Pedregal is a gated hillside neighbourhood above Cabo San Lucas, so residents, guests, staff and deliveries come in through controlled entrances. The famous tunnel is a separate thing: it is the private road through the rock to the Waldorf Astoria resort on the Pacific beach, not the way into most homes.
Buyers ask about both, so here is how access works in practice and what to confirm before you buy.
Key facts
- Pedregal is a gated residential community on the hill between the Cabo San Lucas marina and the Pacific.
- The Dos Mares Tunnel is about 300 m (984 ft) long, privately owned and built for the resort on the beach (CLAD, 2019).
- The tunnel is the only road access to Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, which opened in 2009 as Capella Pedregal (TravelMole, 2009) and became a Waldorf Astoria in 2019.
- Guest, staff and delivery procedures are set by the community’s administration and by each condo building, and they change; confirm the current rules before you buy or rent out.
What is the Pedregal tunnel?
The tunnel runs through the mountain to the Pacific-side resort at the foot of Pedregal. When the resort opened as Capella Pedregal in 2009, travel press described it as reachable only through a gated tunnel (TravelMole). When Waldorf Astoria took over in 2019, CLAD reported the Dos Mares Tunnel as 984 ft (300 m) long, privately owned and the only route in (CLAD).
For most homeowners, the tunnel is something you drive through when you go to the resort for dinner or the spa, not your daily route home.
How do residents get into Pedregal?
Through the neighbourhood’s gated entrances from Cabo San Lucas. Homes sit on winding, steep private roads that climb from the town side up and over toward the Pacific. Owners are known to the gate; everyone else is checked in. Several condominium buildings have their own additional gate or front desk on top of the community entrance.
Because roads are steep and narrow in places, think about your vehicle (and your guests’ rental cars) when choosing a home on the upper streets.
How do guests get in?
Gated communities in Los Cabos generally ask owners to register visitors in advance with the entrance. In Pedregal, the exact method (a call to the gate, a list sent to the administration, an app or a building concierge) depends on the current administration and, for condos, the building. Before you buy, ask the seller or your agent to show you how guest registration works for that specific street or building.
If you plan to rent your home, ask how short-term renters are registered and whether the building or community has its own rules. Our post on the true cost of owning in Pedregal covers HOA fees, which pay for this security.
What about housekeepers, gardeners and contractors?
Regular staff are usually registered once and then recognised. Contractors, especially for renovation work, often need to be registered with the administration and may be limited to working hours. Construction and renovation rules are set by the HOA; if you are planning work, get the current rules in writing before you sign.
How do deliveries work?
Couriers and grocery deliveries reach homes through the same gated entrance, with the gate calling ahead or checking a list. Large deliveries such as furniture or appliances may need to be scheduled. Condo buildings often receive parcels at a front desk. Again, the practical answer depends on the building and the current administration, so ask before closing.
Is Pedregal safe?
Pedregal is one of the longest-established gated neighbourhoods in Cabo San Lucas, and controlled access is a main reason owners choose it. No neighbourhood is risk-free; the usual sensible steps apply: a good home-watch or property manager while you are away, alarm and camera systems, and insurance. We are happy to share what owners in specific buildings do.
What should a buyer check before closing?
- How guests, renters, staff and contractors are registered, and any fees.
- Whether the condo building has its own access rules on top of the community’s.
- Parking for guests on steep streets.
- HOA fees and what they include (security, road maintenance, common areas).
- Any renovation and construction rules and working hours.
For the wider buying process, see our guide for foreigners buying in Pedregal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the tunnel the only way into Pedregal?
No. The Dos Mares Tunnel is the private road to the Waldorf Astoria resort on the Pacific beach. Homes in Pedregal are reached through the neighbourhood’s gated entrances from Cabo San Lucas.
How long is the Pedregal tunnel?
CLAD reported the Dos Mares Tunnel as about 984 ft (300 m) long, privately owned and built for the resort.
Is Pedregal a gated community?
Yes. Pedregal has controlled entrances, and several condo buildings add their own gate or front desk.
How do I register guests in Pedregal?
Owners register visitors with the entrance or administration; the exact method depends on the current administration and, for condos, the building. Ask for the current procedure before you buy or rent out.
Can contractors work in Pedregal?
Yes, but they usually need to be registered, and renovation rules and working hours are set by the HOA. Get the current rules in writing before starting work.
Summary
The tunnel is the resort’s private road; your home is reached through Pedregal’s gated entrances, where guests, staff and deliveries are checked in under rules set by the administration and each building. Confirm those rules for the specific home before you buy. When you are ready, browse Pedregal homes for sale or contact our team with questions about a particular street or building.
