Itineraries

A perennial favorite for West Coast travelers and sleeper hit for East and Mid-Coasters, Los Cabos never disappoints. Boasting more luxury hotel options than almost any place in North America, top-notch dining, more than 350 days a year of sunshine and direct flights from many major cities, there’s no wonder why travelers flock to Cabo again and again.

Today, we’ll round up some of our top choices, sharing details on new hotspots and old favorites alike, plus some of our favorite ways to make the most of your week or long weekend in paradise.

When to Go

It’s hard to choose a bad time to visit Cabo San Lucas. High season runs from December through April, but anytime from early November through May is comfortable – try these shoulder months, even into mid-June, for a more reasonable room rate and something less than scorching temperatures.

When possible, we’d avoid late August through October, which are known to have near triple-digit temps, humidity and have the highest chance of rain.

Stay Here

Unlike many resort destinations, Cabo lacks one definitive high-end favorite. We like each of the area’s leading hotels for different reasons. At each, you’ll find a level of luxury where staff anticipates needs practically before you think of them. Enjoy WiFi service in Cadillac and Mercedes house cars that shuttle guests to and from the airport, on-demand foot massages and cooling Evian misters by the pool and in-room sewing kids customized to the color of your wardrobe. It’s practically guaranteed that you’ll come home missing your retinue of staff – after all, they outnumber guests at most resorts nearly five to one.

Finding your perfect Los Cabos resort is a bit like finding your perfect date – there are options for every mood. Our designers can pair you with the ideal spot for your unique needs – reach out today to ask for our assistance!

The Old Guard:

Don’t care if you leave the resort? In Los Cabos, halfway between Cabo San Lucas and Cabo San Jose, you’ll find plenty of luxury in “the corridor.”

It’s no secret that the area’s most exclusive resort is also its oldest, celebrating its 18th anniversary this year. There’s no signage, just a single white wall with a massive gate that marks the entrance to Rosewood Las Ventanas al Paraiso, which translates literally to “The Windows to Paradise.” This quietly luxurious resort caters to the ultra-wealthy, although every guest feels pampered, almost cosseted. Staffers know returning guests by name, pointing out that they see most families year after year, or month after month – one family recently celebrated their 30th visit to the resort, and private butlers prep tasteful amenities like sewing kits customized to the colors packed in your luggage.

While all rooms are lovely, if you can, opt for a rooftop suite or for one of the 12 beachfront private villas, which start at more than 4,500 square feet and offer amenities like private massage rooms, indoor-outdoor living and dedicated butlers who make breakfast en casa each morning using local ingredients sourced from nearby farms.

Equally lovely, but with a bit more pizazz is the newer Montage Los Cabos, opened in late 2018. Boasting one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo and abutting the luxurious Twin Dolphin golf course and Maravilla residential community, the 122 room and 52 residence resort offers sleek and modern Cabo luxury and some of the area’s best service. All rooms offer views out over Santa Maria Bay, and access to amenities including an oversized spa and fitness center, the gorgeous Marea restaurant, and of course, the aforementioned swimmable beach. We particularly love their oversized multi bedroom residences, perfect for families.

Another popular choice in the corridor is the area’s only Relais & Chateaux property, Auberge resort Esperanza. The resort boasts tasteful decor in a soft neutral grey and blue tones and 57 well-appointed rooms, many with outdoor plunge Jacuzzis or hammocks for enjoying a late afternoon breeze. One of our favorite spots, Esperanza boasts one of the best resort boutiques and one of the area’s most romantic restaurants, Cocina del Mar, known for its crashing waves and sunset views.

By day, sprawl out in palapa-roofed guest suites or get your tan on new in-water chaise lounges and private cabanas available for day rentals. Staying with a group? The resort’s private villas, which boast three to four bedrooms, are often available for extended rentals as well. (We also often source larger homes within this area for groups, just inquire with your advisor for private home rental choices in Cabo and beyond.)

It also offers one of our favorite spas, a palapa-topped area where all treatments take place in private garden-style suites and guests are pampered with custom local juices, dubbed “Agua Frescas” pre- and post-treatment.

Sister hotel Chileno Bay boasts a swimmable beach, top notch spa and even wellness rooms with optional Peloton bikes, as well as buzzy restaurant Comal.

