Cabo San Lucas Articles

There is so much more to the Los Cabos food and restaurant scene than just tacos, melted ice, and tortilla buffets in identical resorts for those seeking the best restaurants in Cabos San Lucas In fact, Los Cabos offers some of the best cuisines from across the globe. The city has some of the best seafood in the Baja, with exquisite chocolate clams, juicy lobsters, and irresistible smoke marlin — delicacies that give the peninsula bragging rights.

Los Cabos is also well known for its brilliant flourish in fusion cuisines and Pan-Pacific culinary orientations. If you are looking to fully experience Cabo in all its culinary glory, then read on to find the best restaurants in Cabos San Lucas.

Nik-San

Simply put, Nik-San is one of the best Japanese Mexican fusion restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. The original restaurant opened downtown in Cabo San Lucas back in 1994, and since then, it has become one of the city’s most popular local sushi spots and remains on of its best restaurants. The restaurant’s superstar chefs, Ángel Carbajal and Masayuki Niikura, do not disappoint when creating the most beautiful and innovative fusion of Mexican and Japanese elements.

There are two Nik San restaurants in Los Cabos: one at the Shoppes at Palmilla near the One & Only Palmilla, and the second at the Plaza de la Danza in Cabo San Lucas. For most visitors, having sushi in Mexico might seem like an odd way to spend time at this popular Mexican beach resort destination. However, Nik-San prioritizes ambience, sanitization, and topnotch service. If you want a one of a kind dinner, choose the Omakase, a multi-course chef’s choice array that will explode your tastebuds.

El Farallon

Nothing beats enjoying a wonderful meal in a breathtaking cliff-side setting. Dining in El Farallon, hands down one of the best restaurants in Los Cabos if only for the setting, gives you the magnificent opportunity to enjoy great cuisine while looking over the stunning Pacific Ocean. Aside from this breathtaking scenery, El Farallon couples an intoxicating romantic atmosphere with the best fresh locally sourced seafood. The rustic, elegant atmosphere pairs wonderfully with the chef Gustavo Pinet’s market concept, in which diners get to pick the main course market style from a presentation of fresh catch on shaved ice. You will get to choose from a delectable assortment of sea bass, red snapper, tuna, dorado, lobster, shrimp, and clams.

Your entree choice is then weighed and taken to the chef to create a beautiful dish with exquisite soups and salads for you. For those who want to enjoy the ocean view without seafood, the menu is just as extensive and exquisite. The romantic feel in this restaurant is nearly unmatched and it is absolutely an unforgettable way to experience Los Cabos’ fine dining scene. Don’t want the meal? Choose the Champagne instead. The terrace above the rocks overlooking the ocean from this tight Cabo San Lucas vantage at the Pedregal is the right setting to sip from a menu of some 15 different champagnes ranging from Blanc de Blancs to Rosé and vintage champagnes, guided by a dedicated sommelier and complemented by a selection of moles and artisan salts.

Restaurant Cocina de Autor

When translated to English, the Spanish phrase “cocina de autor” means “signature cuisine.” In many ways, the name of this restaurant already promises you a memorable experience. Cocina De Autor, another of Los Cabos’s best restaurants, is the perfect place to experience the signature touch of renowned chef Sidney Schutte’s playful but artful menu. Each dish made in this restaurant has been artfully created with fresh local ingredients and unusual but somehow perfect pairings like clam and chocolate. Find this restaurant at the Grand Velas Resort above Cabo San Lucas along the Tourist Corridor marking the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez.

Wine pairings are also included for diners above the age of 18, offering an impressive and diverse selection. The eclectic menu focuses on what can be done with octopus, prawns and New York steak but there is also a vegan menu to consider, a rare option in Mexican dining. Price fixe multi course choices run around $170 per person.

Nobu Los Cabos

Long before its premiere in November 2019, the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos had been highly anticipated mostly because of the promised Nobu Los Cabos restaurant. Headed by the culinary world royalty, Nobu Matsuhisa, this restaurant promises a creative fusion of Peruvian ingredients and elements with Japanese cuisine. This seamless integration is presented with style, class, and high quality.

The sophisticated atmosphere is accented with unmistakable Japanese detailing in the wood, and the stunning Pacific Ocean views. Accompanying the celebrated menu is a lengthy and impressive wine list. Should you prefer a less fancy and less pricey option. Malibu Farm is also operating at this resort that is partially owned by Robert Di Nero. Malibu Farm offers an eclectic menu of Mexican delights fused with fresh catch, organically grown vegetables and healthy side dishes in an airy indoor-outdoor romantic setting.

Edith’s

Edith’s is a precious secret tucked into the heart of Cabo San Lucas and a fun experience in dining with excellent food, pleasant service, and a beautiful setting. The cozy setting brings beautiful rustic wood tables, thatched ceilings, and an overall barefoot ambience. You can find a beautiful combination of flavorful Baja home-grown recipes and elements from Edith’s hometown in the Guerrero mountains.

Seared at One&Only Palmilla

Seared by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his internationally renowned, culinary style to contemporary wood-fired cuisine. The restaurant is convenient to guests staying at Elegant Mexico’s Villa’s del Mar properties as it is just a two-minute ride away for guests via their provided villa golf carts and they have signing privileges at all One&Only Palmilla’s restaurants.

Seared showcases the finest cuts of meats, the freshest seafood and delectable sides with one of the most extensive wine lists in all of Mexico. But the chef is wide and varied in his talents and offers such options as aromatic artichoke tagine with kumquats and corn nut crusted salmon.

