Last week I had the pleasure of attending a lovely, informative event organized by Island Destinations and Visit Los Cabos to learn more about this stunning destination at Penthouse 45 high above midtown Manhattan. We east coasters are familiar with beach jaunts to the Atlantic coastal states, Caribbean and to eastern Mexico - like Cancun and Cozumel (where I have a client headed as we speak), while our west coast friends have long known about beautiful Los Cabos, Mexico for their getaways. I talked with the hotel reps who came to the event to get their hyper-local take on what the destination has to offer and for whom it's best suited. Spoiler alert: It's got something for everyone!
I met with Le Blanc Spa Resort, Nobu Hotel, Waldorf Astoria, Las Ventanas al Paraiso (a Rosewood resort), and Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort. Their genuine love for Cabos was evident, and what was even more on display was their pride. One of the best chefs from Los Cabos was there and presented delicious food for all of us, and he was the most proud of his home out of everyone. There is a culinary movement happening in Cabos centered around using all locally sourced fish and produce from local farms - putting Los Cabos on the map as a uniquely special culinary destination.
I was especially excited to hear more about their climate and how being located where the sea meets the desert means no humidity - and no mosquitoes!! (Hallelujah!) Not every beach here is swimmable because the water can get deep very quickly off the rocky, mountainous coastline. But those shores make for spectacular, romantic scenery, perfect for a sandy stroll before hitting your hotel's pool. Enjoy reading about more awesome things to do at Los Cabos in this article below.
Article excerpt below produced by Virtuoso with Visit Los Cabos
On the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is a destination of contrasts. Consider, for instance, the differences between lively Cabo San Lucas and laid-back San José del Cabo, just a half-hour drive apart. Cabo San Lucas — a haven for luxury resorts — has soft-sand shorelines, surfing, whale watching, and vibrant nightlife. San José del Cabo exudes Spanish colonial charm with an eighteenth-century main plaza, local art galleries, family-owned stores selling handmade crafts, and classic farm-to-table Mexican fare.
Los Cabos’ nature-rich diversions are just as varied, from its iconic coastline to cactus-dotted deserts to rugged, palm-fringed mountains. Here, discover more about these three diverse terrains along with what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in each.
The Seaside
Do: Swimming with whale sharks – the largest fish in the ocean – makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Full-day guided excursions take place September through April and typically entail a two-hour boat ride up the east coast (be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins along the way). In the Sea of Cortés near La Paz, the boat will stop in several spots for a chance to swim alongside whale sharks.
Eat: Sunset Monalisa sits on a seaside bluff with views of the famed El Arco and Lover’s Beach. Arrive before sunset for Champagne and oysters at the Ocean Terrace by Veuve Clicquot lounge, and be ready to snap pictures as day transforms to dusk. Winding paths lead diners to the alfresco dinner tables set on the terrace above the waves. Fresh seafood dishes such as mussels with tequila, chili pepper, and coconut-milk pair with crisp white wine produced right here in Mexico.
Stay: The hotel buzz in San José del Cabo these days is all about Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Set among dunes along the coast, the 115-room resort offers perks such as plunge pools and terraces to go with views of the Sea of Cortés. Amenities include four dining venues (one serves Mexican street food) and an array of watersports. At the nearly 30,000-square-foot Spa Alkemia, treatments range from hydrating body scrubs with hand-blended mixes of local tamarind and brown sugar to massages that incorporate desert sage and warm herbal compresses.
The Desert
Do: A camel safari through the Baja outback might just be the best way to take in the region’s arid inland topography (and the 120 subspecies of cactus that flourish here). Camel rides begin in the desert and end along the sandy Rancho San Cristobal beaches, and yes, the camels will walk through the water. These three-hour safaris often end with a hike through a landscape dotted with agave, palm trees and fernlike mimosa shrubs.
Eat: An outdoor seat on La Lupita Taco & Mezcal's patio, where a live band accompanies the sunset, feels like attending a fiesta at a friend’s home. The friendly waitstaff serve up cold beers and mojitos while dish after shareable dish – mushroom-and-cactus tacos with ranchero sauce or guacamole with a side of grasshoppers, perhaps – emerges from the kitchen. Stay an hour or three.
Stay: A 15-minute drive east of Cabo San Lucas, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel faces desert on one side and ocean on the other. The 161-room property’s stone design blends with the Baja landscape, and guests gaze out across the desert from the many open spaces and large windows (the best vantage point: the hotel’s rooftop bar). The Currents spa offers open-air treatments, such as Citrus Essence facials, in oceanside cabanas. Lauded chef and mezcal devotee Enrique Olvera infuses his native Mexican food with Japanese and Peruvian influences at Manta, the hotel’s flagship restaurant.
The Mountains
Do: Zip-lining through Boca de Sierra National Park at the base of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains is the peak of any mountain-focused trip here. After the ride, stay in the UNESCO-protected national park to try crossing suspension bridges with names like Commando, Crazy Ladder and Hanging Bridge. Visitors can cap off the day with a swim in one of Boca de Sierra’s hundreds of streams.
Eat: The 125-acre Flora Farms in the Sierra de la Laguna foothills crafts renowned farm-to-table cuisine. Booking ahead is a must, but it’s worth arriving at least a half an hour before your reservation to explore the beautiful grounds. The menu, which changes seasonally, uses the farm’s own produce. Some recent dishes: charred cauliflower with a lemon-and-herb sauce, burrata with heirloom tomatoes, and a wood-fired pork chop with tomato chutney. After the meal ends, listen to live music courtesy of local bands while sipping fresh-mint-and-strawberry cocktails.
Stay: The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal’s architecture attracts travelers who favor sleek accommodations and poolside relaxation. Built along a granite formation called the Pedregal, the 115-room hotel welcomes guests through a rock-carved tunnel to its cliffside perch overlooking the ocean. The property has multiple infinity pools, a saltwater pool, a waterfall meditation pool, and a main pool with a swim-up bar – plus private en-suite plunge pools in some rooms and suites. The best perk of all may be the fresh guacamole with warm tortilla chips delivered daily to each room.
Contact me to discover the best of Los Cabos!