New Year's in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a tourist town sprung up in the middle of the desert without much Mexican feel. It does have excellent sun and sea and plenty of family activities. My favorite of all the water sports is the snorkel trip on the Del Gato catamaran. Jet skis are jet skis anywhere, but I love floating among the tropical fish.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

On all trips, I have been in a party that has had several rental cars. This is convenient for going to the grocery store or to restaurants out of town, but not really necessary for staying at the Villa del Palmar. A car service to and from the airport and taxis for the rest would be fine.

Best Things Nearby:
Villa del Palmar is near to Cabo, only a short taxi ride or a long walk on the beach.

Best Things About the Resort:
It is family-friendly, with multiple pools and activities all day long. It has beautiful views of Land's End (though not El Arco) and a great spa.

Resort Experience:
I am fortunate to be the guest of owners when we visit Cabo San Lucas. The location is close to town, within walking distance if you are ambitious, but away from the traffic and late-night bar scene.

Everything at the resort is pretty expensive, especially the restaurant. I almost never eat there. The spa has typical American prices for a wide range of treatments.

The beds are unbelievably hard. When you arrive, ask for a pad for the bed. Or two. I never have trouble sleeping, but these things are like stone.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

The Office has their "Mexican Show" a couple of nights a week. The entertainment is very audience-involved: dance contest, a piñata for the children, couple’s contests, and balloon hats for everyone. One year I won a bottle of champagne in the dance contest, which was the last thing I needed, considering how much tequila it took to get me on stage.

The food is pretty good -- typical for the area.

Todos Santos is an hour or so by car north of Cabo San Lucas. The drive during the day is not bad, but it can be frightening at night due to cattle on the road and Mexican truck drivers. I love the trip, but I won't be the driver.

The town is small, low-key, and known for its art galleries. Allow a couple hours, at least, for shopping. Every trip I have found wonderful ceramic pieces by a local artist. They are beautiful and affordable. The town also has clothing boutiques and shops with the usual trinkets and tourist T-shirts.

Eat at the Cafe Santa Fe, which is a little expensive but worth it. The octopus salad is out of this world. The food is fresh, much of it from the garden behind the restaurant.