Now that the pandemic-era Cancun frenzy is dying down, other sunny competitors within Mexico are rising in popularity as alternatives to the overly internationalized, jam-packed Caribbean city.
One of them is Los Cabos, often dubbed the gem of the Mexican Pacific, and a tourist destination where recovery rates are already far outpacing Cancun’s own, placing it at the front of Mexico’s post-crisis tourism revival.
Los Cabos is so trendy at the minute we could argue it is the best-loved sunny getaway among Americans, but you may be wondering what’s behind this surge in popularity.
In this article, we will give you 5 reasons why vacationers can’t get enough of Cabo:
Its Beautiful Nature
Similarly to Cancun and its wider Mayan Riviera, Los Cabos is primarily a beach destination with boundless natural wealth.
Situated at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, it is one of Mexico’s most scenic coastal sections, comprising long golden crescents lapped by an azure ocean, jagged rock formations jutting out of the water, such as the landmark Arco, and marine parks.
When visiting Los Cabos, Americans love to spend their time at Lovers Beach, a sandy stretch bounded by imposing rocks, its counterpart across the strand, Divorce Beach, where the seas are rougher and perfect for surfing, and Medano Beach, where the waters are clear and calm enough for bathing.
The Desert Park Natural Reserve is yet another highly sought-after attraction. Tourists often explore it as part of four-wheel drive excursions, as the trails can be quite bumpy, or riding on camel-back.
Then, of course, there is Cabo Pulmo, a vast ecosystem straddling the Pacific notorious for its wildlife and unspoiled beaches.
Now that travelers are actively seeking the great outdoors and reconnecting with nature following the last few stressful years, it’s no surprise Cabo tourism is booming.
More Wellness Centers
Over the years, Los Cabos has developed a strong wellness scene that its counterparts in Mexico and Latin America on an extent, are yet to match.
Last year, it was officially named the country’s number-one wellness destination in recognition of its numerous wellness-centered resorts and spas.
As verified by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), one of the highest authorities in this industry, Los Cabos has the ‘greatest presence’ of wellness hubs in the geopolitical region, as proven here.
Other than, of course, a wider array of options at hand when choosing a retreat for a vacation, tourists who pick Cabo over Cancun are rewarded with access to treatments that combine science and centuries-old indigenous therapies, as well as a holistic approach to wellness, where not only the needs of the physical body are seen to.
In other words, if you’re looking for the perfect spa day, Cabo is where you should go.
Culture
Part of the reason why Mexico is so popular among Americans is its inestimable cultural wealth.
A Hispanic nation forged from the ashes of sophisticated yet toppled pre-Columbian empires, it is a literal trove of ancient treasures just waiting to be (re)discovered.
Although Cabo is not part of the Mayan World, restricted to the Yucatan Peninsula where Cancun is, and parts of Central America, and thus, it does not have step pyramids nor Mayan temples, it by no means lacks historical value.
It may not be the right pick if it’s Mayan ruins you’re after, but History buffs will still be pleased to learn it houses some of the oldest and best-preserved European settlements in all of the Americas.
While Los Cabos is a bustling resort zone undergoing rapid modernization, expect to find more quaint, far more idyllic, cobblestone towns and fishing villages dating back to Spain’s colonization of Mexico.
Located only an hour from Cabo, Todos Santos (Spanish for All Saints) is one of many colonial gems worth visiting, with its European-inspired layout and central square, and a charming 18th-century Catholic church.
Booming Digital Nomad Scene
Digital nomadism is rising in popularity now that the world’s borders have reopened and national governments no longer impose stricter visa requirements on travelers belonging to this category.
Although Mexico as a whole is yet to launch its own Digital Nomad Visa, in stark contrast with its counterparts in Central and South America, it still allows tourists to remain in the national territory for up to six months without applying for a visa in advance.
On top of that, the state of Baja California Sur, where Los Cabos is located, has partnered with popular long-term booking platforms like AirBnB to promote slow travel, ensuring the Pacific destination keeps ahead of the ever-evolving trend.
Nomads are particularly fond of Cabo’s year-round warm weather, the relaxed oceanic atmosphere, the friendly and hospitable locals, the higher quality of life, and the more affordable housing and healthcare.
Cabo Is Safe
Lastly, there is safety to take into account.
Unlike the border zones shared by the U.S. and Mexico and certain Mexican states where gang activity is rampant, Los Cabos is incredibly safe for tourists.
As The Cabo Sun reported, it actually ‘feels safer than anywhere in Mexico’, due to the heightened surveillance in tourist hotspots, the well-trained police force, and the safety measures practiced in resorts and hospitality centers.
According to a recent ‘Perception of Safety’ poll conducted by INEGI, Mexico’s Federal Institute for Data Collection, Los Cabos came out on top as the best-rated city in terms of safety, based on both locals’ and tourists’ impressions.
The questionnaire included questions on whether they had experienced shootings, robberies, or witnessed other forms of violence in recent months, to which an overwhelming majority would have replied ‘no’.
The U.S. State Department corroborates these findings, having added Baja California Sur – this includes Los Cabos – to their Level 2 Travel Advisory listing, just short of declaring it completely safe for visitors.
They maintain that crime can occur and caution is urged but that violence levels are within control of authorities, and Americans are not advised to reconsider travel.
Learn more about Los Cabos and why it is leading booking trends among American vacationers here.
