Contributed By Kayla Douglas

When it comes to finding the best resorts in Cabo, narrowing down the search has become an increasingly complicated puzzle—but that’s where we come in.

Whether you envision your time in Cabo being filled with early mornings hiking the Sierra da La Laguna or slow afternoons sipping mezcalitas on your balcony, this oasis at the tip of the Baja Peninsula has something for everyone. The sacred stretch of beach along the Sea of Cortés plays home to some of the world’s top resorts—but when partnering with a SmartFlyer travel advisor, you’re sure to find the best resort in Cabo for your particular trip, be it a romantic escape, multigenerational family reunion, or milestone celebration with friends.

Our team recently went on a scouting trip to test out two SmartFlyer client Cabo favorites within the Auberge Resorts Collection: Esperanza and Chileno Bay Resort.

With so many new resort openings across Baja California Sur in recent years, staying on top of the best resorts in Cabo requires continual on-the-ground research (a tough job, but someone has to do it!). Our team recently went on a scouting trip to test out two SmartFlyer client Cabo favorites within the Auberge Resorts Collection: Esperanza and Chileno Bay Resort. With two distinct approaches, we’re here to help you narrow down if your version of the best resort in Cabo finds you more at home set against the classical appeal of Esperanza, or the modern approach of Chileno Bay Resort.

Getting to Cabo

Cabo has long been known by West Coasters who’ve hopped on the quick flight to luxuriate in a long weekend in Mexico. But in recent years, increased airlift has attracted more Midwesterners and East Coasters, too. Hubs like New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, St. Louis, Chicago, and Kansas City all offer seasonal nonstop flights to Cabo, making the journey easier than ever. And when you’re planning your Cabo trip with a SmartFlyer travel advisor, getting there is the least of your worries—our skilled SmartFlyer Air Team is equipt to help you arrive in Cabo with the most efficient routings and the peace of mind that comes with around the clock support. But enough about getting there! You’re here because you’re looking for the best resorts in Cabo and that’s where we shine.

All Things Esperanza: Seaside Sophistication

When it comes to first impressions at one of the best resorts in Cabo, Esperanza excels on every level. Your arrival brings you directly to a dramatic cliff perched between the property’s two private beaches—noteworthy in their own right considering what a rarity beach exclusivity is in Cabo. Cocina del Mar restaurant unfolds atop the cliff and serves as the heartbeat of the property. Here, during the daytime, you’re invited for a casual lunch before the outlet transforms into its undeniably romantic ambiance for dinner (more on this later). It’s not uncommon to see groups of friends gathering at Cocina del Mar fresh off their flights mixed in with repeat guests catching up with Esperanza team members with whom they’ve built a rapport over years—sometimes decades—of annual stays.

…that’s the thing you can’t help but notice when staying at Esperanza: its undeniable soul that keeps loyal clientele coming back year after year.

Because that’s the thing you can’t help but notice when staying at Esperanza: its undeniable soul that keeps loyal clientele coming back year after year. First opened in 2001, this resort has played a pivotal role in Cabo’s ability to draw in discerning international visitors. Esperanza was a trailblazer in its approach becoming one of the best resorts in Cabo, in turn, elevating the standards for culinary offerings, design, and service in the region. And as much as we love a freshly opened hotel, there’s a certain je ne sais quoi that comes along with having a resort really embedded into its locale the way Esperanza is now so intrinsically intertwined with Cabo’s Punta Ballena coastline.

Who’s it For?

There’s an inextricable air of romance that envelops the Esperanza grounds. Its casitas and suites are ideal for couples looking for privacy, including the Oceanview Spa Casita which adds an extra something special with its infinity-edge hot tub on its large private terrace overlooking the sea. For larger groups who need more room to spread out, the spacious three- and four-bedroom casonas, as well as multi-bedroom villas, offer inviting layouts including living rooms, dining tables, full kitchens, and a washer and dryer. For even more spacious accommodation, chat with your SmartFlyer travel advisor about Esperanza’s Haciendas.

While we do love Esperanza for couples, families are most certainly welcome at the resort. Tortuguitas Kids Club allows parents to reserve playtime for children aged four to eleven with both half and full-day experiences available. Kids can also run free and play amongst three of the five four resort pools. A favorite family-friendly activation we loved during our scouting trip was the private glamping experience on the lawn; the Esperanza team can tailor the menu to your family’s tastes, but the true highlight is dining in a tent on the resort lawn under the moonlight. The glamping experience puts a whole new spin on ‘camping’ and is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Your Own Private Palapa

While all beaches in Cabo are required to be public domain, Esperanza is uniquely positioned to have two completely private coves that are tucked into the natural landscape and are inaccessible to those not coming from the resort. Esperanza brilliantly devised a special experience for those who want to soak up private beach time at one of the best resorts in Cabo by building two palapas for exclusive use, each featuring a daybed, swing, private butler service, and the ability to add on anything from a massage to a yoga class. If you prefer to use the palapa after a day under the sun up at one of the pools, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can book you a private chef BBQ dinner followed by a bonfire with s’mores.

