Why Cabo is Perfect Place to Celebrate Valentine’s

Valentine's Day, February 14, originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. Through the centuries, Valentine’s Day has come to be recognized as a celebration of love and romance. From an intimate romantic dinner to an exciting outdoor activity, here are a few ways for couples to celebrate amor in Los Cabos.

What says Valentine’s Day more than hearts? Pueblo Bonito Resorts’ gift shops carry beautiful glass hearts, hand-blown in an array of colors (including fire engine red), that make perfect gifts. There’s a unique win-win recycling initiative behind these iconic symbols. Guests at Pueblo Bonito’s hotels recycle bottles by the ton. Israel Battista, a third-generation artisan who runs the nearby San Miguel Blown Glass Factory, collects up to two tons of empties from the resorts each month and transports them to his factory. Each bottle is cleaned, crushed and melted in special ovens. Glass blowers dip long hollow tubes into the molten glass and blow bubbles. Battista and his artisans then shape the melted glass into fish, vases--and most especially ornamental hearts.

The sultry air, the shining sun, the hypnotic sound of waves breaking on shore--beaches are perfect for romance. Medano Beach, the popular Cabo San Lucas town beach washed by calm waters, is a great place to check in with one of the many outfitters along the strand to pursue your favorite water sport. Among the rentals available are kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Paddling a kayak or paddleboard to Lover’s Beach, a sheltered hideaway situated at the base of the towering rock formations near Land’s End, is not only a good core work-out. For active couples, Lover’s Beach is the most perfect beach of all on Valentine’s Day. Just stay on the calm side of the bay. Divorce Beach, on the Pacific side, is to be avoided.

The perfect place for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner? Hands-down, it’s LaFrida, where gourmet dining is available at Sunset Beach’s signature restaurant. The beautiful candlelit room is dedicated to famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, with reproductions of her vivid paintings on the walls. This elegant salon serves classic, yet inventive Mexican cuisine inspired by recipes from culinary hotspots like Oaxaca. Many of the dishes can be paired with the restaurant’s superb collection of award-winning Mexican wines. Save room for dessert and an after-dinner cordial. LaFrida also has an outdoor terrace with panoramic ocean views. Bring your

phone or camera to dinner: LaFrida’s attentive staff is expert at capturing special moments for couples!

Valentine’s Day is closely associated with chocolate. Something about sweets for the sweet. Make a beeline for El Chocolate, a signature outpost that artfully displays the finest-quality chocolates, truffles and other confections at The Market at Quivira in Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. In ancient times, high-quality Mexican chocolate was reserved for the nobility. Mexico, in fact, is known as the place of origin for cacao, a fruit that contains the seeds from which chocolate is made. Headed by renowned Mexico City chocolatier José Ramón Castillo, El Chocolate displays an array of exquisitely made, vibrantly colored artisanal treats in a variety of flavors. Combining 100% Mexican cacao derived principally from Tabasco and Chiapas, these delectable treats are edible art. One bite will confirm their superior quality. They make a perfect gift for that special Valentine.