

Los Cabos Explorations: Top 5 Art Galleries in Los Cabos
Art is abundant in the thriving cultural area of Los Cabos, especially in the San Jose del Cabo Art District, where most of the galleries are located. Much like the people in Los Cabos, the art is varied and represents aspects of Mexican culture, as well as pieces from around the world. Whether you’re looking to purchase a piece to take home in honor of your luxurious vacation, gallery hop or step in to take advantage of some air conditioning, it’s no time wasted. From paintings, pottery or photography, there is an art gallery in Cabo San Lucas for everyone.
Enrique Bascon Art Gallery
Photo Credit: Enrique Bascón
Located in the heart of San Jose del Cabo, Enrique Bascón’s gallery holds a variety of mesmerizing pieces. His ultra-realistic paintings and drawings pull aspects of collage and pop-art to create unique works inspired by his travels. Color and black and white pieces are available for sale including oil paintings, drawings, and prints. Standout series includes a collection of life-size oil paintings paying respect to beach vendors called “Vendors”, and an ongoing series of drawings depicting Bascón’s views on the sociopolitical climate in Mexico, “Tintas”.
https://www.enriquebascon.com/
https://www.enriquebascon.com/limited-edition-prints/
https://www.enriquebascon.com/limited-edition-drawings/
Frank Arnold Gallery
Abstract figures come to life in Frank Arnold‘s paintings and sculptures, which he puts on display in his unique gallery, which doubles as his home, and studio in San Jose del Cabo. His artworks consist mainly of oil paintings and cast bronze sculptures, and hold a haunting quality that seems both deeply personal, and distant. You can also find his works on the streets, like the 24-foot sculpture of Alma Del Cabo in the Frank Arnold Plaza de San Jose del Cabo. All pieces are also available for worldwide delivery.
Caravane Cabo
If you’re looking for something a bit different, Caravane Cabo pulls together elements of various art forms. Primarily a fine art print shop, the space also doubles as a concept store holding modern Mexican designs, a woodwork shop and an interior design studio. Shedding light on Mexico’s contemporary design and art, you can find anything from hand collected antiques, textiles, stunning furniture pieces and prints of your favorite artworks, all in one place.
Casa Dahlia Gallery
The Casa Dahlia Gallery is a minimalist gallery featuring a number of artists and sculptures by six local and international artists. With a strong emphasis on color and continuity throughout the space gives a dream-like sensation full of muted tones in the bright white space. They also host regular film nights with movie screenings and dinner from various cuisines. But seats are limited, so make sure you book early!
San Jose del Cabo Art Walk
Photo Credit: www.artcabo.com/art-walk
Experience a social art experience at the weekly San Jose Art Walk! Between the months of November and June, each Thursday night is an art lover’s dream when the streets of the Gallery District come to life and the gallery’s open their doors to the public for a evening art crawl. Designed to allow tourists to experience the cultural and artistic essence of the area, car traffic is closed and visitors are encouraged to stroll the streets, sip some wine, and taste local food in the art-filled streets. Galleries will often hold events to meet the artists, and have special performances in the streets, giving you the full experience the area has to offer. Want to experience Los Cabos vibrancy firsthand? Elegant Mexico has a number of luxurious and private villas that are not only ideal for relaxing but perfectly located to see all of the sights and sounds the region has to offer. What are you waiting for?


The Los Cabos International Film Festival in Nov. 2021
Once a year, cinema and film industry elite flock to Los Cabos, Mexico for the annual Los Cabos International Film Festival. Held every November, this celebration seeks to promote dialogue and cultural exchange of the North American film industry. For five days, Los Cabos transforms into a hub for the cinema arts and welcomes people from all over the world to experience the magic of the movie theatre alongside directors, actors, industry professionals and thousands of other film lovers.
The Los Cabos film festival was established in 2012 by a group of Mexican and American film directors, producers and distributors, including brothers Sean and Scott Cross. Their goal was to create a festival which celebrates all of North American film, while offering targeted support and dedication to the development of local Mexican filmmakers. These global and local initiatives have been attracting some of Hollywood’s best since the inception of the festival. It’s recognized that this is an environment where the arts can truly come alive. After the birth of the event, the festival quickly rose in importance and size. This is no surprise considering Los Cabos is a familiar playground for Hollywood movie makers.
The main program of the festival consists of two competitive sections: The Competencia Los Cabos section is for submissions from Canada, USA and Mexico. Nine films are chosen for this section, and each film is screened for audiences and industry alike. The second section is the Mexico Primero, which is reserved for Mexican films. The focus here is turned towards the countries top filmmakers and honours their skills and storytelling abilities, with six films competing for the prize. More often than not, the world premier of Mexican and even some international films happen here. In addition to these main categories, there are numerous other awards for filmmakers to take home, including an audience choice prize which attendees can vote on. The schedule of screenings and awards is jam-packed for all five days, with over $350,000 USD awarded in prizes.
