Travelers often use Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas interchangeably, causing some confusion for first-time visitors. To clear up the confusion, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are two cities that are part of the larger Los Cabos region in Mexico’s stunning Baja California Peninsula.
Compared to the popular Cabo San Lucas, which is home to a slew of exciting restaurants and lively bars, San José del Cabo is quieter, with a thriving art scene and boutique shopping. Both cities are beautiful in their own right, promising a Mexico getaway with breathtaking beaches, cliffside resorts and oceanfront cabañas. But if you’re looking for a swimmable beach, your best bet is Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, where you’ll find numerous dining options and entertainment steps from the sand. Wherever you decide to stay in Los Cabos, you can look forward to luxury hotels with private plunge pools, rooms with expansive sea views and opulent villas replete with butler service.
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel
Expect endless ocean views at this five-star beachfront hotel, which has been touted for its world-class service. Choose from 157 rooms, suites and villas that offer unobstructed views of the Cabo San Lucas Bay and El Arco. Rooms come with private balconies and thoughtful decor details, such as midcentury Latin American furnishings and sateen-woven sheets and linens. Outside the comfort of your room, you’ll find two stunning swimming pools: an infinity pool with a swim-up bar and a saltwater pool carved into the cliffside boasting views of the Pacific Ocean. After you shake off the sand, head to the chic rooftop lounge, where tequila cocktails are served fireside in a sunken communal seating area alongside views of El Arco in the distance.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- Welcome amenity & note.
- Breakfast daily.
- Upgrade & extended check-in whenever possible.
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Rooms at Esperanza range from casitas and suites to oceanfront villas and haciendas. If you’re looking to kick your Mexican vacation up a notch, the haciendas are the definition of opulence. With a dedicated housekeeping staff, private infinity pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and dining area spread across 14,000 square feet, you really can’t go wrong with a stay in these four-bedroom hacienda homes. Beyond the rooms, Esperanza has a private beach replete with concierge service as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar. And don’t miss Cocina del Mar, a stellar restaurant carved into the cliffs overlooking the ocean. As waves crash nearby and salty sea air wafts overhead, enjoy a menu of Mexican fare and Baja-inspired cuisine.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- Breakfast daily.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
If you love golf and dream of teeing off in Baja California, the uber-private and serene Chileno Bay is for you. A stunning 18-hole golf course was designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, to combine ocean views with panoramic vistas of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains rising up in the distance. Not much of a golf fan? Chileno Bay has a bevy of other activities to choose from, including wellness treatments and outdoor excursions ranging from snorkeling and scuba diving to whale watching around the Baja Peninsula.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- $35 daily breakfast credit.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
One of the best resorts in the Los Cabos region, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal provides the ultimate Mexico escape. Of particular note is the Estrella Suite, which provides an oasis of luxury amidst paradise. Found on the top floor of this Los Cabos Resort, the Estrella Suite includes a large terrace with a fire pit, a private infinity pool, an indoor / outdoor living area, a king master suite, a rain shower, a soaking tub and a fully stocked refrigerator. Beyond the suite, there’s a full-service spa with a sauna, massage treatments and soaking hot tubs. When it comes to dining options, there are a few different restaurant concepts to choose from. Don Manuel’s Bar serves up rare spirits — including tequila and mezcal — sourced from various regions across Mexico. Crudo’s menu boasts the freshest ceviche paired with endless sea views. The beach club offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Pedregal Mountain rising in the distance, paired with traditional Mexican tacos and quesadillas. El Farallon serves an ocean-to-table menu in a cliffside restaurant widely considered to be one of the most breathtaking in the region.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- $35 daily breakfast credit.
- Upgrade whenever possible.
Montage Los Cabos
Less than two miles from the popular swim spot, Medano Beach, Montage Los Cabos is a five-star hotel with stellar accommodations. Here, you’ll find all the expected amenities of a beach resort, including a fitness center, swimming pools, beach cabañas, a full-service spa and plenty of dining concepts. But what truly sets Montage Los Cabos apart is its recreational water sports center, Compass, which offers everything from wave runners to sailing, snorkeling to scuba diving. For a truly special day trip, book the eight-hour Canyon Experience, which blends land and sea adventures. You’ll spend the day driving UTVs, swimming in natural pools, hiking along the San Dionisio River and visiting the stunning Sol de Mayo waterfall.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- $70 daily breakfast credit.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
One&Only Palmilla
This stunning Los Cabos resort touts itself as being “immersed between blue skies and the azure sea.” Found on the coast of Baja California, with uninterrupted views of the Sea of Cortez, this luxury resort has something coveted: access to the few swimmable beaches in the Los Cabos region. Whether you book a suite, room or villa, all are ocean-facing with private terraces or patios adorned with comfy day beds. If you’re looking to splurge, the Casita Suites come with a dedicated butler and a private oceanfront infinity pool. Beyond the rooms, there are plenty of sea and land activities to book, although it’s worth trying one of the authentic Mexican experiences. One&Only Palmilla does a stellar job of connecting guests to Mexico’s vibrant culture, with Mexican cooking classes, mezcal and tequila tastings and traditional healing rituals.
