For more than 3,000 years, Mexico has celebrated Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead. It is believed that during this annual holiday, which takes place Nov. 1-2, the souls of the deceased return to their families, ensuring that their memories and spirits live on. It’s a magical time to visit. One destination that shares this celebration with visitors is Hacienda del Mar, an upscale resort in Los Cabos.
Mexican Style at Hacienda del Mar
Hacienda del Mar is located on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, where the Gulf of California meets the Pacific Ocean.
The resort, which spans multiple acres of oceanfront property, is divided into two sections: a guest hotel and vacation ownership villas, or time shares. Each has separate check-in areas and accommodations.
Two-hundred and seventy-three guest rooms and suites are scattered across more than a dozen multistory structures. The look mimics a colonial village. Each building is designated with the name of a local plant, such as Yucca, Agave, Acacia and Eucalipto (and if you can’t remember the building’s name, each also is numbered).
The mission revival architecture includes arcades of arches and columns, terra-cotta roof tiles, curved gables and even a brightly tiled bell tower. The expansive property also includes a chapel, a spa and gym, multiple swimming pools, numerous fountains, verdant gardens and gift and convenience stores. And, it is home to one of the largest convention centers in the region.
At the heart of the property is the large H-shaped lobby building. A long winding drive brings guests to a flagstone-paved motor court with a central fountain. From here, friendly bell staff will whisk you and your luggage away by golf cart to your room.
Rooms range from standard king or two queens to four-bedroom suites. The resort is in the process of slowly remodeling all of the rooms. I stayed in an updated garden-view king room that was adjacent to one of the resort’s five swimming pools. Overall, it was bright and airy, with sleek wood-look floors and a comfy bed with plush linens. The large bathroom featured a walk-in shower and decorative Mexican wall tiles. A private patio included a small table and chairs.
Where to Eat at Hacienda del Mar
This hotel is not all-inclusive, so meals are not included. However, multiple eateries ensure that you will never get bored.
Start your day with the breakfast buffet at Tomates Restaurant, tucked away in the main building on a veranda overlooking the pool and ocean. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of hot dishes, ranging from chicken mole, refried beans, potatoes and made-to-order quesadillas and omelets. A variety of fruits, cereals, yogurts and fresh breads, including delicious banana bread also are available. And you can wash it all down with unlimited glasses of champagne or mimosas.
Las Sirenas is an open-air dining space that’s set next to the oceanfront infinity pool. It serves a diverse menu that includes sandwiches, tacos, pizzas and more. It’s perfect for a mid-afternoon lunch break. Snack on chips and salsa or guacamole, French fries or a hot cheesy quesadilla brought to you poolside. Or relax at a table beneath the restaurant’s thatched roof and watch the humpback and gray whales breach in the coastal waters.
Dinner Options Abound
Dinner at Pitahayas is a must for any guest. Located on the southwest corner of the property, this fine-dining restaurant opened in 1995. It remains a favorite of hotel guests and locals alike. Here, you can watch the sun set over the ocean while you savor creative seafood-focused dishes. I recommend the Seabass with Chiles and Ginger Crust and the Seabass & Pitahaya Ceviche (pitayaha is a cactus-fruit that is similar to dragon fruit).
A highlight of Pitahayas, however, isn’t what’s on the menu but instead what’s hidden underneath. La Cava de Santiago is an expansive wine cellar stocked with hundreds of wines from around the globe. Ask for a tour of this one-of-a-kind space, complete with a table that can be reserved for special events. And for your dinner, the knowledgeable sommelier can suggest the perfect pairing to enjoy with each course.
Across the resort, on the southeast corner is De Cortez Grillhouse, a casual steakhouse. Menu items include oysters, carpaccio and mesquite-grilled octopus along with braised beef ribs, mushroom risotto and 8-ounce Black Angus hamburgers.
Both of these restaurants are popular with guests, and reservations are highly recommended.
For something more casual, El Burro Cansado offers a taco menu, including the Santo Pastor, which it touts as the “Best Tacos al Pastor in Cabo.” The pastor also is available in gringas-style tacos (with cheese) and burritos. Personally, I preferred the chicken tinga and rib-eye tacos. Additional flavors include carnitas, shrimp and rajas poblanos.
El Burro’s bar, La Suerta, offers 100 brands of tequila and mezcal. Those unfamiliar with the traditional agave spirit’s nuances can partake in a tequila tasting. This special activity, which is offered for an additional fee, includes information about how tequila is made, its various classifications and food pairings.
Celebrating Dia de los Muertos at Hacienda del Mar
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Hacienda del Mar offers an immersive entrée into Mexico’s traditional festival of the dead. The events starts on Nov. 1 as staff members begin constructing elaborate ofrendas along the edges of the motor court. These ofrendas, or altars, are decorated with calacas (skeletons) and sugar skulls, papel picado (colorful paper flags with intricate perforated designs) and real or paper marigolds. The favorite items of those being remembered, including drinks, chocolate and foods, also are added.
More papel picado flutter from the lobby patio, where a large altar — this year’s was dedicated to Frida Kahlo — can be found.
Then, on Nov. 2, the fun begins. The afternoon kicks off with a judging of the altars. Each staff member, many wearing colorful Dia de los Muertos makeup and traditional costumes, give a brief presentation about their altar. Guests are then invited to get up close and examine all of the details.
This is followed by a Catrina and Catrin contest. The skeleton figured, dressed in an elaborate gown, originally was created in the early 1900s by Mexican illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada. Today, La Catrina is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. Female and male staff members dress in their best Catrina and Catrin outfits and put on a runway show for enthusiastic guests.
Then, as the sun begins the set, everyone gathers near Pitahayas for the start of the parade. A giant Catrina float leads the way through the property to the front entrance. Guests, young and old, follow, all holding candles, for an eerie and beautiful procession. The parade ends at the hotel’s motor court. Here, fire twirlers, stilt walkers, skeleton jugglers and Aztec dancers perform. And afterwards, everyone gathers in the building’s courtyard for a festive dinner, complete with DIY taco stands and hot dish stations.
If You Go
If you’re planning on heading to Mexico next fall, why not try scheduling your visit around Dia de los Muertos. The weather is beautiful this time of year, and the holiday will add to your stay. Or course, any time is a good time for a visit to Hacienda del Mar.
Rooms start at about $300 per night (or about $260 per night during the hot summer months). The hotel, which is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, also is pet friendly. You can also compare rates at a hotel booking site such as Booking.com or Expedia and make reservations there if you find a better rate.
For more places to stay during Dia de los Muertos, check out our reviews of other great resorts in Los Cabos.
