Los Cabos, Mexico: 5 Star Wellness Escape

The tropical coasts of Mexico have become a wildly popular backyard playground for us here stateside over the past couple of decades. That couldn’t have been clearer than when, during the pandemic, so many ditched the restless inertia for an easy-access outdoor escape.

With my mind set on a bit of spa-time wellness, some local culture, and a side of tequila, I threw my straw hat in the ring, too. I plucked my cousin, Liz, from her doldrums and headed west for some Los Cabos decompression.    

Instant Remedy

It isn’t much of a stretch to say that Mexico evokes this great feeling of laid-back escapism. Its friendly hospitality, festive culture & pageantry, and cultural landmarks are an instant remedy for getting out of your head for a bit. The resorts can be pretty special, too.

While Riviera Maya has so many unique offerings, Mexico’s Pacific Coast has its own vibe, too. There is a bit of sunny Southern Cali in the air. Its multi-level coastal resorts can feel easier to navigate, unlike some of the East Coast’s lovely but more sprawling ones. And those heights often translate into epic views of the Pacific for all.

Le Blanc Spa Resort at Cabo San Lucas on the remote tip of Baja, the world’s second-longest peninsula, is a beautiful example.  

Warm hospitality greeted me without hesitation upon stepping into the new, sleek, marbled lobby, and I was soon ushered six flights up to a deluxe room. Infused with welcome cocktails shortly after, my senses were instantly swooned, and I was lulled into submission by the commanding ocean view from my private balcony underneath the supermoon.  

Breathing it In

I woke to a sunny view of paradise the next morning, more than ready for spa time. The night before, I dreamed I was doing yoga at sunrise, levitating above the resort’s lush Zen gardens. Maybe it was the fragrant mist of my doTERRA Essential Oils emanating from the room’s aromatherapy diffuser, boosting my endorphins.

I embraced the uptick of slow travel and wellness in the pandemic zeitgeist. Anxiety had frayed the collective mind, and everyone needed some soothing. I had rediscovered a natural and effective way to quell my nerves with aromatherapy in the form of a quality essential oil. My cousin, Liz, introduced me to doTERRA Essential Oils, a company known by aficionados for its high-grade purity. She uses it with her kids as well as with the kitties. Oils are an integral part of most personal skin care products, and a tiny bottle of oil can make for a great hand sanitizer alternative, which is handy in an airport.

Somewhat familiar with aromatherapy myself, I picked up doTERRA’s travel kit. It can be ordered with the Pilot Personal Diffuser, which has a mist function. The idea of customizing my own hotel room ambiance and elevating the mood …well, I’m all about it.

The kit came with peppermint, wild orange, lavender, and one of doTERRA’s original proprietary blends, which has a refreshing hint of cypress and grapefruit. With a wide range of benefits, they have an effective way of enhancing relaxation, focus, and mood. doTerra’s selection of products can be difficult to choose from, so I let the dedicated doTERRA rep guide me. I love the soothing, woody, and sweet Balance blend. The 5 mL bottles travel so easily. A little drop of sweetness on the nose really can make a plane ride more pleasant.

The seamless immersion of all-inclusive posh pampering gave an air of ease through the open-air corridors. The resort staff had my back, being super attentive. Feeling taken care of is not overrated. The adults-only, chilled-out, sophisticated vibe at Le Blanc facilitated an ideal escape. We weren’t there for high-maintenance indulgence; just a little mental tune-up. The minimalist hig-end quality of Le Blanc’s Cabo property waspart of the remedy.  

Hydro-Therapy Wellness

I nabbed one of the last morning appointments at the men’s spa circuit the night before, and took a brief site tour to get my bearings before enjoying the wellness facilities one morning. The luxurious reception area, located indoors on pool level, served the hydro-circuit guests. Those arriving for more tailored wellness or pampering treatments had access as well.

The ambient lighting inside the spa had a calm, ethereal tone. My dedicated attendant greeted and tended to me between each hydro-therapy treatment. Whether it was the cool cucumber eye compress in the sauna, herbal refreshments after steam, or a temple massage while lounging in between, the guidance was not overly doting, thankfully.  

Just beyond the circuit was the jet-massage pool and cold plunge area where cabanas sat draped with white linens. This provided a thoughtful opportunity to bask for a while and recoup.

Depending on the day, activity options that followed spa time were available on the resort’s app, which also took reservations. Would we top it off with a massage? Delight at the resort’s fabulous Lebanese brunch? Ceviche on the beach? Some re-tox after de-tox by the pool? How about a little San Jose adventure? All of the above.

Colorful San José Art Walk

Some easily accessible little nooks ooze with cultural flavor in Los Cabos. Marina del Rey is where you’ll want to get your nautical groove on at some point, sailing out into a picturesque Sea of Cortez sunset in San Lucas. And if you want a bit more cultural flavor, try the other Cabo.

