Thanks!
—Doug

Nikki Goth Itoi: Baja is very safe and fun, especially for kids who like the water. Cabo Pulmo on the East Cape is one of my favorite family friendly destinations—on a shallow bay, with opportunities to snorkel right offshore. You stay in cabanas or bungalows that have kitchens and walk to and from the beach. There are only a few restaurants in the village, so it's very quiet at night. Overall a great place to bring kids and parents who love the outdoors.

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St. Helena, Calif.: I want to take my sons to Baja, but I don't like to stay in big resorts. I'd rather be in smaller surf-side or bay-side locations, with more of a feel of Mexico. When traveling to Baja with young children, how best can I prepare for their food needs and avoid any illness? Only bottled water? Even for teeth brushing? No raw fruit or veggies? What American-level health services, if any, are readily available in the bigger towns? Any places you recommend avoiding with kids?

Nikki Goth Itoi: The best way to guarantee food safety is to rent a place with a kitchen and prepare meals yourself—if you fly into San Jose del Cabo you can shop at large, modern supermarkets, choose the ingredients you like (Mexican or American brands) and then drive to a more remote location. Bottled water is always a good idea, just be sure you don't buy the flavored kind for teeth-brushing! San Jose del Cabo and La Paz both have modern medical facilities, and there are professionally staffed medical clinics in many towns along the peninsula.

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Miami, Fla.: Hi, Nikki. How easy is it to travel from Miami to Cabo? Is it worth going all the way to the west coast of Mexico from Florida? What are the benefits over gulf coast locations?

Nikki Goth Itoi: The Caribbean coast is certainly much closer to you; however, the desert/tropical scenery of Baja is unique and very different from the lush jungle of the Mayan Riviera. If you're looking for a resort experience, the mainland of Mexico probably makes sense, but if you want a more remote destination with access to a host of water sports, plus cultural opportunities, I think it's well worth the longer flight. My guess is you'd probably connect in Dallas or Houston and then continue on to San Jose del Cabo. Connecting in Mexico City may also be an option.

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St. Helela, Calif.: Hi, Nikki. Where are the best begginer/intermediate surf beaches in Baja? What about boogie-board beaches for small children? Gracias! Doug

Nikki Goth Itoi: Playa Los Cerritos, south of Todos Santos is a great spot for both. You can stay on the beach in Pescadero, or in the town of Todos Santos 10 minute away. Along the Los Cabos corridor, there's a break called Old Man's, next to a famous spot called Zippers. Lots of condos along the beach —Mykonos, El Zalate, Sampaguita, etc. Or you can stay at the Cabo Surf Hotel and walk across the beach. Lots of longboarders in the water. up north, Las Gaviotas near Ensenada is known to be good for intermediates, though the water will be much colder.

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Santa Monica, Calif.: Is there a section of Cabo that would appeal to someone who appreciates local flavor and wants to avoid anything commercial? What area of the city would this be?

Nikki Goth Itoi: Cabo San Lucas has a local scene for sure, but you have to push your way through the tourist traps to find it. In general, the farther you get from the marina, the more authentic the town becomes. Try the taquerias along Calle Morelos for good eats. You might also consider staying in San Jose del Cabo, where there are more options for a less tourist-oriented travel experience.

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San Francisco, Calif.: I'm leaving for Cabo San Lucas on 11-26 and want to know about whale watching excursions. I love sailing on a catamaran and wonder if you can recommend a particular company. What is there to do in San Jose?

Nikki Goth Itoi: You've picked a fantastic time of year to be heading to Los Cabos, but you're likely going to be a little early for the peak whale-watching season. Pez Gato runs sunset cruises, snorkeling, and other tours on three catamarans, but the whale-watching tours don't start until January.

San Jose del Cabo has lots to offer for a day-trip from Cabo San Luas: There is an attractive central plaza with shops and cafes all around it, a historic church, contemporary art galleries, and a number of fine restaurants specializing in "alta cocina Mexicana," or authentic Mexican cuisine. Well worth a visit if you'd like to take in some culture in addition to the beaches and water sports.

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McLean, Va.: We want to go to Mexico, primarily to see—and possibly purchase—the art and silver jewelry. We also like colonial architecture and the music. Where would you recommend we visit?

Nikki Goth Itoi: The best place in Baja for a colonial Mexican experience would be La Paz; the silver jewelry all comes from the mainland, but you can find a nice selection in the shops here, as well as in San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of the peninsula. San Jose and Todos Santos on the Pacific coast also have thriving contemporary art scenes, including both Mexican and American artists. For something more traditional, you may want to consider a trip to the mainland cities of Guadalajara or Oaxaca.

