Meagan Drillinger
The past year has not been an easy one for Los Cabos. Long considered one of Mexico's safest destinations, incidents of high-profile gang violence vexed the destination, resulting in a travel warning to the region issued by the U.S. State Department. Tourism numbers began to dip amid news reports that the resort cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo were unsafe for leisure travel.
But the region's tourism interests are saying the destination has turned a corner, thanks to the efforts of local government and business owners and the new security measures Los Cabos has been implementing to reassure tourists that the destination is in fact safe.
In a press release last month, vacation rental company Exotic Estates pointed to Los Cabos Tourism Board statistics saying that a five-point security plan has resulted in crime numbers dropping by 90% compared with last year.
This news is especially important as of late, as airlines have been reporting a decline in demand to Mexico's beach cities. But markets seem to be improving as the election is now over and the peso has stabilized.
In Los Cabos in particular, there are no signs of the development slowing down. This year alone will show 1,200 new guestrooms coming online, in addition to properties that opened last year. Destinations like Los Cabos' exclusive East Cape are gaining attention as travelers are seeking more off-the-beaten-path destinations while remaining close to the popular airports. East Cape was named one of the New York Times' 52 places to go this year. Miles from Cabo San Lucas, the East Cape used to be a collection of sleepy fishing villages. But thanks to the opening of Chileno Bay last year, the stretch of coastline is receiving considerable attention, and is expected to receive a Four Seasons at the end of this year.
A number of high-profile openings this year has put Los Cabos in the spotlight, from the much-anticipated Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos as well as Solaz, A Luxury Collection Resort, and Montage Los Cabos. Still to come will be the Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos, which will open in November with 315 suites, lofts, penthouses and master residences. Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve will open its doors on 2,000 acres of Puerto Los Cabos property with 115 villas. Nobu is opening its 200-room property this year, as well.
Though no opening date is set, Caesars Entertainment will be bringing a nongaming resort to Cabo San Lucas, as part of the expansive Puerto Los Cabos development. The 500-room beachfront hotel will have a 40,000-square-foot convention center, a 25,000-square-foot spa, three fine dining restaurants and poolside cabanas.
It is expected that an additional 4,353 rooms will become available over the next two years.