As I type, I am embarrassingly nursing an aging body (I’m literally 29.. dramatic much?) with excruciating back pain so please be gracious with me and any typos you might find.

Hopefully I can get through this post without pulling anything else since I’m clearly an old fart.

Now, on to the good stuff ~

On the first Sunday of the year, I spent the most beautiful day in this sleepy little town, about an hour north of Los Cabos— a place more magical than my mind could’ve ever imagined it to be.

Quiet, quaint and a true architectural dreamscape.

Todos Santos had been on the top of my list of places to visit for some time but didn’t realize how short of a distance it was to Cabo until my last day there. If I’m honest, it kind of slipped my mind considering I had so much on my To-Do list in central Cabo, again not knowing how close it was.

We had originally scheduled to do a day of activities, zip lining & ATV’s on the beach, for our last full day but I unfortunately developed a bit of a head cold Saturday morning and just didn’t feel quite “up to it” anymore.

Funny enough, the location of our activities actually happened to be located in Todos Santos as well so it felt quite serendipitous having ended up there anyway.

I consider myself (and my friends would agree) ‘the researcher’ when it comes to vacationing and already knew that due to the roughness of the road, Uber-ing around wasn’t the smartest choice.

Our options ended up being between renting a car for the day or renting a driver, and given that again, I was still slightly under the weather, we chose convenience and rented a driver for the day.

We booked our car through JS Tour & Travel and wow, I cannot say enough about the service. Edwin, our driver for the day, was absolutely incredible and so helpful in recommending places to eat, see before we leave and shop.

He was kind enough to let us control the temperature of the car, connect our phones via bluetooth to control the music (I was having me a TIME, okay!) and keep us informed of certain sights to keep an eye out for along our drive 1 hour drive.

I would definitely recommend booking with them if you choose the option of hiring a driver. Not to toot my own horn but my recommendations come highly regarded, just ask anyone who knows me.

Initially hoping to get lunch at Il Giardino as I was craving Italian this particular day, Edwin suggested Jazamango instead and I am so glad he did.

Jazamango,

the wonder that you are!

It was roughly 2pm when we arrived, and having not had my coffee for the day, I was short-circuiting a bit (caffeine is my vice, judge me idc). I already had a curated list of cafe’s (because exactly, stay ready so you ain’t gotta get ready!) I wanted to visit and will list for anyone interested —

Both fortunately and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit any of them because Jazamango had it ALL.

Upon our arrival, I was greeted by these gorgeous, golden archway’s preceded by a fold-out sign, in true cafe fashion, welcoming customers in colorful chalk, “Bakery, This Way →”.

Being that the existence of this cafe was unbeknownst to me prior, seeing it upon entry, I felt a rush from my toes to my skull as it prepared for its IV drip of caffeine to be injected *taps veins*.

I walked into this incredibly minimalist cafe steps away from the restaurant, and it was as if for the first time in all my life, I was using all 5 of my senses at once.

The smell of authentic Mexican beans brewing, the touch of original sun-dried adobe walls, the sight of hibiscus flower fields as far as the eyes could see, the taste of single-origin Mexican vanilla in my café con leche, the sizzling sound of Michelin-rated chef’s creating a masterful, culinary experience…

I think at one point, I felt my body levitate.

I don’t know how or why but the way a coffee and pastry just DOES something to me, is not normal. Like it itches something in the back of my brain. It’s also quite literally the most girly-pop thing you could do. Surviving an entire day off a good cup of coffee & a warm pastry? The girlies who get it, just get it.

Once I secured the bag, we headed over to the farm-to-table restaurant and took our seats. Immediately welcomed by the Michelin-rated and renowned mexican chef Javier Plascencia (I love when this happens), we anxiously scoured the menu trying to talk ourselves out of ordering one of everything. It smelled so delectable in there, I think I’d eat the air if I could.

We ordered sparkling water to start and were presented with two rows of bread, sourdough and focaccia, with a tangy olive-oil dip and a cheesy garlic concoction. It was the best bread starter I’ve ever had, anywhere. Delicious, no notes.

