As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, you might be eager to start your planning your next holiday – we definitely are. But with so many options to choose from – the tropical hotspots like Costa Rico or Bali or cultural cities like Paris or London – it can get pretty overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start and are looking for the perfect summertime getaway, might we suggest San José del Cabo? As a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, it’s known for its sandy beaches and colonial buildings. You might have heard of its sister island, Cabo San Lucas, as together, the two make up the popular resort area of ‘Los Cabos’. Additionally, if you plan a visit to San José del Cabo in the month of May, you might catch RÜFÜS DU SOL’s iconic Sundream Baja, a four-day destination event at the El Ganzo Sculpture Gardens with a top-tier lineup. Debuted in Tulum last year, the next chapter will feature four days of parties, wellness activities, art installations, and intimate DJ sessions at the El Ganzo Sculpture Gardens. This year features performances from RÜFÜS DU SOL, Tale of Us, Cassian, and more.
If this seems like a bit of you, read below for some of our suggestions on where to eat, play, and stay in this tropical city.
If you’re a fan of art and history, San José del Cabo has got you covered. You could spend a full day aimlessly wandering the colorful banner-covered streets filled with restaurants, shops, and galleries. And as the centre area is planned out on a small grid, it’s easy to just wander back and forth and explore it all. If you do make a trip to the neighborhood, make sure to check out the Plaza Mijares (the main plaza filled with food stalls), Mision San Jose del Cabo (the town’s main church just across from the plaza), and Alvaro Obregon (a street concentrated with art galleries). And if you’re looking to bring a little San José del Cabo home (for family, friends, or yourself) be sure to check out Boulevard Antonio Mijares, which features alleys upon alleys of trinket stores.
In addition to the city’s cultural gems, San José del Cabo also touts beautiful green spaces filled with exotic flora and fauna. Slightly north of San José del Cabo, Mexico, you’ll find Flora Farms. Tucked away in the breathtaking foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains lies a 25-acre farm that offers everything from plant tours and art classes to spa sessions and cooking classes. And as a working farm, the space also has the added benefit of sourcing fresh ingredients for their farm-to-table restaurant. Flora’s Field Kitchen uses farm-fresh ingredients to create its seasonal menu. And there is also a separate wood-fired oven that produces 15 types of Neapolitan-style pizza, like Fennel Sausage & Mozzarella, Farm Bacon with Farm Egg, Margarita with house-made Mozzarella, as well as others.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, consider Hotel El Ganzo, which is a five star boutique hotel situated on the entrance of Marina Puerto Los Cabos bordered by the fisherman’s wharf. There are expansive views of the Sea of Cortez as well as the Puerto Los Cabos Yacht Marina, immersing you in the city’s beachy vibes. For those also interested in the city’s rich cultural history, the hotel is only a five-minute drive to the historic town of San José del Cabo and the famous Art Walk. And in addition to the traditional hotel amenities like a gym, spa, and private beach club, Hotel El Ganzo also offers more bespoke property features like an in-house recording studio, rotating art installations, and live musician performances.
Perhaps what is most special about Hotel El Ganzo is its dedication to art and culture. El Ganzo also features a one of a kind artist in residence program that invites artists from all over the world to create masterpieces and use El Ganzo as their canvas. Previous artists have chosen to create live installations throughout the hotel that guests can see while musicians have taken advantage of The Underground studio to set up performances. If you’re interested in visiting San Jose del Cabo and potentially staying at Hotel El Ganzo, definitely check out the hotel’s website which is updated bi-weekly with El Ganzo Sessions performances. And if that wasn’t enough – Hotel El Ganzo is B Corp certified, making it the first hotel in Mexico to obtain such a certification.
Off the coast of Baja, California, also sits Crania, which is a reclamation project and space that hosts unique events and experiences. Curated for those that love art, music, and food as well as sustainability, innovation and creation, the space offers a plethora of activities for adventure seekers. Here, backdropped by the Sea of Cortez as well as repurposed cranes and reclaimed artworks, include the Crania Airdisco, Crania Reclaim Camp, and Crania Restaurant. While you’re there, definitely make sure to stop by the restaurant, which features an exciting menu made from the freshest ingredients in season – all curated by head chef Javier Ornelas.
Fancy a cocktail or glass of natural wine? We might have just the place for you. Situated at La Playa in San José del Cabo, the Veleros Beach Club features a carefully curated selection of artisanal drinks and tasty dishes. Sip and eat while you enjoy the tranquil beach surroundings and breathtaking sunsets of the Sea of Cortez. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent stand-up paddle boards, body boards or do some kayaking. For those looking for a little sun on their vacation, this place might be just the spot.
And no trip to San José del Cabo would be complete without a visit to El Arco. Also known as Land’s End, El Arco is a popular tourist attraction and central focus of many vacation highlights. The rugged rock formation erupts from the sea at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez and makes for a great photo opp. To get to the iconic golden arch, you can ride by boat or ask the captain to drop you at Lover´s Beach and arrange a pick-up time. On the way over, you might even catch a glimpse of sea lions sunbathing on the rocks.
Discover More
