Armonia Spa at Pacifica

DESTINATION: Mexico

Sanctuary by the Sea

At the Armonia Spa wellness seekers can opt for a traditional temazcal, organic cuisine, and a host of energy-balancing spa treatments.

Opened a little under a year ago, this new spa at the Pacifica Holistic Retreat, is ideally situated on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja Peninsula in Cabo San Lucas. The focus here is on creating individualized wellness rituals in a peaceful and ecologically friendly environment. "Pacifica is a place to find harmony, restore balance, and recharge," says Dr. Alejandro Santander, general manager and longtime practicing physician. "Core spa and fitness offerings, while not extensive, are combined with a pristine oceanfront setting, relaxing pool and beach areas, and health-conscious meals. Together, this forms all of the elements for a holistic renewal of self."

The property's philosophy is "luxury without indulgence," and this is mirrored in the minimal decor throughout. Monochromatic colors, original mosaic artwork (in particular the wall panels depicting the four seasons crafted from broken black clay vessels by artist Mary Stuart), soaring onyx panels, a good dose of slatted cedar, and lofty open-air spaces make this a welcome respite. The thoughtfully planned landscaping features colorful cactus blooms, native plants and flowers (many of which are endangered species), and natural rock formations, as well as flowing streams. The spa has some interesting design features, including striking black-tiled walls and barely lit treatment rooms and communal spaces, which give the place a moody, cocooning feel. Adventurous spa travelers can sample the temazcal (a sweat lodge ritual led by a shaman and inspired by the ancient Aztecs), or opt for a cleansing Crystal Reiki Healing or Obsidian Sacred Stone massage. The spa uses two skin care lines-Natura Bisse from Barcelona, featuring a variety of natural ingredients-and Chaac, an organic Mexican line. The restaurant, Siempre, surrounded by water elements and featuring a light beam in its center, offers a vegetarian spa menu with locally grown organic products, as well as a more indulgent "splurge" menu. (There are some very nice Mexican wines here, too, such as the Casa Madero Shiraz.)

In the process of being rigorously certified under SEMARNAT's (Mexico's Environmental Protection Agency) tourism environmental quality program, Pacifica has some important sustainable practices in place. "Water for the entire property is supplied by our own desalinization plant, therefore there is no additional strain to the municipal water system," explains Santander. "Our wastewater treatment plant provides recycled water for irrigation which is supplemented by an additional wastewater treatment plant funded by Pueblo Bonita [the company that owns the property], but fed by wastewater from a nearby residential area."

For those who want to explore the area, there are a number of interesting options, including jaunts to the Cacti Mundo living museum in San Jose del Cabo with over 850 species of prickly plants, and to the San Jose Estuary. The peninsula and Sea of Cortez form part of what's called the "Pacific Flyway," a series of protected habitats where migrating birds spend various seasons.
-Mary Bemis