Hotel El Ganzo Hosts Viva El Gonzo Festival in Cabo

A beachfront hotel in Puerto Los Cabos hosted the Viva El Gonzo festival this week, revealing a year-round creative ecosystem built around an underground recording studio, artist residencies, and a three-day music event that blurred the line between festival and artist retreat.

Key Takeaways

• Hotel El Ganzo hosted Viva El Gonzo festival across three days, featuring Goose, LP Giobbi, and DJ Marb Menthols
• The property was conceived in 2012 as an artist residency and recording studio with rooms, and the studio remains active
• A two-minute ferry connects the hotel to Veleros Beach Club and the Crania concert venue
• LP Giobbi performed a Dead House set with Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda joining her onstage
• Chef Partner José Luis Hinostroza, founder of ARCA Tulum, is developing a new culinary program for the property

From Studio to Stage

Hotel El Ganzo was originally conceived by Pablo Sánchez Navarro in 2012 as an artist residency and recording studio with rooms. The musicians-in-residence program offers artists studio access, performance space, and time away from touring schedules. The property is located in San José del Cabo on the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

On Thursday afternoon, Goose performed a rooftop set with the Sea of Cortez as backdrop. The jam band anchored each night of the festival, which took place across multiple stages connected by a short ferry ride. The hotel's name loosely translates to "The Goose Hotel."

Festival Layout and Programming

The main stage carried the largest-scale performances, while Round Rocks offered an amphitheater built from boulders in concentric circles. Crania featured a disco ball hanging from a crane with design elements that mixed festival aesthetics with Baja materials.

LP Giobbi and Mikaela Davis collaborated for a FEMME House jam session in El Ganzo's underground studio. Giobbi's late-night Dead House set recast Grateful Dead material through dance music structures. Goose guitarist and vocalist Rick Mitarotonda joined her onstage, layering guitar lines over club rhythms.

Expanded Programming

Beyond music, the weekend included yoga, breathwork, group runs, and sound meditation sessions. Chef Partner José Luis Hinostroza, founder of ARCA Tulum, is developing a culinary program that draws from Mexico's coastal towns and local fishing traditions. The menu featured fish tacos, oysters, ceviche, and natural wines.

The festival grounds at Veleros Beach Club and Crania concert venue are accessible year-round, with the property continuing to host artist residencies and studio sessions outside of festival weekends.