Still craving Italian/pasta, I ordered a plate of alfredo and a side of ribeye steak (I know steak is not a side, I just needed protein.. don’t judge me). Again, no notes. I could hardly stand up to wash my hands after finishing my meal from how filling everything was.

Amazed by the preparation, service and presentation, I deeply expressed my thanks and gratitude to the staff and exited to await our driver, Edwin and his return.

In true explorer nature, I found myself perusing the grounds of Jazamango and stumbled upon the most beautiful fields of florals, secret little pathway’s and more—continuing being blown away - post meal! Coming here was the best recommendation I’d received my entire trip, and I only have Edwin and JS Tour & Travel to thank.

On to our final stop in

Todos Santos ~

We took a short drive to our next destination, Paradero Hotel, and after a few missed turns, we finally arrived on the gated property. Once again, immediately greeted by staff and kindly informed of what areas were open to non-guests.

I, of course, still snuck away because this hotel had been on my bucket list for some time, and y’all know I don’t do rules/restrictions. I was obviously mindful enough to not take photos where guests were, for privacy reasons, but to say I was blown away, is an understatement.

The architecture, the desert-hued color palette and intentional approach to relaxation/experience-based living, was beyond anything I’d ever seen up close.

It was as if there was a quiet whisper to “breathe deeply” as soon as you entered the property.

As if my plate wasn’t already metaphorically and physically full from the last meal/view, I was being graced with yet another unimaginable setting igniting all five senses, all over again. We spent the first 20-30 minutes just taking everything in, and there was A LOT to take in.

Five and a half acres of wild plants, thoughtful design and sustainability built clearly and intricately into virtually every part of the property— I was intrinsically amused.

We sat for what felt like a premature dinner at their in-house restaurant, Tenoch. Still being stuffed from the last meal but knowing I just had to dine in this gem of a place, I decided to place an order: French Toast. I know what you’re thinking.. but let me explain.

1. I love having breakfast for dinner

2. I didn’t have dessert at Jazamango so naturally, I had a craving for something sweet and according to the greatest waiter of all time, Caesar (bless you), this was a MUST at Tenoch.

& one thing about Caesar, he told no lies! Again, easily the greatest french toast I’ve ever had…like I started to wonder if this place was casting a spell on me because why was everything so mind-blowing? Few bites of that and I was done, because again I had no business eating to begin with and didn’t want to get gluttonous, so I went for a walk.

I came across this small but mighty boutique nestled inside the “Living Room”, an outdoor lounge area with a conversation pit, giant wooden banquet tables and a hammock hung for premium relaxation purposes. They were selling an array of items protected behind a glass casing such as handmade jewelry, locally made male/female fragrances, cowboy hats and more.

I wanted everything.

Knowing I had financial goals written out on my laptop back home, Caesar convinced me (bless you, again) to responsibly settle on this intoxicating fragrance that was surprisingly presented as a cologne but leaned quite feminine.

It’s somewhere tucked away in my unpacked suitcase so I don’t remember the name but I will link it whenever I get around to unpacking (or maybe not, because some things are just so good you have to gatekeep, gaslight and girl-boss).

I couldn’t believe the sun was setting (Mexico doesn’t do daylight-savings, thank GOD) and our day in Todos Santos was coming to an end. I wish we had more time there. I had a list of shops and other sights to see, especially in downtown Todos Santos that we didn’t get to visit due to poor planning and it being a Sunday.

As incredible of a time we were having and not being ready to go, it was unfortunately time to say goodbye. Edwin awaited us at the gate, and we were off to a quiet yet fulfilled drive back home.

That’s my personal definition of a perfect Sunday. Slow, intentional, fulfilling and beautiful.

I cannot wait to visit the beautiful town of Todos Santos again, and stay for an extra few days this time around so I can get the full experience ~

ciao for now —

always, in always ♥︎

the explorer