Los Cabos, Mexico, is a unique destination along the California Peninsula set in a desert ecosystem. It embodies the essence of authentic Mexican culture wrapped in biodiversity, adventure and culinary excellence. On this FAM, tied into the 18th annual Los Cabos VIP Summit, the destination highlighted its importance in the travel market and why your clients should choose Los Cabos as their next vacation spot.
Split into five regions, Open Jaw explored Cabo San Lucas, the resort city known for its beaches and nightlife, and San Jose del Cabo, a city where history and art are prominent and where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.
The Los Cabos VIP Summit
The Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Autograph Collection by Marriott was home to the 18th annual Los Cabos VIP Summit. This annual conference brings together global industry leaders to explore strategic platforms to promote growth in Latin America. November 18-20 is when business development and networking took place among 110 companies, representing fourteen countries and markets including the USA, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, UK, Colombia, and Japan.
“The VIP Summit is the best platform we have to develop tourism in Los Cabos,” says Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director for the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “We curate the different companies that come for this event and who can provide the best the destination has to offer, with a big focus on our primary markets, US, Canada and Mexico, but we are also developing new markets such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia and Brazil,” explains Esponda. “It’s a unique platform because we bring the best from both sides: the supply and demand.”
With the Canadian market being the second most important market for Los Cabos behind the US, Esponda says the length of stays from Canadians is double, “Canadians are more open to outdoor activities in nature, and they are more open to cultural experiences in the destination,” he says. “We can still grow in the Canadian market. This winter season we have 15 % more air seats overall from Canada into Los Cabos and that’s a good reflection of our growth within the Canadian market.”
Enchanted Evenings
Opening night took place at the historical Medano property, SUR Beach House, situated on Cabo’s most swimmable shoreline. The event took over the beachfront, terrace, open air restaurant, and upstairs palapa, all overlooking the stunning Sea of Cortez, and where the introduction to Los Cabos’ culinary scene took flight. Casa Azul set up a twinkling bar on the sandy shore and offered guests a tequila tasting.
Tuesday evening’s VIP Summit Gala Dinner was at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Quivira Golf Club. Situated along high bluffs and native desert, Quivira offers 180-degree sweeping views of the Pacific and its 6400-metre layout was recently voted to Golf Digest’s elite roster of the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. VIP Summit goers were greeted by masked dancers and guided down a path that led to a twinkling tent illuminated with strands of lights and lit candles that gave an elegant ambiance to close out the first full day of business.
The final evening was hosted at Acre Resort. Situated on more than 100,000 square metres of foothills along San Jose del Cabo, Acre Resort is a sanctum surrounded by farmland and lush greenery with winding walkways leading to thirteen treehouses nestled throughout the property’s gardens. The resort acts as a sanctuary not only for your clients, but also for the rescue animals they have onsite, such as donkeys, goats and Acre Dogs.
The farm-to-table ingredients and craft cocktails are created by the team from Vancouver’s award-winning Keefer Bar. The cocktails and culinary delights continued throughout the evening, leading to the perfect end to the Summit, the announcement of Los Cabos inclusion in the Michelin Guide.
The Michelin Guide Lands in Los Cabos
Eighteen Michelin-Acclaimed restaurants have received an honour in Los Cabos, including the Michelin Green Star being awarded to the closing night host, Acre Resort’s Acre and Flora’s Field Kitchen. “After many years, Mexican culinary heritage is being recognized by the Michelin guide,” says Daniela Mijares, the Executive President of CANIRAC.
“It is a true pleasure to be closing the VIP Summit with this fantastic evening and highlighting our gastronomy, something the destination has excelled at,” says Esponda. “Tonight, we are showcasing the best of the destination with the eighteen restaurants that are included in the guide, through the gastronomy and the ingredients that make Baja California the best we have to offer.”
The 18 Michelin-acclaimed restaurants:
- Acre
- Arbol
- Benno
- CarbonCabron
- Cocina de Autor Los Cabos
- Cocina de Campo by Agricole
- Comal
- Dum
- Flora’s Field Kitchen
- Lumbre
- Manta
- Metate
- Los Tres Gallos
- Nao
- Ruba’s Bakery
- Omakai
- Oystera
- Paradero
Los Cabos Accommodations
Overlooking the Emerald Sea of Cortez, the Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos Autograph Collection by Marriott, features 270 guest rooms and suites, a spa, a fitness center with a steam room and sauna, a variety of restaurants and glistening pools overlooking the beach. The architecture is highlighted by Mexican charm and quintessential Spanish Colonial tiles and décor. The property boasts lush vegetation and panoramic views of the Sea.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol opened its doors on May 1, and boasts 96 guest rooms and 61 residences. Its modern hacienda-style village exudes Mexican-chic accommodations with oceanfront villas, ocean-view villas and unique casitas all with ocean views. The property is on a swimmable beach and features a Mercado, El Taller Art Studio, four restaurants, six bars, a gym, private golf and beach club and the Tierra Mar Spa—a serenity haven wrapped in luxury and lush vegetation. The event space is currently under construction but will be ready in the beginning of 2025.
Grand Velas Los Cabos is an all-inclusive retreat where Mexican culture and contemporary design meet. The Mexican brand and family-owned hotel opened its first of seven properties in Los Cabos in 2017 with Grand Velas. 307 ocean view rooms are lined with cascading Bougainvillea flowers over each balcony. Their concierge booking service is available for all categories. This family-friendly property has adjoining rooms with amenities for kids like robes, slippers, cribs, bottles, etc. The property was awarded 5 Diamonds by the AAA and just received a Michelin star for their restaurant, Cocina de Autor Los Cabos, which is included in the rate of your clients’ booking and only requires advanced reservations for dining.
Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is the newest property in San Jose del Cabo’s historic district, opened its doors on November 14. This boutique property houses 70-rooms boasting a clean, minimalist design with Spanish tiling. The remodeling of the former hotspot, the Tropicana Inn, took over 3 years, which included the addition of an entirely new building and the third floor. “San Jose del Cabo is becoming a great place for digital nomads,” says General Manager Manuel Sillas. “People are looking for something original but near everything. It’s happened organically where people are asking for a special rate and staying for a longer term where they can work remotely and still be connected,” says Sillas.
Adventures in Los Cabos
This exciting FAM excelled at displaying culture and adventure in Los Cabos. Plaza Mijarez is in San Jose del Cabo’s art district, where every Thursday evening from November to June, the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk is held. Sculptures, murals, galleries and boutique shops line the streets, along with bars and restaurants like La Lupita, known for their tacos and mezcal. Their local beer is from the award-winning brewery next door, Baja Brewing Company.
The crown jewel was the Open Ocean Safari adventure with Apex Ocean Divers. This unique ocean expedition took place in the wild Pacific Ocean & Sea of Cortez, searching for unforgettable up-close encounters with ocean creatures and wildlife, along with visiting the most recognizable symbol of Los Cabos, the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas. This captivating granite formation towers three stories above the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. In this aquarium of the world, Open Jaw encountered several humpback whales and had the most phenomenal snorkeling rendezvous with a thousand Mobula munkiana, commonly known as Munk’s devil rays. “Just sit back and enjoy the show,” says Nik, Apex Ocean Divers’ naturalist with a master’s degree in sustainable tourism management. Alexander Schmidt Márquez founded this successful company from his passion to protect underwater creatures and has devoted his life to creating this same bond for others.
