With its booming nightlife and buzzy beachfront lodges, it may very well be tempting to write down off Cabo San Lucas as a celebration sizzling spot populated by spirited spring breakers. In any case, this famend resort metropolis, along with its colonial neighbor, San José del Cabo, is house to over 90 resorts, and a roughly 20-mile-long vacationer hall pulsing with full of life bars, seashores and dance music. Past the hustle and bustle of Los Cabos’ vacationer trappings, nonetheless, awaits a way more nuanced id, with serene seaside retreats, natural farms, plentiful out of doors adventures and holistic sensibilities interesting to a large swath of Texas vacationers.
With direct, two-hour flights from Austin, Dallas and Houston, Los Cabos’ quick access — to not point out its optimum year-round local weather and hanging landscapes — are just some of the various causes Texans make an annual migration to the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Right here, the desert meets the mountains and the ocean in a dramatic coastal setting identified for its hanging rock formations, like the traditional geological arch named El Arco.
Practically 100 miles of shoreline sprawl alongside the peninsula’s southern tip, the place the Sea of Cortéz and the Pacific Ocean come collectively. Whereas swimming and browsing must be reserved for choose seashores, due to the area’s robust waves and undercurrents, many favor exploring the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains from the vantage of an ATV or mountain bike, and others play golf within the medley of world-class programs round Los Cabos. Moreover, the Cabo Pulmo Marine Park is house to North America’s sole residing onerous coral reef, a pure marvel spanning over 45 sq. miles, making it among the best locations to scuba dive on earth.
The legendary environmentalist, Jacques Cousteau deemed the Sea of Cortéz “the aquarium of the world,” attracting migratory species and critical fishermen alike. John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway have been two of the various anglers who visited Baja California for the aggressive sportfishing round Cabo San Lucas, which continues to be referred to as the “Marlin Capital of the World.” Come winter, the area’s heat waters are house to 1000’s of migrating grey and humpback whales, whereas each Thursday from late November to June, a full of life artwork stroll lures guests to San Jose del Cabo’s charming Gallery District.
Farming is central to this Mexican state’s tradition and id, with natural operations reminiscent of Flora Farms championing sustainable progress and zero-waste practices. The property provides a number of hands-on cooking applications, farm excursions and herbalist-led botanical walks, and their well-liked carrot “Farmarita” is likely to be definitely worth the journey alone. Baja’s agricultural heritage is deeply felt throughout the peninsula, and in cities reminiscent of Miraflores and Santiago, whereas fisherman and avenue distributors lure in La Paz.
Every is worthy of a go to, as is a cease into Todos Santos, the place a mixture of expats, farmers, artists and surfers contribute to the city’s bohemian spirit. The group, which is house to the famed Lodge California, has a number of notable hospitality choices, together with Lodge San Cristóbal by the Austin-based Bunkhouse group, and Paradero. The latter lately debuted a brand new Mexican restaurant referred to as Tenoch, impressed by the traditional Aztec metropolis La Gran Tenochtitlan, that was acknowledged by the Michelin Information.
Lengthy earlier than luxurious resorts populated this space, the recent springs of El Chorro and Santa Rita have been locations of consolation and therapeutic. Right now, many lodges in and round Los Cabos provide hydrotherapy circuits and therapeutic rituals reflective of the area’s centuries-old traditions.
Although Los Cabos’ party-centric popularity stays, there’s rather more to understand about this multi-faceted vacation spot, together with a number of the best, five-star hospitality on the continent. This winter, try these three excellent lodging to expertise it for your self.
Las Ventanas Al Paraíso
Superlative service and a focus to element shine at this five-star resort, which is house to a few of Latin America’s most luxurious villas.
Eddie Cash might have crooned about “Two Tickets to Paradise,” however in Baja California Sur, it’s all in regards to the home windows to paradise, or Las Ventanas al Paraíso. On arrival to this five-star Rosewood resort, mariachis welcome visitors with their signature decorative fits and heritage music. Eighty-four enchanting suites and villas shine alongside the water’s edge, tucked amid the property’s gleaming swimming pools, elegant bars and elevated eating places.
Right here, it’s all about tip-top service delivered by devoted butlers who get to know visitors’ pursuits and preferences with personalized surprises all through their keep. The Bulgari toiletries are a luxe in-room amenity, however the bespoke stitching package, paired to match every customer’s trip wardrobe, is a element that lingers.
From sunup to sunset, the crew at Las Ventanas al Paraíso prides itself on making everybody really feel like a VIP. Although it’s onerous to think about something extra pleasing than merely sitting by the resort pool, a spread of experiences could be deliberate, from horseback rides to offshore fishing, or film nights on the seashore. The personal seashore cabanas are one other splurge-worthy expertise, with intimate plunge swimming pools, and sun-drenched lounge chairs perched atop sand raked with tailor-made greetings.
Every single day, there are completely different wellness choices accessible, from yoga to mat Pilates and useful seashore coaching, whereas the spa is a veritable sanctuary. Cool towels wrapped with cucumber and aloe vera soothe sun-kissed pores and skin, whereas their distinctive menu of remedies embody nopal detox wraps and holistic twilight ceremonies. The latter service, with its 60-minute therapeutic massage, begins with a purifying and cleaning “limpia” ritual, adopted from historic shamans of Baja, utilizing sage smoke, prayers and eagle feathers to launch destructive vitality.