The younger crowd on a girlfriend getaway or those who crave proximity to in-town nightlife should opt for the 96-room Waldorf-Astoria Los Cabos - Pedregal.

Avoiding the paparazzi? Built into the side of Pedregal Mountain and on a private, horseshoe-shaped beach, the resort is accessible only by a nearly 1,000-foot-long private tunnel. We love that even base-level rooms here are all ocean-view and spacious, starting at more than 850 square feet with terraces and private plunge pools. Book the beachfront casitas for extra privacy (you’ll get your own roped off area of beach and access to a private pool right from your shower) or the corner Estrella Suites, with their outdoor fire pits, for the best sunrise and sunset views. Families will like the multi-bedroom residences and the dedicated kid’s pool.

You’ll find many of the amenities much the same – spend days by the infinity pool, noshing on fresh sea bass ceviche at the Crudo Bar, or in the luxe Luna y Mar Spa, an oasis with 10 private treatment rooms situated in overwater private cabanas. Don’t miss sunset drinks at their Champagne Terrace, which offers more than 15 kinds of by-the-glass bubbly. From there decide if you prefer seafood at the cliffside El Farrallon or the hacienda-inspired Don Manuel’s. If it was good enough for George and Amal on a recent visit … we’re pretty sure you’ll like it too.

Another old guard gem is One & Only Palmilla. The area’s largest luxury hotel at 173 rooms, guests of this resort may feel as if they’re in the Caribbean, not Mexico, thanks to its lush landscaping, a departure from other properties that go for a more desert-chic appeal.

We love their signature restaurant, SEARED by Jean-Georges Vongericheten, (get the to-die-for short rib paired with an excellent selection of Mexican wines) as well as their spa, which offers a blowout bar as part of the salon as well.

We love that this resort offers the most luxury goods – its boutique, Neo, stocks made-for-the-resort collections by names like Melissa Obadash, Stella McCartney, and Christian Louboutin, and its guests are the most likely to head to dinner in sky-high heels and their hair perfectly coiffed.

The New Delights:

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Within the past few years, a number of noteworthy options have emerged, including Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the first Reserve property in Mexico. Rooms offer panoramic ocean views and many feature plunge pools.

The East Cape has also emerged as a strong option for guests seeking relaxation away from the crowds. Four Seasons Los Cabos offers swimmable beaches, a marina, and oversized rooms perfect for families. We’d caution, however, that Four Seasons is a destination unto itself – part of a larger complex of properties still under development, including an Aman resort – and also and hour plus drive from options in Cabo San Lucas.

Up the coast just a bit in the hip neighborhood of Todos Santos, Paradero is a great choice for those seeking wellness inspired accommodations.

Chic Boutique:

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There are several other worthy options as well – offering style at a lower price point than the options above. For a buzzy vibe, we love The Cape, part of Hyatt’s Thompson hotel brand. It boasts a rooftop bar and arch views from each room. It’s also right on Monuments Beach, the perfect place to catch prime surfing waves. We also love the buzzy Nobu hotel, which offers the famed restaurant by the same name as well as LA favorite Malibu Farm, and the newer Viceroy Los Cabos.

If you prefer all-inclusive, the Leading Hotels of the World member Marquis Los Cabos has been re-branded an adults-only escape. For more funky, laid-back vibes, try Hotel El Ganzo (“The Goose”) in San Jose Los Cabos. The boutique hotel boasts a recording studio in the basement!

Where to Eat & Drink

While you’ll certainly enjoy your fill of tacos and guacamole, Los Cabos is known as much for its fine dining as it is for its tequila tastings. Speaking of tequila, don’t miss the chance to do a tasting of Mexico’s signature spirit – most resorts can arrange a class for a nominal fee. You’ll learn the difference between the newest – blanco and the most aged – anejo – as well as what varieties are best for sipping and which should be mixed into margaritas.

While resort food can get pricey, each of the luxury resorts offers its own signature dining experience – be sure to pop around and taste test. Freshly-caught fish, like local dorado or sea bass, is always a perfect choice.

