MAS OLAS, TODOS SANTOS

I am feeling rejuvenated and completely relaxed after our incredible trip to Todos Santos. If you aren’t familiar with Todos Santos, it is a charming town on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, known for its bohemian vibe, rich history, vibrant art scene, and beautiful beaches. It’s an ideal destination for travelers seeking a mix of relaxation, culture, and adventure. Located just outside of Cabo and one of those underrated locations that are on the rise. I imagine it is similar to what Cabo used to be like long before it became a huge tourist destination.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Cabo (I got married there!) but if you are looking for something that is not so touristy, not so developed and a bit more calm… this is the place for you!

I was fortunate enough to be invited to experience Todos Santos’ newest hotel Kimpton Mas Olas and I was beyond impressed by our experience during our stay. This was my third time visiting Todos Santos and each time I have stayed at a different hotel. Mas Olas is truly and honestly my favorite. 

A little bit about Mas Olas: The property is on 30 peaceful oceanfront acres with nine beautiful gardens that fuel its wellness and culinary programs. They have a gorgeous spa with its own apothecary, gorgeous villas with outdoor showers and plunge pools just steps from the ocean. The chef is AMAZING and grows everything himself and three different culinary concepts. There are many special guest experiences you can experience such as making custom lotions and essential oils at the apothecary, grounding earth meditations, yoga and cacao ceremonies, and garden to table culinary workshops. Mas Olas leans heavily into preserving the local nature and letting native plants inspire its wellness program. Their spa is expansive with yoga shalas, ice fountain, semi-olympic lap pool, and outdoor nests where treatments are rendered using local herbs and housemade products. It is an adult only property so it is a great place for a couples getaway or a quiet place to disconnect from the stress of everyday life.

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), about a 1-1.5 hour drive to Todos Santos.
• Transportation: Renting a car is the most convenient option if you want to explore the area. Taxis and private transfers are also available. We opted for a private transfer coordinated by the hotel.

Best Time to Visit

• October to April: Ideal for pleasant weather, outdoor activities, and whale watching.
• May to September: Warmer and more humid, but fewer tourists and lower prices.

Travel Tips

• Embrace the Pace: Todos Santos has a relaxed atmosphere. Take your time, enjoy the slower pace, and soak in the local culture.

• Respect the Environment: This area is known for its natural beauty. Be mindful of your environmental impact, especially when visiting beaches and natural reserves.

• Road Safety: Roads can be narrow and winding. Drive carefully, especially at night.

• Low Crime: Todos Santos is generally safe, but like any travel destination, keep an eye on your belongings and avoid deserted areas at night.

What to do at Mas Olas:

Visit Botánica Spa & Apothecary: We spent one afternoon at the Spa & Apothecary and it was such a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. We each made a product at the Apothecary using ingredients from the on-site gardens. On the spa menu its is called ‘Create Your Baja Blend.’ It is a 45 minute experience where you use the tinctures, essential oils, and organic bases the the mixing table in the Apothecary to find a combination that is just right for you! Roman made an essential oil mix that promotes sleep and I made a roll on perfume. We loved the experience. Next, we opted for a couples massage which was relaxing and left us ready for an afternoon nap. If there is one thing Roman and I love on vacation it is a massage. We try to get a couples massage on every trip so over the years I have had many many different types of massages. One little thing I loved at Botánica was there was the massage table. There was a portion of the table that could be lowered where your chest sits, this way the girlies (.)(.) aren’t squished – I have never had that before and it truly made me so much more comfortable. Couples massage was 10/10.

Morning Yoga Class: The hotel offers yoga each morning at 9am in the stunning spa. Roman went every morning and I went once with him and really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend going during your stay.

There is also a full gym, pilates studio, steam room, sauna, ice fountain, jacuzzi and a semi-olympic sized pool at the spa.

Relax by the pool: There are several pools on property, each with their own vibe and some of the rooms offer private pools. We spent the majority of our time at our private pool and loved the privacy and the build in daybeds we could lay on and look at the ocean. Highly recommend a beachfront room with a pool – It also has a stunning outdoor fire pit which we used every night.

Wine Tasting: We enjoyed a wine tasting at sunset at Kahal restaurant one night and it was a wonderful experience that we would definitely do again. The sommelier guided us through about 6 Mexican wines while we chatted and watched the sun go down. My favorite was the chardonnay we tried.

