CLUB'S BLOG
This beautiful region, the southernmost point of the Baja California peninsula, has been an attractive destination in Mexico for many years. In contemporary times, the local municipality has been developing its hotel and tourism infrastructure with outstanding results for more than half a century. That’s why we would like you to bear witness to the greatness of Los Cabos, to tour and enjoy the diverse ecosystems of the area, from Cabo San Lucas and Miraflores to Santiago and La Ribera, without forgetting the historic center of San Jose del Cabo; to travel through your imagination and these little pieces of history, immersing yourself in the images and falling in love once again with the essence of this land.
A significant event in April that impacted Baja California Sur was the establishment of the municipality of Los Cabos. On April 11, 1981, the Mexican government declared Los Cabos as a separate municipality, separating it from the municipality of La Paz. This decision was important for the region as it allowed for more localized governance and development initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the area.
Los Cabos is an enigmatic land of sublime beaches, lonely deserts, mountain ranges that dominate the landscape, marvelous oases, and the warmest people. San José del Cabo, the municipal seat, is a thriving city full of heritage, beauty, culture, and historic sites that tell the stories of its past.
In the northern part of the territory, the town of Santiago was the starting point of Christian evangelization in the Cape region, and now it is the gateway to the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, a place that offers stunning natural landscapes.
Miraflores preserves the local culture and traditions through the practice of the oldest trades in the territory; a place where the first monument dedicated to mothers in all of Mexico was built.
La Ribera, a fishing community in the process of becoming a tourist destination, is a village that works constantly to improve the well-being of its people, many of whom have been able to defend and protect Cabo Pulmo, the oldest coral reef in the American Pacific. In April 1973, the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park was established and is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its rich marine biodiversity. The establishment of the park was a significant positive step in the conservation of the region's marine ecosystem, providing protection for marine life and promoting sustainable tourism. These events in April have had a lasting positive impact on Baja California Sur, contributing to its development, conservation efforts, and recognition as a tourist destination.
Cabo California, known today as Cabo San Lucas, was originally a fishing town. Nowadays it’s a trend-setting destination known throughout the world. Without a doubt, Los Cabos is a wonderful mix of the native and the modern. A prosperous land where biodiverse oases, along with strong and calm seas, meet the majestic desert and the pride of the ranch's legacy to become an international destination. It is a perfect setting, full of unparalleled experiences and unique stories, bound to amaze the world for many years to come.
Going back in time, the largest commercial sea route in Mexico began in 1565 with the Manila Galleon. A passage from Acapulco to the Philippines was part of the journey. To load enough water, the galleons would stop in the area of the Estero in San José del Cabo, formerly known as Añuití by the Pericú tribe. Later on, the sailors of the Manila Galleon decided to call it Aguada Segura or Bahia de San Bernabé.
Over time, the route’s operation demanded the establishment of a permanent settlement at the tip of the peninsula, mainly to provide supplies and protection against pirate attacks. However, all attempts to colonize California failed, and it wasn’t until 1697 that the efforts succeeded with the founding of the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto by the Society of Jesus. Due to the lack of resources and the geographical conditions of the peninsula, the original purpose of establishing a fixed support site for the Manila Galleon wasn’t achieved until April 8, 1730, with the founding of the Mission of San José del Cabo, built under the direction of Jesuit Fathers Nicolás Tamaral and José de Echeverría.
The mission managed to make progress in the first few years. Nevertheless, the cultural impositions of civilization and evangelization generated great discontent among the indigenous Pericú people. Consequently, in 1734, an armed rebellion was unleashed and parish priests Nicolás Tamaral, of the San José del Cabo Mission, and Lorenzo Carranco, of the Santiago Mission, were killed. As soon as it was possible, there was an attempt to recover the missions. However, the sovereignty of New Spain would not be re-established until 1737.
As part of the Bourbon Reforms, members of the Society of Jesus were expelled from all the territories of the Spanish empire in 1767. It was then that Franciscan Father Juan Morán took charge of the Mission of San José del Cabo. In 1768, Visitor José de Galvez introduced the concept of private property in the south of former California through the disposition of two decrees that awarded the land adjacent to San José del Cabo to natives, as well as Spanish and mestizo settlers.
We will continue with the incredibly rich cultural and historical background of this beautiful destination in our upcoming newsletters. Stay tuned!