What to do
Get a feel for Los Cabos’s cultural side by joining the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk through the town’s historic Distrito del Arte. Running Thursday evenings from November to June, the programme gives visitors a chance to meet gallery owners and artists and get a better understanding of the area’s multicultural community – you’ll meet artists who grew up around the block and transplants from across the world.
Land’s End, a rugged promontory set at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, is the symbolic meeting point of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. It’s known for its distinctive rock formations, including El Arco (the Arch). A favourite spot for photo ops, you can reach Land’s End under your own steam by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Altermatively, skip the workout and hire a water taxi.
Take a day-trip up the Pacific coast to the pretty town of Todos Santos, which is designated as one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). These destinations are recognized for their natural beauty and cultural significance. The town’s colonial centre is lined with 19th-century buildings, many of which now house charming restaurants, galleries and boutiques.
What to eat and drink
Acclaimed Mexican chef Javier Plascencia is set to open Semillón in fall 2019. The restaurant will be the first to open at Puerto Raíz, a multi-concept, indoor-outdoor space set on 13 acres of lush land. The whole venue is designed to be as sustainable as possible, which means scenic outdoor dining beneath the trees and a farm-to-table menu that’s largely sourced from on-site gardens.
Like Puerto Raíz, Huerta Los Tamarindos allows diners to connect directly with the source of their food. Located a short drive outside San Jose del Cabo on a former sugar cane ranch, the partly open-air, 19th-century stone house offers diners sweeping views of its 17-acre organic farm. Dishes, which range from locally-raised, slow-cooked goat to mesquite-baked cauliflower, highlight the region’s natural bounty.
Design-forward restaurant, Acre Baja is straight out of Instagram fantasies, set amid plant-filled grounds and decorated with natural materials like wood and stone. The eclectic farm-to-table menu (notice a trend in Los Cabos dining?) spans the globe, ranging from agnolotti pasta to al pastor tofu buns. Try one of the mezcal cocktails with your dinner – the restaurant has a mezcaleria on site, so their mezcal concoctions are made using unusual, small-batch bottles.
Where to stay
A relaxed ambiance and low-rise buildings set Mar del Cabo apart from Los Cabos’s cookie-cutter resorts. With whitewashed walls and grounds lined with palm trees and bougainvillea, this boutique hotel’s vibe is Mexico-meets-the-Greek-islands. It’s set midway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, so it’s a convenient base for exploring Los Cabos.
Sleek and contemporary, Grand Velas Resort & Spa is one of the area’s most luxurious all-inclusive properties. Beautiful Pacific Ocean views catch the eye from almost every corner, from the three dramatic infinity pools to the waterfront bar, Miramar. Rooms are massive, there’s a stunning spa with a water circuit and the restaurants will smash any negative preconceptions you have about all-inclusive resort food.
The ultra-cool, 69-room Hotel El Ganzo stands out for its underground recording studio (Ed Sheeran and Damien Rice have used it) and artists-in-residence programme, which sees works displayed in the lobby. The cool touch applies to the minimalist guest rooms and the hip rooftop infinity pool. The private beach club is a rare area spot for ocean swimming.
