Mexico’s Los Cabos bets on ‘wellness’ tourism to attract high-profile travelers

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Los Cabos, which includes the cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, occupies the tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula and is a 2.5-hour flight from Mexico City and Los Angeles. Starting in December, Copa Airlines will also offer flights to Panama City.

This terrain, punctuated by rock formations and beautiful beaches where arid desert meets blue sea, is the perfect place for those seeking rest, reflection, and a luxurious experience, without the crowds of tourists that are common at other Mexican beach destinations. No wonder this place has attracted celebrities like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, and Shakira. This destination emphasizes quality time, which is in line with global trends. According to the Global Wellness Institute, travel focused on health and balance generates billions of dollars and is growing every year.

There are many resorts in this area. One of the largest hotels is Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, which has actor Robert De Niro as one of its partners and offers a combination of luxury and minimalism. The architecture throughout the 200-room complex in Cabo San Lucas combines Japanese and Mexican elements. Healthy activities are one of the hotel’s pillars.

For example, Esencia Spa offers treatments inspired by the four elements of nature, including soothing treatments using volcanic stones, Asian massages, and treatments that combine various classical therapies. The hotel has three pools, and in front of it is a beach with strong waves due to the open sea, making it perfect for walking and sports.

The gastronomy of Los Cabos is also considered part of a journey of happiness. The region’s geographic isolation and unique soil characteristics have turned it into a center for organic food production, with many restaurants relying on food grown on the region’s fertile soil.

Monte Caldon Restaurant, located 18 minutes from San Jose del Cabo, follows a farm-to-table philosophy. The restaurant follows the logic of slow food and guarantees that meals are made with organic produce grown locally or within a 20km radius. The commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the granite, sand and clay structures, which are set in a space surrounded by a natural landscape that blends naturally with the arid environment. At dinner, Chef Ubaldo Martinez comes to your table and explains what each dish is about and where each ingredient comes from.

— Why serve salmon flown in from Alaska when you can find fresh fish six miles away? It makes no sense.

Additionally, the Acre Resort’s outdoor restaurant in San Jose del Cabo has been awarded a green star in the Michelin Guide. The menu is based on contemporary Mexican cuisine, featuring locally grown ingredients and dishes created by local producers. The resort functions as a sustainable farm and creative space, where you can stay in treehouses or more spacious villas, or take classes in handmade candle making, yoga, or horseback riding.

One of the many experiences in the region is efforts to revive the tradition of cacao as a medicinal raw material. At the Cocoa Ceremony, conducted by Orin Cabo Chocolate Shop, visitors can learn about the history of cocoa fruit, taste different varieties, and participate in the making of fresh drinks.

And of course, the blue of the Sea of ​​Cortez isn’t something you can only admire from afar. Aboard the Pelican 11, a double-decker catamaran that seats up to 45 people, you can explore the iconic Arco de los Cabos rock formations in Cabo San Lucas, visit the region’s beaches like Praia dos Amantes and Praia do Divorcio, and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Depending on the season, you may be able to see turtles, dolphins, and sea lions strolling in the sea.