Caviar, too, is on the menu – Daurenki, which is the result of pairing two sturgeon species found in a lake that borders both Russia and China that produced a wonderful new caviar. It is offered with egg toast and herbs or chive crème fraîche on warm blinis. Not a caviar fan? Try oysters from Laguna San Ignacio in La Paz.

Food in Focus

Dining in Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas can be an adventure in luxury with restaurants to pin on your “been there, done that” list. With these curated restaurants in Los Cabos, the choices are easy and the meals are memorable. See our Palmilla vacation rentals with chefs here.

Daily temperatures in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo typically range between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C) during December and January. As for water activities, you’ll have great swimming, snorkeling, and diving since sea temperatures usually fluctuate from 72°F (22°C) to 77°F (25°C).

So, if you fancy warm weather during Xmas, the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor is your ideal destination.

Christmas Traditions in Los Cabos

Christmas and New Year celebrations and traditions in Los Cabos are similar to the rest of Mexico. Thus, you can attend Las Posadas, Holy Innocents Day, and other ceremonies.

Also, you’ll admire nativity scenes on the streets, private residences, and commercial areas and take part in the festivities. Along the way, spice up your holiday mood with delicious food, such as Buñuelo (fried dough) and Tamale (a traditional dish), and beverages (tequila, for example).

In San Jose del Cabo, take a walk along the main plaza and relish opulent decoration. Also, discover the Art Walk in Gallery District.

For something entirely different, attend Cabo San Lucas Nautical Christmas Parade held around mid-December for a few days.

To enjoy such a unique spectacle, go to the marina or the nearby beach and watch sailing boats and yachts featuring Christmas lights. A fireworks display may be staged while the vessels return to the marina to lift Xmas spirits further.

Finally, don’t miss whale-watching, which kicks off around mid-December in Los Cabos and lasts way longer than Christmas celebrations in Mexico do.

Celebrating Christmas at Cabo Restaurants and Resorts

You can also consider having a Xmas dinner at eateries and resorts in Los Cabos. Many hospitality facilities offer meals brimming with delicious courses and desserts. Of course, carol singing is a part of the program, while some establishments offer you dining under the open, starry sky.

Best Christmas Shopping in Los Cabos

As elsewhere, shopping is an important Christmas tradition in Cabo. You will find many opportunities to buy gifts to place under your Christmas tree along the Tourist Corridor. But, to get yourself spoiled, prioritize Cabo San Lucas.

For example, you can shop Xmas presents till you drop at Diamonds International – one of the world’s largest duty-free jewelry stores. For Cuban cigars, pay a visit to J&J Habanos. If you prefer spending Christmas and New Year wearing swimsuits instead of winter coats, stop by Zingara Swimwear.

The boutiques and plazas are bright with lights and festive decor leading up to and after the holidays, and there are always great bargains to be had in souvenirs and spirits throughout the holidays and other times of the year.

See our Palmilla vacation rentals with chefs here.

GastroVino Food and Wine Festival: This is an annual three-day festival held in Todos Santos. There are special events at the best restaurants and wineries the city can offer, including wine tastings, a distinguished ball, and a silent auction for a local charity.

Los Cabos Surfing Open: In June, the surfing competitions start in earnest. This six-day event brings tourists and surfers from all across the globe, with free concerts and food festivals.

Fiesta de la Música: Every year on the solstice, June 21, this live music festival is a wonder to behold. The festival occurs at various locations in San Jose’s Art District, offering all musical styles and encouraging all experience levels to participate.

Stars and Stripes Tournament: The Stars & Stripes Tournament is an annual deep-sea fishing and golfing tournament organized with a fun music festival. Proceeds gathered at the event are often distributed for the benefit of the seven chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Mexico and California.

Best Activities in Cabo: July to September

Cabo Weather in July

July ushers in the first real month of summer in Cabo. Cabo Weather in July is very hot, with nearly every day starting and ending muggy. The rain has not yet come, but the skies are often clouded. July marks the start of the hurricane season, while the water is warm and great for surfing. While the summer heat might not be all that enticing, the sweet summertime discounts may be worth sticking to your beach chair.

The rain finally makes its appearance in August but the month only ushers in the rain sporadically. Muggy days and high heat give August a bad rap as the most uncomfortable month of the year in Cabo. Los Cabos weather in September is the rainiest of the entire year. September is the last month in the hurricane season, although the city typically experiences tropical storms instead.

Summer in Cabo: What to Do

Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen: This festival lasts all day and celebrates the Virgin Mary. The day is filled with cultural craft vendors, an afternoon parade of children, and a fishing tournament in The Cabo San Luca marina. If it catches your interest, bullfights are held in downtown areas as well.

Festival of St. James: This July festival celebrates the patron saint of Spain, St. James. It begins with a beautiful parade of riders on white horses and ends with evening street parties. Other fun events include the Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore fishing tournament, the Los Cabos Tennis Open for men, and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all in August.

Mexican Independence Day: This is the most important event in September. The celebrations begin on September 15thy at night with huge crowds in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose.

Best Times to Go to Cabo: October, November

Cabo Weather in the Fall

From October to November, Cabo San Lucas’s weather promises warmth. Although October remains a little muggy, the rain decreases drastically, thus making those cloudy days perfect for snorkeling and welcoming the first whale sharks of the season. November brings in cooler temperatures and decreased humidity with far less frequent rain. The first Humpback whales make their appearance now.

Cabo in October and November: Top Things to Do

Fishing events are at an all-time high during this season. In October, you have two major fishing tournaments:

The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament and the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament bring on the anglers and dole out generous jackpots.

Fiesta de Cabo San Lucas is held on October 18 to celebrate the city’s patron Saint with music, parades, food, and dancing.

Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is held on November 1-2 in remembrance of deceased family and friends. It’s a festive time of celebration rather than mourning. Tip: cleck out  the Secrets of the Catrinas festival from October 31 – November 2 in San José del Cabo. The period is elevated through art installations, performances, cooking classed and workshops,

The Los Cabos Jazz Experience brings the ultimate experience for jazz lovers in the city.

Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament is yet another fun fishing event with cocktail parties and big money jackpots and usually happens around the beginning of November.

Dia de la Revolución (Revolution Day) comes later in November to celebrate the 1910 start of the Mexican Revolution with parades, food, and rodeos.

Best Times to Go to Cabo: December to April

Los Cabos Weather: December to April

Cabo Weather in December is nice and comfortable as the low humidity returns fully for winter and spring. December is the busiest tourist month here as rain is rare and the water temperatures cool down. There is plenty to do and see for snow lovers – the Humpbacks start calving while the Whale Sharks and Gray Whales start migrating across the area. Spring Breakers start coming in as well. March marks the last month to snorkel with whale sharks.

Cabo in Winter: Top Things to Do

December

* Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe)
* Christmas Posadas
* Sabor a Cabo Restaurant and Food Festival: More than 3000 people gather at this time to taste sumptuous selections created by some 60 restaurants, as well as sample products from Baja’s wineries, as well as mezcal and tequila distillers. The event closes with a spectacular concert.

Other winter activities include:

January

• Feast Day of San Antonio de Abad
• La Ventana Classic

February

• San Jose Jazz Weekend
• Todos Santos Open Studios Tour

March

• Festival of San Jose marks an 11-day festival starting on March 8th that honors the city’s patron saint, San Jose.
• Festival de Cine de Todos Santos is the place to be if you are a lover of Latin cinema.
• Gala de Danza brings dance and dance culture to light with Dancers, choreographers and musicians from 20 different countries congregating in Los Cabos for some memorable performances. 

April

Paws ‘n Claws Open Golf Tournament happens at the Palmilla Golf Course in early April. Format is unspecified with various challenges that make it fun and interesting.

See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Palmilla is among the top golf clubs in the Cabo region. Boasting a signature design by Jack Nicklaus, it features diverse landscapes throughout its three courses – Mountain, Ocean, and Arroyo. The club has 27 holes, and each course has 18-hole combinations.

To enjoy mountain views under the clear skies between holes, head to Mountain Course. At holes four and five, take some time to admire a scenic water reservoir. Mountain Course occupies a 3,602 yards area.

If you prefer canyons and deserts over mountains, Arroyo Course is where you should go. This fairway measures 3,337 yards and prides itself in “The Three Best Holes in Los Cabos” (sixth, seventh, and eighth). Besides centuries-old cacti, you may spot roadrunners, hawks, and other wildlife as you advance.

To get from the first to the sixth hole of the 3,572-yard Ocean Course, you have to overcome an elevation change of 600 feet. Along the way, admire the Sea of Cortes and palm trees. When you get to the ninth hole, the mountainous and desert landscapes will welcome you.

The best part of playing at One&Only Palmilla is the convenience. For guests of Elegant Mexico, the access is open, privileged and ready to go with your own dedicated cart to take you from your villa on the sea to the undulating greens with all your clubs and provisions. Plus, guests of Elegant Mexico have full signing privileges for all dining, spa and activities offered at the stunning One&Only Palmilla resort, a verified member of the Forbes Travel Guide Luxury portfolio.

Cabo Real Golf Club

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Cabo Real is the only golf club in Los Cabos that hosted two PGA events so far (in 1996 and 1999). And the appearance of whales near the green during the former made this golf course famous throughout the world.

Located along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, the 18-hole Cabo Real boasts fairways climbing the mountainside almost 500 feet above sea level. In accordance, you’ll relish rewarding vistas of the Sea of Cortes while enjoying your favorite pastime.

The 7,037 yards golf course also features seaside holes, and each of them offers sea views. But don’t let these distract you since you’ll have to deal with arroyos and sand traps along the way.

Cabo Real Golf Club caters both to beginners and advanced golfers. Due to the club’s popularity, you would do well to make early reservations, preferably no less than seven days in advance.

Vidanta

Vidanta is the oldest and the most affordable golf course in the Cabo region. It measures 3,153 yards and is pretty flat compared to other courses that make Los Cabos famous. It has nine holes, moderate bunkering, relatively narrow fairways, and a substantial water hazard.

Vidanta boasts an attractive location, with the Sea of Cortes, desert landscapes, and Sierra de la Laguna mountains flanking the golf course. And well-manicured greens run between those while palm trees and other vegetation dot the area.

You are sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you get from one hole to another. However, other golf clubs scattered throughout the region typically boast more spectacular views than Vidanta does. Still, that is the price you pay for a budget-friendly golfing in Cabo.

If you need to brush up on your skills before getting to the course, use an on-site practice ground.

Campestre

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, just like Palmilla, Campestre is minutes away from the San Jose del Cabo downtown and among the most popular golf clubs on the Baja Peninsula. Occupying the undulating hills of the Sierra de la Laguna, Club Campestre has a 7,055-yard course with 18 holes. The landscape combines mountain, desert, and sea views.

While playing golf, expect to find green fairways, sandy areas, omnipresent big bunkers, and curved arroyos. Also, you’ll have to contend with elevation changes in the process. If you like to challenge yourself, you will enjoy the par-5 7th, par-3 11th, and par-4 18th holes, in particular.

Besides the golf course, Campestre boasts other facilities for a premium experience. A private beach, an infinite edge pool, and tennis courts are some of them. Note, though, that only club members can enjoy these additional facilities.