I knew it would be a quick ride to the recently revitalized downtown San José del Cabo from Le Blanc Spa & Resort. There may have been a shuttle option via the concierge, but Liz and I were on our own (un)schedule. So we went rogue on a journey to the old town to discover an array of artisan galleries, food joints, and historical sites. Twenty minutes from Le Blanc in San Lucas, our cab dropped us at Plaza Mijares, to wander ahead of all the tourists on our heels.

Exploring the Art District

Cerveza and nachos with guac, por favor, said almost anyone who’s been to Cabo. Taking our seats beneath the awning of colorful murals, we were heartily welcomed by the doting servers and lively Mariachi band. I imagine there’s a lot of that here, but the flavorful kitsch is part of it all, so bring it on, I say.

In choosing from the alluring, bohemian local restaurants just opening along the plaza, we simply went with the most traditionally colorful. Of course, lots of tourist spots and tchotchke shops occupy this area, but we anticipated that more culinary sampling would commence later. So we snacked and people-watched for a bit.

Soon we were off, donning our new straw hats, and wandering further into the Art District. Between November and June, the streets are filled with fiesta, but today it was a more tranquil atmosphere.

The charming streets beyond the plaza led us to explore the colorfully festive Art Walk. Signs were present to direct us. Mexican folk and contemporary works in multi-media offered much to ogle while wandering in the eclectic galleries. There were more than a few tempting treasures.

As anticipated, there were indeed some eateries with courtyards luring us to relax with all kinds of margaritas and other treats in the shade.  

Historic St Joseph of the Cape

Los Cabos has a complex history that can easily be drowned out by development. It is vaguely chronicled since the 15^th Century. Its habitation is said to date back to an estimated 13,000 BCE. From the storied fables of the early Pericú settlers to pirates, fishermen, and spiritual journeymen, and onto the eventual colonization, its history has a lot to sift through. But much remains a mystery.

A glimpse into San José’s history can be gleaned from its landmarks. Founded as a Jesuit Mission in 1730, the town experienced much conflict with the church’s attempts to establish itself there. The Mission de San Jose del Cabo Añuiti itself relocated several times in the area during this time, but a functional rendition of what existed when finally established stands in the historic district today.

San José del Cabo City Hall enchanted us with its colonial architecture and clock tower, standing at the far end of the plaza. It broke ground in 1888 but was not inaugurated until 1927. Local government offices occupy the building for the most part now, with the county growing into a more established tourist destination in recent years.

Nearby Jardin de los Cabeños Ilustres is home to monuments honoring notable Cabeños (Cabo natives). A bust of Lieutenant José Antonio Mijares, for whom the plaza is named, sits here. Mijares, who emigrated from Spain with the intent to become a Mexican citizen. Mijares died in combat with U.S. forces in the 1847 Battle of San José and is the exception to the memorials to the native born honorees.

Rite of Passage, Land’s End

Back in the other reputedly livelier Cabo, San Lucas, iconic Land’s End lures visitors to Marina del Rey. There, nautical excursions of all kinds offer sails into the Sea of Cortez to see the picturesque El Arco.

The offerings for this rite of passage sail are many. Running the gamut from romantic luxury to the guided glass bottom to the pirate-themed, the marina offers up whatever cruise floats your boat.

For us, the Sunset Fajita Cruise with Wild Cabo Tours sounded sure to be blithely fun. And it was! Fortunately, we booked the last two spots.

More than just a distinctive landmark, the interesting shapes of the eroded granite rock formations of Land’s End became curiously evocative when close up. The cluster comprises many natural structures named The Watcher and Neptune’s Finger, among others.

Appearing like a primitive gateway inspiring the imagination, its moniker, Land’s End, seemed fitting and mythological. Surrounded by dramatic currents of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, aka the Sea of Cortez, it is a habitat for a variety of sea life and fauna. And of course, when safe, people can arrange a visit to its tiny beaches on foot.

Captivatingly cinematic to observe, especially with the hues of the sinking sun, it’s a photo worth taking again …and again. But it doesn’t quite capture the being there in the moment. So my advice is to enjoy it.

Culinary Adventures

I was unsure of what to expect from the resort’s food scene before arrival. Only because I hadn’t really looked into it. Certainly, Le Blanc is known for top-notch quality. But what surprised me here was the culinary journey with all of its diverse offerings.

The array of restaurants boasted a multi-sensory experience unique to each of its epicurean heritage. And the flavors were fully present. Some resorts can get a bit hokey with similar ideas, but Le Blanc’s were executed quite effectively. It was an unexpected fun food adventure. And a variety of diets seemed to be accommodated. 

The elevated menus of each cuisine held their own authentic offerings. For example, the Turkish coffee experience at Habibi was followed by exotic entertainment featuring live küdüm drums, a tambur guitar, and a dancing belly. I caught this while doing some night swimming in an adjacent pool. Such a savory seduction.

An early evening at Lumiere offered an exquisite French sensorial experience with the ethereal live harp music elevating the atmospheric vibe …avec champagne, s’il vous plait.

Beachfront Mexican seafood and regional Italian were culinary highlights as well. But the poolside taco pop-ups with all the beautiful eye-candy in the sun were a delight, too.