1. MEXICO... MEXICO... MEXICO...
Baby, everything is alright
...in LA PAZ
Baja, bingo and Buffy... GSA Travel Magazine's Vickie Sam Paget checks out a more unique side to Mexico
B Cacti stretch into an unfathom-
ABY, everything is alright, uptight, clean speed and style. In short, CostaBaja Resort and
out of sight... Or so Stevie Wonder was Spa is where the other half go on vacation.
singing from the pool-side speakers at ably blue sky and the spirit of Just ask Vancouver actress Mercedes McNab
the CostaBaja Resort and Spa in La Paz when (who played Harmony Kendall Buffy the Vampire
I arrived. And you know what? I had to agree
a cigar-chewing Clint Eastwood Slayer). She got married at CostaBaja just a
with him. lurks around every corner... week before I arrived.
Flying from Vancouver to La Paz via LA may not They come to park their yachts in the world
seem like the most convenient choice for your Cousteau referred to as ‘the world’s aquarium’. class marina facilities, to dine in the stylish
clients, but the set-up at LA means that the Cacti stretch into an unfathomably blue sky Steinbeck’s Restaurant, to swim in the infinity
connection only takes around 40 minutes, which and the spirit of a cigar-chewing Clint Eastwood pool at the resort’s exclusive beach club, to play
is a small price to pay to be able to explore lurks around every corner. Retired playboys golf at the Gary Player signature golf course
a less-discovered corner of the coast - an oasis recline on their shiny white yachts and whales and to soak up holistic remedies at the sooth-
that is hidden away from the high rises and the shamelessly wiggle their tails in the shimmering ing spa. Your clients will love it.
sombrero-wearing spring break crowd. bay, for all the world to see. Off-resort, the town of La Paz has managed to
And the word on the malecon is that one of In the heart of this playground lies the chic five maintain its Mexican mystique. This is a quiet
Canada’s most popular carriers is considering star CostaBaja Resort and Spa, a property that town where the locals gather in the square
kicking off a Calgary-Vancouver-La Paz route surpasses its reputation as La Paz’s only five for a game of bingo after dinner. Families trot
next year, which would be sure to place La Paz star property. Forget the all-inclusive buffet and along the substantial malecon, kids play pig-
at the top of your clients’ wish-lists. second-rate evening entertainment; CostaBaja is gyback on the beach and a particularly quirky
The Baja Peninsula is an arid landscape, pink a class above the rest. statue of Jacques Cousteau smiles out at the
and golden and freckled with shrubs, where This is the kind of a place where celebrities – Sea of Cortez. The freshest seafood is served up
majestic coral-coloured rock formations toss desperate to shun the world’s cameras – go to without pointless pomp and ceremony at the at-
themselves into a sparkling turquoise sea. It’s get married. It’s the kind of place where you’ll mospheric Bismark Cito sea front restaurant and
as if like little bits of the Grand Canyon are see the occasional yacht in the marina boasting the church bell chimes in the pink, sun-kissed
throwing themselves willingly into a heavenly its own helicopter. It’s the kind of place where, tower of the cathedral. And nobody tries to sell
blue mirror, reflecting shades of pink into when you ask them where the ATM is, they pop you a sombrero or a painted plate.
an abundant pearl-filled ocean that Jacques you onto a golf cart and whizz you there in Continued on page six
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4 June 12 - 25, 2012