There’s no shortage of fabulous places to stay in Cabo.
Los Cabos (in the state of Baja California Sur) has a rep as Mexico’s most expensive resort destination.
But the cost of your Cabo vacation doesn’t have to drain your piggy bank. It takes extra digging, but there are amazing smaller boutique hotels that offer great value. Some are really cool and unusual too! (We’ve stayed at quite a few during our trips to Cabo.)
Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite boutique hotels in Cabo.
You’ll find a mix of inexpensive urban digs, charming-but-still-affordable places, upscale design-conscious inns and 5-star luxury hotels. They include everything from a treehouse hideaway and a surfer haven to a small deluxe all-inclusive for adults!
All are located right in the Los Cabos area – in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, or along the Tourist Corridor connecting the two towns. A couple are even hotels with a swimmable beach too (a rare find in Cabo).
Okay, let’s check out these boutique hotel gems!
Contents: 11 Top boutique hotels in Los Cabos
Cool boutique hotels in Cabo San Lucas
1) Bahia Hotel & Beach House – $$ to $$$
2) Casa Bella Boutique Hotel – $
Unique boutique hotels in San Jose del Cabo
3) Hotel El Ganzo – $$$
4) Casa Natalia – $$
5) Acre Resort Los Cabos – $$$
6) Casa Costa Azul Boutique Hotel – $$
7) Drift – $
Lovely boutique hotels on the Tourist Corridor
8) Mar del Cabo – $$$
9) Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos – $$$$
10) Cabo Surf Hotel – $$$
Hotel rate guide
Here’s roughly what the following hotels cost:
- Under $200 = $
- $200 to $300 = $$
- $300 to $500 = $$$
- Over $500 = $$$$
Cool Cabo San Lucas boutique hotels
1) Bahia Hotel & Beach House – $$ to $$$
If your idea of vacation bliss is staying where chic meets laid-back cool, the Bahia Hotel & Beach House will be your dream spot. (We recently stayed here before heading up to Todos Santos for a few days – see our Bahia Hotel review – and we’ve already reserved another stay!)
While the hotel isn’t directly on the beach, it’s just a short block and a bit from Medano Beach, Cabo’s most popular swimming beach (which offers tons of water sports).
There, you’ll find the Bahia’s hipper-than-hip private beach club, SUR Beach House. Unlike some beach clubs in Cabo, this one is unpretentious and gives off sophisticated but easy-going vibes. As a hotel guest, you’ll have full access to all its sexy loungy-ness.
And when you get tired of drinking rosé on the beach (is that possible?), head back to the hotel’s courtyard pool for a cool dip.
At night, hit the hotel’s Bar Esquina, one of the hottest restaurants in town. For a change of scene, the hotel’s central location puts you within easy walking distance of Cabo San Lucas’s other great restaurants, clubs and bars.
Bottom line? For a boutique hotel in downtown Cabo San Lucas with lots of buzz – one that’s affordable (for Cabo) – the Bahia is a great pick.
Bahia Hotel & Beach House: Check rates and availability
2) Casa Bella Boutique Hotel – $
Interested in a quaint and budget-friendly stay in Cabo San Lucas with loads of authentic Mexican charm? Casa Bella Boutique Hotel is the perfect place.
With 14 richly colored rooms, decorated with chunky, rustic wooden furniture and brightly hued accents, the whole place is very cozy and comforting. The rooms are nestled around a beautiful flower-filled courtyard, complete with a small inviting pool.
It’s all so peaceful, you might not want to leave – but if you do, Cabo San Lucas Marina is just a short stroll away. From there, hop on a water taxi to see the legendary Arch of Cabo San Lucas at Land’s End (where the tip of the Baja California Peninsula juts out between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez).
Planning a wedding or other special event? You can rent out the entire hotel, turning it into your own private Mexican hacienda!
One thing to note though… There are a couple of nightclubs nearby, and the noise can carry late into the night. The hotel was kind enough to email us this heads-up when we booked (noting they offer earplugs to guests), but as light sleepers, we ended up canceling.
We understand most guests aren’t bothered by this, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re sensitive to noise.
Casa Bella Boutique Hotel: Check rates and availability
Best San Jose del Cabo boutique hotels
3) Hotel El Ganzo – $$$
Ok, real talk… We’re totally smitten with Hotel El Ganzo.
We’ve stayed here three times now and think it’s simply one of Cabo’s best boutique hotels! (See our in-depth El Ganzo review.)
What’s super cool? Artists are invited to hang out and paint on the white walls, and edgy art installations are everywhere. Visiting musicians also record tunes in the underground recording studio and perform on-site.
Speaking of art, the 70 contemporary rooms ooze artsy vibes with polished concrete floors and black murals adorning the walls. More attention is paid to them than a painter perfecting a masterpiece – think king beds wrapped in Rivolta Carmignani Italian sheets, El Ganzo’s own organic bath goodies and water bottles refillable from water stations in the hallways.
And let’s not forget the views. We always love watching the fishing boats coming and going from Puerto Los Cabos marina out front and the pelicans putting on a diving show.
