The only way to improve a Thanksgiving spread of turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie is to have it on the beach.
A number of Los Cabos hotels are tempting American travelers to celebrate the holiday on their sandy shores with visiting celebrity chefs, delectable outdoor meals and a weekend full of activities that range from a Black Friday pop-up market to fireworks. Start a new tradition this year by heading to Mexico for a much-needed Turkey Day escape.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort
The Thanksgiving in Baja package puts you in a lavish villa or residence. And you won’t have to lift a finger for the big meal — a chef will come to your accommodations and whip up a spread featuring locally sourced turkeys and pumpkins. The latter will be the main ingredient in the tequila-infused pumpkin pie, which is made using the traditional barbacoa method (a Mexican technique that steam cooks a dish in an underground oven).
Aside from eating, you can partake in other holiday activities like a socially distant pie-making masterclass and a Turkey Trot.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection and Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Chef Mads Refslund, one of the cofounders of Copenhagen’s acclaimed Noma, will spend Thanksgiving week at these two in Los Cabos properties for a series of exclusive dining experiences.
From November 24 to 26, Refslund can prepare a private villa dinner paired with Baja Peninsula wine selected by master sommeliers. Then on November 27, he will head to Esperanza’s Cocina del Mar to work his culinary magic in the outdoor exhibition kitchen. Savor his menu spotlighting the flavors of Baja California. The following day, Refslund will move to Chileno Bay, where he will cook over a fire for a multi-course beach dinner.
Visit the shores of Santa Maria Bay for your choice of Thanksgiving celebrations. If you want to dine out, indulge in a four-course Mexican-influenced tasting menu at Mezcal or opt for a seasonally inspired family feast at Marea. For a private affair, order a three-course turkey dinner up to your spacious room, or a whole turkey with all the trimmings for an intimate in-residence gathering.
The weekend brings festivities like family photo shoots, an outdoor movie night and a cookie-decorating class. Shop for the next holiday at the Black Friday Market at Eclectic Array, a hotel boutique that sells lovely handcrafted Mexican goods.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
The epicurean fun stretches beyond Thanksgiving dinner at this elegant beachfront escape. It kicks off November 25 with complimentary Tequila Volcan de mi Tierra cocktails and Veuve Clicquot with the weekend’s star, Italian chef Marco Carboni, who worked in the restaurants of Massimo Bottura, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. Then cool off with raspados (shaved ice) and popsicles at the Beach Club Terrace (Nov. 26), a family-style Thanksgiving dinner from hotel executive chef Gustavo Pinet, a mixology show (Nov. 27), Carboni’s takeover at Don Manuel’s to showcase Baja cuisine (Nov. 27-28) and Carboni’s exclusive chef’s table dinner for 10 at Su Cocina (Nov. 28).
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Bring the brood to this recently renovated hotel and stay in one of the 14 new oceanfront suites that come with private plunge pools overlooking the Sea of Cortez. As the staff works hard on Thanksgiving preparations, you can unwind at the spa, play a round of golf or take a dip in one of the only swimmer-friendly beaches in Los Cabos. Then you can sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving feast with live music, games for kids and a display of fireworks to make it extra festive.