Puerto Los Cabos

Laid out by two legendary designers, Nicklaus and Norman, Puerto Los Cabos is another sought-after golf club in the Los Cabos region. At present, it features three nine-hole courses dubbed the Norman, Nicklaus I, and Nicklaus II courses.

Norman Course is a 3,590-yard signature design featuring a 400-foot elevation change. Nicklaus I measures 3,758 yards and stretches from mountain hills to the sea. Nicklaus II, flanked by dunes, covers 3,436 yards.

Besides views of the blue and turquoise waters from around 3/4 of the entire ground, you can benefit from tacos, burritos, margaritas, and other food and drinks from on-course comfort stations.

What Are the Most Popular Public Golf Courses in Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas Country Club, boasting Lands End views, is another course open to the public.

Cabo del Sol Desert Course is also publicly available. Yet, this may change in 2022 following the opening of a nearby Park Hyatt Los Cabos hotel. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Los Cabos may be all about the party, the beach, the boats, the endless margaritas and the marvelous sunsets savored from your villa patio or suite. But did you know Los Cabos was also all about adventures? Cabo adventures will take any vacation to new levels of enjoyment and provide plenty of thrills, chills and bragworthy moments to retell.

Whether you are a fan of water or extreme sports, you’ll feel at home in Los Cabos and find a series of Cabo adventures to keep you entertained and occupied, and absolutely wanting for more. Here’s a rundown of the best Cabo adventures available near and farther away from the Tourist Corridor, which connects resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Snorkeling in Los Cabos

The waters between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo abound with marine life. Because of their exceptional purity, you’ll be able to spot colorful tropical fish over long distances, typically no less than 50 feet (15 meters). And depending on the location, the coral reef may come as a big bonus.

Cabo diving is an option but for those untrained in the PADI ways, snorkeling is still a brilliant option. Some of the best places for snorkeling are Santa Maria Beach, Lover’s Beach at Lands End, and Chileno Beach. Arrive early to have all the underwater world for yourself, preferably no later than 9 am. The sea in Cabo is at least 70°F/21°C warm throughout the year.

Some aquatic species inhabiting the nearby waters are yellow porkfish, blue damselfish, and roosterfish. If lucky, you may spot whales during the migration season (January-April), too.

For premium snorkeling tours, check out Cabo San Lucas Tours or Dive Cabo.

Los Cabos Desert ATV Drives

If you prefer something shore-bound, maybe ATV tours, possibly combined with bungee jumping or some other fun activity, will do. Providers tend to offer round-trip transport from various destinations along Tourist Corridor to the starting point. When the ATV tour starts, adventure-seekers experience golden and white-sand beaches, desert landscapes, and nearby mountains.

Once you fill your lungs with fresh sea air while exploring the coastline and spot a waterfall or another landmark along the way, you’ll go to the desert. There, admire local flora and fauna, including cacti, birds, and possibly foxes and rabbits. Mountain trails lead to various viewpoints offering views of Cabo, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of California (the Sea of Cortes).

Driving the Baja 1000 race trail – where one of the world’s most challenging races takes place in November – is among the top activities for experienced drivers.

Some renowned ATV tours providers in the area are Cabo Adventures and G-Force Adventures.

Hiking in Los Cabos

Located in the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lucas and Tourist Corridor, Fox Canyon is a first-class destination for avid hikers. Before setting off on the hiking tour, be sure that you can stand high temperatures and aren’t afraid of snakes, tarantulas, and other such animals that might cross your path.

The well-signposted trail starts at Sol de Mayo and traverses the landscape revealing an abundance of desert plants and clusters of verdant greenery in a mountainous setting. A tour guide will elaborate on the most interesting flora along the way.

Keep your eyes open for various birds, such as roadrunners, Xantus hummingbirds, and cape pygmy owls. If very lucky, you’ll spot a deer, puma, or a fox, but these are usually active at night.

For most hikers, a tour highlight is refreshing in a pond flanked by granite stones, beneath a cascading 50-foot (15-meter) tall waterfall.

For the guided tour, check out High Tide Los Cabos or Cabo San Lucas Tours.

Cabo Mountain Biking

Mountain biking in the Baja desert and mountain environment reveals some of California’s most diverse scenery. Cycle paths are available near Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo resort towns, a short distance from Tourist Corridor. Their difficulty levels range from easy to difficult, so everyone gets a chance to enjoy one of the most rewarding activities in the area.

Cycle trails near Cabo San Lucas are between 0.3 and 1.1 miles (0.5 to 1.8 kilometers) long, while those around San Jose del Cabo are up to 4.7 miles (7.5 kilometers) long. As you get around, you’re bound to spot tall cacti, boojum trees, and agaves, among other plant species. As for wildlife, you may encounter foxes, rabbits, roadrunners, hawks, and ospreys. Also, you’ll enjoy panoramic views from vantage points encompassing the Atlantic Ocean and the Sea of Cortes.

Depending on the difficulty level, you may need to overcome steep rocky or sandy hills as you navigate dirt paths.

To pedal your way in relative solitude, book your mountain biking tour between September and May. If you come during spring, you may experience desert flowers dotting the landscape.

Pure Cabo and Cabo Adventures are a few providers of mountain biking in the area.

Cabo Skydiving

There is Cabo diving and there is Cabo skydiving. Adrenaline enthusiasts wishing to take a road less traveled can try some dips in the air go with skydiving. This terrific adventure allows daredevils to experience the beauty of Cabo San Lucas and its environment in full. And Cabo skydiving is available for people of all ages and difficulty levels. If you are a novice or aren’t confident in your skills, licensed professionals will assist you all the way, from jumping from an airplane to landing on a beach.