But the real pièce de résistance? A rooftop infinity pool with a glass hot tub for soaking up those fiery pink sunsets.
Sure, you’re just a free 5-minute boat ride away from El Ganzo Beach Club, which is on a swimmable beach. But once you bask in the hotel’s rooftop pool glory, good luck peeling yourself away!
El Ganzo is currently renovating until October, 2024 – we can’t wait to see its fresh new look!
Hotel El Ganzo: Check rates and availability
4) Hotel Casa Natalia – $$
Right in the historic heart of San Jose del Cabo’s old town sits Casa Natalia, an oasis in paradise.
All 18 sunny and spacious rooms are decorated with traditional Mexican wares, like Otomi embroidery, rich woods, and rustic chic rattan. Each room is different, with works of art from local Cabo artisans.
If you treat yourself to a spa suite, you can bask on your private large terrace, complete with a hot tub and hammock.
So if you’re thinking: “Hot tub? Who needs a hot tub in Mexico?” then opt for a different room. But if you go in January, you’ll be thankful for a hot tub at night.
Most of the other guest rooms have terraces with hammocks.
And the hotel has a small pool.
There are two onsite eateries at this boutique Los Cabos hotel.
Mi Cocina is divine and focuses on local, organic and sustainable seafood and fish. It’s often touted as one of the best restaurants in San Jose del Cabo.
And the pop-up Baja Oyster Bar focuses on, well… local, seasonal and sustainable oysters.
Another highlight: Casa Natalia is perfectly located for the weekly Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo. Stroll through the art galleries, sip wine and meet the talented artists behind the works – highly recommended!
Casa Natalia: Check rates and availability
5) Acre Resort Los Cabos – $$$
Ever dream of living the Tarzan life in a treehouse? Well, that is what Acre Resort is known for – besides its incredibly drool-worthy farm-to-table restaurant.
Acre is for sure one of the most unique boutique hotels in Cabo, set on 25 acres of verdant greenery in the town’s foothills.
The property is part home for rescued animals (you’ve got to meet Burrito the donkey), part farm, part boutique hotel and 100% all-around vacation paradise.
There are a few villas.
But the main reason to stay here? The 13 treehouses hovering high on solid stilts, surrounded by majestic palm trees that seem to touch the sky.
They look rustic. After all, they are treehouses.
But then you step inside your nest and find all the amenities you would in a luxe hotel, minus the air conditioning.
There are screens, a king-sized bed with a mosquito net, high-speed free WiFi access, a private terrace to sip Acre’s own mezcal and an outdoor shower so you can get sudsy under the stars.
There’s also a beautiful outdoor swimming pool ensconced among hundreds of palm trees.
So, pack your sense of adventure for this great place.
You’ll find treehouses aren’t just a delight for kids.
Acre Resort: Check rates and availability
6) Casa Costa Azul Boutique Hotel – $$
Set right on a swim- and surf-friendly beach, this family-run boutique hotel gets rave reviews from guests who stay here.
Casa Costa Azul has just 14 rooms.
Each is furnished with dark wood Mexican furniture, adding a touch of local charm. Large terraces with sea views are perfect for that morning coffee moment.
Throw in an oceanview infinity pool, free WiFi and a complimentary continental breakfast, topped off with really welcoming hosts – and you’ve got yourself a sweet deal by the ocean.
Casa Costa Azul Boutique Hotel: Check rates and availability
7) Drift – $
Tagged as one of the town’s best-kept secrets, Drift is a hidden treat in the heart of the historic district.
It’s the only industrial-style boutique San Jose del Cabo hotel and has 29 rooms with raw stone features, polished concrete and neutral colors. The décor was inspired by the textures of the desert, and it shows.
With clean sweeping lines and dune-colored linens, it’s a minimalist’s dream hotel.
But, as it’s right in the town, you might hear music from the bars some nights as you’re trying to “drift” off to sleep – oh, bad pun!
Drift: Check rates and availability
Lovely boutique hotels along the Corridor
8) Mar del Cabo – $$$
When it comes to luxury boutique hotels in Cabo San Lucas, Mar del Cabo isn’t a 5-star hotel.
It doesn’t claim to be, though. For 5-star luxury, you can stay at one of its sister all-inclusive Velas Resorts next door – the Grand Velas Los Cabos or the Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos (#9 below).
But Mar del Cabo costs a whole lot less – and it sure is pretty!
Take one look at this boutique hotel on the beach, and you might mistake it for a hotel in Greece. It’s all white, with sapphire blue tiles and fuchsia bougainvillea cascading down your private balcony.
The 48 suites each have a mini-kitchenette, a living/dining area and a bedroom. But it’s unlikely you’ll spend much time there with the oceanfront spa just waiting for your arrival.
The air-conditioned rooms have ocean, partial ocean or garden views.
All feature Mexican handicrafts that provide that pop of color in an all-white-hued room. The only exception is the kitchenette, which is covered in colorful handmade tiles and equipped with a coffee machine, mini-fridge and microwave.
