As the number of international visitors to Mexico continues to grow, the Los Cabos Tourism Board has created A Safer Way to Get Away, an initiative that uses the hashtag #LosCabosWithCare to highlight its health-minded efforts.
Following recommendations from Intertek Cristal’s Protek Destination Assurance program, the tourism board has created guidelines and certifications for partners in the region. In fact, Los Cabos has become the first destination to achieve “Verified” status from Sharecare Health Security Verified with Forbes Travel Guide, considered a gold standard across the travel industry.
Los Cabos Hotel News
Hoteliers are following state guidelines regarding capacity, which at press time was 50% — and every property also follows a variety of hygiene protocols, as dictated by local government and corporate directives. The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, for instance, provides a good example of the strategies in place to protect guests and staff. Sanitizing door mats, hand sanitizer, facial masks and venues arranged for safe social distancing are par for the course at the property. Plus, the restaurants and the theater have reduced capacity, with spaced-out seating.
One of the destination’s newest hotels, Vista Encantada Spa Resort & Residences, follows an especially extensive hygiene protocol, with a disinfecting misting cabin at the entrance. Part of the Hacienda Encantada complex, the new hotel features a swanky rooftop pool and a luxurious new spa that serves the entire resort development.
Los Cabos has become the first destination to achieve 'Verified' status from Sharecare Health Security Verified with Forbes Travel Guide, considered a gold standard across the travel industry.
Vista Encantada is one of several hotels that debuted in 2019, closed during the initial months of the pandemic and celebrated a second opening this year. Additional new luxury properties include the 115-room Zadun, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve; the 141-room Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas; and the 118-room Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.
Other hotels, meanwhile, have used the recent downtime to improve their offerings. Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, for example, has refreshed its decor to offer a stylishly redecorated lobby, new beach cabanas and Plunge Pool Suites with terraces that open onto — you guessed it — private plunge pools. Even the fitness center has been revamped, with a location that features both indoor and outdoor exercise areas — a perfect layout for today’s health-conscious and socially distanced travelers.
Several properties have also introduced packages that target the evolving interests of vacationers. Montage Los Cabos has launched Montage Academy, a program that allows children to expand their education with activities such as Spanish lessons, physical education and Baja California history classes. Also focused on productive getaways is Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, where the Office With a View program includes sanitized workstations and dedicated office space for adults working remotely, as well as sports training, after-school care and online classrooms.
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort has added new swim-up suites.
Credit: 2021 Mark ChesnutUpdates to Activities and Attractions
Tour programs have also changed with the times in Los Cabos. Ground transportation currently operates at limited capacity, making it easier for travelers to stay safely apart. Cabo Adventures has markers at its main facility in Cabo San Lucas to encourage social distancing, and its yachts are also operating at reduced capacity, with masks required everywhere except in the open-air parts of the vessels, where it is easy to maintain distance.
Cactus Tours, which offers an array of horseback, ATV and camel riding experiences, opened a VIP lounge away from the crowds in the main check-in area. The company is also promoting what it calls “crowd escapers,” which include private tours, helicopter outings and marriage proposal tours, all designed for ultimate privacy.
Some business endeavors, meanwhile, are focused on expanding the destination’s niche markets. Last October, Cabo San Lucas welcomed what is currently the region’s only LGBTQ bar and restaurant, Space Ultra Lounge, a hip venue with an extensive menu and a weekly schedule of events. The new nightspot is among the offerings being promoted by Gay Cabo, a local tour operator and website that focuses on LGBTQ-friendly businesses, activities and vacation packages.
