Carnival Panorama - November 18, 2023

Sail past Los Arcos, the soaring rock archway at the extreme southern tip of Baja California that guards Cabo's perfect harbor. This idyllic bay once sheltered treasure ships from the Orient, and pirate brigs bent on those treasures. Now Cabo caters to an international vacation set, and has a strong artistic tradition famous for its black-coral jewelry.

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur. Try deep-sea fishing (for shark!), waterskiing, or just relax on the beach. Dine on local cuisine in the down town area, featuring Malecon, a mile-long sidewalk that borders the waterfront. In the nearby mountains, it is possible to go hunting.

Mexico's largest Pacific ocean port, Mazatlan has been called the "Pearl of the Pacific" for its splendid beaches and island-strewn harbor. The resorts of the Zona Dorada ("Golden Zone") deserve their fame, as does the sport-fishing which is known the world over, yet somehow the city maintains much of the simplicity and peace of its fishing village past.

Hollywood discovered this little fishing village back in the 1960's, and since then luxury resorts and bougainvillea-covered villas have flourished in the delightful seaside climate. Yet hints of past tranquility remain: cobbled courtyards where the locals hold their markets, and superb sport-fishing just offshore.