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Cincinnati, Ohio: I am traveling to Cabo San Lucas on Jan. 23, 2008 with my wife and another couple for 5 days. I would like some recommendations on transportation from the airport (SJD) to the Villa del Arco Resort.

Thanks,
Ken

Nikki Goth Itoi: The new Villas del Arco resort is centrally located on Playa El Medano, and you have several options for transportation from the airport: The most economical would be a shared van (colectivo) for about US$15 per person. A private taxi for just your party would run US$70 to Cabo San Lucas. Either of these can be arranged once as you exit the terminal. If you think you are going to want your own transportation while in the area, you could rent a car at the airport from any of the major international chains. Be aware, however, that when you factor in the cost of mandatory Mexican auto insurance, the daily rate will end up being close to double the quote you get from the rental car agency.

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San Luis Obispo, Calif.: Hi! We're headed to Cabo on April 16th, 2008 and leaving the 21st. We will have 6 adults (4 in their twenties and 2 in their 50's) and we need advice on renting a condo or a bit more eclectic hut on the beach or ??? Thanks so much for your help.

Best Regards,
Linda

Nikki Goth Itoi: Cabo Getaways offers a variety of upscale villas for rent, though I think prices tend to be high around the "Semana Santa" (Easter holidays) in Mexico. For something more affordable, you might look into one of several condo complexes along Playa California just outside the town of San Jose del Cabo. Mykonos, El Zalate, Sampaguita are some of the names. Owners and agents often post their rentals on Vacation Rental by Owner. For something more eclectic, look into rentals in Todos Santos—places north of town in an area called "El Otro Lado" (the other side) are closer to the beach than places right in the town center. The East Cape is another option for getting off the beaten path: Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes are two of the villages that have vacation rentals.

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York, S.C.: How safe is Cabo, Mexico's resort areas? We are going there next week.

Nikki Goth Itoi: The Cabo area is very safe for foreign travelers. The main concern is petty theft, which happens anywhere—and you can generally avoid if you use common sense: keep your belongings under close watch and use the safe in your hotel room for valuables. If you are driving, pay attention when fueling up at the PEMEX gas stations, as some attendants do attempt to give you incorrect change.

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Spokane, Wash.: Hi, Does the Cabo area have any swimmable, gentle wave sandy beaches like Puerto Vallarta, and is it safe for a woman traveling solo? Thank you.

Nikki Goth Itoi: The Los Cabos corridor has several swimmable beaches: Playa El Medano is the closest to town and most crowded; Playa El Chilena and Playa Santa Maria are more remote and offer snorkeling, but you need to drive or cab to get to them. Playa California close to San Jose del Cabo can be swimmable at times when bug surf swells aren't rolling in. And if you head north along the Pacific coast, you'll come to Playa Los Cerritos, also great for swimming and boogie boarding. I would feel comfortable traveling solo in this area—just follow the same precautions as I would advise couples or families—no driving after dark outside of the immediate Los Cabos corridor (cattle in the road, cars with no headlights, unmarked ditches, etc.) And be aware of your surroundings to prevent petty theft in the more crowded tourist areas such as downtown Cabo San Lucas.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Hi, Nikki. Kind of a combined question: My friends and I love to scuba dive/snorkel, and are thinking of renting a house in Baja sometime next year for a week. What do you think the best place would be where we're near the water and scuba facilities but still not in the middle of some big tourist destination? We're all 30-somethings, by the way. Also, are there any beers are spirits that are manufactured in Baja? I like to sample the local stuff whenever possible.

Thanks!
—Josh

Nikki Goth Itoi: There are four main areas for scuba diving in southern Baja:

1. Cabo San Lucas: short boat rides and intersting underwater terrain (in one dive, you can literally swim from the Sea of Cortez into the Pacific Ocean under water) but a more crowded harbor—you hear the boat traffic overhead the whole time. I'd rule this one out since you don't want a major resort scene.

2. La Paz: The islands offshore from the capital city of Baja Sur are a magical place—great for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and even camping if you want to rough it for a night or two. The diving is some of the most excisting underwater terrain I've experienced—strong currents in the open sea bring hammerhead sharks to school around the seamounts, giant mantas come gliding by overhead; closer to shore are sea lion colonies, a neat rock formation called El Catedral (the cathedral), and even a wreck or two. The boat rides are long, but you could do liveaboard for a few days with Baja Diving and Service, and then add a few days before and after to explore the city scene. Or you could do a few day trips and enjoy the city scene each evening, provided you aren't too tired! This would be my recommendation for your group.

