Beyond the glamour, this A-list favourite has a lot more to it that meets the eye.
At the very south of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos feels like it’s in a world of its own. And what a world that is: famed for its uber-luxurious resorts, paradisical white beaches and sophisticated nightlife, this well-heeled enclave is the escape for those who enjoy the finer things in life (including the cast of Selling Sunset).
But beyond the inimitable gloss and glamour is a distilled taste of Mexican culture, where indigenous nature, art and gastronomy flourish as they have done throughout its colourful history.
Read on to discover 10 unmissable things to do in Los Cabos.
Discover more about Los Cabos on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursdays 8:30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle.
1. Go scuba diving at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
Mexico is famed as one of the scuba-diving capitals of the world and the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, just two hours' drive off the coast of San Jose del Cabo, is undoubtedly one of its highlights. Estimated to be an incredible 20,000 years old, this is the only hard coral reef in the Gulf of California and is home to more than 800 marine species – including five of the world’s seven endangered sea turtles.
2. See the arch of Cabo San Lucas
Perhaps the most recognisable landmark of Los Cabos, this granite rock formation out to sea lends awe-inspiring drama to the pristine coastline, carved by the elements over thousands of years. You can access ‘El Arco’, or ‘Land’s End’, and its surrounding white-sand beaches, by boat from Cabo San Lucas Marina or Medano Beach (a glass-bottom boat ride or sunset cruise offer the most memorable experience). If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin, whale or sea lion cresting above the surface.
3. Experience the magic of whale watching
Los Cabos’ privileged spot at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula means it effectively has a front-row seat for the Pacific’s humpback whale migration season (the surrounding waters are also used for breeding). The months between December and April are prime time to spot these majestic animals – take a tour for the best chance of seeing them, and during some you’ll even be able to listen to their underwater calls using a hydrophone.
4. Taste agave spirits, local wines and Mexican flavours
One of the absolute highlights of a visit to Mexico is its world-famous cuisine, which, here on the peninsula, is complemented by the most exquisite fresh seafood. The area’s luxury resorts run with the brief beautifully, like Montage Los Cabos’ Mezcal, where generations-old family recipes are complemented by regionally sourced wines, traditional agave and tequila. Explore beyond and find flavour-packed tacos at the ever-popular Guss Tacos, laden with plump shrimp or rotisserie meat, and organic, farm-to-table dishes and cocktails at the 150-acre Flora Farms, like the ‘Farmarita’ – a margarita with an heirloom carrot infusion.
5. Play a round of golf on a world-class course
When it comes to golfing, Los Cabos is the jewel in Latin America’s crown. With 18 courses and counting, including world-class design by the likes of Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, Los Cabos is a golfer’s dream. The scenery is spectacularly diverse, too, incorporating mountains, ocean and cactus-lined desert – not to mention the blissful blue skies and temperate weather that makes playing a joy.
6. Immerse yourself in local culture with an art walk
Colourful, joyous and rich with native symbolism, Mexican art is a proud expression of the country’s culture and a language all of its own. Every Thursday night between November and June, the San José Art Walk takes visitors on a must-see tour of the city’s historic gallery district, where the cobbled streets unveil open-air installations and new exhibitions from the likes of Galeria de Ida Victoria, Patricia Mendoza Gallery and the Old Town Gallery. The atmosphere is absolutely buzzing, as are the local eateries.
7. Go horseback riding on the beach at sunset
There are some travel memories that stay with you forever, and riding horseback on a beach at sunset has to be one of them. Enjoy the fresh spray of the surf as you traverse Migrino Beach astride a horse, while the colours of sunset shift on the horizon. Some companies also offer the chance to go off-track to the Baja desert, where you can encounter local wildlife and ancient rock art.
8. Relax in a VIP poolside cabana with a bottle of champagne
Embrace Los Cabos’ glamorous side with the ultimate indulgent afternoon at the resort pool in your own private cabana. Nowhere does poolside bathing like Montage Los Cabos, where you’ll truly want for nothing in your butler-serviced haven. With champagne, fresh fruit, a cooler packed with ice-cold coconut water and sparkling drinks, chilled towels for refreshing under the sun and a selection of chef-curated tapas, this is holiday pampering at its very best.
9. Indulge in an ancient Temazcal spa treatment
Tap into the wisdom of ancient Mexico with a ritual that has been used to heal and purify since the pre-Hispanic era. A Temazcal (an Aztec word for ‘house of heat’) is a steam lodge heated by a pit of volcanic rocks, whose aromatic vapours are said to boost circulation and promote relaxation. During the ceremony, all doors to the stone, igloo-like hut are closed, plunging you into darkness for the ultimate feeling of renewal.
10. Take a tour of the town of Todos Santos
An hour north of Los Cabos is one of the region’s most charming towns, which is well worth the day trip. In the foothills of the Sierra Laguna mountains, surrounded by mango, papaya and palm orchards, the pretty seaside Todos Santos is where artists, surfers and bohemians come to play.
Its fascinating history, from its colonisation during the 1700s mission period to its 100-year era of sugarcane production, is evident in everything from its colonial architecture to the old cane mill chimneys dressed with bougainvillea.
Discover Los Cabos
Looking for more inspiration? Check out How Mexico's Los Cabos Became a Celebrity Favourite.
Discover more about Los Cabos on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursdays 8:30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle.
This season of Luxury Escapes: The World's Best Holidays is brought to you by Citi Credit Cards. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.
