Lovin’ Los Cabos Mexico’s wellness destination By: Shel Zolkewich Posted: 3:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/11/2023 (1042 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The sound of the Pacific surf pounds to my left. I feel the dappling morning sun warming the side of my face, promising fair weather. Sparrows and thrashers flit in the shrubs above my head as I inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale, listening to the pings and warbles of the Tibetan singing bowls around me. One balances high on my abdomen and as Javier gives it a good strike, I feel the vibrations race downward through my body, unfurling like a roll of satin ribbon. Wellness starts here.

What is wellness? No matter how it’s defined, wellness is something we can likely all use a little more of in these post pandemic days. When it comes to travel, wellness is claiming a significant spot in the types of getaways vacationers seek — days that begin with yoga, sound healing or meditation followed by immersive experiences, nourishing meals and tranquil spaces for a good night’s sleep. Los Cabos offers it all.

The Mexican destination at the tip of Baja California Peninsula attracts visitors with its desert-like climate, a big draw for those who prefer dry to tropical. Beyond that, it’s loaded with options for accommodations — from the rustic to the ultra-luxurious, endless restaurants and plenty to do — or nothing at all to do, if soaking up the sun is your priority. Los Cabos has two main hubs. Cabo San Lucas is packed with seaside resorts and a city hub lined with restaurants and shops. It’s home to highly Instagrammed Arch, also called Land’s End, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. San José del Cabo boasts a beautiful old town vibe where authenticity rules, along with beautiful beaches and plenty of luxury options.

Our time at Monte Cardon starts with a welcome passion fruit margarita. Then it’s aprons on and off to the prep table to chop rosemary and basil, thyme and cilantro. Chef Ubaldo Martínez and his wife and business partner Ourem Urdapilleta hiked up to this spot outside San José del Cabo and instantly fell in love with the views of the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains—and we quickly see why. They’ve recently opened the off-grid, open air restaurant and cooking school on their 26-acre parcel, dedicated to the freshest of local ingredients, slow food, carbon cooking and top-shelf wines.

We head to the dining deck under sparkling mini lights and are served mahi mahi in ponzu topped with fried leeks, hand-made pasta with a creamy clam concoction, mushrooms in an achiote sauce, a savoury scented rice and chunks of mahi mahi, brushed with achiote, pan-fried to crispy deliciousness and topped with roasted cherry tomatoes. Every dish get top marks and we aren’t sure if it’s because we’ve done the slicing, mixing, tossing, kneading, grinding and searing ourselves or because the ingredients are just so darned good.

The architecture of Pueblo Bonita Pacifica at Cabos San Lucas melts into the desert landscape. Clean lines, sand and cacti accents and a muted palette carry into Armonia Spa, where the Baja Ancestral Spa Ritual rises head and relaxed shoulders above all. Rosa reaches on her tiptoes, brushing a bundle of herbs over the top of my head, down my shoulders and across my heart to whisk away negative energy. Damiana flowers are bundled along with a herbs—their spicy sweet aroma almost like chamomile.

On the table, I’m treated to exfoliation, moisturizing, massage and aromatherapy (eucalyptus is my favourite) through the 100-minute session, where Rosa gives me gentle direction in a mix of English and Spanish. At one point in my bliss, I hear a kettle come to a boil, then a tinkle and stir and the air is filled with more scents from the herb bundle that started it all. There’s the crinkle of a waterproof bag that’s tucked around me, then Rosa pours the perfect-temperature concoction over my legs, torso and chest. It feels heavenly. It smells heavenly. I stay warm, cocooned, and never want it to end.

shel@shelzolkewich.com