For most, the name Los Cabos will conjure up images of blue skies, sparkling seas, and vibrant nightlife. While all of these are accurate, Monte Cardón shows a different side of Los Cabos: a tranquil desert oasis that seems to slow the pace of life. High in the rolling hills and secluded from the bustling city below, this dining destination is the hidden jewel of the Los Cabos backcountry.
Monte Cardón’s hilltop estate is more than a restaurant. It is a site that highlights the natural beauty of its surroundings with its swaying wicker lanterns, open-air kitchen, and a dining area that overlooks the desert. Upon arrival, guests are encouraged to explore the grounds and will discover the site’s luxury wedding arch, handmade brick plaza, and many other Instagram-worthy photo spots.
These rustic elements create a destination that meshes seamlessly with the famous Baja landscape. Guests are treated to a panoramic view of the Los Cabos desert and can bask in the beauty of cactus-dotted hills and sunlit mountains as they cook and dine. Even better, after nightfall, Monte Cardón is surrounded by a brilliant sky of stars that shine more brightly than anywhere else in Los Cabos, thanks to the secluded destination’s lack of light pollution.
ABOVE: Monte Cardón’s wedding arch provides a picturesque backdrop for Los Cabos destination weddings. RIGHT: The brick plaza at Monte Cardón glows under a radiant Los Cabos sunset.
Monte Cardón offers an appetizing array of services, including weddings, private dining, and, of course, its cooking class, which was ranked the #2 best thing to do in Los Cabos by Travel + Leisure Magazine. A cooking class at Monte Cardón allows guests to participate in the making of their meal: grinding Baja spices with a mortar and pestle, brushing fresh mole over the catch of the day, and roasting tomatoes in a wood-fired oven. Guests will be captivated by the blend of rich aromas, each amplified by the warm desert air that flows through their workspace. Whether you are an established foodie or have never worn an apron, Monte Cardón’s cooking class will guide you through an unforgettable hands-on culinary experience.
Monte Cardón embraces a slow-food philosophy. In a world of mass-produced food that goes from farm to factory to freighter, Monte Cardón sets itself apart through its dedication to using local, seasonal ingredients. Monte Cardón’s menu reflects the changing seasons, constantly evolving to follow the natural cycles that make distinct fruits and fish abundant in the Baja Peninsula at different times of the year. Its produce, beef, and fish are sourced from local suppliers to guarantee maximum freshness, nutrition, and sustainability. In fact, Monte Cardón guests can glimpse a sliver of the Sea of Cortez on the horizon. This gulf was once called the “aquarium of the world” by oceanographer Jacques Cousteau for its unparalleled diversity of marine life—this nearby sea is the source of all of Monte Cardón’s seafood.
ABOVE: Cooking with a view! This is the panoramic landscape that Monte Cardón are treated to during their cooking class. The Sea of Cortez, visible in the distance, is the source of all the seafood served at Monte Cardón.
The experience of enjoying a meal at Monte Cardón Restaurant is equally dedicated to encouraging a slower pace of life. The dishes that guests prepare themselves are served in several courses, allowing guests to take in the surrounding beauty and savour the work of their hands.
Los Cabos has always been known as a hip and lively vacation destination. Monte Cardón restaurant offers an alternative way to experience the Baja beauty: through retreat, slow living, and savouring every natural flavour that Los Cabos offers.
Arrange your visit to Monte Cardón through their website: montecardon.com.
ABOVE: The end of another sunny day in Los Cabos. The sun sets over the Baja desert, as seen from the peak of Monte Cardón’s hilltop oasis.
All photos: Camryn Munday