
The entire house: $120.00 a night; $800.00 a week
Suite 1: $60.00 a night; $350.00 a week
Suite 2 plus the studio: $80.00 a night; $550.00 a week
Casa Huerta
Located just outside of Todos Santos this house sits in the middle of an old orchard. It's just 15 minutes walking distance to the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This 1 bedroom 1 bathroom home comes complete with beautiful well-maintained gardens and a fully-equipped kitchen.
$185.00 a night
$1100.00 a week
Casa Pueblo
Located one block from the heart of Todos Santos, two blocks from the famed Hotel California, and right next to Café Brown, Casa Pueblo features two bedrooms, a large living room and an outdoor vine-covered dining area. Comes complete with gated parking and high privacy fencing.
$50.00 a night
$300.00 a week
Casa Ladrillo
Casa Ladrillo features high ceilings, palapa roof, a step-down shower, fully equipped kitchen, and an outdoor covered dining area. This two bedroom/three bed & one bath house is located two blocks from downtown Todos Santos, three blocks from the Hotel California.
$80.00 a night
$450.00 a week
Casa Rosa
We couldn’t get much information as not on the Internet yet. Supposed to be close to town and comfortable.
Places to Avoid
We took a look at these places and you should probably take a pass. Either they are too far, closed, or should be closed:
Jane’s B & B (too grubby)
Las Casitas B & B (too grubby)
The Garden Casita (not really rented any more)
Annie’s Place (rented for the year)
Anything in Pescadero (too far, don’t believe the “5 minutes” away descriptions.)
Todos Santos is about 85 miles from the airport but, really, it’s worth the effort. We strongly suggest renting a car, especially given the ease of driving in this part of Baja, the distances and the costs involved.
Every major rental car company has an office at the airport and rates are very competitive. You can make a rental car arrangement before you get to Cabo over the internet (Orbitz.com or any other travel site should be able to help.) You should be able to rent a car for about $23.00 US dollars a day if you wait to do it in person and negotiate a little with the companies. (Our favorite pitch from a vendor, “Don’t rent from those guys at Payless. Payless sells shoes.”) Your American insurance coverage will not cover you in Mexico so you may want to get insurance when you rent the car. Beware of the time-share salesman as you step out of the airport, unless you have a thing for time-share salesman.
Roads are well maintained and clearly marked. However, try to avoid driving at night because of black cows in the road – strange but true. Also, for those who want to share a car rental we will be posting a list of folks who are coming to the wedding on the internet (itcouldhavebeenpalau.com) or contact us and we can make introductions.
- Click here for information about choosing which way to drive to Todos Santos.
You can definitely take a taxi the 85 miles from the airport at San Jose del Cabo to Todos Santos – the taxi driver would be thrilled but it will definitely set you back at least a hundred dollars each way, assuming you speak a little Spanish, otherwise you are looking at $100-120 each way. On the plus side, it will definitely be easy to find someone to share a ride with on the way back but considering the cost of renting a car (about $35 a day) and the likelihood that you will want one in Todos Santos, it’s probably a better option to rent one if possible.
Buses aren’t very practical considering they don’t go to the airport and don’t head out to Todos Santos very often. Given they are almost all air conditioned and show movies, they also don’t provide much opportunity for cultural exchange either.
When you fly into Cabo San Lucas you actually fly into the airport of San Jose del Cabo. (A point of clarification: Cabo San Lucas is the new development built at the tip of the Baja Pennisula. San Jose del Cabo is the original settlement about 25 miles north of Cabo.) To drive from the airport to Todos Santos you can either:
1.) stop in San Jose del Cabo, poke around this little town and have lunch or
2.) take the new toll road – about 20 minutes faster – and bypass San Jose entirely.
We happen to like San Jose del Cabo and even the outskirts you drive through will give you a feeling for Baja. But, unfortunately, either route requires you to drive past Cabo San Lucas.
Note: Be wary of the signs indicating “Topes” which is a speed bump, but translates literally as “sleeping policeman.”