Los Cabos Film Fest: Things to Do
If you’re staying in Los Cabos during the festival, you’ll find no shortage of parties and events. The whole surrounding area comes alive with bars, restaurants and lounges catering to their international visitors. It’s a great opportunity for you to indulge in some luxury experiences and also network your way through the town. A really wonderful place to get your evening started is the Sunset MonaLisa restaurant. It’s close to the festival center, and situated on the edge of a cliff. You can sip from the menu of 140 wines and spirit while looking out onto the water as the sun sets. Then it’s off to a screening or gala. You’ll probably want to attend some of the official parties too. Each night of the festival, there are galas held to welcome the stars and VIPS. You can get exclusive tickets for these events if you want to get up and close. Dress formal and rub shoulders with industry elite at the red carpet before sitting down in the luxury Cinemex theatres for a feature screening. On opening and closing night, there are exclusive cocktail parties for ticket holders.
VIP guests will head to five-star hotels and be treated with mezcal cocktails, Mexican hors de oeuvres and dulce de leche. There is live entertainment, dancing and a cigar booths for procure rolled cigars to order. To round it all off, there might be a fireworks show ending these evenings.
Oh the Galas!
Each year, the Los Cabos International Film Festival puts major films and contributors at the forefront of their programming. Filmmakers, actors and directors who have made great contributions to the art of cinema are honored. On the opening and closing night of the festival, a winning film from the previous is celebrated. These star studded events open with a red carpet trod by actors, models and film industry professionals. In the past, such Hollywood luminaries as Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Liam Neeson and Reese Witherspoon have taken to the Los Cabos Red Carpet.
Then there are the Tribute Galas for films that have made an outstanding impact on cinema and culture. In 2018, Spike Lee was honored and in attendance to present his film BlacKkKlansmen and his classic Do The Right Thing. Terry Gillam was also honored, presenting The Man Who Killed Don Quixote and a retrospective on Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Both were awarded the Exceptional Contribution to Cinema History title. To attend these exclusive galas, make a charitable contribution to the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund. This will give you access to all parties, galas, concerts and the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund Dinner.
Niche Film Features
Once the sun goes down, the festival runs an alternative film program for those interested in suspense and extreme narratives. The Afterdark block features sci-fi, horror and psychological dramas popular on the festival circuit of that year. Viewers can sit in a cool, dark theater with gourmet movie snacks and cocktails while taking in the best indie horror films. Other programs to attend include the World Highlights feature, a carefully curated program that presents the best films selected from every corner of the earth. There is also the environmentally themed Green program, and the music-centric curation: B-Sides.
Daylight in Los Cabos
There is a laid back, come and go vibe to the daytime schedule of the Los Cabos International Film Festival. Your day might be peppered with screenings on the beach, panels, and even industry-exclusive events if you can get a hold of an entry pass. There are indoor screenings as well so you can cool down for a while before heading back to explore Los Cabos. Many of the programs have their screenings during the day, so check the schedule and plan to catch the films you’re interested in. These are festival circuit films so you won’t have another chance to see them until their wide release! Daytime is the perfect time to see the rest of Los Cabos. If you’re interested in getting some rest and relaxation in before your evening of glitz and glamour, go for a visit to the adults only Spa Makaw at Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills. Indulge in a milk bath, facial, hand reflexology and foot wrap known as the Terapia Tahanie treatment. If you need something new for the red carpet, head out for some luxury shopping
Enjoy an early dinner with some fresh farm-to-table cuisine at the Acre Restaurant, where the award winning menu changes with the season. Be sure to try a drink from the expertly curated mezcal menu and get yourself ready for a night of culture and cinematic appreciation.
Past Editions
Since 2012, the festival has been steadily growing. Each year, guests and attendants alike have given rave reviews for the beautiful parties, amenities and overall grandeur of the event. If the next edition is anything like past ones, you’ll be in for a treat when you attend. Spike Lee and Terry Gilliam were the guests of honor at the 2018 edition of the festival, and many other stars have attended over the years. Also in 2018, Adam Driver was presented with the Outstanding Work in Cinema award. The winner of the Mexico Primero Award was Feral by Andres Kaiser, and Canadian film Genese by Philippe Lesage took home the Los Cabos Competition Award. The opening and closing films were The Favourite by Yorgos Lanthimos and BlacKkKlansmen by Spike Lee, respectively.
Among the 2020 winners is Never Ready Sometimes Always by Eliza Hittman and In Between Dying by Hilal Baydarov.
