san jose del cabo
By Heather
rara ra
The Cabo Azul is in one word, gorgeous. Entering the lobby, there is a magnificent rope sculpture and water feature, intricately carved, dark-wood panels spanning every wall and rising at least three stories. And then through a massive wood arc that leads to a chapel, there’s a peak at what you know is going to be spectacular beachfront rooms and pools. The resort has two restaurants, one of which is the notable complete with a mims
I’ve been to Cabo before, but stayed and played on the Cabo San Lucas side, which is known for its clubs, beaches with lots of little bikinis, and vendors constantly trying to pull you into their shop, restaurant or bar. To be honest, on that trip I did stay at a lovely all-inclusive, La Hacienda Encantada, and had wonderful meals at their five on-property restaurants. But I’m one who likes to explore and discover, so day after day at the pool isn’t always my thing.
On multiple trips we also stayed at the Cabo Azul Resort, a Hilton property (formerly a Diamond Resort). Yes, it’s a time-share, but you can book it like a normal hotel, and you don’t have to do the sales presentation if you don’t want to. It’s not an all-inclusive, which I like, because that allows us to eat at various other locations around the town.
The Cabo Azul is in one word, gorgeous. Entering the lobby, there is a magnificent rope sculpture and water feature, intricately carved, dark-wood panels spanning every wall and rising at least three stories. And then through a massive wood arc that leads to a chapel, there’s a peak at what you know is going to be spectacular beachfront rooms and pools. The resort has two restaurants, one of which is the notable Jaaviers, which has a fabulous Sunday brunch, complete with a mimosa bar in an herb garden, and offers a cooking course (margaritas and ceviche!) We had a great time soaking up the rays poolside, sipping my new favorite drink – the Raspberry Basil Smash – and trying every taco on the menu (there’s a lot!) but the best part of this resort is its proximity to downtown San Jose.
To the Left (to the Left)
Old town San Jose del Cabo is the reason we to Cabo. Also known as the Art District, it was about a 20–30-minute walk of a $5 rideshare to the main plaza. It’s a mix of history, color, and flavors. From tequila tastings, roof-top restaurants and bars to art galleries, fine jewelry stores and hidden gardens, it’s the true gem of the area. Every Thursday night there is an art walk that fills the square with works from local artisans and food vendors. Musicians fill the air with a kind of magic and street performers entertain and tell stories of times gone by. There are dozens of restaurants worth trying (I recommend making a reservation for dinner, especially on Thursdays), some of which are listed below.
Another spectacular advantage of staying near San Jose are the organic farms in the area. We’ve been to two: Flora Farm and Acre). Both are farms, resorts and have superb restaurants, offer cooking classes and other experiences. I took a class from Flora Farm on regional salas, tortilla making, which included a tour of the farm and a full lunch.
Flavor Found
La Lupita Taco & Mezcal – known for their extensive taco menu. It’s a small restaurant but packs a huge punch in flavor! We tried a variety of tacos with carne asada, barbacoa pork, grilled fish, nopales and Mole Negro Oaxaqueño. The tortilla soup is also one not to miss. Reservations are recommended as this is a very popular spot.
Agave Kitchen – This one was new to us this year but did not disappoint. The restaurant sits one-level above the street, so you have an excellent view of the vibrant scene below. They use a stone oven to cook and reimagine Mexican food. We shared the suckling pig, which was out of this world, and the Pollo a la brasa (gilled chicken). Below the restaurant is an agave tasing room, which is warm in ambiance and liquor.
Bistro by Sébastien Agnès – Here French cooking meets fresh Mexican ingredients. Chef Agnes cooked with many French greats, in Michelin star restaurants, before heading to San Jose del Cabo. The first thing you’ll smell is their crepes and waffles, which are served to the side of the main restaurant. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast with an espresso or endless mimosas! Dinner is what drew us in (the restaurant is right across from Cabo Azul). They are known for their oysters, mussels and French onion soup. All three were delicious! We also tried, and loved, the tomato tart and tuna tartar. Magnifique!
Jardin Secreto Cabo – Who doesn’t love a secret garden! And this one has great food, offering a fusion of Mediterranean food with Mexican flare. There is a taco and wood-fired pizza menu, but we opted for the pork shank and Baja shrimp. They have a fabulous drink menu as well, so plan to stay as long as they’ll let you.
