In 2023, Los Cabos emerged as Mexico’s premier international tourist hotspot, drawing an impressive 4.75 million visitors. Yet, the surge in tourism—surpassing the national average by 50%—has inadvertently spotlighted the surrounding areas of Baja California Sur, which are now blossoming into even more captivating destinations.
The allure of Los Cabos has shifted the tide of high-end tourism towards the charming towns nearby, where a fresh wave of opulent resorts, private residences, and chic boutique hotels are making their mark.
The Charm of Los Cabos
Nestled on the sun-kissed shores of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos has been a beacon for Mexico’s most sought-after attractions and experiences. It’s a haven for diverse and thrilling accommodations, from serene desert wellness retreats to luxurious resorts brimming with amenities, not to mention the close encounters with wildlife in the Sea of Cortez, akin to an underwater aquarium.
As Los Cabos’ reputation has flourished over the years, development has claimed nearly every inch of its coastline. This saturation has cast a spotlight on nearby gems like the Loreto islands in the Sea of Cortez and the historic Todos Santos, which offer the one thing Los Cabos now lacks: exclusivity.
Luxury-seekers are venturing beyond Los Cabos, drawn to the emerging opulent properties designed to meet the growing demand.
The New Wave of Luxury: Costa Palmas
Costa Palmas, situated on the Eastern Cape of the Baja California peninsula, is redefining luxury. This elite enclave is home to the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Los Cabos and Amanvari Resort and Residences, featuring a host of upscale amenities including a Robert Trent Jones II golf course, a variety of gourmet dining options set to debut this summer, and a marina equipped to accommodate yachts as long as 250 feet.
A stone’s throw from Los Cabos, these locales offer an escape that feels worlds apart. In Todos Santos, the focus is on deep cultural immersion, enriched with a unique bohemian essence, according to Rodrigo Gutierrez, General Director of the new Todos Santos Boutique Hotel.
Todos Santos Boutique Hotel: A Cultural Gem
Just under an hour from the vibrant energy of Los Cabos lies the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, a recent addition to the region’s luxury landscape. This exclusive 10-room boutique hotel, which opened in February 2024, is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and serves those seeking an opulent yet culturally rich experience.
Gutierrez explains that the hotel embodies the spirit of Mexican heritage and the local narrative, catering to those who value cultural depth and seek out enriching experiences.
The hotel is a sanctuary of elegance, featuring hand-painted murals by renowned artist Nef Espino, inspired by Baja California Sur’s historic Spanish missions, and adorned with luxurious textiles and furnishings that exude warmth and sophistication.
The culinary scene at the hotel is headlined by its signature restaurant, 1890, which fuses global and local tastes with the freshest ingredients. La Copa, the hotel’s refined bar, offers meticulously crafted cocktails that showcase the best regional and international spirits and wines. Additionally, La Cava, the hotel’s exquisite wine cellar, is available for private bookings.
The hotel’s shared spaces are meticulously crafted, featuring a rooftop terrace and a warm pool, offering a serene retreat for those staying on the premises. For the explorers at heart, the hotel provides privileged access to a range of exclusive adventures, from sailing the seas with Ocean Line Yachts to exhilarating off-road tours across the region’s rugged hinterlands.
Los Cabos Remains a Jewel
The emergence of upscale tourism in neighboring locales of Baja California Sur hasn’t eclipsed the enduring appeal of Los Cabos to its visitors.
Recent ventures, such as the adults-only Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, part of the prestigious Velas Resorts collection, have launched to great acclaim, nestled along the lustrous stretch of coast that lies between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. This is indicative of the remarkable expansion witnessed by Los Cabos, boasting the addition of over 6,000 new hotel rooms in just the last seven years, according to the Los Cabos Tourism Board.
Yet, it’s the novel offerings like the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel that signal a refreshing shift in the area’s tourism landscape, one that’s set to flourish. What was once a far-fetched notion of luxury in a quaint coastal hamlet like Todos Santos is now on course to become a vanguard of the region’s burgeoning luxury travel scene.
Source: The Moore County News
