In our recent tour of Los Cabos, Mexico, we had a chance to explore all our luxurious vacation rentals in the area. One of the most unforgettable properties, was the Los Cabos White House.

Not only did we received a VIP tour, but we were one of the first to experience a brand new welcome ceremony that will be offered to all future Exotic Estates guests' in this home.

Our trip out this Los Cabos Vacation Villa was different in that it’s truly in a quiet and private-feeling location. Los Cabos White House rests beachfront in El Encanto De La Laguna, an exclusive and high-end community just northeast of San Jose Del Cabo.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a dapper and friendly staff, along with ice-cold, homemade margaritas. The air was filled with delightful Mexican tunes and we washed off the day with cool hand towels.

Although the home looks great in photos, it is quite a different experience to see the vastness and attention to detail in person. The layout is expansive and open, allowing guests to see almost every room from the courtyard, along with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.

All 10,000 square feet of this home has been carefully tended to, making sure it’s perfect for your vacation. While standing in the gorgeous courtyard, you can take in the sparkling pools (one for cooling of your feet and another for swimming) and the spa Jacuzzi. Imagine how you will use the space, whether it’s for an overdue family reunion or your dream wedding or birthday party. You can even band together a group of close friends and families for a multi-family vacation!

With the ability to comfortable accommodate up to 15 guests, each of the six guest suites features beautiful furnishings, a private bathroom, and space on the balcony to enjoy the stunning ocean views.  Each room is also stocked with L’Occitane products and offers floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can be captivated with your surroundings whether you are lying in bed or lounging on the comfortable furniture.

Whatever you need during your stay at Los Cabos White House, it will be taken care of by the onsite professional staff that includes a house manager and private concierge, a gourmet chef, private waiters, a local masseuse, and daily housekeeping.

The team at Los Cabos White house is not typical of most homes in Los Cabos. Each staff member lives locally and is a part of the Los Cabos White House Family. There are only five villas in Los Cabos that offer full-service in-house Butlers and the Los Cabos White House is one of them.

As the sun was setting, our team sat with Los Cabos White Houses' owner, Doug. He treated us to his famous appetizers and for dinner we were delighted with steak and lobster, along with delicious red-wine. The chocolate soufflé dessert was one of the best we have ever tasted! The local Chef is so good, even high-profile sports stars are blogging about the cuisine offered.

The staff has been working with the owner since the home's inception and are there to make your vacation a breeze. The in-villa Butler is available for you daily from 2:00-10:00 PM and you will also be provided a gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner Chef. Truly attentive, each staff member is available to help you enjoy your retreat at this truly one-of-a-kind Cabo villa.

Also, included in your rate at Los Cabos Villa experience is a round-trip airport transfer, access to the in-villa spa and in-villa concierge services. 

The Los Cabos White house features a tremendous value for what is offered, all in a world-class setting. Contact an Exotic Estates Villa Specialist today and book your escape to Mexico at this luxurious villa!

While San Jose del Cabo has a historic center with a grand plaza and mission church, Cabo San Lucas has its marina. All roads lead to the marina in Cabo, and the daily parade of boats going into and out of the harbor a testament to the ongoing popularity of sport fishing here.

On a recent trip to Cabo to inspect homes and experience some of the local sites and attractions, we went on a team fishing trip. This was the first time for many of us and we’re excited to share what we learned on our trip!

Hiring a Boat in Cabo San Lucas

The first thing you need to do is arrange for a boat to take you and your party out for the day. There are many charter companies operating out of Cabo San Lucas. We chose to work with Pisces, which has an established name and large fleet; we rented a 31 ft. boat called the Rebecca. The boats have bathrooms and a table for indoor eating if needed.

Pricing for a Private Sport Fishing Charter

This is where things can get confusing and downright murky. The price of our charter covered up to six people and included a very basic lunch and beverages, including water and cold beer.

There are lots of little extras that come up in the discussion that can make it feel like you’re being nickel and dimed, but we understand that it’s all quite normal. Here’s what we mean.

When you get your price, you will also have to figure in the cost of the following:

Fishing Licenses – the cost per person is $16, with 16% sale tax; minors under 18 do not need a license. This is paid at the dock.

Docking Fee – there’s a docking fee of $100 that you need to pay at the marina.

Tips – the tips for your crew are not included in your fee. You can add an additional 10 – 20% on the cost of the charter.

In sum, we paid around $1,000 for our fishing charter.

Trip Duration

The day starts early, very early. You are to be at the dock for a 6:30 a.m. departure, where you will pay for your fishing licenses and be introduced to your crew.

They have coffee and some snacks available for the anglers for free, so you can fuel up before you board your boat. There was also a vendor selling breakfast items outside of the dock area, which looked and smelled pretty good!

The entire trip lasts from roughly 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

What Happens Once on the Boat

Once on board and acquainted with your crew (we had a pilot and a deckhand) you’ll depart the dock and join the flotilla making of boats making its way out into the open waters.

On the way out of the harbor, you may stop for live bait, like we did, and then continue on your way out into fishing zones offshore. You’ll get to experience the beauty of the sunrise on the water, as you power out to the fishing sites.

What You’ll Catch

The waters here are loaded with good-eating fish. We wanted mahi mahi, known here as dolphin fish. But there are plenty of game fish in the water, including wahoo, tuna, snapper and area’s famed sailfish.

There are limits on the number of fish you can catch, and it is very popular to catch and release billfish. Someone in our group caught a marlin and we released it back into the waters to swim another day.

Where You Go to Catch Fish

We wanted mahi mahi, so we stuck fairly close to the shore along the Pacific side of the peninsula. We caught a total of five mahi mahi, each of which weighed about 12 lbs. We did go out a bit further off shore once we had our fish, and that was where we hooked our marlin - smallish at around 60 lbs.

