4 idyllic days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

At the tail end of February, as New York was about to have a blizzard, my boyfriend and I boarded a plane and headed right to Los Cabos. I'd had enough winter, and Mexico was the only answer. Upon landing, we were greeted with cloudless blue skies; dry, comfortable heat; and unobstructed ocean views. I was in heaven. 

Nestled at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas offers a different type of getaway than you will find in other popular Mexican vacation spots. Cabo has a stunning desert landscape, which reminded me of Palm Springs, California, but it sits right next to the ocean. Over the course of 5 days, we swam, relaxed and watched for whales. 

• When to arrive: We arrived on a Sunday, but if you want to take a long weekend, I suggest arriving on Thursday or Friday.

• How to get from the airport: We arranged transportation with Transcabo, but Uber is also available. 

• Getting around town: I recommend Uber if you are just getting around town, but if you are venturing beyond the main town, I suggest organizing your transportation with a car service. 

• Where to stay: For the first half of our trip, we stayed at the absolutely stunning Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol. It is definitely more of a luxury stay, but the service, design and food were all unbelievable. My boyfriend was a bit sick at the beginning of our trip, and the lengths that the staff went to make sure he was comfortable were like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We also ventured to Nest Baja, about an hour outside the main town. It feels completely removed from the world, with not much around but untouched beaches. 

• What to pack: A swimsuit, sandals and sunscreen are really all you need in Cabo. If you like to swim, you might want water shoes as well.

Day 1

Morning

After arriving on Sunday in the early evening, our first full day began bright and early, watching the sunrise from the porch of our hotel room at the Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol and enjoying a cup of coffee.

Starting the trip at the Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol felt like the ultimate luxury. After you pass through the entryway, sweeping views of the ocean and sky stretch out in front of you. While the hotel only recently opened and is still under construction, the attention to detail and emphasis on the landscape and views were immediately apparent.

After coffee, I got ready for the day and walked to Mesa Madre, the hotel's main restaurant, which serves food focused on traditional flavors and dishes inspired by aubelas' (grandmothers') cooking. For breakfast, I opted for tamales and a fruit plate. 

How to spend the day

This first full day was mainly about relaxing in the sun, so that is exactly what we did. We settled at the giant infinity pool near Mesa Madre, which has a wonderful view of the ocean. We spent the early afternoon watching for whales (I saw many) and swimming around the pool. 

For lunch, we ate poolside and chowed down on rib-eye tacos that were truly perfection. The housemade salsas provided an extra special kick, and I couldn't stop adding them to every dish. I also enjoyed a passionfruit cocktail. 

Evening

In the early evening, I headed over to the spa to get a massage. It was much needed after the long flight the day before. Prior to the massage, they offered various essential oil blends that represent the states you would like to reach during your massage. I chose peace because I wanted to fully relax and let go during my massage. 

And then I had one of the best massages of my life. Since the hotel is new, the full spa isn't open yet, but the sneak peek I was given bodes well for one of the best hotel spas I’ve ever seen. With various hydropools, a lap pool, a nail and hair salon, and an outdoor lounge area, you could easily spend a whole day here.

Later on, we returned to Mesa Madre to taste the dinner menu. The grilled octopus appetizer was spectacular, and the grilled fish with adobo on one side and a bright parsley sauce on the other stole the show.

Day 2

Morning

We began early, grabbing coffee and a pastry from the Dátil coffee shop at the hotel before hopping in our car and going to the marina.

How to spend the day

We spent 4 hours at sea whale watching and snorkeling aboard a boat with Apex Ocean Divers. Our first stop was the iconic arch. This rock formation at Land's End is not only impressive, it also serves as a gateway through which the Sea of Cortez flows into the Pacific Ocean. We paused for a quick photo op before heading further out into the ocean. We pulled on wetsuits and got our snorkeling gear ready. 

Once we were far enough out, we hopped in the water and started swimming around, seeing various fish and even stingrays.

