Wellness-inducing water | lay of the land | energizing eats | pampering retreats
Los Cabos
At the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, you’re surrounded by the forces of well-being — for starters, the instantly soothing ombré of blues, indigos and greens where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Teeming with life and adventure opportunities, these waters are home to everything from whale sharks you can swim with to rock sculptures you can boat through. On land, the wellness vibes are all-encompassing, too, with shockingly abundant desert farming (to say nothing of all the sea-to-fork seafood), a profusion of locally-inspired spa treatments — and some of the most tranquil retreats in existence. Read on to dive deeper into the elements of your next wellness escape.
There are so many stunning beaches in the area — 43% of them swimmable — you might have a hard time knowing where to even begin. This quick playa primer should help: Among the most beloved local beaches is the aptly named Playa del Amor, or Lover’s Beach. Little more than a spit of golden sand between dramatic granite formations, it’s accessible via water taxi (or if you’re feeling energized, via paddleboard or kayak) from Medano Beach — a swimming, volleyball and watersport hotspot across the bay.
Another fun way to reach Playa del Amor: Glass-bottom boat, which will preview the tropical fish you’ll soon meet face-to-face should you decide to snorkel off the beach, or dive nearby. If you dive Neptune’s Finger, in particular, you’ll be treated to the surreal sight of underwater “sand falls” and marine life that could include such dense schools of mobula rays, they’ve been known to block out the sun when they’re swimming overhead from May to August.
If you’re a surfer — or aspire to be — Los Cabos won’t disappoint, with surf breaks suited to a whole range of skill sets from the beginner waves at Acapulquito to the challenge of Monuments Beach. The area has become such a surf destination, in fact, that you’ll find a dedicated surf hotel, with an in-house surf school, on the aforementioned Acapulquito Beach, with other surf instructors, surf tour operators and surf shops lining the coast. Of course, conditions change throughout the year so check in with the local operators before you book.
But no discussion of the waters of Los Cabos would be complete without a nod to the whales that call them home between December and April, when you’re all but guaranteed a sighting on a tour (in fact, some companies will send you on a second tour at no charge in the unlikely event that the first one doesn’t pan out). The most common species during this period is humpback, but you may well see gray whales and dolphins, too.
If it’s whale sharks you seek, consider the bucket-list snorkeling excursions from La Paz (about two hours up the coast), which typically run from October to May. In this case, a lot depends on the specific conditions at the time of your travel, so go with an open mind and some flexibility. (Both essential wellness components, in the grand scheme.)
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Returning to the grounding power of your own two feet, there are legendary yoga and bootcamp offerings throughout Los Cabos, some at resorts such as Gran Velas and Four Seasons, others independent (check out the beachside offerings from Baja Moon Yoga) and still others full-on retreats (the calendar at Prana del Mar is a good place to start to get a sense of the range).
If you’re looking to make easier inroads into the Sierra, consider the hiking, trail-running and mountain biking excursions from Pico Pala Tours. In fact, you’ll find mountain biking throughout the area, with one favorite being Rancho Cacachilas Adventure Hub, where you can also glamp off the grid if you want to make more than a day trip out of this excursion.
If you prefer riding horses to bikes, Los Cabos has you covered. Not too far removed from its cowboy past, this part of the world is still home to numerous ranches (see above), and operators that run horseback tours into the desert and along the coast. In fact, you’ll find camel riding in the area, too — along the beaches, and in some canyons.
From nature trails to city strolls—and golf courses to beach bootcamps — this part of the peninsula offers at least as much wellness on land as in the water. Hikers will be amazed at the range of options, though if you’re not traveling in winter, you’ll want to hit the trails very early in the morning. And though copious water and sunscreen should go without saying, we’ll say it anyway: Have plenty of both on hand for these excursions, whenever you go.
An easy introductory outing — more of a nature stroll than a hike — is the protected estuary just outside central San Jose del Cabo, where paved pathways take you through prime birding grounds (herons, egrets, pelicans, caracara and osprey are just a few of the local characters you might meet).
Another gentle stroll worth doing — this one served up with a side of culture — is the art walk run the by the Gallery District Association of San Jose Del Cabo every Thursday evening from June to November. You’ll also find plenty of history and food walking tours.
With Los Cabos occupying the end of a peninsula, of course, you’ll also find abundant and fresh local seafood — in some cases, mixed into the farm-to-table offerings, in others, at fabled sea-to-fork restaurants. El Farallon at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, for one, places you clifftop over the Pacific, where the daily catch is presented on shaved ice so you can choose the centerpiece of your own meal for the kitchen to prepare.
Then there’s Manta at the Cape Hotel, a different kind of showcase for chef Enrique Olivera of Los Tamarindos fame. Here, he celebrates a number of Pacific coastal cultures from around the globe (see: Sashimi with ají amarillo, sesame and wasabi) while sourcing only local and sustainable ingredients. For an entirely local seafood experience, head to Los Claros in Cabo San Lucas for the battered fish or shrimp tacos, among other beloved house specialties.
Other farm-to-table standouts dot the coast, among them, Los Tamarindos, near the San Jose del Cabo estuary in a 19th-century farmhouse and onetime sugar cane plantation. Now a dreamy organic farm, it fuels the imagination of celebrated chef Enrique Silva, who serves up such specialties as mesquite-baked cauliflower with sikil p’ak, a traditional Mayan salsa. You can also take cooking classes here—and even stay in the onsite accommodations.