The meals right here is contemporary and exquisitely ready, from the simplicity of a well-cut piece of fish on the Tequila & Ceviche Bar to dinner on the twinkle-lit Arbol restaurant, the place inventive coastal delicacies is coloured by Asian influences. After dinner, head to the discrete Twenties-style speakeasy for unbelievable stay leisure and complicated craft cocktails.
Although the suites alone are splurge-worthy in each sense, the villas at Las Ventanas al Paraíso have earned a popularity for being probably the most luxurious in Latin America. The Ty Warner mansion, named for the resort’s proprietor and founding father of Beanie Infants, is a main instance; at 28,000 toes, the unique property boasts a 300-foot infinity pool, twin ocean view main suites, and interiors furnished with the best examples of Mexican artistry.
One&Solely Palmilla
Traditional, old-school Mexico reigns at One&Solely Palmilla, with an exemplary spa and a brand new omakase restaurant.
Driving into One&Solely Palmilla, a whole bunch of colourful glass hummingbirds shimmer from beneath a big central tree. Company are greeted with cool lemongrass towels and glasses of pressed inexperienced juice topped with chile-infused tequila as they’re welcomed “house.”
House is a becoming phrase for this nostalgic Mexican lodge, with its hacienda-style abodes sitting on 55 acres of palm-shaded grounds. On the hill overlooking the property, a Fifties chapel provides the sensation of being in an outdated colonial pueblo, whereas down the way in which, hammocks grasp over lush lawns, inviting visitors to take a relaxation.
The lodge’s origin dates to the mid-Fifties when Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of then-Mexican president, Basic Abelardo Rodriguez, turned it into his personal house, and finally, the area’s first resort. Through the years, Hollywood stars reminiscent of John Wayne and Lucille Ball visited, together with Oprah and Jennifer Aniston extra lately.
Right now, visitors benefit from the spacious oceanfront rooms furnished with Mexican ceramics and paintings, together with the devoted hosts who have a tendency to each want. Facilities onsite embody the award-winning Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, each grownup and family-friendly swimming pools, together with Pelican seashore, which is without doubt one of the few protected and swimmable seashores within the space.
The resort additionally provides a spread of luxe culinary choices, from its signature restaurant SEARED by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to a brand new elevated omakase venue referred to as Hoshi. The latter is a smooth and up to date addition to the One&Solely portfolio, with a dramatic omakase counter and intimate sake bar the place patrons partake in a gastronomic journey pushed by the freshest fish and native seafood sourced from the Sea of Cortéz and Pacific Ocean.
Culinary indulgences are balanced with morning lessons within the yoga backyard and high quality time logged within the One&Solely Spa, the place a mixture of holistic remedies and conventional therapeutic modalities happen in a verdant, serene oasis, full with gurgling fountains and flowering gardens.
And whereas the lodge is a well-liked year-round vacation spot, there’s maybe no higher time to go to than December to April, when the grey and humpback whales make their 6,000-mile migration from Alaska to Baja. Seize the in-room binoculars and head exterior for unforgettable whale-watching reminiscences.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Mom Nature reigns on this off-the-grid Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, the place indoor-outdoor residing is well known in model.
Unbeknownst to many, over 40% of Baja California Sur is designated a protected pure space, inspiring a brand new wave of eco-tourism and sustainable hospitality. Zadún, which is considered one of simply half a dozen Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties around the globe, and the primary in Mexico, leans into that designation closely, with an emphasis on Mom Nature’s magnificence and blended indoor-outdoor residing.
The property is farther faraway from the luxurious lodging above, with a decidedly extra up to date aptitude. Right here, partitions of glass and metallic are softened by winding footpaths flowering with oleander and native grasses, whereas the 113 visitor rooms, suites and villas camouflage into the rolling hills, with pure stone concealing out of doors showers, personal plunge swimming pools and floor-to-ceiling views of the Sea of Cortéz. Moreover, each visitor is given a private “tosoyne” or dream catcher to assist curate their keep.
Highlights embody the state-of-the-art Alkemia spa, with its open-air hydrotherapy circuit surrounded by plumeria bushes, and the distinctive menu of wellness choices, together with Temazcal ceremonies, and a devoted Savasana room designed to quiet the thoughts.
Guests seeking to bask in genuine Mexican flavors like rooster tinga and contemporary ardour fruit margaritas can achieve this on the colourful restaurant El Barrio, whereas at Humo, a medley of contemporary fish, meats and seafood are grilled in a South American parrilla and wooden oven.
Most unusual, nonetheless, is the property’s partnership with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Atmosphere program, which evokes human reference to the pure world. Youngsters, adults and households alike are invited to partake in immersive experiences, from stargazing to path hikes and aquatic exploration, all highlighting Mexico’s numerous ecosystems. With greater than 400 avian species within the state, birdwatching is one other of this system’s well-liked actions. Zadún’s crew of onsite naturalists equips visitors with binoculars throughout guided walks, the place it’s doable to see every little thing from Western Tanagers to Wilson’s Warblers and Cactus Wrens, together with a number of of the state’s six endemic species, just like the ethereal Xantus hummingbird and Yellow-footed gull.
San Antonio Escape: Fast Winter Getaway to Solar-Drenched Los Cabos
