During a luncheon this month on a visit to Los Angeles, Rodrigo Esponda, executive director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, declared, “We think that 2023 is going to be a historical year.” The list was extensive and went beyond what travel agents are used to booking in Los Cabos, but he was there to inform Virtuoso agents of some of these new reasons to send clients to this location.
“2022 was a good year, a very good year. We grew 25 percent. But 2023 is showing tourism growth by an additional 18 percent so far and that is only since January,” said Esponda.
Over-the-Top Stays
First of all, the area is becoming increasingly popular as a high-end luxury resort. The last beachfront casita at the Four Seasons in Los Cabos, for example, was listed for sale in April for $22.5 million. The six-bedroom, six-bathroom beachfront villa is one of many in Los Cabos, most of which are located on the Sea of Cortez. It can be booked from $6,000 per night to $20,000 through a number of travel agent-friendly portals.
Similarly, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos has expanded after its grand opening in 2019 with owners Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper present and events featuring celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio earlier this year. 60 homes with one to four bedrooms, opulent furnishings and modern decor can now be reserved for an affordable $1,600 per night.
Lots of hotels to choose from in Los Cabos
Los Cabos has 18,000 rooms, 2000 of which belong to 14 Virtuoso hotel partners. Eight of Mexico’s 15 Five Diamond resorts, two more than in Los Angeles, are in Los Cabos, Esponda said.
What’s more, Los Cabos accommodations are not cheap. The average daily rate in March was $509, up significantly from a year ago, and it may continue to be difficult to book lodging. This year, hotels have consistently recorded an impressive 80 percent occupancy rate.
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos, an adults-only all-inclusive resort with 79 suites and views of the Sea of Cortez, is one of the highly anticipated new openings and is scheduled to open in late 2023.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas in Cabo Del Sol, with 74 guest rooms and casitas, 17 spacious suites and five stylish villas, will also open later this year. There will be both kid-friendly and adult-only pools, a luxurious spa, and an outdoor market among the amenities.
The St. Regis Los Cabos in Quivira, the Amanvari on the East Cape, the Vidanta East Cape and the Soho House and Beach Club in Cabo del Sol will also open their doors in 2024.