I’ve often heard, “Tourism can’t possibly be enough to sustain the economy,” and yet, every time I’m in Cabo, I’m fighting for my life to find a spot at the pool, the bar, the beach…even the ocean. And if most resorts come equipped with multiple infinity pools, an enclosed experience where you feel like you’re the center of the universe, and enough dining options you’ll need not leave the property, how can one not be a driver of tourism?
As someone who has been to the Baja peninsula a handful of times, I do love Resort City, but I can only handle so much of the seemingly unregulated fun; it’s a lot like Vegas in that regard – IYKYK. That being said, I’m pro-vacation every now and again, and Cabo is one of the easiest ways to unwind from the west coast.
WHERE I’VE STAYED:
1) Pueblo Bonito Blanco Los Cabos Beach Resort: If you’re looking for an all-inclusive with mid-vibes, but central to the bustling fun of Cabo San Lucas, Pueblo Bonito Blanco is perfect. My favorite aspect of this hotel was being able to walk along the beach and connect with businesses soliciting jet skis, boat tours, and booze. There are two dining options on property – Las Palomas and Cilantro’s – as well as a pool bar with your run-of-the-mill essentials like ceviche and piña coladas. In terms of resorts I’ve stayed at, Blanco caters heavily to the influx of American tourism. Don’t book this if you’re looking for a quieter, more traditional time. Pricing ranges from the mid-$200s to $1000 depending on the season and room type, but this is typical for a lot of beachfront properties in Cabo (including the following).
2) Bahia del Tezal Airbnb: Bahia del Tezal is located about one mile inland from Medano Beach, making its walkability one of the more enticing reasons to book. If you are hosting a small group, you’ll be comfortable with two bedrooms, two baths, and a full kitchen. Added bonus: a rooftop with multiple exercise bikes and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
3) Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort: My favorite Cabo hotel for a variety of reasons, including isolation (Pedregal is a luxury-gated community), a pristine beach with crystal clear water, an abundance of restaurants, gorgeous pools, and access to golf-cart taxis, which I had never experienced before. The property is huge and to make life easier, staff can be called to pick you up from your front door and drive you anywhere on property. This made getting to some of their hill-top restaurants much easier than walking. And speaking of dining, Sunset has several options, including one fine dining restaurant, a food hall with 12 different options, like, Japanese, American, Italian, and Mexican, a sports bar, and a cocktail bar. You can view the menus for each here. I highly recommend this resort if you’re looking to unwind in some quiet.
4) GR Solaris Lighthouse Los Cabos: Even though I was at this resort for less than 24 hours (on a layover for work), I found enough to do to fill my time. This newly renovated hotel features three pools with swim-up bars, several on-site restaurants, and a lively lobby with a few pool tables. Definitely try the enchiladas at Don Gus and the poolside ceviche.
5) JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa: While the JW name gives Marriott elegance – and this resort was nothing but – I couldn’t help but feel like something was missing from this 5-star spot. It felt almost like I was transported to a retirement community of probably very affluent people. TLDR; it was boring. I wouldn’t pay to stay here again, but I would recommend the spa experience – elegance at its finest – and taking the pool stairs down to the JW’s private beach; there’s nothing akin to the seclusion.
6) Hacienda Del Mar Los Cabos: A really charming resort in central Cabo with romantic vibes perfect for a getaway with your partner. There are two on property pools with swim-up bars, one of which, is adults only. There are a few restaurants on property including Tahona Taqueria, Tortugas Cevicheria, a coffee bar, and Pitahayas. My favorite was the highly recommended taqueria, featuring an assortment of tacos fired in a massive grill. You absolutely must try their in-house habanero salsa – so spicy and so flavorful, I was spoon-feeding myself after the tacos were finished. There are also a few shops on property where you can buy resort wear, jewelry, and last-minute conveniences like sunblock. Hacienda is a lot like the JW, wherein there aren’t a lot of things to do other than unwind, so if that’s your MO, you’ll love it.