Where to stay
During the Los Cabos International Film Festival, the entire city comes alive. Staying in Los Cabos not only means you’ll be close to all the excitement, but you’ll also have access to amazing waterfronts and activities you can’t find anywhere else. Check out our list of can’t-miss beaches to get your tan photo ready for the film fest nights. If you’re looking for some outdoor excitement, we’ve got an itinerary of outdoor fun as well. End each night of gala magic in privacy and comfort by treating yourself to a private vacation home. With many of our rentals, you’ll have on site staff, a private chef, amazing pools and ocean access all to yourself.
Book with us today and reserve the perfect villa for your Los Cabos International Film Festival trip.


Art & Culture of Los Cabos
Cabo is art produced by the greatest artist ever – nature. But it’s not just the views. The cultural vibe and the rich history of Los Cabos can inspire storytellers, musicians, and travelers. Here’s why an artist will always feel at home in Cabo.
What Artists Like Steinbeck and Hemingway Liked About Cabo
Los Cabos has always been an artist’s favored destination, from yesteryear literary giants like Steinbeck and Hemingway to modern-day superstars like Jennifer Aniston. You never know who you might bump into in Los Cabos. There are many reasons why artists have loved Los Cabos since the late 1950s.Perhaps it’s the laid back charm of Cabo or the exotic nostalgia of a long-gone era, or maybe it’s just the much-deserved relaxation that puts an artist’s imagination to work. John Steinbeck’s legendary coastal journey from Baja is a much-needed primer for any artist to consider visiting this tropical wonder. Steinbeck describes Cabo as a romantic land where stories of pirates and maidens come alive. While the mystical past influenced Steinbeck, Hemingway was taken by the fishing opportunities here. Can there be a better recommendation of fishing in Los Cabos? An exploration through the cerulean sea of Cortez loved by both Steinbeck and Hemmingway, is sure to inspire your next masterpiece.
A Rich History and Indigenous Culture
Art in Cabo San Lucas can take many forms. The influence from the indigenous culture, hundreds of years of pirate rule, frequent campaigns from the British and Dutch conquistadors: each moment in its history is enough for a lifetime of inspiration.A trip to Cabo San Lucas can present opportunities to learn about this unique history in the Natural History Museum, while the 18th-century architecture of old Cabo allows you to trace your fingers literally on its rich heritage. If you need something more slice-of-life, day trips to the historic mining towns of El Triunfo and San Antonio can let you take a glimpse into the life and times of miners living there in the 20th century.The history of Los Cabos also leaves a lot of blank spaces that need an artist’s interpretation. For example, the Pericúes were the first inhabitants of this land, but very little is known about where they came from, and how.
Art Walks, Galleries and Visual Spectacles in Cabo
If you prefer something more contemporary to inspire your creative side, Los Cabos can be surprisingly eclectic. Every year from November to June, each Thursday night presents a unique opportunity to San Jose Del Cabo artists. The streets in the gallery district of San Jose Del Cabo become doors and windows to the many art galleries of Cabo. As many as 12 local galleries participate in the art walk, making it a quintessential art experience at Los Cabos. However, one doesn’t always need to go on an art walk to stumble upon art in Baja. Especially in Cabo San Lucas, contemporary architecture can be breathtakingly appealing. A couple of hours away, the capital city of La Paz is also known for its award-winning modern architecture. Projects from Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are shortlisted in global contemporary architecture awards. And closer to the Los Cabos corridor, it takes no architect or art expert to take in the sheer luxury and grandeur offered by resorts such as the One & Only Palmilla. The entire stretch from San Jose Del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas is full of leisure landmarks, including golf courses and fine restaurants. It’s the perfect setting for fresh new ideas in any art form that you practice.
Natural Wonders of Los Cabos
The famous explorer and inventor of the diving equipment Jacques Cousteau called Cabo ‘The World’s Aquarium’ for its rich diversity of marine life. A cornucopia of oceanic experiences await travelers who take to the beaches and bays of Los Cabos. Inspiration can strike you while enjoying the magnificent natural wonder, seeing the only coral reef in the Pacifics, snorkeling near the shark whales, or even while having the near-meditative experience of whale watching. If the sea is not your closest friend, perhaps you will find your calling by hiking to the sierras or trying your hand at horseback or ATV riding. For painters and filmmakers, the arch of Cabo San Lucas is a definitive landmark to weave their craft around. If you do consider nature to be one of the finest artists, Los Cabos surely is one of her masterpieces.
Live Music & Nightlife of Cabo
The bustling nightlife of Cabo is a great escape from the mundane and offers creative minds unique opportunities to socialize. The International Film Festival happens every year in November and is considered as the hallmark of great filmmaking across Mexico, the United States and Canada. Los Cabos is also a treat for the music aficionados, with live local music throughout the year and international events, such as the Jazz weekend in San Jose Del Cabo. If art is an endeavor to find meaning or inspiration, Los Cabos is surely a paradise with an endless supply of dreams and life. Plan your artistic journey today, by exploring these amazing stay options with a story to tell.
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