As I watch this behemoth of a magnificent creature lift its barnacled body up and out of the water, flashing its white belly to the sun before it slams with a deafening “whap” onto the surface of the blindingly blue water; as I feel the massive waves from its breach ripple out and over to the boat, leaving me rocking back and forth, back and forth, I pause for a moment.
In awe, I find myself at a loss of words. Rather, I gasp. And in that audible inhalation, I realize I am saying a lot.
In that gasp I am taking in the beauty of this particular instant, the splendor of this animal, the amazement at the incredible creatures that inhabit our implausibly enormous world; the gratitude that I am right here right now, experiencing this.
I find myself using breaths a great deal when traveling — they act as an echo of my experiences.
A gasp at watching a magical humpback whale play in the water; a sigh at the peace, relaxation, and beauty of the cotton candy skies as the sun sets behind the ever-iconic El Arco; a deep breath before I dive underwater, anticipating the exploration that awaits as I snorkel my way through the crystal clear waters of the Pacific; a quick pause in my breath as I watch my ball fly down the fairway of the golf course’s signature hole that sits perched on top of the most stunning cliffs you could ever imagine.
I am always breathing life into my experiences while traveling, and my recent adventures in Los Cabos are no exception.
From dancing in foam at the brand new RIU Palace Baja California’s Pool Party, to sipping rum out of a fresh coconut from a beach cabana at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, there are endless unforgettable moments to encounter when in Los Cabos.
Here, a guide to Los Cabos — the places to stay and things to do so that you can experience breaths of your own variety, and breathe that vivacious life into your travels.
WHERE TO STAY
RIU Palace Baja California
The perfect mesh of party vibes and poolside relaxation, the new kid on the block in Los Cabos, RIU Palace Baja California is a place I absolutely loved staying.
Located on an ideal beachfront spot with activities aplenty, there is no room for boredom here at RIU. And, as a guest of top-tier RIU Palace Baja California, you’ll have access to the amenities at the resort’s two sister properties right next door as well. That means waterslides, pool parties, even more food, and miles of exploration to do.
At this all-inclusive resort you’ll never have to worry about bringing any more than your camera with you — there are breathtaking photo opps everywhere you go. With just a flash of your bracelet, you’ll gain access to more food, drinks, and activities than you’ll know what to do with.
The modern and minimalist architecture of RIU Palace Baja California speaks to a new age of travel in Los Cabos. As a destination that is constantly growing, and finally getting the image it deserves of a luxurious vacay spot, Los Cabos is successfully peeling off the layers of its old self and emerging as one of the hottest places in Mexico.
So be sure to plan a few nights at RIU Palace Baja California to get a taste of the new Los Cabos, and partake in some unforgettable escapades.
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica
“High-class” and “classic” are the first two words that come to mind when imagining the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica resort. A favorite amongst travelers to Los Cabos for years, Pueblo Bonito oozes luxury, most notably with its 24/7 butler service available to those staying in the resort’s Towers.
Yes, you read that right — you’ll have a butler on-call anytime, able to do nearly anything you could need. From unpacking your luggage to making dinner reservations and far beyond, your butler is here to ensure the only finger that you have to lift while staying at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is to bring that cup of fresh margarita to your mouth.
Be sure you carve time into your schedule while here to play a round of golf at the resort’s world-class Jack Nicklaus-designed Quivira. One of the top courses in Los Cabos, the views you’ll take in while making your way around the course will help you to find peace with any bad shots you may have. And the comfort stations placed throughout the course will give you all the tequila you need to forget the bad shots ever happened.
You’ll be majorly missing out if you don’t indulge in the incredible food at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, most notably the calamari at the Quivira Golf Club. Though you won’t find any food here at the resort that doesn’t make your taste buds go wild in delight, the golf course’s calamari is pure ecstasy.
This merely scratches the surface of what you’ll experience at this resort, so do yourself a favor and stay here for a few nights to get a taste of the grandeur that is Pueblo Bonito Pacifica.
WHAT TO DO
Snorkeling
There are a plethora of companies through which you can book some truly wonderful excursions, but, if you’re like me, and are just looking for a solid snorkel that isn’t going to break the bank, then all you need to do is head down along the beach and be prepared to do some bartering.
With the right attitude, all you need is $12 USD and you’ll find yourself on a boat to the nearest snorkeling spot with snorkel gear in hand. You have to be open to the trust system here, as the boat will drop you at your spot and come back to scoop you up in an hour. Remember though, you’re in possession of their snorkel gear, so you’ve really got nothing to worry about.
So sharpen your bargaining skills and get ready to see some incredibly vibrant fish as you snorkel in some of Mexico’s most beautiful waters.
Town
Los Cabos is a town worth exploring. There are shops galore and, most importantly, this is where the most authentic Mexican food can be found.
I suggest you ask around and quiz the locals on where they go to eat and that’s a guarantee you’ll be doing Mexican cuisine the authentic way.
CarbónCabrón
Though this requires a bit of a trek out to San Jose del Cabo, it is, with zero doubt in my mind, worth doing numerous times while visiting Los Cabos.
I say without hesitation that the meal I experienced at CarbónCabrón was on my list of top five meals of my entire life.
From the moment you walk in the door of this restaurant, you feel as if you’ve been whisked away to a place that is difficult to put into words. The perfect mix of modern, moody, and rustic, styles of many different types culminate within the walls of CarbónCabrón, and you’ll find yourself immediately obsessed.
And then the food and drinks will come out, and you will wonder how it’s possible for one experience to be so perfect in so many ways.
I suggest starting off with a Charcoal Margarita, and eating your way through as much of the menu as possible. Some highlights that you’ll never forgive yourself for missing: the beets, the bone marrow, and the lamb.
I plan to return to Cabo solely to eat at this restaurant again, so that should be a hint as to how incredible CarbónCabrón truly was.
Whale Watching
There are few things as magical as watching humpback whales dance through the water. Their playful interactions with each other and with the dolphins that seem to accompany them wherever they go will fill you with a warmth that goes deep into your heart.
Patience meets anxiousness as you await the sighting of the whales. And when these giant sea animals finally do emerge from the water, you won’t be able to take your eyes off of them. Their movements will make you feel as if you’re living life in slow motion, and you’ll want to soak up every moment.
Capture some memories with your camera, but also be sure to put technology and distractions aside, so that you can truly feel the presence of these mystical creatures.
(I’ve done excursions with Scuba Caribe and Cabo Adventures, and would recommend both.)
I hope this guide will help you uncover your best adventures yet, and that you’ll breathe life into all the magical moments that await in Los Cabos.
