The Baja is currently experiencing a pop in growth and development, due to many different factors. We had the chance to chat with Pueblo Bonito’s Chief Development Officer Jose Luis Mogollon on the recent increase of resorts and communities, particularly on the Pacific Coast.
Why has the Pacific Coast of Baja remained largely undeveloped until recently?
The Pacific coast of Baja is the hidden gem of Cabo and developers have started taking notice of the area’s benefits. We are at the actual tip of Baja, where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet and it was largely undiscovered due to the rugged terrain surrounding the oceanfront land, which makes it extremely private. The Pacific side offers a mountain-desert-ocean realm unique to itself and although secluded, it’s still within close proximity to downtown Cabo San Lucas. Quivira, for example, is a mere mile away from all the restaurants, shopping, fishing, nightlife and numerous recreational activities that make Cabo a world-class entertainment destination. Also, the Pacific side of Baja has a much milder climate that the rest of the peninsula and can be a welcome relief to travelers in the hot summer months.
What prompted the recent surge in development?
We have been in Cabo since 1991 and Ernesto Coppel, developer and chairman of Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts, saw the potential before anyone else. After the completion of his second resort in Cabo, he pioneered the development of this area where the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean meet. The Quivira master-planned community soon followed and now it’s setting the pace for luxury development in the area, and many high-end brands are following in suit.
The now-cresting wave of new lodgings and real estate development, combined with a strong economy has created a surge of interest in the area. World-renowned brands such as Hard Rock Hotels, Viceroy, Thompson, Montage, Auberge, Nobu, and St. Regis were all attracted to the destination for various reasons, but Cabo has always been known for its ease of access through several flight markets, warm weather, and exceptional service culture. By the end of last year, Los Cabos boasted more five-star stays than any other destination in Latin America and it continues to grow.
How does the Pacific coast differ from Golden Corridor in terms of atmosphere, attractions, etc.?
The Pacific coast is phenomenal. Quivira sits at the southernmost point at the tip of the Baja peninsula at the exact place where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. For extraordinary ocean views at true Land’s End, no other resort or community in Cabo has what Quivira has. Major highways are far away from our coastal haven and as a result, the communities offer peace and quiet that can’t be found anywhere else in Cabo.
The destination also recently built a toll road that provides easier access than ever from San Jose International Airport, more so than most hotels in the corridor. The Pacific coast also has easier access to the charming towns of Pescadero, Todos Santos and La Paz.
How do you envision the future of pacific development?
Los Cabos continues to be on the radar for many, with five-star resorts studding Mexico’s south coast. There’s an inflow of luxury development in the Pacific coast area and with good reason. The area boasts a better overall climate year round and offers a sense of privacy while being centrally located to the action in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Other new developed areas in the region can be more than an hour away from any off-site amenities, so this area provides the best of both worlds.
More than 1,500 new hotel keys will come online within the next three years and world-renowned international brands are choosing to develop in the Pacific as opposed to other areas. The St. Regis Los Cabos is slated to open in late 2021 and will feature a 120-room luxury beachfront hotel and 74 residences set within Quivira. The Resort at Pedregal is now branded as a Waldorf Astoria and Rancho San Lucas is being developed by the Solmar Group, another great pioneer of Cabo. Roberto Chapur, chairman of RCD Resorts partnered with Chef Nobu, Robert DeNiro and Meir Teper to introduce Nobu Hotel Los Cabos to the area. RCD Hotels is one of the most respected hoteliers and operates luxury resort properties in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Maya and more.
The lure of unique culture, serenity and pristine beaches in the nearby towns of Todos Santos and the adjacent hamlets of Pescadero and Cerritos has also played a part in the development of the region. The towns can be found about 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas and the area has long been a haven for travelers, surfers, artists, and bohemians seeking tranquility away from the hustle of Cabo.
Golf has also had its renaissance on the Pacific side. In 2014, Diamante opened up Tiger Woods’ first golf course design—El Cardonal, in 2019 Rancho San Lucas added a Greg Norman golf course and the crown jewel golf course of the Pacific side, Quivira Golf Club, which opened five years ago. Quivira Golf Club has quickly established itself as one of the best new courses in the world. The dazzling 7,085-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature layout was recently voted to Golf Digest’s elite roster of the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.” Golf Magazine named it the “Best New International Golf Course” in 2014, while Golf Inc. recognized Quivira as “The Development of the Year” when it opened.
For more information visit quiviraloscabos.com or pueblobonito.com
Feature photo: Claire Ward on Unsplash of Pueblo Bonito