After take-off from Cabo Airport, relish views of the Gulf of California, the endless ocean, and the resort town as you rise to the 10.000-foot (approx. 3.000-meter) elevation.

When you reach the required altitude and jump from the airplane, you’ll drop at the speed of 125 mph (200 kph) for about a minute before opening the parachute. From then on, enjoy uninterrupted views of the Cabo coastline and try to pick out points of interest as you glide through the air.

Pure Cabo and Cabo Skydive are some providers of this thrilling activity.

Cabo Adventures: The Wrap

Should your taste for adventure run deep, there are many other Cabo adventures to check out. How about bungee jumping above a canyon or rock climbing the Baja mountainside? For something less adventurous, maybe camping and sleeping under the starry sky would do. Remote and wild it will still be an adventurous time.

Either way, Cabo is a great place for connecting to nature in any way you see fit and disconnecting from everyday life, if that’s what you seek. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

Los Cabos is Mexico’s leading destination in tourism recovery and logging in some 20 percentage points higher in visitation recovery numbers in September 2021 compared to Mexico’s other top tourism destinations. The strong indicators are connected to Los Cabos’ safety-focused approach to recovery that included color-coded classification systems managed by hotels, restaurants, bars, tours, and convention centers, determining safety levels and openings/closings, complemented by strongly enforced social distancing protocols – all leading to certifications by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

As a result of its recovery, the destination has been able to recuperate all of its formal hospitality jobs, which are critical to the tourism activity of Los Cabos. The COVID-19 health and safety protocols included the adoption of the destination’s community vaccination program, resulting in near 90 percent vaccination numbers for the population aged 18+ in having received at least one dose to date.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for travel destinations across the world and we are energized to see Los Cabos achieve a full recovery since tourism is at the heart of what we do,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “We will hold tight to the health and safety efforts that got us here. As we head into the holiday season of higher travel activity, it’s our goal to continue to offer the same safer travel environment.”

More Flights to Los Cabos

Looking ahead, there is a 45 percent increase in scheduled seats from the U.S. to the Los Cabos International Airport taking place in the next six months – November to April — vis-a-vis to the same timeframe in 2019 to 2020. Similarly, forecasted bookings for the final winter months of 2021 are estimated to boost the destination to not only reach, but surpass, pre-pandemic levels. To that end, Los Cabos is continuing to see a trend in short booking windows with reservations secured only one month out.

Currently, there are some 500 weekly direct flights to Los Cabos with direct connectivity from 24 U.S. cities in place for this winter season. Increases in scheduled seats the next six months (compared to 2019) are seen mostly in these gateway cities:

*LAX (+73.9 percent)

*PHX (+49.4 percent)

*HOU (+31.1 percent)

*DFW (+33.1 percent)

*DEN (+102.3 percent)

*SEA (+64.9 percent)

International visitors are flowing from four main source cities in the next four months:

• Los Angeles (21 percent of the market)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (11 percent of the market)
• Houston (11 percent of the market)
• Phoenix (9 percent of the market)

Newer discount airlines are getting in on the action as well. Swoop Airlines, for instance, considered an “ultra low-cost carrier,” is launching routes from Edmonton and Toronto in Canada to the Baja, twice weekly from Toronto and once a week from Edmonton, for as low as $139 CAD each way starting November 20.

Accommodations in Los Cabos

While the resort destination showed a 52 percent occupancy rate across hotels in September 2021 average daily hotel rates in September 2021 were $276 USD vs. $244 USD in September 2019, combining demand with safety and social distancing protocols in place.

Private flights to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo skyrocketed this year — up 48 percent in March 2021 alone relative to the same month in 2019. Private vacation villa rentals have also been given their time in the sun as families and pods of friends and relatives anxious to get away during the pandemic found safe and scintillating haven in large estate homes near the beach along Baja’s Golden Corridor, where groups could party and relax along the Sea of Cortez.

As for new hotel development, here are the ones to watch:

*Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa Los Cabos – December 2021
*The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort – 2023
*Hotel Park Hyatt Los Cabos – 2023
*A 2nd Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol – late 2023
*Amanvari – 2024

Los Cabos: More Things to Do

In 2021, Los Cabos travelers have been most interested in a mix of outdoor adventure, luxury and personalized experiences that are environmentally safe and give back to the local community.

Going into 2022, however, the destination expects to see a rise in conscious travel with visitors looking for sustainable and environmentally friendly experiences. This includes activities, such as farm-to-table dining, sea turtle preservation programs, conscious use and respect for Los Cabos’ 22 Blue Flag-certified beaches, and choosing eco-friendly hospitality.

Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world’s most diverse tourism destinations encompassing a dramatic desert backdrop abutted by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. It adds to that a growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, legendary sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities. See our Punta Mita beachfront villas here.

There are many small boutique shops around town where you’ll find unique gifts for yourself (or friends back home). Shop locally-made handicrafts at vendors set up in Plaza Mijares or visit the small boutique shops where the local shop owners love to meet travelers and share interesting facts about items in their stores.

Among the favorites is Shima Shima that specializes in Mexican-made finds. Find neon-colored pom pom necklaces and elaborate weaves from the Tenango Valley of Hidalgo, wide-brimmed beach hats and colorful cotton dresses.

Check out some crazy home goods at Caravane Cabo, a design lover’s paradise that is full of artisanal finds like scoop chairs that look like avocados (another Instagram must). Find an array of handcrafted straw bags adorned with sequined Day of the Dead skulls and brightly colored, wooden folk art sculptures from Oaxaca at Choya Rose.