3. Cabo Pulmo: Much quieter scene, drift diving along a gorgeous coral reef, shorter boat rides, affordable accommodations in beachfront casitas, not much in the way of nightlife, however.

4. Loreto: More islands to explore, a much smaller town than la Paz, but similar kind of dive trip in which you'd stay in town and take day trips out to the islands. The beach here is not white sand though, but in exchange you get easy access to the mission at San Javier for a little inland culture.

As for spirits, Tecate is the local brew, made in northern Baja. The northern Baja wine country in the Valle de Guadalupe near Ensenada also produces a number of world-class wines. Tequila is of course the most popular liquor, though it all comes from Guadalajara on the mainland. You might seek out a locally made spirit called damiana, sometimes used to make a "Baja margarita."

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Lima, Ohio: I will be traveling to Cabo on February 6 staying at the Rio Cabo San Lucas. What is my best way to transfer to the hotel? What is the best fiesta in Cabo?

Nikki Goth Itoi: If you plan to stay mostly at or near the the resort, then a shared van (colectivo) would be the least expensive option, unless the resort offers it's own shuttle. Otherwise, a taxi will run about US$70 one way. I'm not sure what you mean by the best fiesta in Cabo, but there are infinite opportunities for entertainment and nightlife—from cantinas and wine bars to all-night dance clubs, as well an annual festivals that take place throughout the year. February is peak time for whale-watching, so there may be some kind of local event to celebrate the occasion.

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Mokena, Ill.: What are the must-see things to do in the Cabo area? Should we rent a car to do them?

Nikki Goth Itoi: This is difficult to answer without knowing a little more about your travel preferences, but a few of my top picks would include the glass-bottom boat tour from the Cabo San Lucas harbor out to Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) and the arch at Land's End, where you can see the Sea of Cortez on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the beach. Snorkeling at Playa Santa Maria along the corridor is quite good—you would need to drive or cab from wherever you stay in the area. I would also check out the downtown area of San Jose del Cabo around Plaza Mijares for shopping and absorbing a little culture. Nearby is a freshwater lagoon great for bird-watching.

These sites would require transportation—if you'd rather not rent a car, you could take a taxi or public bus between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas.

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Coralville, Iowa: My husband and I are traveling to Mazatlan on Nov. 23, 2007 from LAX with our 2 small children ages 9 months and 5 years. We are looking for fun family friendly activities and tips. We enjoy traveling with our children but always look for ways to make it fun and stress free. Also, someone suggested that we take a boat to a nearby "island" for just $12/person. Does such a boat exist and is it safe? Thank you!

Nikki Goth Itoi: Hi, I've been to Mazatlan once before but don't know as much about the options there, as my travel writing focus is really on the Baja California peninsula. I'd suggest that you check out Bruce Whipperman's recently updated guide, Moon Pacific Mexico for details. I've met him in person recently and he is truly the authority on this part of Mexico.

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Stanardsville, Va.: 6 of us will be taking an NCL cruise to the Mexican Riviera Feb. 28 for 8 days. How concerned should we be with the rise in violence against Americans in Mexico that has recently made national news?

Nikki Goth Itoi: Although the Mayan Riviera is not my area of expertise, I was just there last month for five days and didn't feel in any way unsafe. As with any international destination, it's good to remember that you are a visitor, and to take common sense travel precautions.

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Enid, Okla.: I would like a guided tour of Mexico city and the Mayan Ruins. Is this possible? —Dr. Paul

Nikki Goth Itoi: There are many options for this type of tour—but since I am more familiar with the coastal parts of Mexico, I would refer you to the Moon Mexico City handbook for details.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: Can you recommend some Spanish language schools and/or volunteer opportunities in the Yucatan Peninsula?

Nikki Goth Itoi: There are numerous options for this type of trip - but since I am more familiar with the Pacific coasts of Mexico, I would refer you to Moon Cancun & Cozumel or Moon Yucatan handbooks for recommendations.

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Nikki Goth Itoi: Thanks for all of your Baja travel questions today. I hope I've provided some insight that will help you plan a fun-filled trip. You can find more recommended travel strategies, plus reviews of hotels, restaurants, and outfitters, in the new editions of the Moon Baja and Moon Cabo guidebooks, available in major bookstores around the country. Adios!