SOME HOTELS TRY TO WO0 FEMALE guests with offers like shopping trips, afternoon tea and the occasional yoga class. Grand Velas Los Cabos takes a different approach. Guests who book the resort’s five-night Alpha Female Getaway enjoy power hikes in the Sierra de la Laguna biosphere reserve with a swim in mineral-rich hot springs; a three-hour private yacht trip with snorkeling and paddle boarding; complimentary electric bike use; and a four-hands tequila massage—an 80-minute treatment combining ancestral stretching techniques and a tequila rubdown to ease muscle tension and inflammation.
Across Los Cabos, from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo about 20 miles northeast, women are increasingly leaving resort grounds to explore coastlines, mountains, desert and small villages. Improved safety—thanks to upgrades in security processes, infrastructure and personnel—has helped the destination regain a safety rating comparable to parts of Europe by early 2018. The region’s dramatic natural scenery is another draw: sapphire-blue seas meet the Pacific and the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains rise nearby. Between ocean and peaks lies a vast desert dotted with green oases. Accessible, English-speaking outfitters emphasize safety while offering adventurous experiences. Additionally, visitors can engage more with local culture through food, art and traditional wellness practices.
PHOTO: © LOS CABOS TOURIST BOARD
Start outdoors. The Sea of Cortez—separating the Baja Peninsula from the mainland—features dramatic rock formations such as El Arco, the iconic arch where the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez meet, and Seal Rock, home to hundreds of sunbathing sea lions. While boat tours are plentiful, a quieter option is a guided paddle or kayak tour from Cabo SUP on Medano Beach. Instructors welcome beginners and experienced paddlers alike, and the snorkeling along these shores is excellent.
PHOTO: © LOS CABOS TOURIST BOARD
Inland adventures await as well. Wild Canyon Adventures offers specially designed vehicles that traverse sand-swept hills with ocean views while guides explain the local ecosystem. Expect adrenaline from driving ATVs down sandy slopes, through dry riverbeds and along twisty trails. For a different rush, zip lines cross half-mile canyons some 300 feet above the ground, and camel rides provide a gentle way to explore desert terrain.
Hidden in the desert is a productive oasis where organic farmers cultivate vegetables and herbs year-round. Enrique Silva’s farm and restaurant, Huerta Los Tamarindos, showcases more than 100 varieties of produce grown onsite. Housed in a restored 19th-century brick hacienda, the restaurant uses its garden harvest in every dish. Visitors can join cooking classes to learn Baja techniques, from muddling fresh botanicals into colorful margaritas to chopping and sautéing ingredients, finishing with a relaxed lunch on the porch surrounded by the farm’s abundance.
Traditional Maya customs blend with yoga, breathwork and other practices in workshops led by Ofelia G. Bojórquez and the team at Baja Wellness. These sessions are available privately or through The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, as part of the resort’s quarterly wellness retreats. Programs include beach fitness, healthy meals, meditation and spa treatments. The resort also hosts cacao breathing ceremonies that incorporate music, oils and meditative techniques for a holistic sensory experience—an ideal start to a day at its oceanfront spa.
San José del Cabo, founded in the mid-18th century, is the cultural heart of the region. Galleries feature a wide range of work—paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and photography—by trained artists and talented local artisans. From October through June, the city’s Art Walk keeps shops, cafés and galleries open late on Thursday nights, creating a lively evening experience. One notable gallery is run by Patricia Mendoza, a native of La Paz who returned to Baja after years of collecting art in Mexico City; her space highlights local creativity and craftsmanship.
At Montage Los Cabos, designer Faryn Clark collaborated with local artisans to produce clothing, home accessories and jewelry that blend contemporary style with traditional craft. The hotel boutique, Eclectic Array, offers items such as hand-loomed fabric accessories, embroidered tunics and boho-inspired coverups—pieces that reflect regional textile traditions adapted for modern tastes.
Visiting local nonprofits offers another meaningful way to experience Cabo. The Solmar Foundation supports vulnerable community members, including the elderly, homeless and orphaned; guests can join twice-weekly visits to see the foundation’s work firsthand. Fundación Sarahuaro, established in 2005, empowers mothers in poverty through life skills and English classes that open doors to better-paying jobs at area resorts. Its Children’s Kitchen program, started in 2013, relies on nearly 200 volunteers daily to prepare and serve school meals; because meals are served at school, the program also encourages consistent attendance. Volunteers are welcome during the school year.
INFO TO GO
Los Cabos International Airport, recently renovated, is about 25 miles from downtown Cabo San Lucas and roughly eight miles from San José del Cabo. Resorts are spread between the two cities, and direct flights from major U.S. hubs operate year-round.
LODGING
ESPERANZA, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION
This boutique resort sits on a rocky bluff with sweeping sea views. Rooms feature local artwork; some have private plunge pools and hammocks.
Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 7, Punta Ballena, Cabo San Lucas
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GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS
A sprawling all-inclusive known for exceptional dining. The resort’s spa is a central attraction, offering extended water rituals and signature treatments.
1 Corredor Turístico Km. 17, San José del Cabo
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THE CAPE, A THOMPSON HOTEL
Contemporary rooms and suites overlook one of Cabo’s top surf beaches. The Rooftop is among the trendiest bars in the area.
Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 5, Misiones del Cabo
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DINING
EDITH’S
A Los Cabos institution, Edith Jiménez’s restaurant serves Baja specialties and flavors from Guerrero. Tableside-flamed Mexican coffee offers an exciting conclusion to a meal.
Camino a Playa El Medano s/n, Cabo San Lucas
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EL FARALLÓN
Set on an outdoor patio perched directly above the ocean, Chef Miriam Jiménez oversees one of the most dramatic dining rooms in Los Cabos. A Champagne bar welcomes guests before dinner.
1 Camino del Mar, Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas
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FLORA’S FIELD KITCHEN
A farm café founded by Guillermo and Leslie Téllez that draws visitors for fresh, seasonal dishes. Start with wood-fired pizza and finish with the chef’s daily ice cream creation.
Flora Farms, Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 30, San José del Cabo
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