Nightlife in San Jose del Cabo

When most people think about nightlife in Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas is always at the top of mind. But while Cabo San Lucas is full of international-style clubs and wild parties for dancing until the early morning hours, San Jose del Cabo delivers its own nightlife experiences that might be more of your speed.

San Jose del Cabo has plenty of places to enjoy an evening or night out with friends. In El Centro, near the Gallery district, you can find fun bars like Mixology and 12 Onzas that ser tasty cocktails. Also, if you hang around restaurants like Don Sanchez and Shooters long enough, the tables full of hungry patrons transition into ordering rounds of drinks at the bar.

If you’re looking for the best handcraft drinks in San Jose del Cabo, grab a seat at Dalton Gin Bar or Cuervo’s House and watch the bartender put on a crafty display of drink-making. And right next door to Cuervo’s House is La 29, where it only costs 29 pesos to have a fun night out!

Tequila tasting is also on the roster if you know where to look. The great grandson of Jose Cuervo hosts private tequila tastings and classes at his restaurant in downtown. Jorge is studied in everything tequila, and makes an entertaining, educating and spirited few hours for those who want new stories to share at their next dinner party.

San Jose del Cabo is a captivating destination if only for its beauty, history, color and very friendly locals. Visit San Jose del Cabo if you want to escape the trendy tourist areas of Los Cabos for some quirky local culture.

The thousands of gray whales and humpbacks migrating from frigid Arctic waters in the north Pacific can be spotted as early as Thanksgiving as guests sit down to a feast in their Elegant Mexico villa and marvel at the panorama, suddenly spotting the flume of a humpback in serious play amid the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. The 6,000-mile migration happens every year at this time and becomes a stunning spectacle during the Christmas holidays when calving season is in full force and the pods of more than half a dozen species of whales can be watched by villa guests right from their patios overlooking the pool and the sea beyond.

In fact, whale watching has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Baja, extending up and down the coast and as far north as Loreto. The spectacle is one for kids and adults alike, and can be enhanced with some up close and personal whale adventures through InCabo. The Cabo adventure company specializes in private excursions and tailor-made day trips, and those extend whale chasing adventures.

For those who may take a more spontaneous approach to activities in Los Cabos, a sudden yen for whale watching in Cabo San Lucas may be serviced by visiting the marina in Cabo San Lucas where there may be all manner of kiosks and storefronts offering whale watching tours, among other activities, that can be accommodated right from the plaza. Tours of choice may mean an intimate tour with only a few friends and family onboard or it can mean a larger boat and a shared the experience with other travelers.

Whale watching in Los Cabos means immersing in a veritable aquarium of these majestic sea mammals. Expect to see blue, sperm, pilot, fin, humpback, and Bryde’s throughout the Sea of Cortez alone, but there are humpbacks and grays and orcas as well feeding on the abundant krill and sea life in an attempt to get plump and right for the laborious trip north in spring.

Many of these cetaceans are behemoth in size. For instance, blue whale species marks the largest animal in the world reaching up to 100 feet in length and weighing in at 190 tons. Fortunately for Cabo whale chasers, the currents swirling through the Sea of Cortez provide plenty of masses of krill, which happens to be the blue whale’s favorite meal. In fact, these creatures will easily eat four tons of krill per day in the sea’s calm waters., The Sea of Cortez is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as one of the most diverse seas on earth it is home to nearly 900 species of fish and the widest variety of whales and dolphins one could hope to see.

Other whales on the roster include gentle gray whales. The lumbering mammal is not the largest of the pack, nor the fastest, but may be the friendliest. On some tours, guests may be able to get so close to these mammals as they breed in the warm, shallow waters, that they can touch and pet them.

On the speedier side of the species are the Fin whales, which can dart through the depths at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Sei Whales, too, are known for their speedy sprints that have earned them the moniker, cheetah of the sea. These animals are endangered, however, and with their dwindled numbers, sightings are not likely.

By contrast, however, humpback whales in Baja should be plentiful during whale season. Members of the North Eastern Pacific Population estimated numbers run as high as 18,000 whales and growing at a rate of between 6-7 percent. While common numbers, the humpback is a vulnerable species and threatened by all the intrusions of man – from sound, marine and environmental pollution to the nets and plastic that coat the oceans. The humpback is the singing whale and is considered to be the most energetic of the large whales with its spectacular shows of breaching and flipping and arching suddenly out of still waters.

It was the humpbacks that were most hunted when such practices were in full swing. Some 250,000 humpbacks were killed in those times, but the current concerns around climate change and pollution provide much greater threats.

Cabo whale enthusiasts may also see Bryde’s whales, which feed on sardines and herring in curious demonstrations of hunting techniques. Sperm whales, too, may be sighted, although they are known for hunting in the depths and only skim the surface to rest. Then there are the Minke whales that are petite creatures of up to 25-feet in length and one of the most commen whale species worldwide.

And, of course, there are Orcas – otherwise known as killer whales. However Orcas are technically a dolphin species and one of the most feared predators of the sea. Smart and striking in their black and while markings, they roam the seas seeking delectable sea lions, tasty turtles and nourishing squid for their rapacious feedings. They travel in small pods and can be seen arcing through the waters in groups. Late in the season toward summer the site of Orcas encountering migrating mobula rays in the Sea of Cortez is one of the rare and most riveting natural spectacles to behold in Baja.

For those who prefer to enjoy whale sightings from the comfort of their pool lounger or private bedroom patio, an Oceanview Villa through Elegant Mexico, such as Casa Fryzer, or an Elegant Mexico Beachfront Villa, such as Villa 322 or Villa 461 puts all the fun and awe at front and center stage, margarita in hand.