Then there’s El Huerto, a Cabo San Lucas gem surrounded by gardens and orchards. Between the produce that’s grown onsite, and the food sourced from the restaurant’s support farm in nearby Miraflores, more than 60 kinds of fruits and veggies cycle through the menu, along with organic, farm-raised eggs and other goodies. (Never tried avocado pizza with feta, arugula and lemon vinaigrette? Here’s your chance.) You’ll also find fresh farm-to-table fare at the aforementioned Rancho Cacachilas, and a handful of other worthy spots, from Todos Santos’ Jazmango to San Jose del Cabo’s Acre.
The farm-to-table dining scene in Los Cabos has gotten so famous, its chief cultural ambassador — Flora Farms — has appeared everywhere from Entertainment Tonight to People to Vogue (whose late, great editor-at-large, André Leon Talley, was godfather to one of the many A-Listers who’ve gotten married onsite).
Hardly your typical Hollywood hangout, however, this is a 25-acre working organic farm tucked into the Sierra de la Laguna foothills just north of San Jose del Cabo. Using the likes of chili pepper and garlic essences to fumigate — and working the earth almost entirely by hand — the farm produces more than 100 crops (don’t miss the guanabana if it’s in season). While simply eating at Flora’s Field Kitchen is worth the trip, you’ll also want to consider signing up for a farm tour, cooking class or farm spa treatment.
Other well-established favorites are adding innovative wellness programming, such as the new Strength of Mind Package at the Viceroy Los Cabos, where the mental fitness trend is taking a turn for the luxurious with private guided meditation, sound healing and even clarity-boosting cuisine. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is introducing new retreats such as a Fitness & Wellness Weekend in May 2023 that includes, among other things, HIIT, Beach Cross Boot Camps and balance and mobility workshops. And brand new to Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, the Well at Chileno Bay offers a tempting blend of indoor and alfresco experiences — a nap garden and reflexology pool, outdoor treatment rooms and a bath house, for starters — along with a Visiting Masters series that will bring international wellness experts to the spa for private and group sessions.
Somewhat newer to the scene — but already renowned — are several others: Montage Los Cabos, with stunning snorkeling, diving and swimming right of the resort’s secluded shore, plus a sustainably designed golf course with Sea of Cortez views from each of the 19 holes; the Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, whose dune-and-estuary setting lend a sanctuary vibe to the whole property, and especially the spa, which hosts a site-specific Tata Harper two-day sensorial beauty retreat; and the aforementioned Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, named Mexico’s Best Resort Hotel in last year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, in part because of the unrivaled magic of proceeding through a torch-lit tunnel to the open-air lobby — and of Baja-inspired body treatments at the spa.
As important as exertion and exploration are to your overall wellbeing, so are rest and rejuvenation — which is where Los Cabos’ resorts come in. There’s a staggering array of luxury retreats here already, with more opening this year and next (the area’s first St. Regis, second Four Seasons and third Velas Resorts outpost, for starters). Equipped with some of the world’s most luxuriant spas, escapist guest rooms, idyllic golf courses and oasis-like grounds, these stays cocoon you in self-care.
Longtime favorites include Grand Velas Los Cabos, where the SE Spa Water Journey, in particular, is a standout; Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort; whose Oceanview Rooftop Terrace Junior Suite is therapy in and of itself, what with the Jacuzzi under the stars and the One&Only Palmilla, the 50s-era property that began life as an old Hollywood hangout and transformed into a modern wellness haven with yoga of all varieties, beach bootcamp sessions, and stand-up paddleboard classes on the Sea of Cortez, among other perks.
Wellness-inducing water
The lay of the land
Energizing eats
Pampering retreats
Plan your trip
A second popular playa pairing? Santa Maria Beach and nearby Chileno Beach, the former a protected cove and marine sanctuary where the clarity is especially good in the mornings; the latter, one of the area’s most swimmable beaches, where you’ll find showers, a lifeguard stand and other amenities.
But if your wellness aspirations lean hardcore, the playa to know is Palmilla, home to the swim portion of the annual Ironman triathlon (November 5, 2023). Not that Palmilla Beach doesn’t offer mellower options, too: Kicking back on these secluded white sands to watch the local fishermen launch and return — with intermittent forays of your own into the teeming, turquoise waters — is a day well spent.
Santa Maria Beach
Chileno Beach
Palmilla Beach
Fox Canyon
But when you’re looking for more challenging trails out in nature, consider the moderate ones leading up to the vista-blessed Cerro de las Antennas (literally, antenna hill) — or down to the falls and natural pool in nearby Fox Canyon.
Hardcore trekkers, for their part, will want to at least consider the legendary 15-mile hike (with 6000 feet of elevation gain) to El Picacho in the UNESCO-designated Sierra de la Laguna range north of Los Cabos. This is one you’ll want an experienced guide and major provisions for to ensure you reach the summit — and its views of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific (at least on a clear day).
Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach)
Medano Beach
Punta Lobos
Palmilla Beach
Los Tamarindos
Chileno Beach
Flora Farms
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort
One&Only Palmilla
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
Montage Los Cabos
Viceroy Los Cabos
Auberge Esperanza
Dive deeper with this 360° map
Wellness-inducing water | lay of the land | energizing eats | pampering retreats
Wellness-inducing water | lay of the land | energizing eats | pampering retreats
Wellness-inducing water | lay of the land | energizing eats | pampering retreats
El Farallon at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal