Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

The extended family of staff at the Resort at Pedregal is one of its greatest assets and consists of experts in almost any field, from sports to nutrition. And it’s easy to arrange sessions to sharpen your skills or try something new. Former ATP tennis player, Pablo Martinez, will get your heart rate up on newly resurfaced tennis courts of synthetic grass and fine sand. Executive Chef Gustavo Pinet will welcome you to “Su Cocina” (“Your Kitchen”) for lessons on how to chop, slice, roast, blend, and grill authentic Mexican dishes. Join certified trainers in the gym, yogis under the beachfront palapa, or fishermen at the edge of the surf. And to better connect with locals, enlist in a Spanish class (available for all levels). Vámonos!

A trip to Cabo wouldn’t be complete without a toast and the Resort at Pedregal will ensure your glasses are overflowing. Carved into the cliffs, its Champagne Terrace features over 15 varieties, each paired with artisanal salts and cheeses. You may be surprised to learn that 90% of Mexico’s wines are produced in the greater Baja backyard; a sommelier will walk you through the best in the resort’s wine cellar. Find one you like and bring the bottle with you to dinner or to your residence. If the complimentary bottle of Tequila Clase Azul Reposado that greets each room piques your tastebuds, you’ll delight in a Tequila Tasting that will teach the differences in type, location and age. Of course, there’s always the swim-up pool bar for a midday cocktail or cold brew.

There are plenty of places to find fresh-from-the-ocean seafood in Los Cabos, but most visitors agree that El Farallon, the restaurant specializing in crustaceans and fish, is the best of the best. Located in the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, El Farallon isn’t just delicious; it’s also very atmospheric. Servers help you select fresh fish, presented on ice, and then weigh it on an old-fashioned scale. As guests wait for their meal, they enjoy the views of the Pacific; the restaurant and its open-air terrace sit right on the water.

The serenity and seclusion of Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal make it easy to forget that downtown Cabo San Lucas is only a five-minute walk away. Stroll the streets for Mexican crafts like colorful calavaras (painted ceramic skulls) and serapes (blanket-like shawls). Watch artisans blow and shape glass at Vitrofusion y Arte, the glass factory whose artwork decorates the resort. And finally, cool down with a craft beer on the patio of Baja Brewing Company, the region’s first brewery.

“Get in the water!” your captain and guide demand excitedly. So you splash off the boat and into the Sea of Cortez. The approaching shadow in the hazy, green waters glides closer until finally you’re face-to-mouth with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Reaching up to 40 feet in length and distinctively patterned in white dots, these mysterious creatures with gaping wide-open mouths are on many adventurer’s bucket list. Harmless to humans, they are filter feeders, and from October to April, the protected, plankton-filled bay off the coast of La Paz is where they feast. Swimming alongside them is an experience of a lifetime.

The discreet Luna y Mar spa is an original Baja healing experience. Upon entering the cove-like sanctuary, the scent of lemon balm immediately invigorates the senses and calms the spirits. Masseuses guide guests from one circular chamber to the next for the various phases of their journeys. First, cleanse and relax in the candle-lit grotto with a sauna, a steam room, an ice room, and a whirlpool. Next, enjoy a purifying footbath ritual using traditional Mexican herbs. Then, step into the open air behind the curtain of water falling from above. And finally, enter one of 10 spa rooms that seemingly float atop the salt water pool overlooking the ocean. Now, it’s time for your treatment. Each scrub, wrap, facial, massage, or combination is customized and infused with elements from the seaside surroundings, current lunar phase, and traditions passed down to in-house Mexican folk healers. Instead of hot stones, a warm seashell massage ends the “Sea Ritual” that also features mineral-rich seaweed and algae to nourish. Roses—buds, petals, powders, and oils—bring balance in the signature “Calming Moon,” while coconut, mango, and aloe rejuvenate in the “Baja Flavor.” Whichever service you choose, make the most of this tranquil oasis’s amenities before and after your appointment.