1.)When you leave the airport, veer to the right, following the signs towards the right to San Jose Del Cabo via the “1”.
2.)Go straight for 11.1. km, passing various road side stands, car repair places, bus stops, and schools along the way.
3.)Take a left at the large sign that says “San Jose Central.” Note at this point you can continue along the highway and skip San Jose if you want. If you do wish to go into San Jose, cross the highway and follow this street in (the road curves to the right and then left – beware of the topes. This road will take you directly into town. (For good eats and a nice place to stay, take a left on Jose Morales.) Also, the one-way signs are strictly enforced and tickets involve going to the local police station on the spot which might be fun if you want to practice your Spanish, i.e, “Puedo pagar la multa aqui?” Can I pay the fine here? (Click here for what to do in San Jose.)
4.) Return to the highway and the take a left.
5.)Continue along this road, following the signs towards Cabo San Lucas. The ocean and various mega hotels will be on the left. About 30 minutes later, you will see a sign to La Paz via the “19” (you will stay on the 19 all the way to Todos Santos.)
6.)Turn right towards La Paz. There will be a bull fighting ring of sorts on your right. (If you go straight here you will head into downtown Cabo San Lucas, which we wouldn’t wish on anyone.)
7.)The 19 goes straight for a bit then jogs (or turns?) to the left. Simply stay on the main road and follow the signs towards La Paz and Todos Santos.
8.)Go straight for 2.3 km until road dead ends.
9.)Turn right at this intersection. Across the street you will see a yellow “Golden Palace.”
10.)Go straight for 77 kilometers. On the right you will see several big grocery stores - Soriana and CCC - either is a good place if you need to buy sun screen, bottled water or lawn furniture. This road will narrow and become more remote. After 65 kilometers you pass some places that have hammocks and things out front. These are for sale. You will then pass through a very small town called Pescadero. Note: there is a serious “tope” around here.
11.)The road heads directly into Todos Santos. Nice work.
1.) Take a left as you exit the airport, following the sign to “Cabo San Lucas” via the toll road. (If you pass the Dollar Rent-a-Car office you have gone too far.) You will pass through the toll booth after driving 10-15 minutes. There are no exits along the toll road. The toll is $2.50 U.S. The toll road continues for a short distance until it dead ends into the trans-peninsular highway
2.) Turn right on the trans-peninsular highway towards Cabo San Lucas. There is a glass factory at mile 14. The ocean and several mega hotels/prisons will be on your left. Gape in awe.
3.) Continue gaping for another 29.8 km until you see a large sign that directs you to the right to La Paz via the 19 (you will stay on the 19 all the way to Todos Santos.)
4.) Turn right towards La Paz. There will be a bull fighting ring of sorts on your right. (If you go straight here you will head into downtown Cabo San Lucas, which we wouldn’t wish on anyone.)
5.) The 19 goes straight for a bit then jogs (or turns?) to the left. Simply stay on the main road and follow the signs towards La Paz and Todos Santos.
6.) Go straight for 2.3 km later until road dead ends.
7.) Turn right at this intersection. Across the street you will see a yellow “Golden Palace.”
8.) Go straight for 77 kilometers. On the right you will see several big grocery stores, Soriana and CCC - either is a good place if you need to buy sun screen, bottled water or lawn furniture. This road will narrow and become more remote. After 65 kilometers you pass some places that have hammocks and things out front. These are for sale. You will then pass through a very small town called Pescadero. Note: there is a serious “tope” around here.
9.) The road heads directly into Todos Santos. Nice work.
Todos Santos is a small town that is best for relaxing with fellow humans. There are various fun things to do, however, if you have extra time or have difficulty relaxing with fellow humans. Note also that several optional events are scheduled for Saturday morning, April 9th, (see schedule).