And for those who would rather swim with whale sharks rather than chase breaching whales, Elegant Mexico offers the ultimate Whale Shark Encounter through InCabo, allowing guests to swim and snorkel alongside these gentle giants. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, averaging 40 feet long and weighing 20 tons. They can be found in large numbers in certain parts of the Sea of Cortez from October to May.

Elegant Mexico offers guests the opportunity for close encounters with this protected endangered species led by a certified naturalist guide. This private excursion takes place in the protected area of El Mogote, La Paz – one of the world’s most biodiverse locations. Rates run $1,375 for two guests (additional guests at $150 each), plus tax. Book through Elegant Mexico reservations.

Anyone who visits Cabo beach will experience a bejeweled experience of scene and sun along the luscious Baja coastline. And Cabo Beach clubs at those locations will offer some added rare experiences of the Baja beyond the beach. Along with all the magnificent activities and joys to be found in the Baja, consider these seven “day” clubs on your next vacation in Los Cabos. The fun need not come out only at night!

Omnia Dayclub

Omnia Dayclub is surely one of the chicest beach clubs in Los Cabos. Find the sun-soaked venue and pool lounge at Vidanta Los Cabos, near San Jose del Cabo along the sublime Sea of Cortez. Escape the crowds. Choose a private cabana overlooking an infinity pool, beach beds, the sea beyond. OMNIA Dayclub adds DJ beats to the stunning shores for an ultimate daylife entertainment experience. New events, concerts and happenings are scheduled regularly with tickets available online. The pool party mixes like a Las Vegas resort extravaganza with exquisite food and drinks and trendy music.

Taboo Beach Club

Taboo Beach Club brings sprawling beach beds and lounge chairs for sumptuous sunning during the day, complimented by delicious Mediterranean inspired food, refreshing cocktails and music. The DJs come out at sunset, as the dayclub becomes a nightclub. It all overlooks Medano Beach Los Cabos and is within Los Cabos’s popular Hotel Zone, close to such important attractions as the Cabos San Lucas Marina, Marinas Sol Resort and Casa Dorada Los Cabos as well as the famed Arch of Los Cabos.

Breathless Cabo San Lucas

While Breathless is well known as an all-inclusive concept in hospitality and dining, Breathless in Cabo San Lucas goes even farther with crushing adults-only dayclub scene in Cabo San Lucas. Find it in the Breathless Resort along sweet Medano Beach by the Sea of Cortez. The entertainment moves all day and into the night with DJ pool parties, live music and performances, fashion shows and social sunset soirees on the rooftop.

Cachet Beach Club

Cachet Beach Club is another favorite located along swimmable Medano Beach. It brings views of the Sea of Cortez and makes an easy amble to the Cabos San Lucas Marina for afternoons of haute label shopping. At Cachet, guests will find beach lounge chairs, private cabanas, eclectic food and drink choices, and all in all have an enjoyable beach day with swimming and relaxing. Also find great views of the town and land’s end at the club’s rooftop beer garden.

El Ganzo

Beach Club El Ganzo at the boutique El Ganzo Hotel – a hip, old-time Mexico hang-out popular with bad boy celebrities like Sean Penn and Charlie Sheen, keeps a cool island-like beach club as its best kept secret. The location is in laid back San Jose del Cabo. It only takes a minute to ride the boat across the marina to El Ganzo’s private beach club — a secluded, swimmable beach that allows lingering until the sun sets while sampling fish tacos and sipping inspired margaritas. Watersports toys allow for moments of cooling distraction, one can simply enjoy the sweetness offruity popsicles while swinging on a hammock over the water.

Blue Marlin Ibiza Los Cabos

You don’t have to go to Spain to experience Ibiza. Find Euro-cool in Cabos at the Blue Marlin Ibiza Los Cabos. The club attracts a young and energetic international crowd given its name recognition and offers a perfect setting for those who love an endless party. A poolside bar offers generous cocktails to be sipped amid an abundant array of sunbeds surrounding two giant pool areas, and not forgetting the club’s telltale luxurious white teepee cabanas. The party spills out toward warm Medano Beach. Do note: Blue Marlin Ibiza does not allow children, so it is not an option for families. Rather, friends, solos, and couples are welcome to enjoy this sinfully decadent dayclub experience.

Mango Deck Beach Club

Mango Deck Beach Club is your classic beach club throwback that rocks in spring break style all year long. Located on Medano Beach at the tip of Baja and Cabo San Lucas with views of Lover’s Beach and the famous Arch of Los Cabos, where the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean meet, it’s the place for bikinis and see-through everything as Instagram references blow up daily. Expect lively music, beach games, and drinking contests. It is here where great memories are forgotten, bikinis get lost and what happens never happened. As long as you don’t post your mango pics to Instagram.

The scene starts early here and breakfasts and brunches are big, consisting of fat omelets, thick pancakes, packed burritos, fresh fruit plates and a variety of healthier lighter choices….

A non-stop stage show brings on the beer drinking bashes, dance contests and jello and tequila shots smack downs.  Don’t forget the sushi picks at Mango, especially their ”Forget Me Not Sashimi” plate and weekly all-you-can-eat Sunday buffets from 8 am until 1 pm.

Cabo Yacht World provides luxury Cabo Yacht Charters and nautical yacht services in the region with 70- to -65 foot yachts for tours, sailings and fishing charters. The luxury yacht fleet accommodates deluxe bedrooms, dining areas, lounge space, panoramic roof, classic interior, food catering onboard and other special features. These include Wave Runners, professional masseuses, Wedding officiates for ceremonies front of the Los Cabos Arches, Whale Shark Snorkeling tours, etc.).