WHERE I’VE EXPLORED:
1) El Squid Roe: Have you ever been encouraged by your waitstaff to dance on tables? No? Do you want to be? Still no? Well, too bad! You’re going to end up on a table in this very touristy, over-the-top club. The music is so loud, you’ll reduce your conversation to drinking one of many shots you’ve been pressured into purchasing by the attractive staff. Then, because the liquor is flowing, you’ll move through the establishment to find a stationary, party bus you can also dance in, a couple of poles for attempting your best Vegas dancer impersonation, and a leopard print couch for….? Hopefully you don’t stay long enough to find out! And if you do, best of luck to the rest of your trip.
2) The Arch of Cabo San Lucas: This is the tourist trap of Cabo. You know? The rock arch perched high above the salty waves of the Pacific? In any case, do some Googling and you’ll find that it’s considered a sacred bridge to the afterlife and that pirates used it to ambush Spanish sailors. But more than that, it’s a beautiful piece of nature everyone should be able to glimpse up close and personal. You can book the catamaran I went on here, or walk along any stretch of beach and let one of many boat tours lure you in.
3) Mandala Los Cabos: Much like the effect, you’ll have to be told exactly what happened by your friends in order to believe it to be true. Mandala is yet another club of debauchery in Cabo San Lucas. In fact, if you find yourself here, then you’re probably going to visit every other club in downtown Cabo, since they’re all within a 10-foot radius of one another. Mandala has the veiled-feeling of being in an expensive club, as it’s perched high above downtown with leather couches and a bottle-service atmosphere, but the prices are reasonable. Even bottle service is manageable, starting at $160USD.
4) La Vaquita: One of the less populated bars we went into, though with three dance floors, including one involving climbing a ladder, and a giant cow statue, I’d imagine it does get packed. Thankfully, I was not there to witness the raucous nature. Plus, having an entire dance floor was so much fun for the three of us that stopped in. I loved this bar and recommend going off-season, during the week to reap the full benefits, like free drinks from the staff, who are hoping for you to stay, and access to all areas of the club without having to fight for space.
5) Taco Loco: A no frills, inexpensive taco stop in Centro. Though the menu caters to tourists with fried fish options and even Caesar salad, the basic tacos were flavorful, especially the pastor. Come here for the convenience and cheap bites, but don’t expect to be wowed.
6) La Taquiza Centro: With enough salsas to appease everyone’s flavor profile, La Taquiza is easily one of my favorite taco spots in the tourist corridor. You can find lengua and tripa on the menu, which is always a win for me, as well as a huge quesabirria for $18USD. Don’t let the pink color of the building lure you away. This place is for tourists who know what good food is.
7) Acre: I could write an entire novel about why I love farm-to-table concepts. Acre is everything you could hope for in sustainable dining: local ingredients and a wonderful staff. Plus, being situated on a large, beautiful property, including a donkey farm, hotel and spa, horseback riding, and a boutique, is all the more reason to love it here. The menu and contemporary atmosphere rotates seasonally to include what’s available from local produce at the moment. Some of my previous favorites include a chimichurri steak, a beet salad with carrot and berry vinaigrette , and a lassi mango dry martini. Reservations book out pretty far in advance, so I recommend marking your calendar with this spot as soon as you can!
8) Flora Farms: Akin to Acre, Flora Farms is 25-acres of true magic. Though more rustic in feel than the former, the food is just as incredible. I recommend going to both for unique experiences. My personal preference is Flora for its charming, country feel with lantern-lit, wooden pathways, and live music. You can also take cooking classes and a tour of the on-site farm. And because expats make up about 5% of the population in Cabo, you can look into real estate at Flora, as well.
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Write in to huangbaum@gmail.com with any questions or comments you have about Cabo! I’d also love to hear about your travels and recs, as well. Thanks for reading!
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