Many of us know Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas to be the center for spring break partying. In fact, US News And Report ranked it No. 4 on its “Best Spring Break Destinations list,” and it’s been famously visited by our favorite hot girl, Megan Thee Stallion. And while I love my girl Tina Snow, the party reputation that preceded her recent visit is one reason I never visited Cabo. However, on a recent trip, when I got the chance to experience Corazón Cabo Resort And Spa, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all my limited preconceived notions about this region were totally wrong.
Cabo presents opportunities for recharge, relaxation, and soul-feeding good eats. Here’s more on my transformative experience where the awe-inspiring desert meets the serene waters:
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
Where I Stayed
One major thing I loved about Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa is that it offered unique luxury amenities without sacrificing a certain cozy allure I crave when choosing a place to stay in a new destination. The property, which features sculptures and installations by local artists, has more than 300 guest rooms and suites. My room had an ocean view, with Cabo’s world-famous rock formations within the distance, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, plush bedding, a hot tub, and a spa-style shower. It was enough to make me never want to actually leave the suite, and there’s a signature scent that hugs as you walk down the property’s halls.
Corazón, located off of Medano Beach (one of the “most popular swimmable beaches in Cabo,”) has several towers, all featuring attractive, diverse options for almost any traveler— from spaces fit for families and small groups to oversized luxury suites with elegant decor, in-room kitchens, rooftop terraces, wet bars, and huge patios.
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
Where I Ate And Best Drinks
The resort has multiple signature restaurants, including Aleta, a waterfront space that offers dishes with fresh-caught seafood. My favorite lunchtime standouts were ceviche (a refreshing traditional Mexican dish made with fish or shellfish, marinated in citrus, cilantro, peppers, and other flavors) and, of course, an assortment of tacos on corn or flour tortillas. (I tried cactus, octopus, fish, beef, pork, and shrimp, and none of them disappointed.) The Caribbean spirit in me is adventurous when it comes to food and heat, so you can enjoy both when there.
At dinner, there was a plethora of fresh farm-to-table Mexican dishes, something I was excited about since Mexican cuisine is not limited to tacos. Their marinated steak, a divine Caesar salad, the smoked braised brisket, Yucatan pork empanadas, and crusted sea bass served with a creamy risotto were my favs.
Another hot spot for good food and cocktails is Rooftop 360, located on the ninth floor. The best time to go is right before sunset, where you can see all the meshing of pastel purples, pinks, yellows, and blues dancing across the sky in panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
It was whimsical, romantic, and awe-inspiring. At night there’s a live DJ, and the key food highlights were their varieties of freshly made sushi, their chips and guacamole, and their signature drinks made with mezcal, which takes tequila to a whole other level with its smoky undertones. Trust and believe I won’t be ordering my usual Patron margarita the next time I’m at my favorite bar in the States.
The property also has the Camaleón Café, where I skipped the coffee and enjoyed a refreshing green juice, more ideal (for me) when prepping to go on a food tour or other excursion. The Baja Brewing Co., touted as the “first and only microbrewery in all of Baja California Sur,” is also on the rooftop terrace and boasts a beer crust pizza. (And if you know anything about beer and dough-making, you know this is a next-level combo since it gives the crust a certain texture and flavor that’s simply chef’s kiss!) You can also enjoy one of the other on-site bars, including Draque, which gave sexy-chic city vibes in the middle of a seaside oasis. Again, mezcal wins here, so order anything they offer on the menu with it.
Fun By The Seaside
The Corazón Beach Club was my favorite chill spot on the beach, where I enjoyed bar food, including wings, sushi, nachos, and the usual grilled fare. One particular Mexican-flared goodie took my heart: Their “Beach Hot Dog,” an addictively good sausage wrapped in bacon and served with mayo and pico de gallo on a brioche bun. There’s a DJ nearby, and it’s great for enjoying margaritas while people-watching and buying mementos to take home from the beach-side vendors walking back and forth advertising their goods. (I bought a T-shirt for bae and a chic large straw bag with Mexican tapestry accents.)
There are also several infinity pools with great views, where you can lounge, swim, order drinks, and simply enjoy the breeze and views. If you’re adventurous, you can book activities including paddleboarding, snuba (a cross between scuba and snorkeling, and eFoil (basically electric surfing). Or you can book a boat ride to see El Arco (or “The Arc,”) and make a stop at Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach), a beautifully quaint seaside spot, one of several with folklore tales.
Healing, Meditation, And Reflection
Corazón Cabo also offers services like the chakra massage at Sparitual, as well as aqua yoga. Both were just what I needed after a very busy and challenging two quarters of constant work and realignment. I wasn’t familiar with the benefits of chakra-related remedies nor its credibility going in. I’m a Christian, so typically I’d stay away from those sorts of things, but what I took from the experience was an open mind to expand my spiritual palate within the context of what I already believe.
It was a good sign that the chakra massage session started with the affirmation, “I am important, I am healthy, and I rebuke negative energy.” I'd actually prayed and gone to church right before the trip, so this was no more than confirmation about things I’d already been talking to God about.
Other interesting moments during the massage session were the scent of cloves (or some sort of mint) that I was asked to breathe in— a soothing note— and a shot of Damiana Liqueur, an herb-based Mexican drink that came from a bottle shaped like a curvy seated woman. I left the session feeling not only like the kinks in my back were literally rubbed out but thinking more positively about myself and the challenges I’m overcoming in this season.
