With fall on the horizon, are you searching for the perfect beach vacation? Look no further than Cabo, Mexico. From nearly anywhere in the United States, Cabo is easy to get to, making it a great trip for any amount of time. Located in northwestern Mexico, Cabo is situated on the Pacific Ocean. While not always swimmable, this vibrantly blue ocean is picturesque and the perfect setting for your time off. Keep reading to hear about hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations:
Stay
In my two visits to Cabo, Mexico, I have stayed at both The One&Only Palmilla, and in a villa at The Esperanza. Here is my breakdown of the two:
The One&Only is, on the margin, more beautiful than the Esperanza. The hotel’s architecture is perfectly done, and we had an amazing trip. The spa is idyllic, the boutique is charming, and we were able to arrange a private beachside dinner for my mother’s birthday. It is worth noting, however, we felt that certain charges are unnecessarily expensive. For example, bottled waters are free at the pool, but $10 at the restaurant right next-door. All-in-all, we had a great time and would definitely return.
Having a villa at the Esperanza allowed us more space, as well as the ability to sometimes dine more casually, as compared to always eating at restaurants. We could not use the hotel’s main pool, but instead a separate residence pool. Though beautiful, it is not quite up-to-par with the hotel pool and is a little loud. That being said, the hotel’s restaurants are delicious, and we especially appreciated the July 4th celebration they threw. Like the One&Only, the Esperanza has a wonderful spa, offering an entire relaxation experience around my massage.
Dine
Cocina del Mar at the Esperanza – we ate here on our first night at the Esperanza, and it did not disappoint! From the fresh-out-of-the-oven popovers to the sea bass to my brother’s birthday dessert, every course was amazing. Better yet, we were seated outside and looked directly over the ocean. Though expensive, this meal was one to remember!
Flora Farms – though remotely located, you’ll see why once you get there. Flora Farms is on a vast property including a restaurant, farm, spa, and shops, offering you not just a meal, but an experience. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is lively. There are live musical performances, and when we were there, even a family movie night. Arrive early to explore the property. We ended our meal with a trip to the ice cream cart, yum!
Acre – located on 25 acres next to Flora Farms, this restaurant is another favorite (and it just added a charming hotel too). Similarly lively, Acre offers amazing food in a beautiful atmosphere. Enter via its intriguing palm tree-lined walk way to experience a seasonal and innovative menu. Do not miss exploring the property grounds (with stone pathways leading you through the forest to tucked away amenities) before or after your meal.
Toro – at the entrance to the Esperanza is this delicious latin restaurant. The space itself has a hip design that enhances the wonderful food.
La Lupita – a welcome change from pricier restaurants, this cantina touts itself on delicious tacos and mezcal. While I did not have any mezcal, I can safely say the tacos live up to expectations. We came for lunch while in Cabo to rent jet skis.
Comal at the Chileno Bay Resort – just a short drive from the Esperanza (with a direct shuttle service provided, as both hotels are Auberge Resorts), this hip and fresh restaurant offers Mexican food in a modern way, with beautiful views of the ocean. Great atmosphere!
Las Estrellas at the Esperanza – if you are staying at the Esperanza, this casual restaurant is just a minute’s walk away and notably offers delicious wood-fired pizzas (and sangria too).
Manta at the Cape Hotel – we ate at this chic restaurant our first time in Cabo and greatly enjoyed our meal. Though we dined indoors, the floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the cliffs of Cabo made us feel outside.
Suviche at the One&Only – while staying at the One&Only, we dined at its Japanese fusion seafood restaurant. Our food was very good and offered a fun and different menu, though notably expensive.
Do
Though you might want to simply relax at the pool the whole time, if you are looking to change things up, here are some options:
Take a Surfing Lesson – having never surfed before in my life because of my deathly fear of sharks, I even surprised myself when I was able to stand up on my third try! If you are looking to do something active, this is lots of fun!
Go for a Boat Ride – explore Cabo from the water with a boat ride, where you can even snorkel if the water is calm.
Rent Jet Skis – head to Cabo to rent some jet skis (ask your concierge for a reputable company). Though the waters were a bit crowded with other jet skiers, boats, etc., we still had a great time.
On a final note, this trip gave me the opportunity to test out the nighttime photography capabilities of my new camera. Check out some pictures I caught!
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Salut Madeleine 