Mar del Cabo isn’t on the best beach for swimming (rip tides make it unsafe).
But lazing at the pool is no hardship. It looks out into the beach, so you’ll have the best of both worlds.
Mar del Cabo: Check rates and availability
9) Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos – $$$$
Fancy one of the finest adults-only all-inclusive Cabo resorts? An elegant hotel with luxurious facilities that’s brand new?
Say hello to the Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos!
Each of the 79 luxury suites offers more than 900 square feet of indulgence. They come with a king size bed with goose-down pillows and comforter, a private terrace with sitting area and outdoor Jacuzzi and a premium mini-bar (stocked daily). A Nespresso coffee maker ensures your caffeine fix is always on hand.
The spacious bathrooms feature a luxurious walk-in shower, along with Molton Brown bath products for that extra touch of pampering.
Oh, and let’s not forget the welcome bottles of wine and Mezcal, plus an aromatherapy diffuser, to complete the exclusive experience.
There are two onsite restaurants – a versatile all-day eatery and an elegant fine dining spot. Plus, as an added perk, you have full access to the culinary delights at the larger neighboring all-inclusive Grand Velas Los Cabos.
The beachfront infinity pool is a highlight, boasting stunning ocean vistas. In winter, keep your eyes peeled for whales spouting and breaching offshore!
Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos: Check rates and availability
10) Cabo Surf Hotel – $$$
The family-owned Cabo Surf Hotel is the best beach boutique hotel in Cabo for surfing lessons. Since it’s situated on a surfing beach, Playa Acapulquito, one of the cool things to do here is learn to surf.
If surfing isn’t your thing, you can learn to paddleboard or just hit the fitness center. Or, for the ultimate in treating yourself on vacation, ask the front desk to organize a spa day for you.
And if you prefer an outdoor pool to the ocean, you’ll still be spoiled for choice with two infinity pools and a hot tub with ocean views.
A restaurant and bar on the beach make it super easy to spend days on end there. But if you’d like to venture out, there are more restaurants, cafés, bars and a grocery store within a few minutes’ drive.
The 36 eco-friendly rooms have a beach-chic vibe.
Some hotel rooms have a jacuzzi on the terrace, so you can skinny dip (under the moonlight, of course) with a view of the beach.
Cabo Surf Hotel: Check rates and availability
11) The Cape, a Thompson Hotel – $$$
This is the largest of the Los Cabos boutique hotels on our list.
But even with 161 rooms, The Cape, a Thompson Hotel never feels crowded.
It could be because each room offers breathtaking ocean views and a glimpse of El Arco (Cabo’s Arch). Or because some have plunge pools and others have copper leaf soaking tubs, so no one leaves their rooms.
If The Cape didn’t have Manta (its onsite restaurant by renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera) and a spa worthy of an afternoon or two, we, too, might have stayed in.
The rooms are that good.
They are a captivating blend of mid-century Latin American décor with intense black accents.
Our terrace, where we spent a lot of time sipping bespoke mezcal cocktails on our swinging daybed, was completely black – the walls, the floor, the ceiling all black. It sounds a bit over the top, but it was super chic.
The Cape is more expensive than the others on this list. But it’s an upscale hotel – think chic and modern – and it’s not stuffy in the least.
The Cape, A Thompson Hotel: Check rates and availability
Final say on our favorite boutique hotels in Cabo
See! We told you there is no shortage of fabulous boutique Cabo hotels!
But these are the best of the best small hotels in Cabo San Lucas (and elsewhere in Los Cabos) – without you having to take out a second mortgage to stay there.
See our other accommodation guides
- Where to Stay in Cabo? 7 Areas and Top Resorts
- 21 Cabo Resorts With Swimmable Beaches
- 10 Amazing Cabo Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts
- Top 5 Hotels With Swim-Up Rooms for Poolside Fun
- 10 Affordable (and Charming!) Hotels in Cabo
- 7 Best Cheap Hotels in Cabo San Lucas
- Review of Hotel El Ganzo: Oasis of Creative Cool
- One & Only Palmilla Review: There’s Only One!
- Review of the Hip Bahia Hotel and Beach House
- Where to Stay in Todos Santos: 10 Coolest Hotels
Planning your trip to Cabo?
Here are our favorite travel resources:
- Resorts: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel in Cabo – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
- Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
- Tours: For the best local guided tours in Cabo, see Viator and GetYourGuide.
- Car rental: Renting a car in Los Cabos is one of the best ways to explore. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
- Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation and travel security.
Need more help planning your trip?
- See our Start here page. It lists everything we’ve written on Cabo.
- Also check our Ultimate Cabo travel guide and our article on Planning a trip to Cabo: Essential tips.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
Photos: 8, 16, 21 © Janice and George Mucalov, Cabo Visitor | 1 Hotel El Ganzo | Remaining photos courtesy of the respective boutique hotels
About the authors
Award-winning travel writers Janice and George Mucalov are frequent visitors to Los Cabos. Here on Cabo Visitor, they share their essential tips for discovering the best of Cabo!