Beach
Near Todos Santos there are miles of beautiful white sand beaches, suitable for walking, fishing, whale and bird watching, relaxing or sunbathing. This stretch of the Pacific ocean, however, is a very dangerous place to swim as rip tides and undertows are common. The only recommended swimming beach - and a nice spot - is Los Cerritos a few miles south of town at km marker 64.
Bird Watching
Boring! But if you like birds, there are plenty of em in the Todos Santos area.
Kayaking
Ocean kayaking can be arranged through either La Sirena or Todos Santos Adventures. Chance to see whales, sea otters, and go snorkling.
Surfing & Surfing Lessons
Todos Santos is well known among serious surfer people. Either of these companies will rent boards and provide lessons:
Cielo Day Spa and Gym
Sir Wanderoff is not sure what really happens inside these mysterious places, but there is one locally in Todos Santos. For those interested in various spa treatments, massages, pedicures etc. we will post a sign-up sheet on our site about a month before the wedding and forward to Cielo.
Book Store & Galleries
There is a good little book store with a large range of books about Baja California; there are also various art galleries to look around in.
Walks
We’ve scheduled various optional walks (historical, mountain, and coast) on Saturday, April 9th for those interested on Saturday, April 9th. See below for details.
You’ve decided to make the most of every second while in Todos Santos. Vacations are no time to rest. Well perfect, because we have organized the following walks. We’ll post specific times for these walks on itcouldhavebeenpalau.com and on the schedules in your hotel rooms. All walks will start at the Hotel California lobby.
Waterfalls Hike
This walk goes through a desert canyon to several different waterfalls tucked into a lush desert oasis. At some times of year you can even see the water disappearing into the sand. A moderate, two-hour walk, with two areas in which some scrambling is involved.
Web: www.tosea.net
Cliff Walk
This is a lovely walk that starts at Punta Lobos, the sweeping Pacific beach where local fishermen launch their boats each morning and bring in their catch. There will be a quick walk up the hill to a sweeping view of dramatic rocky outcroppings, crashing surf, and possibly whales. Throughout the walk there will be a nice combination of desert and landscapes, as the guide offers an in-depth commentary on flora, fauna, and local history.
Web: www.tosea.net
Historical Tour
Todos Santos has a rich history, from the early missionaries, through booming sugar years, through its current incarnation as an artists’ colony and surfing hotspot. On this guided tour you will visit many of the historic homes and buildings throughout town.
Web: www.tosea.net
Restaurant Café Santa Fe
Italian food and fresh fish in a very nice setting. Considered one of the best restaurants in Baja California.
Café Todos Santos
Across from the Todos Santos Inn. Good salads and sandwiches, if a bit pricey.
Carnitas Barajas
On left side of road when you first enter Todos Santos. Order “carnitis sin grasa.” Very local and some of the best eats in town. Closed Tuesdays.
Café Los Adobes
Good eats and a handy internet café.
Miguel’s
Good chile rellenos.
Suki's
Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food – all in Mexico.
Diablo
Thursday nights only. Big scene. Grill-your-own big steaks. If you are going to be in Todos Santos on Thursday, April 7th, then stop by to make a reservation.
We have asked Princess Funfiller’s dad, Lyle, to host a bridge game on Saturday afternoon. He agreed. What follows are his words. Not ours.
Kalish International Bridge Tournament.
Bragging points awarded. This is a game for those than can get along with a partner. Unlike you poker players. All mammals welcome.
Though bridge is a fine game, it’s just not a game they make many movies about. Fortunately, the owner of Hotel California happens to be in possession of an antique poker table given to him by the chief of police. We know enough not to ask questions but we also know enough to see a good opportunity to play on Sunday afternoon for a moderate level stakes game. Meet at the Hotel California at a yet to be determined time. Note also that we encourage other poker games to start more organically over the course of the weekend.
This will be one of the world’s coolest scavenger hunts (we’ve had two others.) Randomly assigned teams will have a limited time to gather as many clues as possible. A few sample clues:
-Anything that is warm and damp
-A can of microbrew
-Weapons of Mass Destruction
-A live farm-raised salmon
-An ex-girlfriend of Butch’s
-A turtle that responds to the name “Okie”
-A sombrero made in China.
