Summary
At Paradisus Los Cabos, the Destination Inclusive program offers travelers off-the-beaten-path experiences — and it’s all included.
In my 20 years of travel as an adult, I have never enjoyed a vacation at an all-inclusive resort. They have certainly looked appealing – I love a pool overlooking the sea as much as the next person, as well as the ease of never signing a bar tab. However, there was something ill-fitting about the perceived experience; too still and too confined for someone who takes pleasure in exploring.
So, when Paradisus Los Cabos, an all-inclusive resort by Melia set at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California Sur, invited me to participate in their new Destination Inclusive program, I was intrigued. An off-site canyon hike, followed by a sound bath and yoga session under the stars, didn’t fit in the box I’d placed around all-inclusives. I would be happy to have my assumptions turned upside down, I decided.
Paradisus Los Cabos
- Paradisus Los Cabos features several excursions, including an off-site canyon hike and nighttime yoga.
- Guests of The Reserve, the highest accommodation category at the resort, have exclusive access to a lounge, an adults-only pool, and a restaurant.
- The resort protects turtle nests and conducts seasonal turtle releases that guests can observe.
I spent my first 24 hours at the resort enjoying the perks of The Reserve, the highest accommodation category at Paradisus Los Cabos (and the level that guests must secure in order to enjoy the all-inclusive excursions). Guests of The Reserve have exclusive access to The Reserve Lounge, where you can get a cocktail (or Nespresso) anytime of day, plus snacks of all sorts. There’s an adults-only pool here as well, and La Palapa, a restaurant that quickly became my chosen place for chilaquiles, fresh juice, and French-press coffee, best enjoyed while keeping an eye out for whales in the Pacific Ocean.
Canyon Hike Adventure
On my second evening, it was time for the pièce de résistance. I loaded into a van with my travel companions for our excursion, driving into a nearby canyon at dusk. The setting sun turned the landscape golden, with vistas pierced by the occasional cardon cactus. Upon parking, we walked a gravely path in search of a waterfall. The canyon was tranquil, disrupted only by our footsteps and the occasional tweet of a desert bird. Just 15 minutes in, we rounded a corner to reveal the waterfall, along with teeny speckled frogs hopping about. We scrambled up white rocks to get closer to the water and take photos.
Nighttime Yoga Session
As the sky darkened, we returned to our starting point, where guides set up yoga mats around an unlit bonfire. Following our instructor, we flowed through poses for about 30 minutes, the steady hum of crickets our background music until it was replaced by the sounds of singing bowls. Lying on our mats as the bonfire blazed, we felt warm under the expert play of those bowls, calming us as we relaxed into the earth. Keeping your eyes closed is generally encouraged during a sound healing, but I couldn’t help peeking to see the bowl players moving gracefully around us, even setting the instruments on our torsos.
Other Unique Experiences
While this excursion was the highlight of my trip, Paradisus Los Cabos is full of other surprises. A multi-course dinner at the adults-only, on-site Sal Steak Cave is a must (included for The Reserve guests), and it’s a good idea to check out the afternoon snack cart by the pool daily. Tequila flows pleasantly throughout the resort, so ensure a tasting is on your itinerary. Down at the beach, a beautiful turquoise cove offers a refreshing dip in the sea, and the Kanna Beach Bar makes an excellent michelada. Additionally, guests can witness endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles hatching from their shells; the resort protects the nests, providing a memorable experience if the season is right. These charming creatures were the final experience of my stay – I can’t say I’ve ever had a cuter send-off.
Melia’s Destination Inclusive offerings vary from property to property. At the Paradisus locations in the Riviera Maya, excursions include a cenote visit guided by a Mexican shaman for a private meditation and yoga class. The Destination Inclusive offerings at Paradisus Los Cabos are available to guests who secure upgraded Nikté suites or The Reserve suites, from $860 a night.