But the highlights of the afternoon were the countless gray whales breaching and splashing their tails in the water. The creatures can be up to 50ft long, and at one point, a whale even showed up right below our boat – it was an exhilarating experience. 

As we explored, we also happened upon a pod of dolphins. There is nothing like watching dozens of dolphins jumping in and out of the water.  

For a snack, we ate burritos on the boat and took a last-minute swim before returning to shore. 

We shopped for a bit at the stalls around the marina, where we bought a couple of souvenirs before going back to our hotel. We immediately made a beeline for the Costamar Beach Club, where we spent the rest of the day hanging out in a cabana. 

We drank palomas and dined on chips and guacamole. My boyfriend had a truly impressive burrito, and I had perfect carne asada tacos. We swam, napped on the pool chairs and continued watching for whales. 

Evening

After a siesta hour and showers, we got ready for dinner. We headed back to the Costamar Beach Club to try the Sílan menu, which specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine. Sílan, the upcoming restaurant in the hotel, will be an upscale dining spot. 

From Greek salad and meze to the best kebab I’ve ever had and beautifully cooked fish, the menu is fresh and delicious. Paired with wine, the dinner was the perfect way to end our second day. 

Day 3

Morning

The day once again began at Mesa Madre, where I had French toast with blueberry compote and freshly squeezed orange juice, before we checked out of the Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol and ventured over to Monte Cardón, a farm-to-table restaurant and event space located on a hill in Los Cabos with views of the mountains, sea and desert landscape.

How to spend the day

We spent the afternoon taking a cooking class from Chef Luis, using homegrown produce and locally caught fish and shrimp. 

We made a beautiful salad, grilled cactus, rice infused with herbs, yellowtail and grilled shrimp. We ate on the roof with panoramic views of the landscape. It was hands-on but not overly controlling, where you are waiting to hear the next step. I appreciated that the chef recognized that we are relatively solid cooks, and I also loved learning new recipes and ways to use extra produce in unique ways. 

After the cooking class, we headed to Nest Baja, our hotel for the final two nights of our trip.

The journey to the hotel took us along dirt roads, way beyond the main town. As we drove, we passed bulls and donkeys wandering the road. Upon arrival at Nest Baja, we were greeted by a stunning view of the ocean and a beautiful deck that combines the dining area and the pool. While a lovely hotel, this is a more rustic, down-to-earth experience than the luxury stay at the Park Hyatt – perfect for feeling in your own little world and looking to slow down.

Of course, as soon as we were checked in and walked through the lush pathways to our bungalow, we got settled and then went to the pool for cocktails and a swim. 

Evening

We watched the sunset from the rooftop of our bungalow before heading to the restaurant for dinner, where I devoured a delicious Wagyu hamburger, chips and guacamole. 

Day 4

Morning

We began our day at the yoga platform overlooking the ocean, which was a gentle and lovely way to start, before heading to the restaurant for breakfast. My boyfriend ordered some beautiful chilaquiles, and I had coffee and avocado toast. 

How to spend the day

We got to choose between a surfing lesson or a beach day, and we opted for a chill beach day (surfing is one of those activities that I’ve never wrapped my head around).

The hotel loaded up chairs, an umbrella and a cooler with snacks and beer for us, then gave us a quick ride to a quiet cove with only a few people. The water here was calm, so we were able to swim, which is not allowed on many Cabo beaches due to dangerous riptides. Luckily, we brought water shoes, which I would recommend, as it can be quite rocky, and you’ll have to dodge sea urchins.

We spent a few hours lounging and enjoying the warm water before returning to the hotel and swimming a bit more. 

Evening

In the early evening, we got a couple's massage and continued our chill day of relaxation. Nest Baja also offers experiences like temezcal (a traditional sweat lodge) and a cacao ceremony. Afterward, we decided to eat dinner from the comfort of our hotel room and make it an early night, since we were traveling home the next day. 

Chamidae Ford was a guest of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. Lonely Planet does not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.