To catch the big game fish, you’ll need to go further out to sea. We were told that you will travel up to 20 miles out to hunt for the big ones. The winning anglers in the Bisbee tournament that wrapped up when we were there caught a 583 lb. blue marlin, taking over $206,000 in prize money.

What It’s Like to Catch Game Fish

Hooking a fish is a rush. There’s a current of excitement in the boat as the deck hands set you up to haul in your catch. Then, it’s just a matter of strength and patience. The fish we brought in were only around 12 – 15 lbs. and they were quite strong. The entire process of reeling them in took about 20 minutes once the fish was on the line.

You only keep fish that you plan to eat or take home, otherwise all fish should be released.

How Do You Take Fish Home

The fishing charter company will likely fillet your fish for you and/or pack them up in ice if you wish. If you want them to pack the fish and get them ready for transport home, they will take a day to prep. We had ours filleted and separated into five bags, which we brought home and froze ourselves.

Raising of the Flags and Other Fun Facts

You will notice flags on boats returning to the harbor that show which fish were caught and the quantity. You will notice that we have a marlin flag, with a “T” flag below it, signifying for “tag and release.”

Also, because the harbor is so busy, and there is so much fish coming in and out of the wharf, there are some colorful characters who make the best of out of a fishy situation. Namely, there is a seal who likes to jump onto the rear of boats and take any bait or other fishy snacks available, and, once of the dock, there are a few pushy pelicans who will boldly hop onto your boat and steal bait fish!

Flying Fish Home

You’ll need to check with your airline about the rules for bringing home fish. However, the general guideline is that it will need to be frozen and packed in a leak-free cooler, and then checked as baggage. I was able to pack my portion into a watertight, soft cooler and then seal it in my checked bag.

What Else to Bring

If you tend to get seasick, beware, the water can be rough. Bring the usual things you need for the beach, like sunblock and towels, and any particular snack that your group prefers. You will have plenty of water, beer and a basic lunch pack provided.

Get out there and catch dinner when you’re down in Cabo – it will probably be the most delicious fish you ever eat. And don't forget to pick the perfect Exotic Estates Cabo Villa for your group!

We all love classic Mexican cuisine. Tacos and other staples are amazing in Cabo and a must. However, it would be shame for any self-described foodie, to go to Cabo and try our Flora Farms.

it's just around 20 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, and worth definitely worth the trip and splurge. When we were in Cabo conduction villa inspections, we made a group out to Flora Farms experience what everyone said was the best place in town. What we found was a beautiful farm, a charming restaurant and locally made artisanal crafts displayed with a rustic style known to chic towns like Malibu or Santa Barbara. 

Flora Farms is an organic farm located in the hillsides of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains and has been farming without the use of pesticides or GMO’s for over ten years. Using the fertile grounds alongside the Sea of Cortez, Flora Farms practices a growing season that corresponds with the local high season and the need for exported produce in the surrounding area. 

Once you arrive, you will notice the colorful array of fresh and local crops that surround a warm and inviting compound of small boutiques, coffee and wine bars, and an outdoor dining area and kitchen.  When you schedule your reservations, be sure to catch one of the daily farm tours, where you will get a private tour of the seasonal fruits and veggies that will later adorn your plate.  Don’t worry if you miss the tours, as you are free to walk around the property and enjoy the gardens on your own, which are well labeled for your enjoyment. 

The staff at Flora Farms works largely by hand, only turning the soil minimally and sometimes not at all. The cultivation of the crops comes from weeding by hand, instead of using layers of compost and mulch. During your tour, you will see deliciously fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and over 100 varieties of vegetables and herbs. 

Flora Farms also has a ranch to supply the field kitchen, featuring humanely raised chicken, eggs, pork, and beef.  All of the animal feed is free of hormones and antibiotics and at Flora Farms, you can trust that the protein on your plate lived a happy life on the nearby 150-acre ranch.  

 After your farm tour, take a look around in the boutique shop featuring colorful artwork, various gifts, and fine jewelry that is all locally made. Peek into the soap shop where you can smell the fresh herbs of the farm in various bath and body goods! Then, head over to the coffee and wine bar where you can sip on one of many delicious local wines or an espresso. Walk down the spiral staircase to the wine cellar and spend time with your guests, and your beverage, surrounded by the finest reds and whites of Mexico!

As we sat down for dinner, we read over the menu, which is filled with healthy meals crafted from farm fresh ingredients. A true celebration of the day’s harvest, you will be pleasantly surprised by the diverse and imaginative items on the menu. 

You may catch a breath of bread-filled air, as the staff at Flora Farms arrives early to bake the fresh baguettes, ciabatta, sourdough, and focaccia bread. Dip one of these into the homemade herb butter and you will have to force yourself to stop before your meal comes!

For the main course, choose between a house-made pizza, one of many delicious meat and vegetable plates, homemade pasta dishes, and plenty of vegetarian options. A note the pizza; a tough-to-please Italian team member ordered the marinara pizza, which is a true test of pizza-making skills and gave the pie the thumbs up!

Your evening libations are just as fresh, using a range of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for infusion. Try the famous heirloom carrot Farmarita, or we recommend the homemade sangria. 

Just as often as Flora Farms serves fresh local food to its guests, it also finds ways to improve synergies between the farm, ranch, restaurant and the market. Recently, they realized that their chickens love to munch on old flowers from the garden and that the pigs will devour the vegetable trimmings. This is just another way Flora Farms is helping to define the organic dining experience in Cabo.

Don’t just take our word for it, treat your guests to the colorful local cuisine of San Jose Del Cabo. If you want to plan a night at this magical place, make reservations at Flora Farms today as soon as you have your dates to ensure that they can accommodate you on your preferred night!

All photos by John Di Rienzo