Get in Touch with Nature

Esperanza’s location on the edge of the sea elicits a true connection to nature—this link can be dug into even further with a few private activations that can be booked by your SmartFlyer travel advisor. A favorite during our scouting trip was the Cacao Ceremony set up on the beach. During this spiritual experience, you’re invited to honor the four elements and cleanse your energy as you sip on cacao. Additionally, if you’re on property during a full moon, there are special three-course dinners lit by the moon as the sea laps up onto the beach.

Restaurants at Esperanza

Chef Raúl takes an incredibly creative approach to his menu design, consistently returning to the mountains to immerse himself in some of the oldest cooking methods in the world to bring back that authenticity to Esperanza.

When differentiating amongst the best resorts in Cabo, each property’s approach to its culinary programming is sure to be a focus. Having been on the scene for over two decades, Esperanza has redefined its approach to food and beverage many times over; in its most recent iteration, Executive Chef Raúl Soto oversees the property’s five acclaimed outlets, bringing his heritage hailing from a rural mountain region in Los Mochis, Mexico to the forefront. Chef Raúl takes an incredibly creative approach to his menu design, consistently returning to the mountains to immerse himself in some of the oldest cooking methods in the world to bring back that authenticity to Esperanza.

During our scouting trip, we learned that it wouldn’t be out of character for him to camp out in a cave for several days, studying the exact way a woman native to the mountains makes a tortilla before bringing the technique back to teach his team. This commitment to his craft is evident in the beautifully crafted dishes at the resort’s award-winning signature restaurant, Cocina del Mar; the casual beachside outpost, La Palapa; the al fresco daytime outlet, La Terrazza Americana; the Mediterranean-inspired spot, Las Estrellas; and ALMA, the newest outpost, a cocktail and coffee bar overlooking a roaring fire pit. Each night, the real draw for outside guests is Cocina del Mar’s dramatic cliffside setting, but the actual food is also sure to exceed expectations—we savored each course of our special dinner here.

Checking out Chileno Bay Resort: Cabo’s Cool Kid

What we loved best about our time here was that while it’s certainly a sister resort to Esperanza, this foothold between the mountains and the sea feels like a world unto itself.

Considering the long-established success of Esperanza, it may come as a surprise that Auberge Resorts Collection struck magic twice, unveiling its second resort in Cabo to great anticipation several years ago. Chileno Bay Resort opened in 2017, instantly capturing the spirit of effortless indoor-outdoor living in Auberge’s signature style through its modern accommodations, cutting-edge spa, and robust activities center. What we loved best about our time here was that while it’s certainly a sister resort to Esperanza (including complimentary transfers between the two properties for dinner across the resorts) this foothold between the mountains and the sea feels like a world unto itself.

Upon arrival to Chileno Bay, you’re immediately drawn to its 450-foot-long swimming pool—a feature dutifully designed by master planner Girvin & Associates—which anchors the property and looks like a river flowing into the sea. Once settling into your suite, you can look forward to a fun welcome, be it an in-room yaya-ritas (a fun play on the margarita in the essence of the newest dining outlet on property, YAYA, a Mediterranean oasis) or chips and guac to get you into the spirit of this culinary haven.

Who’s it For?

Chileno isn’t just one thing and it isn’t just for one type of guest, but it’s certainly a paradise for the active traveler who loves a good spa and direct access to Cabo’s most swimmable beach.

The vibe at Chileno Bay is decidedly edgy, with a noticeable presence of girls’ trips, couples looking to mingle, and multi-generational families who need variety to keep their entire crew happy. At the family pool, we were pleasantly surprised to see a wide array of ages, indicative of just how much Auberge Resorts has developed programming for its youngest (and perhaps, pickiest!) guests. Chileno isn’t just one thing and it isn’t just for one type of guest, but it’s certainly a paradise for the active traveler who loves a good spa and direct access to Cabo’s most swimmable beach. For those really looking to put wellness at the forefront of your stay, the Wellness Suite offers an outdoor, private treatment room for two with its own steam shower, plus your own outdoor private infinity plunge pool.

When it comes to the best resorts in Cabo for kids, the family scene at Chileno Bay delivers for all ages. Pescadito’s Kids Club is accessible to guests aged four to eleven and offers interactive activities from piñata and puppet making to slime and soap making. There are also special nights where themes like “Game Night” or “Pajama Party” allow for the parents to escape kid-free to dinner while the littlest guests are entertained with fun from Nintendo Switch to movies with dinner and dessert. For slightly older guests, the Escondite Teens Club is an underground spot filled with bean bags, a pool table, a ping pong table, a recording studio, and more.

