Blog | Friday, August 14, 2020
Quarantines and lockdowns have taken a toll on the travel industry, but travelers are tired of being grounded. A new study shows travelers are feeling more confident about flying and staying in hotels, according to Hotel Business.
Some surveys actually suggest that travelers are planning more trips despite COVID. Research shows 65% of Americans were planning to increase the number of trips they had planned because they’ve been cooped up for too long, says NY Post.
People are willing to travel, but with COVID cases still climbing in many parts of the world, travelers are taking more precautions. Aside from wearing a mask and washing their hands, travelers are trying to visit less-crowded locations.
While Cabo is known to draw crowds, there are plenty of places on the outskirts of the area that are both amazing and quiet.
Cabo has a pretty active golf scene. There are more than a dozen champion golf courses on the southern tip of Baja. But, there’s a recently-built course tucked inside a luxury resort east of Cabo. Inside the Costa Palmas Golf Club, travelers will find a pristine, 18-hole golf course featuring desert and ocean views with plenty of space to social distance.
This walkable links-style course is great for a day-trip or you can plan to play the first six holes for a shorter visit.
Stop by Bouchie’s for a cool treat or a cocktail before you go.
The crowded, over-priced boutiques in Cabo aren’t the only places to shop. Instead, head out to a small beach town, Los Barriles. This quaint town encompasses all that is Old Baja. With its picture-perfect scenery and laid-back atmosphere, every traveler feels like a local in this town.
In the city’s “downtown,” you’ll find a series of shops, boutiques, mom-and-pop restaurants, and galleries. Swing into Charlie’s Chocolates for a sweet treat, browse the unique work hanging in the Casa Dahlia Fine Art Gallery, have a bite to eat at Buzzard’s Bar and Grill, and try Baja’s best tequila at Los Barriles de Don Malaquias.
When anglers want an amazing trip, they head to Baja. The Sea of Cortez is home to an estimated 892 species of fish, many of which offer a heart-pounding thrill when they grab the line.
Most anglers go to Cabo where the majority of fishing tours are located, but if you travel just a few mile east, you can find fishing tours without the crowds. East Cape is the quieter, younger sister of Cabo. Here, travelers can still sail across the sapphire water and catch a marlin, sailfish, or a coveted roosterfish, but the tours are smaller and more personalized.
Consider booking a tour through the Four Seasons Resort located in East Cape.
Cabo’s beach scene is notoriously busy. Everyone from college students to A-list celebrities flock to the beaches on the southern tip of Baja’s peninsula. However, there are plenty of secluded beaches in the area too.
It won’t be hard to maintain social distance on East Cape beaches, for example. Just outside of Cabo, off a stretch of dirt roads is a long strip of beach that few people visit. The drive is one of the most scenic drives in the area, but the road can be rough in areas so be prepared.
You’ll be rewarded with windswept beaches who’s only visitors are crashing waves. Look for handmade signs that direct you to Playa Anonima to find these hidden gems.
One of the best ways to social distance is to take a hike, and there’s a great hike outside of Cabo that leads visitors to a hidden waterfall known as Cascada Sol de Mayo Waterfall.
It takes some persistence to get there though. Travelers must trek into the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains along a dirt road to get to the trailhead. From there, it’s a 1-mile hike through some steep terrain to get to the waterfall.
However, the hike is worth the effort to see the 25-foot waterfall sitting untouched in the wilderness. If you’re daring, climb to the top and jump into the vast pool below.
While people are getting the itch to travel, it should still be done with caution. To help make your journey as safe as possible, here are a few tips:
There are practical things everyone can do to stay as healthy as possible at this time. You’ve likely already heard these tips, but they’re especially important when traveling. Every traveler should wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth. Frequent hand washing is a must as is maintaining a distance of six feet away from people.
Additional resources from the CDC include:
Before you go, research the area. It’s a good idea to research the number of cases in the area, what the local rules are on masks, and whether or not there are any restrictions in place.
Private airports have fewer people and minimal crowds. For those with the means to travel privately, it’s a good option. The private airport in Cabo is about 40 minutes from most of the destinations mentioned above.
If you decide to fly, try to book a flight that’s not during peak season or at peak times. Airports are busiest during the daytime hours. If you can, schedule an evening flight to minimize the number of people you’re around.
Your purse, suitcase, carry-on, backpack and every other piece of luggage you can think of should contain hand sanitizer made of at least 60% alcohol. Use it often.
While the pandemic has changed the way people travel, many can’t ignore the will to wander. For those planning a trip south to Cabo, there are plenty of off-the-grid places to visit that can scratch the travel itch while maintaining social distance.