Nestled between indigenous plants, luscious green mountains and the ocean’s crashing waves is the newly opened Paradero Todos Santos. Located on the Pacific side of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, the region’s awe-inspiring beauty plays muse to the adults-only, open-air resort, one that feels more like a shrine to nature than your typical luxury hotel. And that’s a good thing. Leave the stresses of everyday life behind and lean into Paradero’s unique brand of experienced-based barefoot luxury—just don’t forget the bug spray.
Book one of Paradero Todos Santos’ rooftop suites for uninterrupted views of the region’s stunning sunsets.
Since moving to Los Angeles eight years ago, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Mexico several times. One area of the country I’ve never explored—but always wanted to—is Todos Santos. Imbued with a calm, spiritual sensibility, Todos Santos has attracted many artists and arbiters of good taste over the years, as seen in the town’s beautifully curated galleries, interesting boutiques and delicious cafes. It also draws in surfers from around the world due to the enormous waves at the local beaches: Playa Los Cerritos, Playa Pescadero and La Pastora.
Yektajo & Valdez Architects designed the property.
Tapping into the region’s incredible offerings and its relaxed, bohemian vibe is Paradero Todos Santos, a brand-new hotel that puts an emphasis on experiences and adventure. While nearby Cabo San Lucas is known for its popular luxury resorts filled with every creature comfort, cocktail and amenity, Paradero takes a more pared-down approach, favoring simplicity and an appreciation for the area over fuss and frills.
The 35 sanctuary-esque guest suites are clad in concrete and wood.
After an hour-and-15-minute car ride from San José del Cabo Airport where we ogle the mountains and sea views, my husband and I arrive at Paradero. The first thing we notice is the architecture—massive undulating concrete structures by Mexico-born Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo of Yektajo & Valdez Architects, larger-than-life sculptures that complement the gorgeous desert farm setting. The next thing I notice is the quiet—besides the low murmur of conversation and a light breeze rustling the plants and trees, there’s a seductive silence. The peaceful quiet washes over me, lowering my heart rate and bringing about serenity I didn’t know I needed.
After freshening up in our garden suite—there are 35 suites in total—we relax by the pool area, taking in views of the desert. There are a few other guests around, reading, chatting and sipping drinks, and even though we’re at a hotel, the overall vibe feels very intimate. A few hours later, we’re dining at the open-air restaurant, where uberfresh, locally caught seafood and veggies grown on-property are highlighted. We dig into oysters adorned with fresh herbs from the garden, a whole fish cooked over an open fire and lime-cured raw fish on tostadas, and it’s all completely delicious.
Since Paradero is all about experiences, we decide to push ourselves, taking surfing lessons at nearby Playa Cerritos. It’s the perfect day to do it—warm weather and medium-size rolling waves. My husband and I are both quite nervous, but the instructor’s clear, concise direction both on the sand and in the water really pays off. There’s a lot of falling down, but it’s fun! By the end, we both manage to stand up on our boards, which for us is a huge accomplishment.
The narrow pool looks out to indigenous plants and the mountainous terrain.
There are all kinds of activities from which to choose, including guided hikes, gardening lessons, yoga and fitness classes, local taco tours and art walks throughout town. Additionally, the accommodating staff makes it easy to book cars to anywhere you want to go, including Todos Santos (about 15 minutes away), something we take advantage of a few times. We consider renting a car to explore areas farther afield, like La Paz, but decide to save that for another time and enjoy the property. Besides the pool and living roomlike outdoor lobby, there’s the Ojo de Agua Spa, which offers treatments steeped in ancient Mexican healing traditions.
The night before leaving, we look up to the massive sky, where countless stars twinkle and shine. To our surprise, we catch a glimpse of a shooting star leaving a trail of light behind it for a fleeting moment. It’s a wonderful reminder to appreciate the here and now—something we carry with us to this very day.
Photography by: PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARADERO TODOS SANTOS