Dine at the on property restaurants: We were lucky to meet Chef Sandro Falbo on our last night and spent a while talking to him about his journey as a chef. He is Italian and has worked all over the world in some of the most top-rated restaurants and now he calls Kimpton Mas Olas home. He oversees the resort’s culinary program – dedicated to the celebration of Baja’s authentic culinary traditions.

• Kahal: The hotel’s signature oceanfront restaurant that features fresh-caught seafood, raw bar and fine wines. If you arrive just before sunset there is a beautiful spot on the roof to have a cocktail and watch the sun go down. For dinner request a booth by the water, the views are amazing and the restaurant has such a great vibe. The pastry chef here made the most stunning cake for Roman for his birthday and even brought what we couldn’t finish to our room for us. So nice!

• Botánica: In the heart of Mas Olas’ organic garden, Botánica features freshly farmed vegetables, organic meats and fine wines & cocktails. We loved the pear carpaccio!

• Centro: Casual mexican restaurant where breakfast and lunch is served. I absolutely LOVED the breakfast here. We went all out everyday. The yogurt and homemade granola is fantastic and so is the breakfast burrito. For lunch you have to get the guacamole (obviously) and the steak tacos. There view from Centro is elevated and has panoramic views of the surrounding area and the ocean.

Things to Do in Todos Santos:

Explore the Art Scene Todos Santos is a designated Pueblo Mágico, known for its thriving art community. Wander through the town to discover:

• Galleries: Visit Galería Logan, Gabo Art Gallery, and N.E. Hayles Studio to see works by local and international artists.
• Cultural Center: Check out the Todos Santos Cultural Center, housed in a historic building, for exhibitions and events.

Visit Historic Landmarks

• Mission of Nuestra Señora del Pilar: The town’s historic mission church, founded in 1724, offers a glimpse into the region’s colonial past.
• Hotel California: Stop by this iconic hotel, often (though mistakenly) associated with the famous Eagles song.

Beach Time

• Playa Los Cerritos: A popular surf spot with golden sands and gentle waves, perfect for beginners.
• Playa La Pastora: A more secluded beach, ideal for experienced surfers and those seeking a peaceful retreat.
• Playa Punta Lobos: Known for its scenic cliffs and fishermen launching their boats, it’s a great spot for a stroll.

Surfing Todos Santos is a surfing haven. Beginners can take lessons at Playa Los Cerritos, while experienced surfers can tackle the waves at Playa La Pastora and San Pedrito Beach.

Whale Watching From January to March, you can witness the migration of gray whales along the coast. Book a whale-watching tour for an up-close encounter.

Hiking & Outdoor Adventures

• Sierra de la Laguna: Explore this mountain range with hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, natural pools, and stunning vistas.
• Tortugueros Las Playitas: Participate in a turtle release program and learn about the conservation efforts to protect these endangered creatures.

Shopping

• Galería de Todos Santos: Pick up unique art pieces, handcrafted jewelry, and ceramics.
• Nomad Chic: A stylish boutique offering bohemian clothing, accessories, and home decor.
• La Sonrisa de la Muerte: A small shop known for its handcrafted skull art, a symbol of Mexico’s Día de los Muertos.

Day Trips

• La Paz: A 1.5-hour drive from Todos Santos, La Paz offers beautiful beaches like Playa Balandra and vibrant marine life for snorkeling or diving.
• Cabo San Lucas: About an hour away, Cabo is known for its lively nightlife, luxury resorts, and iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas.

Overall Experience at Mas Olas:

Mas Olas was the perfect three day getaway for Roman and I to have a quiet and relaxing time together. The property is so stunning and I can only imagine it getting better as time goes on and they continue to build and grow. Out of the three hotels I have stayed at in Todos Santos the rooms at Mas Olas ware the most luxurious. I loved our private pool, the indoor and outdoor showers, outdoor fire pit, and the ocean view.

The service from the staff was amazing and they had such a passion for what they were doing. One morning they saw on instagram that I said I wish there was almond milk in the room because that’s how I make my morning coffee and when we got back to our room after breakfast there was a full carton of almond milk in our refrigerator. It really is all in the little things! If any worker ever saw us walking around they would always offer us a ride in the golf cart, they explained the property to us with so much passion and genuinely wanted us to have the best time.

Next time we can getaway for a full week I would go back to Mas Olas for 3-4 nights and stay in Cabo the other nights. I think that would be an amazing trip! I would definitely recommend that if you have the time or if it is a long distance to make it to that part of Mexico.

Gracias Mas Olas!