One&Only Palmilla is one of the original luxury resorts of Los Cabos, at km 7.5 near San José del Cabo, with about 174 ocean-facing rooms, a swimmable beach and a historic hilltop chapel above the sea. For sessions it gives a calm beach and Mexican architecture; for weddings, the chapel and its terrace. Sessions start at 245 USD plus travel; wedding coverage starts at 1,800 USD.
Palmilla has been the address for a certain kind of Los Cabos trip for decades, and it photographs like it: white walls, palms, a chapel on the hill and a beach where you can actually swim. It is as good for a family session as for a wedding, and the plan for each is different.
One&Only Palmilla at a Glance
- WhereKm 7.5, near San José del Cabo
- RoomsAbout 174, all facing the ocean
- BeachOne of the few swimmable beaches in the area
- ChapelA historic hilltop chapel above the sea
- StyleMexican colonial architecture, palms and terraces
Family and Couples Sessions
For families, Palmilla's calm beach is the reason to book: children can be at the water's edge without the heavy surf of the Pacific side, and we can work the shoreline freely. We start at the beach in the late afternoon, move to the palms and white walls of the resort for a few portraits in the shade, and finish back on the sand as the light turns gold. Couples often prefer the terraces above the beach, with the sea as a backdrop.
Weddings at the Chapel
The chapel on the hill is Palmilla's signature wedding setting: a small, historic Mexican chapel with sea views, an intimate interior and a terrace outside it for a larger seated ceremony. Wedding listings put the interior at about 40 seats and the terrace at a few hundred, and the resort sets minimum-stay rules for weddings that depend on size. Confirm current capacities and rules with the resort. For photographs, an afternoon chapel ceremony followed by portraits on the terraces and the beach at sunset is the classic plan.
Light Times by Month
Times for Palmilla on the 15th of each month in 2027. Baja California Sur keeps Pacific time all year (UTC-7, no daylight saving), the same as Alberta in winter.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:02 am | 5:22 pm | 5:55 pm |
| March | 6:28 am | 5:58 pm | 6:28 pm |
| May | 5:38 am | 6:21 pm | 6:53 pm |
| June | 5:33 am | 6:33 pm | 7:06 pm |
| July | 5:42 am | 6:35 pm | 7:07 pm |
| September | 6:05 am | 5:53 pm | 6:22 pm |
| November | 6:32 am | 5:02 pm | 5:34 pm |
| December | 6:52 am | 5:03 pm | 5:36 pm |
For sessions, we meet about an hour before sunset: around 4:35 pm in December and 6:05 pm in June. A wedding ceremony 90 minutes before sunset lands around 4:05 pm in December and 5:35 pm in June.
Access and Vendors
For a private session, the photographer comes in as your guest, registered with the front desk ahead of time. Weddings and events are coordinated through the resort's wedding team, and luxury resorts in Los Cabos may charge outside vendors a fee; ask for the current policy in writing.
Los Cabos, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios sessions and weddings in Los Cabos. They show our work on the peninsula, not necessarily at One&Only Palmilla.
Collections, Coverage and Prices
Sessions in Los Cabos use our regular collections; travel from Cancún is quoted with your date.
| Collection | Time | Photos | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 35 min | 15 | 245 USD |
| Glow Hour | 45 min | 25 | 325 USD |
| Essential Flow | 60 min | 35 | 395 USD |
| Creative Runway | 75 min | 50 | 475 USD |
| Visual Story | 90 min | 70 | 575 USD |
| Full Experience | 90 min | Full gallery | 725 USD |
Our wedding prices are public. Up to four hours of coverage costs 1,800 to 2,800 USD; a full day of eight to ten hours with a second photographer is 3,500 to 5,500 USD; photography plus a wedding film is 5,500 to 8,000 USD. The resort's access charge for outside vendors is separate and paid to the hotel. Your edited gallery arrives within one to three business days.