My Trip to Cabo San Lucas During COVID

January 11, 2021 | By Meredith Price

I just completed my first trip out of the country in eight months, and it was great to be traveling again! While I was a bit nervous about flying, it was fine, and I wouldn’t be hesitant about flying elsewhere.

I was most surprised by the “almost normalcy” of everything. The airports were open and busy. Many shops and some of the restaurants are still closed, but most restaurants were open in larger airports like DFW. I was surprised by the number of people in the airports, but that number is a very good sign! The procedures were the same through TSA. People were masked and tried to stay further apart, but otherwise, business as usual. People seemed to try to leave every other seat open in the waiting areas.

Boarding on American Airlines went pretty much as usual. People were masked and tried to stand a bit further apart. I’ve heard that some airlines are now boarding from the back of the plane forward. That wasn’t the case with American, nor does American block the middle seat. You were given a small plastic bag upon boarding with a small bottle of water, a sanitizing wipe, and a cookie. Although I did see someone request water, there was no in-flight service, which was brought to them. The flight attendants were very vigilant about people keeping their masks in place for the flight duration.

Arrival in Cabo was no different than before. We went through customs and immigration as you would normally do, on to baggage claim, and out the door for transfers.  While people were masked in the airport, it was a very normal procedure and a lot of people! 

I stayed at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, which was amazing! The dramatic entrance to this fabulous resort is through the Dos Mares private tunnel carved out of the mountain of Land’s End. Upon arrival, you are met by the Pacific’s spectacular view, welcomed with a cool drink and hand sanitizer, and then a temperature check. There was a temperature check each time we returned to the hotel. All resort employees wore masks at all times. As a member of the Hilton family, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos also participates in the Hilton CleanStay program. I felt very comfortable at the resort at all times. As most of the public areas and restaurants are all outside, I felt even more comfortable. Most guests walking around the resort were masked and only removed those at the pools or restaurants. Hotels in Los Cabos are only allowed up to 50% occupancy, which makes social distancing very easy.

This resort is an excellent destination for couples seeking a romantic getaway, a girl’s shopping/spa trip, a men’s fishing/golf trip, or a family vacation. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos offers an outstanding Kid’s program and even has dedicated space for those children participating in virtual schooling. Each guest room is beautifully appointed and is a blend of modern conveniences with authentic Mexican details. Each features a fireplace, a private terrace, and a private infinity pool to enjoy the Pacific Ocean’s sweeping views. They also offer multi-bedroom residential-style villas for those needing additional space and privacy.

There is so much to do in Cabo, with something for everyone. We enjoyed a morning on The Pelican, the private yacht of the resort. We snorkeled, took paddleboards to the Arch, and enjoyed breakfast on board with mimosas! This would be a great idea for families or small groups to enjoy a special and private experience on the water. We also took a day trip to the quaint town of Todos Santos, about an hour’s drive north of Cabo, which was a wonderful shopping and culinary experience. Todos Santos is also the home of the iconic Hotel California of Eagle’s fame! We enjoyed a delicious farm-to-table lunch at the lovely Café Mango in addition to the galleries and shops.

The Waldorf features some excellent restaurants. 

My favorite was the El Farallon, noted as the best restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. The food was amazing and began with a champagne tasting at sunset overlooking the Pacific! The culinary team at the Waldorf can arrange many different tastings as well as cooking classes.

The spa is another “must do” at the Waldorf, with many treatments inspired by authentic Mexican folk healing. For the more active person, Cabo offers fantastic golf options, fishing trips, horseback riding along the beach, zip-lining, parasailing, and more. The resort is in a great location and is a short walk through the tunnel into town for a great restaurant and shopping choice.

I also was able to stay at the beautiful Viceroy Los Cabos in the San Jose del Cabo area. Again, all resort staff wore masks at all times and observed the Viceroy Promise of Cleanliness protocol. This architecturally stunning resort features modernist all-white cubes that dramatically pop against the Sea of Cortez’s blue. The 198 guest rooms, nestled in these striking white buildings are all connected by elevated walkways under which water flows directly from the sea. These “water mirrors” reflect the beauty of the resort and the natural environment surrounding it. You won’t be able to stop taking pictures!

The guest rooms are modern, minimal, stylish, and pristine. Each accommodation is designed for indoor/outdoor experiences enhanced by the floor to ceiling windows and private terraces. Viceroy Los Cabos offers spectacular waterside three and four-bedroom casitas for those needing more room or more privacy, each with exclusive concierge service and private rooftop swimming pools.

The spa at the Viceroy is excellent, as well as the restaurants. Nido is a stunning restaurant, designed like a bird’s nest surrounded by water mirrors. 

The culinary experience is excellent, as is the atmosphere. Dinner at Cielomar Rooftop restaurant was also outstanding with spectacular sunsets. The service of the whole staff at the Viceroy is quite exceptional and engaging. It makes your stay even more memorable!

It was a quick but fabulous trip and a great re-entry to travel. Cabo San Lucas has much to offer, and I highly recommend one of these beautiful resorts.

The staff’s service, health protocols, and concerns made me feel comfortable and glad I had come!