Cabo Yachts offers vessels that run from 43 feet to 130 feet, many with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. Customized adventures can be managed for small groups for meetings, socializing with friends, incentives and celebrations. Fishing charters can also be arranged with crew knowledgeable about the best spots for dropping a line. Service is complete and can include a chef on board, premium open bar, roundtrip transportation to villa, and water toys.

Cabo Sailing brings daily sailing adventures for small groups through a fleet of four top-shaped sailing vessels and four luxury Los Cabos yachts. Take half-day snorkeling tours or full day fishing charters or try morning and mid-day cruises with light lunch, free unlimited bar, snorkel equipment, towels and free wetsuits in winter and whale sightings when seasons permit. All can be customized for private parties with a trained and knowledgeable crew.

Cabo San Lucas boasts an amalgam of pristine beaches and smart ecosystems, all brimming with colorful flora and culture. For the vacation seeker, there is nothing like a beachfront villa or a villa right on the beach where you can fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of surf and even have your morning coffee in the sand as you watch the sun ascend over the Sea of Cortez. Elegant Mexico hasmany of these perfect settings within its robust inventory of vacation villas. More than two dozen of these coveted beachfront villas are available for parties as small as four and as large as eight. These villas on the beach open up to soft sand beaches that are clean and protected and, best of all, they lack crowds. Your beach can be as private as your villa affording quiet and meditative beach walks or undisturbed family gatherings.

Private Chef Included

Did you know villa rentals in Los Cabo through Elegant Mexico come with private chefs? If that does not raise the bar and separate the experience between villa stays and hotel bookings, we are simply not sure what does! Villas through Elegant Mexico get the advantage of not having to worry about where to eat, what to eat, when to eat and with whom. It’s all done for you and at your leisure. Want pancakes with your eggs? Done. Don’t feel like breakfast? Fine, have a fruit mix and croissant by the pool after your morning swim. Inviting guests for lunch? Ask you chef to prepare a large ceviche platter and perhaps some nopales tamales steamed to perfection. Don’t forget the watermelon margaritas.

Villa guests can work with the onsite concierge to stock any must have foods and spirits. Forgot some things? No problem. Ask and they are on their way.

Did We Mention Private Butler?

If you are looking for a villa in Los Cabos, don’t forget to inquire about dedicated butler service. Because a villa is a home stay not a room booking, there is often much to be handled – especially with sizable groups and families. A dedicated butler is a second (even primary!) pair of hands and knowledge who can not only assist with ensuring all systems are go and all parties are comfortable, but can help plan for any unplanned occasion. Sudden company? Restless kids? Best swimming spots? Massage options? Ask Jeeves. At Elegant Mexico, a dedicated butler is automatic with every rental – part of the pleasures that separate private rental choices from nights at a hotel.

Don’t Sacrifice Basic Amenities

Often, vacation homes forego the maid service or value of an onsite concierge. Not villas booked with Elegant Mexico. Daily maid service ensures clean linens and towels, organized and comfortable spaces and often, the necessary clean-up after a festive evening of vacation enjoyment. Need a massage? At Elegant Mexico, ask the butler or the concierge and in a blink, a massage therapist will be coming to your villa to administer soothing treatments in your bedroom, on your balcony or by the pool. Like golf? Play a challenging 27-hole game at the One&Only Palmilla next door – your golf cart waits in your garage. Feel like dining out? Take that two-minute tootle to the resort next door where, with Elegant Mexico, you will have signing privileges for casual brunch to fancy dinners.

Naturally, villa amenities also come with the requisite in-villa comforts that you would expect to get with any vacation booking: air-conditioning, formidable Wi-Fi, stunning views of the ocean, concierge assistance and security gates.

Privacy at a Premium

Perhaps one big element that separates the villas from the rooms and suites is the concept of privacy. With a villa stay, the only non-staff people you will see are the people you want to see. That is why villa bookings are often the vacation options of choice for celebrities and notables. All can be arranged – from your private jet to Cabo San Lucas, to your private chauffeur from the FBO or private jet airport, to your door with vehicles and drivers at the ready throughout your stay.

Privacy means villa get-togethers that are large enough to fit all your guests with surroundings that are bound to impress. It means your own infinity pool overlooking the sea, plenty of corners to be alone or in conversation, large spots for larger gatherings, an outside kitchen, bar and seating under the stars or in palapa-style shade, and comely fire pits with comfy chairs perfect for sharing stories into the midnight hours.

Putting a Price on Villa Value

So, you ask, what price privacy and freedom? Consider the all the battles you won’t have to fight, the considerations you won’t have to make, the charges you won’t have to count, the planning you won’t have to do. That is the value of choosing a villa. Can you party in your suite at your hotel without worry for noise and making a scene? Can you enjoy an afternoon of fresh cocktails by the pool without summing up the $25 per glass costs in your head, plus the per service tips to the staff? Can you manage an impromptu visit by friends and relatives with a customized feast in your hotel suite? Can you disappear from the world when you do not want to have contact and reappear when you are ready and able without offending your friends?

Whether for the sumptuous sea views, the sounds of surf to lull you to sleep, and stunning desert beauty of all that surrounds you in Los Cabos, these things can be managed by choosing the right hotel or resort and managing to wrangle the right room and location. But choose a vacation villa instead and your choices are assured, creating an exponential multiplier on enjoyment with stress-free built-ins that come with each property. No need to think. With a Los Cabos villa through Elegant Mexico it is all done for you, and before you know you want it.