Scavenger hunters will gather at the Hotel California at a T.B.D. time.
This should be a very fun evening. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 6 pm followed by dinner at 7. Both will take place at the Hotel California. This will be the best opportunity for jokes, roasts, and groveling praise about the bride and the groom. Dancing will follow. See FAQ for information about what to wear.
The wedding ceremony will be held under the trees by the ocean. A reception with dinner will follow at the same location. It could be chilly, so bring something warm to wear over your wedding apparel such as a sweater (see FAQ for more information.)
Guests have two choices about how to get there. It’s about 5 miles from Todos Santos with the last mile down a good dirt road. If you are planning on getting your money’s worth from the free bar, then you may want to take a van or share a ride. Vans will be departing from the Hotel California that evening. Transportation will be available to take people back to their hotels or the Hotel California after the reception.
Self-driving is also very straight forward. (Black cows are not a problem in the area.) Specific directions will be made available on the Internet and placed in your hotel rooms.
What could be more fun, really, than spending one, two, or three nights on a deserted island with Princess Funfiller and Sir Wanderoff. (Don’t answer that.) Many of you, in fact, will have already spent months with them on a deserted island so you know what you’re getting into. In any case, we will be going camping on a 40-mile long, protected island called Espiritu Santo (actually it was bought by the Walmart Foundation and given to the Mexican government.)
It is a breathtaking place with soaring mountains, crystal clear water, great hiking and snorkling, and interesting kayaking. You can also expect some poker playing, midget tossing, Andrew Lloyd Webber look alike contests, and big-booty, the game. If you don’t come, in fact, you will feel like you did in junior high when all the cool kids were doing something fun while you were left to knock on the girl’s locker room trying to retrieve your whitie-tighties that someone had just tossed in there.
So here are the details: Most aspiring legal partners will leave on Sunday afternoon and the rest of us will make our way to La Paz, about an hour drive from Todos Santos. There we will check into the Hotel Seven - a hip-ish hotel in downtown La Paz with a lovely roof deck. The following morning, Monday, we will board several boats to take us the one hour boat ride to Espiritu Santo. We plan to be dropped off without food or water – just to see what happens. The last one left standing will win $1,000,000. That is just a joke: it works out to only to $500,000 after tax.
In the meantime, we will be camping on a beautiful beach with desert canyons behind us. We’ll have chairs and tables and kayaks and cards and beers and snorkeling gear and each other. There also will be tents available but when we’ve stayed there in the past we’ve slept under the stars (and underwater because we didn’t judge the tide right.)
Princess Funfiller and Sir Wanderoff will be there for all three nights but if you need to leave earlier, each morning a boat will come to drop off ice and take anyone back who needs to catch an afternoon flight to Cabo (best to not schedule your departing flight before 3 pm).
As long as you are coming to Baja, we would love and encourage you to come on this camping trip - when we lived in Baja we went out to this island almost every weekend and would very much like to return there again with you.
Note: If you do decide to go, just let us know so we can reserve rooms at the Hotel Seven and arrange equipment etc.
See below for what to bring camping.
-Walking shoes
-Flip flops or something you can wear in the water, like roller blades.
-Mask & snorkel if you have one, otherwise we can rent them cheap.
-Wet suit, if you have one, other wise we can rent them cheap.
-Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, pitch fork, etc.
-Warm clothes for the evening.
-Flashlight if you have one handy
-Books (to read)
-A sleeping bag (we can also rent sleeping bags if you need one.)
We are also asking that everyone have read and be prepared to discuss, “Varieties of Religious Experience” by William James.