So Much More Than A Spa

One of the things that stood out to us most on our recent scouting trip was the outdoor cold plunge pool…

THE WELL at Chileno Bay is an extension of the original New York outpost, bringing best-in-class services, classes, and experience to balance modern and ancient ways of living. THE WELL brilliantly ushers guests through a mind, body, and spiritual reset with thoughtful design and programming. Your arrival experience is sure to set the tone for your time at THE WELL, beginning with a sage-burning ceremony for you to set your intentions. One of the things that stood out to us most on our recent scouting trip was the outdoor cold plunge pool; whether or not you have a treatment booked, you’re welcome to pop into the facility at any time and challenge yourself with a plunge—suit optional. Your wellness journey here continues across The Bath House, rest-inducing Nap Garden, Reflexology Pool, and outdoor treatment rooms.

Restaurants at Chileno Bay

Dining at Chileno Bay is as varied as it is delicious. Mornings start at El Molino where you can grab a coffee, smoothie, or pastry to kickstart your day. The resort’s signature restaurant, COMAL is named after a type of clay cooking pan used for centuries in Mexico—the menu here is a celebration of Mexican and Latin American-inspired food that takes a contemporary approach to local favorites. Set back from the sea overlooking the cascading pools, the open hearth kitchen at YAYA takes center stage and brings comfort food to a new level. Its name draws from a term of endearment for grandmothers across Mediterranean cultures, drawing guests into a convivial experience. Perhaps our favorite outlet, TNT is your spot for beachside tacos and impeccably mixed cocktails; this is your perfect spot to take a break from the pool and dine on fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. Just be sure to keep your eyes on the water while you eat—you might be lucky enough (like we were!) to spot some whales while you’re in the midst of polishing off your tacos.

Private Culinary Experiences at Chileno

…will take you through a variety of agave-based spirits, teaching you not only how these liquors are made across Mexico, but also what they pair best with so that you can bring your newfound knowledge back home.

There is a wide array of private culinary experiences that your SmartFlyer travel advisor can help book to enhance your stay at Chileno Bay. During our scouting trip, we particularly enjoyed our pizza-making class and mezcal or tequila tasting. The pizza class is great for families and can be brought into your villa or residence if you have an accommodation outfitted with a kitchen. For the adults in your crew, we highly recommend The Agave Journey overlooking the sea; set against the stunning backdrop of the sea, the property’s Head Mixologist, Miguel Vargas, will take you through a variety of agave-based spirits, teaching you not only how these liquors are made across Mexico, but also what they pair best with so that you can bring your newfound knowledge back home.

Cabo’s Most Swimmable Beach

A standout feature that makes Chileno Bay one of the best resorts in Cabo is its serene water and highly swimmable half-a-mile stretch of golden shoreline. To complement this special enclave, Chileno Bay has built what they call their H2O Cave, a robust activities center that sets guests up with ample activities to enjoy at sea. We started one of our mornings on property with a sunrise SUP paddleboard, an activity sure to infuse you with more energy than any caffeinated beverage (though, those were offered too!). Alternatively, you can use H2O Cave to rent out snorkel gear, Seabobs, eFoils, or even a Snuba.

Pickleball in Paradise

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, there’s something for everyone at Chileno here as you seize the chance to play pickleball in paradise.

When researching the best resorts in Cabo, you’re sure to come across endless comparisons between hotel restaurants, swim-up pools, and wellness facilities. What you may not find much are dedicated courts catering to the fastest-growing sport in the United States: pickleball. With an eye on the trend, the team at Chileno brilliantly decided to convert some of their activity space into dedicated pickleball courts where guests can indulge in friendly competition, or uplevel their skills by taking part in clinics on Wednesdays and Fridays. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, there’s something for everyone at Chileno here as you seize the chance to play pickleball in paradise.

Activities Abound: Cabo Calling as Your Playground

Whether you opt to stay at Chileno Bay or Esperanza, you can take part in a wide array of activities available in the region. Golf remains a large draw for all guests visiting Cabo thanks to its eighteen courses woven into the dazzling seaside landscape. Whale watching is also an eco-friendly offering that helps to educate visitors about the ocean life of Cabo San Lucas—if you’re coming to Cabo with whale watching in mind, the best time to visit is between December and April. Surfing is also seasonal and best during the winter months when the swells are the biggest. For year-round fun, consider deep-sea fishing, a boat ride to The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, a day trip to Todos Santos, or hiking.