Speaking of fresh, don’t miss the farm-to-table favorite Flora Farms, a 10-acre working farm and event venue in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains in Los Cabos, Mexico. Have an afternoon? Try a cooking class followed by dinner at Flora’s Field Kitchen. Brunch is also popular. We also suggest an evening at Acre, which offers similar farm-to-table fare and a fantastic boutique. Flora offers a fantastic boutique spa, and Acre even has a few intimate overnight accommodations if desired.

In town, Hacienda Cocina and Cantina is a perennial favorite, offering gorgeous sunset vistas with views of “El Arco,” the famous rock formation arch at Land’s End. Edith’s is another favorite, offering Mexican classics with a seafood focus and and a convivial atmosphere. It’s sister restaurant, The Office, is right on the sand and popular with groups.

Where to Play

If you can motivate yourself to get up from your lounge chair, you won’t be disappointed.

Cabo boasts the usual array of resort-destination activities, most of which haven’t changed in recent years – from beachfront horseback riding to parasailing – with something for every price point and level of adventure. Let your resort do the booking – most get preferred rates.

Golfers will love world-class courses by designers like Tom Fazio and Tiger Woods. Choose from scenic desert settings to spectacular ocean vistas. Just take an early tee time – the midday sun here could challenge even the most dedicated links-goer.

Water enthusiasts can get their fill in a variety of ways. Most resort beaches aren’t swimmable thanks to crashing waves and heavy undertow, so instead charter a boat (like the Buccaneer Queen, shaped like a pirate ship, ideal for kids)– or hire out a sport fishing charter for a day-long or half-day excursion to catch Marlin, Swordfish, Dorado and more. Most resorts will even prepare your catch fresh for dinner that evening!

More of the sightseeing variety? From December through April, book a whale-watching tour. It’s a memorable sight; thousands of whales frolic and mate in the warm Cabo waters each year.

Should you find a rare day of rain or just want to get out of the sun for awhile, stroll the town of Cabo San Lucas and make a stop at Luxury Avenue, which offers brand names like Carolina Herrera, Salvatore Ferragamo, Coach, Fendi, Cartier, Chopard and more. For a more authentic feel, make the 30-minute trip to neighboring Cabo San Jose. If you can, go on Thursday evenings, where all of the areas small galleries open their doors and offer welcome music and cocktails for a local art walk. You’ll find everything from handmade embroidered chemises to Mexican fire opals. Bartering is expected, so don’t be afraid to negotiate (politely, of course) for the best price. We also love La Coyota, a fun shop for souvenirs and keepsakes from the same ownership team as Edith’s and The Office.

Of course, there’s always the option to lounge by the pool and let your butler bring you fresh fruit, cool towels, and an icy margarita. We won’t judge.

What to Know (Before You Go)

Don’t let talk that Mexico isn’t safe fool you – Cabo San Lucas is an exception to the rule. Located on the very tip of the Baja California peninsula, the area, which boasts 20,000 American citizens as part of its 200,000-person population, is located practically on its own private oasis. Even nearby towns like the artsy village of Todos Santos are safe. Of course, that doesn’t mean wander around alone at night – this popular “spring break” destination is much like any other major city.

Because of Cabo’s popularity with L.A. and New York visitors, the resorts and nightlife are trendier than most Caribbean escapes, so pack your finest caftans and bangles for poolside lounging and nighttime adventures – and don’t be surprised to see a line of private jets on the tarmac when you arrive.

Speaking of those adventures – we’d arrange private resort transportation and avoid the cabs. Drivers make Manhattan taxi rides seem tame, and pricing can be a bit of a hustle. A firm “no, gracias” will do. It’s about a 30-minute ride from the airport to most resorts. Most luxury resorts offer private transfers in chauffeured vans and SUVs in package pricing, with some even helping fast track you through security on the return. Speaking of, opt for a ticket (about $30) to the VIP lounge at the airport to enjoy free Wi-Fi, snacks and more.

In terms of scenery, you’ll find that most of the area looks much like it did pre hurricane, albeit newer and fresher. Cabo is a desert oasis, so most resorts opt for a more austere approach, letting the crashing waves of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean do the talking. Many resort-front beaches aren’t swimmable, but perfect for lounging and strolling.

Your biggest problem? Once you’ve gotten used to the Cabo lifestyle, you probably won’t want to return to the real world.

For specific questions about Cabo, home rentals, or other VIP experiences, reach out to your Lily Pond Luxury Designer.

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