The Great Cabo Debate: Four Seasons Costa Palmas vs. Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas...which is right for you?
I've lost count of how many nights we've spent at the two Four Seasons resorts in Cabo. I fell in love with my husband at Costa Palmas, and later married him there with 80 of our closest friends. I was one of the first guests through the door at Cabo Del Sol and have been back repeatedly for team trips, lunches and tours. In between, we've sent hundreds of clients to each.
That history is part of why Four Seasons named me one of its top 25 advisors worldwide or 2026, and it's exactly why I can tell you first-hand that these are two completely different vacations...both giving you a similar five-star experience. One is a private retreat built around a swimmable beach and total seclusion. The other puts you steps from Cabo's best restaurants, golf, and its most iconic sights.
The right choice comes down to the type of trip you are looking for. Below I'm giving you the skinny on both so you can decide which is right for you. Shoot me an email if you need more guidance and I'm always happy to share more as well as all the extra perks and VIP you! (perks listed below)
What's the Real Difference Between the Two Four Seasons in Cabo?
Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas opened in 2019 on the East Cape, about an hour from the main Cabo corridor, and that seclusion is the whole point. It's built around one of the only truly pristine, swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, along with the kind of quiet, private atmosphere you can't manufacture closer to town.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol opened more recently, in May 2024, on the Golden Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, about 30 minutes from the airport. Here, the draw is proximity: a deeper bench of restaurants - Flora Farms, Acre, Arbol - easy access to downtown Cabo San Lucas, and quick trips out to iconic sights like El Arco and Lover's Beach.
Same brand, same five-star service with completely different setting, pace, and purpose.
Four Seasons Costa Palmas: Our Favorite for Beach Time & Celebrations
Costa Palmas sits on the East Cape, and that distance from the main Cabo corridor is exactly what makes it so special. The resort feels secluded, peaceful, and incredibly exclusive. Its biggest advantage? A two-mile swimmable beach which is something so rare in Los Cabos. My (now) husband and I walked that beach every day we were there, just talking without another soul in sight.
If sitting in the sand and getting in the ocean is important to you, Costa Palmas is it!
This property is especially meaningful to us because it's where we celebrated our wedding. Since then, we've continued sending clients here for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and group celebrations, because it truly feels like a destination designed for making memories.
The dining scene is another standout. One of our favorite evenings is taking the resort's complimentary water taxi over to Mozza Baja, James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton's Italian restaurant overlooking the marina, then walking next door to Chiki, the East Cape's only nightclub and lounge.
For a more relaxed afternoon, Delphine Beach Club has quickly become a must-visit, bringing Michelin-star chef Ludo Lefebvre's French Riviera–inspired beach club energy to the East Cape, with great food, music, and cocktails right on the sand.
With a championship golf course, a private marina, exceptional restaurants, and so much to do, Costa Palmas is one of those rare resorts where you'll likely never feel the need to leave the property.
Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas: Luxury Close to Everything
Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol offers a completely different experience, and one we absolutely love for different reasons.
I was fortunate to be one of the first guests to stay after the resort opened, and to this day I still think it has some of the most beautiful architecture and grounds in the Cabo corridor. The landscaping is still filling in as the resort matures, but the hacienda-inspired design, gardens, pools, and ocean views were already stunning.
Unlike Costa Palmas, you're perfectly positioned to explore all that Cabo has to offer. Downtown Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are both about 15–20 minutes away, putting golf courses, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife all within easy reach. It's ideal for travelers who like having more options and being close to a variety of experiences.
One of my favorite spots each morning is Mercado, the resort's coffee shop and marketplace, before spending the day by the pools. When it comes to dinner, Cayao by Richard Sandoval is a standout and one of the best meals on property, blending Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) flavors with an incredible oceanfront setting.
What's the Biggest Difference Between the Two Resorts?
Costa Palmas is all about privacy, swimmable beaches, and staying immersed in the resort experience.
Cabo San Lucas is perfect if you want luxury accommodations while also exploring everything Los Cabos has to offer.
Quick Comparison: Costa Palmas vs. Cabo San Lucas
Four Seasons Costa PalmasFour Seasons Cabo San LucasLocationEast Cape, ~1 hour from the airportGolden Corridor, ~30 min from the airportOpened20192024Signature featureTwo-mile swimmable beachArchitecture, gardens, and pool designVibeSecluded, private, resort-immersiveLively, social, easy to explore fromStandout diningMozza Baja, Delphine Beach ClubCayao by Richard SandovalBest forCelebrations, honeymoons, and multi-gen groups who want to stay putTravelers who want luxury and easy access to Cabo's restaurants and nightlifeRatesVary by season and room type — ask us for current pricingVary by season and room type — ask us for current pricing
As your advisor, we can also often secure room upgrades, resort credit, and other perks that aren't available when booking direct.
Which Four Seasons Should You Book?
Choose Four Seasons Costa Palmas if you:
Want one of Cabo's best swimmable beaches
Prefer a quieter, more secluded atmosphere
Are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or special occasion
Love golf, boating, and spending your entire vacation at the resort
Want a destination that feels exclusive and removed from the crowds
Choose Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas if you:
Want easy access to restaurants, nightlife, golf, and excursions
Enjoy a livelier atmosphere
Love exploring while still staying at a luxury resort
Appreciate beautiful resort design and landscaping
Want the best of both resort life and Cabo's local scene
A Few Quick Answers
Which Four Seasons in Cabo has a swimmable beach? They BOTH do but Costa Palmas, hands down is the better beach. Its two-mile stretch of calm Sea of Cortez shoreline is one of the only true swimmable beaches in Los Cabos. Cabo San Lucas you can swim in their beach but depending on the tides and it has more rocks.
Which Four Seasons is closer to the airport? Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol, about 30 minutes away. Costa Palmas is roughly an hour.
Can you visit both on one trip? Some clients do, splitting a Cabo trip between a few nights at each gives you the seclusion of Costa Palmas and the energy of Cabo Del Sol. Reach out and we'll help you build the right split-stay itinerary.
The Good News? You Really Can't Go Wrong.
Both are exceptional Four Seasons properties. We simply help our clients choose the one that best fits their travel style — whether that's a secluded celebration at Costa Palmas or a luxury getaway in the heart of Cabo.
Reach out and we'll help you find the right fit — and unlock the perks that come with booking through Jetset & Travel. Get in touch here.
—Addie Bell Zackon Co-Founder, Jetset & Travel — planning trips to Cabo since 2016