Los Cabos has long been a favorite location for destination weddings and honeymoons with its rugged coastline, great resorts and convenience to the U.S..

In September 2014, the seaside town had another visitor – Hurricane Odile. The damage was evident along the hotel corridor, where many big-name resorts were delaying their re-openings and taking the opportunity to renovate. Which was great news for smaller, lesser-known hotels currently welcoming new visitors.

For example, take Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa. Situated in the Hotel Zone just outside of Cabo San Lucas, the family-owned property lives up to its name with 150 luxurious suite-style accommodations ranging in size from one-bedroom suites to three-bedroom villas. The Residences, set back from the resort, up the ante with a two-level design plan and fenced backyards with a pool and grill, ideal for families and small groups. Bonus: the resort is set on a hill, so there’s no such thing as a bad view. 

The resort caters to families and couples, making it ideal for wedding groups and honeymooners alike. It’s especially nice in the winter months, when you can see migrating humpbacks.

For dining, enjoy five different restaurants, available à la carte or under all-inclusive pricing. “It’s the most popular option for our guests, by far,” says Gabriel Ibarra, the resort’s marketing director. Enjoy tacos, salads and even sushi poolside, or settle into romantic Los Riscos for an elegant take on Mexican cuisine; set on a terraced bluff overlooking the crashing ocean – it’s also ideal for receptions. 

Hacienda Encantada has a sister property, Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa, located in downtown Los Cabos. Guests of one hotel can relax at either – and the all-inclusive plan applies to both. The dining plan extends to five marina-front restaurants in the heart of the pedestrian Golden Zone, which means you can take a shuttle into town and dine on seafood at Baja Lobster Co. or steaks at pirate-themed Jack’s Bar & Grill. It’s a great option for wedding couples who want to throw a party off-site, or honeymooners who want to take in Cabo’s famous nightlife without breaking the bank.

Los Cabos isn’t just about hotels and nightlife. Get out and explore with Cabo Adventures. Sightings during whale-watching season (December through April) are basically guaranteed or take a camel on safari through the cactus-strewn landscape. The company’s goal is to show off the Baja Peninsula’s natural beauty, which prevails despite development, tourism and yes, even hurricanes.

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Fall/Winter 2015 issue. You can order a copy here.