The following will be provided:
Food
Tents
Chairs
Tables
Cookware
Stoves
Courvoisier
Hennessy
Hennessy VSOP
Martell VS Cognac
Remy Martin
VSOP
Amaretto
Amaretto di Saronno
Anisette
Baileys Irish Cream
Banana
Black Haus 80
Blackberry Brandy
Blue Curacao
Butterscotch Schnapps
Chambord
Cointreau
Crème de Cacao (Brown)
Crème de Cacao (White)
Crème de Cassis
Crème de Menthe (Green)
Crème de Menthe (White)
Drambuie
Galliano
Southern Baja is a land of vast desert plains, high mountain springs, and remote canyons to explore. Princess Funfiller and Wanderoff lived in the area for six months and have some “thoughts” about fun things to do beyond the discos of Cabos:
-If you are looking for an interesting city with a lot of local culture and good outdoor stuff, see La Paz info.
Though popular with Mexican tourists and only one hour further up the road from Todos Santos, very few foreigners make it to La Paz. This is where Princess Funfiller and Sir Wanderoff lived so they have lots of recommendations.
Places to Stay
Posada de Las Flores: On the promenade and with a small pool, this is small, pricey, and the nicest place in town to stay.
The Seven Crown Hotel: Modern and hip, great location, roof top bar, good eats. Small but comfortable rooms.
Casa Tuscany: Inexpensive, comfortable, and well-located B&B.
Mexican Inn: We've never stayed here but seems like a nice place.
Places to Eat
Probably the best bet for very authentic local food is The Original Superburro (near the Malecon on Abesolo on the left side – steer clear of the Superburro on the right side as you’re heading into town as it’s a mere imitation) or Rancho Viejo for slightly less authentic but equally good eats. There is a popular ice-cream place near the Hotel 7 that has a tree painted with lots of spots. For lunch, there is a great carnitas stand on Calle Revolucion between Hidalgo and Constitucion. Most important, Café Capri at the end of the malecon where some of our visitors have returned three times a day.
Walking
Fun to people watch along the Malecon (the seaside promenade.) Contact Tours (612-123-2212) can also arrange a day tour of the city to various shops, cathedrals and such. At night there are lots of lively bars and discos; oddly Tuesday is the biggest night in town.
Language Training
La Paz has a very good language training school that can arrange either group or private instruction for varying durations and skills.
Diving
The diving is probably a bit better out of La Paz, especially the dive sites of El Bajo (potentially) for hammerheads and Los Islotes for seals. However, the water can be a bit cold with limited visibility.
Espiritu Santo off of La Paz
Even if you don’t dive, a one day boat trip around the island of Espirutu Santo in La Paz is spectacular. You can expect to snorkel with seals, have lunch on a secluded beach, hike up various canyons or just hang out in the boat. Probably best to arrive the night before and spend the night in La Paz so you can leave early the next morning. Note also, this is the island where the cool kids will go camping after the wedding. (See camping.)
Playa Balandra
About twenty minutes north of La Paz are a series of beaches with the best being Balandra which tends to be the least crowded because there are no facilities or restaurants nearby. Nice for a swim and very scenic. Just ask at a local hotel or restaurant and they can point you in the right direction.
Whale Watching
Although we’ve never done a formal whale watching trip out of La Paz, we’ve seen whales here also. Cortez Club can tell you if there have been whales recently in the area.
Windsurfing
Ventana, about 40 minutes outside of La Paz, has some of the world’s best windsurfing but the season technically ends at the end of March so you might want to come early or call ahead if this is your thing.
This is the original mission in the area and offers lots of high end restaurants, accommodations and shopping in a cool setting. Good for a day trip or a few nights.
Places to Eat
Good restaurants include: Baan Thai- really yummy (you are in Mexico- but…) Upstairs at MORGANS is good, as is The French Bakery for breakfast or the local eatery Taqueria el Fogon for lunch. There are many other places around, all of which seem good.
Places to Stay
We like El Encanto Inn. The suites are much better than the regular rooms and not much more expensive. Ask for a group or local rate and they will usually give you some sort of deal. Although beyond our budget, Casa Natalia is very slick with a nifty pool – worth walking around even if you’re not staying there.
