Those following “The Best of the Southwest” likely already know our fondness for traveling to Cabo San Lucas, both for how easy it is to get there and for the utterly epic beach wonderland it offers to guests. For those who may not know, Cabo has become one of the most accessible international beach escapes for nearly every major city across the Southwest, and we know the perfect place to stay: Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos.

This winter, we absolutely need to talk Cabo again.

---

Cabo San Lucas musts:

• Watch migrating whales from balconies, pools or beach loungers
• Drift between heated pools, ending at the rooftop infinity pool
• Let dinner plans unfold, from sunset Italian to a modern steakhouse

---

Why Cabo, why now

TripAdvisor has officially dropped its 2026 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Destinations list, and Cabo San Lucas landed at No. 20 worldwide. Even more impressive? It is the only destination in Mexico to crack the Top 25. Not Cancun. Not Tulum. Cabo. Southwest travelers, consider yourselves validated.

TripAdvisor has officially dropped its 2026 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Destinations list, and Cabo San Lucas landed at No. 20 worldwide. Even more impressive? It is the only destination in Mexico to crack the Top 25.

What makes that ranking feel especially spot-on is how Cabo continues to evolve. It is no longer just about spring break energy or quick beach getaways. Today’s Cabo is polished, design-driven, food-forward, wellness-obsessed and endlessly easy. And if there is one resort that captures that glow-up perfectly, it is Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos.

A resort designed to pull you outside

The resort, set against the white-sand beach with views for days, feels airy, modern and intentionally open. This is a place that wants you outside. Terraces, fire pits, lounges and sculptural walkways pull guests toward the ocean at every turn. Mornings start with coffee on a hammock-lined balcony. Afternoons drift between pools. Evenings are all about glowing skies and soft music, with no pressure to be anywhere other than exactly where you are.

Mornings start with coffee on a hammock-lined balcony. Afternoons drift between pools. Evenings are all about glowing skies and soft music, with no pressure to be anywhere other than exactly where you are.

Accommodations are designed with real life in mind. The mind-bending suites are spacious enough to spread out, unpack and stay awhile.

Suites, residences and staying awhile

Oh, and then there are the residences (strap in for this!).

For those seeking to elevate what is already an opulent oceanfront adventure, Garza Blanca also boasts Luxury Hotel Residences, an enclave of three- and four-bedroom penthouses and lofts ranging in size from 3,500 to 6,500 square feet and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with private terraces complete with a hammock and jacuzzi tub, full-size gourmet kitchens with breakfast bars, 24-hour butler service and an in-suite premium bar stocked with top spirits and snacks, personalized by preference.

Luxury Hotel Residences include three- and four-bedroom penthouses and lofts ranging from 3,500 to 6,500 square feet, complete with private terraces, gourmet kitchens, 24-hour butler service and in-suite experiences personalized by preference.

Guests who book these coveted accommodations are also treated to several special “extras” on property, including both pillow and aromatherapy menus that may be customized daily, an in-suite multi-course pairing dinner with a private chef and the choice of an in-suite breakfast or an in-suite mixology or tasting class. Family-style breakfast and breakfast buffets (minimum of eight guests) are also available to be presented in-suite each day, as are kid-sized robes, cribs, special keepsakes for children and 24-hour milkshake and cookie service at the touch of a button.

Dining without decisions

Speaking of food, room service at all room levels is available 24/7 and yes, it is included if you opt for the gourmet all-inclusive plan. That plan is a game-changer. It turns dining into a choose-your-own-adventure situation where reservations feel fun, not stressful.

The resort offers rooftop Italian dinners at sunset, Japanese cuisine that blends precision with flair and, of course, a killer modern steakhouse.

Pools, wellness and movement with a view

Pools play a starring role here, too, and then some. Garza Blanca boasts eight heated pools, each with its own personality. The adults-only rooftop infinity pool steals the spotlight with panoramic ocean views and golden-hour magic, while other pools invite everything from family splash time to cocktail-in-hand floating sessions. There is a swim-up bar, because of course there is.

Wellness is woven into the experience without ever feeling preachy. Spa Imagine sits high above the sea, immediately setting a calmer tone. Those visiting January through April will have a perfect viewpoint for breaching whales from up here as well. The hydrotherapy circuit is worth blocking off an afternoon on its own, moving guests through steam, heat, bubbles, pressured showers, cold plunges and quiet recovery spaces that leave you blissfully unbothered. Treatments blend chakra philosophy, gemstone rituals and high-tech facials, creating a spa menu that feels both ancient and futuristic.

For those who like to balance indulgence with movement, the fitness scene delivers. Forget anything you ever thought about a “hotel gym,” because this is next level. The gym is impressively stocked, daily classes range from yoga to strength training and paddleboard yoga adds a playful challenge for anyone feeling ambitious. Morning workouts feel better when they come with ocean views and nowhere else you have to be afterward.

Golf, whales and winter magic

Golf lovers are equally spoiled. The concierge team can secure tee times at legendary regional courses like Diamante and Palmilla, turning world-ranked fairways into seamless day trips complete with luxury-level logistics and zero stress.

Winter brings one final layer of magic. From now through early spring, whales migrate past the Cabo coastline, often visible from balconies, pools and beach loungers. It is the kind of moment that stops conversations mid-sentence and reminds you that some of the best experiences here require no planning at all.

Elevated travel for every kind of guest

And yes, you can visit with your family. At Garza Blanca, families are fully embraced, not tucked into a corner. Cribs, highchairs, kids’ pools, splash zones and supervised activities make traveling with little ones surprisingly smooth while still preserving the resort’s elevated, grown-up feel. Couples, friend groups and multi-generational travelers all find their rhythm here, too.

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Los Cabos captures exactly why Cabo earned its spot among the world’s best. It is luxurious but relaxed, indulgent without excess and rooted in a desert-meets-sea setting that feels instantly familiar to Southwest travelers. It is the kind of place that makes winter feel optional and vacation feel effortless, which might be the highest honor of all.

Field Trip Friday takeaway

Cabo San Lucas continues to prove why it remains one of the easiest and most rewarding international escapes for Southwest travelers, especially in winter, when luxury resorts, whale sightings and seamless access align.

To learn more, visit cabo.garzablancaresort.com.