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
Courtesy, Corazón Cabo Resort and Spa
Doing aqua yoga was another first-time adventure that helped me get past my hang-ups about water, my need to control everything in life, and my constant anxiety. It forced me to focus on balance, a theme both metaphorically and literally super-relevant right now. The instructor was patient, as initially I struggled to even get on the mat (which was anchored by weights so that it wouldn’t topple or float away). At more than 200 lbs, I came to Mexico a bit weary and felt heavy in many respects. While the water wasn’t deep in the infinity pool where we did the activity, overlooking the sea, I just didn’t want to embarrass myself.
The instructor kept quietly affirming, “You can do it. Take your time,” and her assistant even came in to help hold the mat while I awkwardly mounted it. Soon, I’d flow into the positions, appreciate the deep breathing techniques, and release the pressures through my hips, back, and arms.
I’ll definitely be venturing back to Cabo to continue the healing work that was done, experience more fresh foods, and get better acquainted with the wonderful wonders of God’s creations in Baja California Sur.
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RELATED
As I’ve been settling into a skincare regimen that works best for me, something that has been a total game-changer is certain acids. So far, I’ve written about hyaluronic acid (check out “Why Your Skin, Hair, And Nails Need Hyaluronic Acid Like...Yesterday”), mandelic acid and kojic acid soap (check out “These 12 Things Will Make Your Skin Glow All Of The Time”) and, in a minute, I’m gonna roll up on y’all when it comes to ferulic acid. Today, though, I want to touch on another acid that has some pretty impressive benefits: mevalonic acid.
You know, something else that tends to come with aging skin is dryness. If that’s something that you’re currently battling with, this is an acid that can help to get you the moisture that you need.
Are you ready to become a fan of mevalonic acid, sis? Here’s the breakdown.
What Is Mevalonic Acid All About?
GiphyAight, so, from a scientific standpoint, mevalonic acid is considered to be a “precursor to cholesterol.” In Layman's terms, this means it’s an acid that is a natural compound in your system; one that helps to maintain your skin’s barrier by supporting the production of cholesterol and vitamin D, along with some of your body’s hormones.
And while you may already be familiar with how vitamin D benefits your skin (by reducing inflammation and assisting with skin turnover), you might be surprised by how much “influence” cholesterol has on it too. In fact, in a Women’s Health article about this particular acid, a health expert shared that cholesterol is actually “about 25% of the skin’s lipid composition and it is an essential part of the cell membrane.”
When I cross-referenced this with another article on the topic, it stated that cholesterol is found in many cosmetics because it helps to keep skin well-hydrated for long periods of time (which is hella beneficial as you will see in just a moment) without leaving behind an oily residue that could result in breakouts.
Although studies are still ongoing about mevalonic acid as it directly relates to skincare, there are some benefits that make it well worth at least trying on your skin to see if it will give you the results that you have been looking for.
Mevalonic Acid Keeps Your Skin Well-Hydrated
GiphyWater helps to protect your skin from environmental damage. Water helps your skin to maintain a soft and smooth texture. Water helps to nourish your skin’s cells.Water helps to detox your skin. Water helps to improve your skin’s elasticity. Water helps to prevent breakouts. Water helps your skin look young and glowing for longer periods of time.
So, anything that helps to keep your skin hydrated is something that you should consider applying to it — and mevalonic acid has a great reputation for doing just that.
Mevalonic Acid Protects Your Skin’s Barrier
GiphyThe outermost layer of your skin is calledyour skin’s barrier; its main purpose is to protect your skin from the free radicals, ones that could ultimately lead to skin damage and aging. Interestingly enough, these layers are made up of cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides, and since mevalonic acid helps with the production of cholesterol in your skin, by default, it helps to protectyour skin’s barrier too.
Mevalonic Acid Boosts Collagen Production
GiphyYour skin needs collagen for a myriad of reasons — it helps your skin to produce new cells; it helps to get rid of old, dead skin cells; it helps to bring elasticity to your skin; it helps to slow down the signs of aging, and it aids in skin hydration.
Aside from the fact that mevalonic acid is able to boost collagen production within your skin, something else that’s really cool about it is that, since its molecular size is so small, it is able to penetrate the layers of your skin better than retinol and even hyaluronic acid can.
Mevalonic Acid Is Great for Acne-Prone Skin
GiphyWith all of this talk about cholesterol, it would be pretty natural to wonder if mevalonic acid would clog up your pores. Interestingly enough, because it’s so lightweight, it actually has a pretty good reputation for working well on both acne-prone as well as sensitive skin. In fact, there is a skincare brand called Personal Day that incorporates mevalonic acid into its acne-fighting products.
You can watch a dermatologist share her thoughts on the product and why mevalonic acid is so beneficial when it comes to fighting breakouts here.
Mevalonic Acid Is a Solid Exfoliant Alternative
GiphyIf you want to unclog your pores, reduce hyperpigmentation, brighten your complexion, improve circulation to your skin, and reduce the signs of aging, you need to exfoliate your skin on a consistent basis. And although mevalonic acid doesn’t exfoliate in the way that AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) do, what makes it exceptional in its own right is that it encourages your system’s natural exfoliation process to transpire. That makes it an awesome alternative if you’re looking for a gentler type of exfoliant.
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Okay, so what if, after reading all of this, you are sold on giving mevalonic acid a shot, yet you’re not sure where to find beauty products that contain it? The key is to look for serums or moisturizers that list the ingredient on their label. To get you started, do some reading up onAMEVA Mevalonic Acid Multipotent Serum (which is plant-based and vegan) and thePersonal Day line that I mentioned earlier. Remember, mevalonic acid is just (semi) recently becoming all the rage…I am sure that you’ll see more cosmetic lines catch on soon.
In the meantime, you’ve been put on alert, which makes you ahead of the curve. Something tells me that your skin will adore you for that. Report back and let me know.
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