Fora Perks:
- $150 hotel / resort credit.
- Breakfast daily.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort
Found between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Las Ventanas Rosewood is where the Mexican desert landscape meets the picturesque coast. Not only is Las Ventanas a family-friendly resort, but it’s also one of the few that are pet-friendly. Furry friends will find luxury accommodations at Las Ventanas, where portable pet cabañas, a chef-prepared Canine Delights Menu and pet accessories are available to guests.
Fora Perks:
- $125 hotel / resort credit.
- Complimentary Oasis Experience for two.
- Welcome amenity & note.
- Breakfast daily.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
Combining the Japanese design unique to the Nobu brand with the Mexican flair of the Los Cabos region, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos is a five-star resort and the first Nobu hotel to open in the area. Choose between deluxe rooms and expansive suites that are more affordable than some of the other luxury resorts on this list. All rooms boast a Japanese minimalist design with earth tone details, exclusive Nobu beds and lovely views of either the ocean, lush garden or sprawling Mexican desert. While here, check out the tranquil Esencia Wellness Spa, where treatments range from hydrotherapy to Asian-inspired massages. At the spa, you’ll also find saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and a fitness center with a range of yoga, Pilates and spinning classes on offer.
Fora Perks:
- $100 hotel / resort credit.
- $30 daily breakfast credit.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
This oceanfront resort in San José del Cabo seamlessly combines the natural beauty of the region with Mexico’s vibrant culture. Choose from over 100 rooms, suites and villas that are thoughtfully designed with art, textiles and crafts made by local Mexican artists. Whichever room you book, expect a perfect blend of land and sea with wall-to-wall sliding glass doors that invite the ocean breeze into your bedroom, private plunge pools and private terraces. If you can peel yourself away from your stunning accommodations, the dining options at Zadún are spectacular. Like the room’s decor, the on-site restaurants nod to Mexico’s rich and varied culinary scene, with menus pulling from traditional Indigenous spices and generational dishes.
Fora Perks:
- $150 hotel / resort credit.
- Two complimentary Signature cocktails at COA Bar.
- Breakfast daily.
- Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
The Four Seasons brand promises excellence and world-class service anywhere in the world, but in Los Cabos that promise is made even more special. Found on a thousand-acre private resort community on the East Cape of Baja California, the Four Seasons Los Cabos sits on two miles of beach and swimmable waters (a rarity in this region!). This five-star luxury resort is close enough to Los Cabos International Airport and the cities to be convenient, but far enough to provide the ultimate Mexican getaway. Rooms were designed by the renowned estate designer Todd-Avery Lenahan and include private plunge pools and private terraces, while dining options range from Mediterranean-inspired fare to a Baja brasserie. Beyond the rooms and restaurants, the Four Seasons Los Cabos can organize exciting land and sea activities, including visits to nearby waterfalls, horseback riding tours along the coast, deep-sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez, snorkeling at the UNESCO site Cabo Pulmo and swimming alongside the gentle giants, whale sharks.
Fora Perks:
- When you book Four Seasons through Fora, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. I’ll be pleased to give you more details.
Casa Natalia
Staying at Casa Natalia is akin to vacationing in a friend’s home. Guests are warmly welcomed by attentive, kind staff at this boutique gem in the heart of San José del Cabo, frequented by locals and travelers alike. Each of the 18 colorful suites features art and decor created by local artists and artisans, in addition to private terraces (some of which have a hot tub) and hammocks. Guests can relax by the pool, enjoy an in-room massage or dine on locally-sourced, organic cuisine at either of Casa Natalia’s two spectacular restaurants. Here’s a romantic, intimate escape perfect for the traveler seeking cultural immersion and a unique, off-the-beaten path vacation.
Email: Italia.dutton@fora.travel
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