Walking
A pedestrian friendly little place, you can spend a good morning just moseying around.
Beach Stuff
There is a long beach here that we’ve never spent much time on but if you like beaches this one will probably do fine.
Bird Watching (Snoooooooooze)
Watching birds well, seems like watching birds to us but if you are so inclined we hear that both San Jose and Todos Santos have good bird watching. You can walk the various trails through the estuary near San Jose or go on an organized tour with Todos Santos Eco Adventures.
Cabo San Lucas isn’t for everybody but if being hung upside down while being force fed strange green concoctions, testing how many layers of epidermis you can afford to lose, and testing the skills you learned in “Getting to YES” negotiating for that rainbow poncho is your type of fun you really can’t afford to miss it. Cabo is the tourist epicenter of Baja and fits every stereotype you can and can’t dream of. The most famous site is a rock archway called Lover’s Arch which you can see from the road. This is certainly touristy but if you have a day in Cabo it is worth the boat ride (or bananaboat trip) out - you can hire a boat driver to take you from any local beach or marina.
Where to Stay
No idea, really. We imagine Ventana is probably nice but what can’t be nice for over $1,000 a night? There are a few bed & breakfasts near town but nothing we would especially recommend. The Bungalow Breakfast Inn is pleasant enough.
Web: www.cabobungalows.com
Web: www.lasventanas.com
Where to Eat
There are a lot of expensive and very mediocre places to eat in Cabo but for cheap delicious local food go to Michoaono. How to get there: As you are coming into Cabos (from San Jose) on the main street, take a right on the street across from the Puerto Pairaiso fountain on the street named Leona Vicario. Go 5 blocks. The sign will be on the left and says Michoaono and Bienvenidos. Order the “carnitas sin grasa.”
Night “Life”
Cabo is also famous for its night life but if you can’t find a bar in Cabo, then, this book isn’t going to be of much help. Don’t pee on the street.
Fishing
We’re not big deep-sea fisherpeople but the area is famous for its sportsfishing. There are a gazzilion guys who will take you on day trips out of Cabos but serious fishers should head to the East Cape region where the Sea of Cortez meets the open ocean. Rancho Buena Vista is the oldest of the classic fishing camps.
Web: www.ranchobuenovista.com
Diving in Cabos
We’ve never been diving here but understand there is a dive called Submarine Canyon where you can see an underwater waterfall of sand which sounds pretty groovy. We hear that Amigos del Mar is probably the best company to go through, though there are plenty of others to choose from.
Web: www.amigosdelmar.com
Overnight in Loreto
About a four hour drive north of Todos Santos, this is a nice little town that seems to be attracting more and more foreigners. Worth a night here if you have some time but allow five hours for the drive from Todos Santos. See also kayaking below. The best place to stay is Posada de Los Flores – Loreto mostly because they have a glass bottom pool on the roof that looks down into the lobby. Very good restaurant also.
Whale Watching: San Ignacio & Magdalena Bay
This is a bit of a haul from Todos Santos - about 3-4 hours of driving - but apparently well worth the effort. Early April will be the tail end of the humpback breeding season where the whales congregate in dramatic numbers in Laguna San Ignacio or Bahia Magdalena. We’ve never done it but lots of documentaries have been made about the area - including a Imax on the whales of San Ignacio. Baja Expeditions can organize expensive trips or you can just go there and find someone local to take you out, such as Eco Tourismo Kuima 615-154-0070.
Kayaking: Sea of Cortez
There is a very famous kayaking trip that goes from Loreto to La Paz and takes about a week. There are also one day kayaking trips. Two companies can help you. Baja Expeditions has the most experience but is more expensive. Otherwise check with Sea and Adventures.
Hiking Across the Peninsula
The middle of the Baja Penisula inland from Todos Santos is known as La Laguna and is currently under consideration as a World Heritage Site. Interestingly, though the base of the mountains is desert, higher up they get as much rain as Seattle so there are lots of interesting canyons, springs, etc. In theory, you can make the 4-day trip on your own but we hear there are lots of confusing paths so a guide is recommended. You can go from either west to east or east to west.
Diving in the Socorro Islands
These islands are 250 miles south of Cabos and are considered a mini-Galapagos. Though seriously far and expensive to reach, these islands have some of the best diving in the world. Plus April is the best time to go. Only one dive boat goes - the Solmar V but you can expect to ride on the back of manta rays, swim with dolphins, whale sharks, and schooling hammerheads.
We don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse but both Sir “Walk into an air conditioner” Wanderoff and Princess “Swallow a jellyfish” Funfiller have had the pleasure of being treated by several Mexican doctors in several Mexican hospitals, and both had good and (inexpensive) experiences. Here is some info just in case - something goes wrong - which we don’t suspect it will. Or at least not this wrong.
l hospital, doctor, and dentist in Todos
Santos. For all emergencies dial 066.
Go to FAQ for how to dial numbers within Mexico.
Todos Santos
Todos Santos police, fire, Red Cross or Federal Police: 612-145-0365
Dr. Cardena (Doctor)
Office: 14-507-85 or (612) 12-77779
Dr. Brenda (Dentist)
Office: 14-503-18
Pharmacy (24 hours)
Office: 14-50300
Cabo San Lucas
A 24 hour clinic catering to Americans:
624-14-39670
Cabo San Lucas Hospital
624-14-31594
Dr. C. Gonzalez (Doctor)
English spoken. 624-14-20056
Dr. Rosa Elena Pena (Dentist)
English spoken. 624-14-26192
Pharmacy – La Palmas
English spoken. 624-14-69077
US Consulate
624-14-33566
Feel free to contact us with any questions. The following will give you some idea of the type we will expect to field:
You’ve panicked. You don’t know what to do. You hate Mexico. You are not even sure you like Sarah and Alex. Your dress makes your butt look big. You don’t know where the wedding is. You don’t know where Mexico is though you have a pretty good hunch about Canada. You wonder if this wedding is the best time to tell mom you’re gay. You don’t know how to tell Alex the spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy’s is not actually the best value/bite/dollar. Your car hit a black cow. Your car hit a brown cow and you don’t know how to tell the other guys. You’re flummoxed about the phrase “cocktail attire”? You don’t know how many gallons of Pepto Bismal you can bring across the border duty free. Your son speaks better Spanish than you and you’re worried that others will think you actually bought him. You don’t like camping. You are not sure if the bit about snake bite kits was a joke. You’re idea of Spanish is to add an “o” to the end of every word, as in “glue’o”? You were wondering why men have nipples. Upon hearing Alex’s story about receiving stitches after running into an air conditioner unit, you’re wondering if Mexico is dangerous or just makes people stupid. You wonder if the Mexican government really has outlawed yippy little dogs, even the “really cute” ones. Your nanny isn’t legal and is stuck behind a glass wall at the Houston airport. You wonder if it is really true that a goose poops every seven minutes? You’re not sure how many times you can tell the same joke before it’s starts to get funnier from repetition. You’re in San Jose Costa Rica instead of San Jose del Cabo. You wonder if Todos Santos actually means “Land of Many Mexicans.” Not to fear because we have the answer. Or an answer. To someone’s question somewhere.
Our contact details follow:
Wedding Web Site: www.itcouldhavebeenpalau.com
Sarah Kalish, Rev.
sarah_kalish@hotmail.com
Alex Sheshunoff, D.D.S.
sheshunoff@yahoo.com
Sue & Lyle Kalish
8641 Nottingham Place
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-452-2316
lylekalish@hotmail.com
Gabrielle de Kuyper
901 West 9th St, #902
Austin, TX 78703
512-703-1516
gsheshunoff@ashesh.com
Alex Sheshunoff Sr.
512-633-1737
637 Pere Antoine Aly
New Orleans, LA 70116
alex@ashesh.com
