Los Cabos is a beautiful destination known for its breathtaking views, and its luxurious hotels and restaurants. But for some, it is also the place to fall in love – like Jesús Padilla and Carmen Paredes did.
Jesús proudly calls himself a “choyero” (the nickname for those born in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico.) He was born in Ensenada, but he has been a true Los Cabos local since the age of six. As for Carmen Paredes, she is from Mazatlan, Sinaloa.
Carmen and Jesús first crossed paths, in 2012, while both working at the One&Only Palmilla resort. What was meant to be a one-year adventure in Los Cabos for Carmen, quickly turned into forever after meeting Jesús.
“Love has a way of changing plans, doesn’t it?,” Carmen mentions.
Six years ago, they started the Los Cabos-based destination management company (DMC), VIVO Luxury Services, which today employs a team of 30.
Here’s the rest of our conversation with the husband and wife founding team:
What made you decide to start VIVO DMC?
Jesús always felt more at home in the dynamic energy of airports than in the structure of hotel operations. His free spirit thrives on momentum, and his mantra has always been, “We set the tone and wave the last goodbye.” Six years ago, we saw an opportunity to become key suppliers within the same hospitality industry, recognizing the need for providers who not only understood high service standards but also brought creativity, passion, and expertise to the table. That’s how VIVO DMC was born. Since then, it’s been an incredible journey of growth, reinvention, and raising the bar for excellence.
What were your work backgrounds before starting VIVO?
Jesús built a career in luxury hospitality, serving as Guest Services Manager at One&Only Palmilla, with earlier experience at Las Ventanas al Paraíso and The Westin. He was a pioneer in airport logistics, maintaining strong relationships with all three airports. Carmen, on the other hand, spent two years with the prestigious Twin Dolphin and Maravilla Clubs as Director of Communications & Membership. Before that, she was part of the opening team at Montage Los Cabos, where she dedicated four years as Marketing Manager. Today, our energy is focused on growing VIVO and raising our two children Elena and Leonardo —a beautiful blend of entrepreneurial ambition and family life.
Describe a typical day for each of you.
Our day starts with e-mail checks and school drop-offs for the kids, followed by a quick workout. Over breakfast, we connect and plan the day ahead. Carmen focuses on building relationships with event planners, travel advisors, and clients, while Jesús leads our executive team and ensures smooth daily operations. We place great importance on empowering our team—HR, Finance, Planning, Maintenance, and Operations—along with the ongoing maintenance and supervision of our fleet. Afternoons mix meetings with family time—picking up the kids, having lunch together, and taking them to their activities. We always make time for a family dinner before winding down with our evening routine.
Is it hard being married and working together?
It’s like a non-stop team-building exercise with a dash of comedy! After 10 years of marriage, we’ve mastered the art of balancing love and logistics. We know when to collaborate, when to delegate, and when to offer each other snacks to keep the peace. Honestly, working together has made us an even stronger team—though we’ve learned that calling a “meeting” is much more effective than arguing over who forgot to restock the coffee!
What do you love most about working and living in Los Cabos?
Los Cabos really is one of a kind. It’s got the perfect balance of international exposure for our kids and a relaxed lifestyle, as well as beautiful beaches and all the peace and quiet we need. The quality of life here is incredible—not just compared to the rest of Mexico, but anywhere. It’s the ideal spot for both work and family life, especially with so many people from all over the world. Honestly, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
Do you think being in Los Cabos contributes to the success of your company?
Absolutely! Los Cabos is the perfect fit for us. We’ve always worked with the most discerning clientele, and this destination is home to the world’s elite—many of the wealthiest individuals have their homes here. We’re fortunate to collaborate with some of the best planners and agencies globally, and the unique blend of international exposure and high-end service in Los Cabos is a key factor in our success. It’s a place that aligns perfectly with our values and the exceptional service we’re committed to providing.
What is the company’s most successful service offered would you say?
Our best-kept secret is our exceptional planning team. They are the true stars behind the scenes, making sure that every airport host, driver, and operational staff member is perfectly aligned and on time. We’ve built a strong reputation, especially within private clubs, because of our commitment to service, punctuality, and discretion. From airport transfers to private drivers for dinners, golf outings, and any special request, we handle everything with precision. A key highlight of our service is our door-to-door experience; this attention to detail, consistency, and personalized care is what sets us apart and drives the success of our service.
Do you have a most memorable moment since founding VIVO?
One of our proudest moments was the opening of our own headquarters, just minutes from SJD airport. We started small—with only three vehicles and three drivers—and watching our fleet and team grow has been nothing short of amazing. The expansion was a milestone, and to celebrate, we threw a party to mark the occasion. What makes it even more special is knowing that today, we support nearly 40 families in the destination, with no plans of slowing down. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown!
What are your goals for the future for VIVO?
Our goal for VIVO is to continue growing while keeping our experienced team intact and attracting fresh talent. We’re committed to offering the best benefits in the industry, as our team is key to maintaining the trust and relationships we’ve built with our clients. We began as a B2B business, but thanks to the confidence our clients place in us, we’re now seeing a rise in direct requests. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of FIPROTUR and are expanding our DMC services to collaborate with global partners from markets like the UK, Germany, and Japan.
This article was created in partnership with FIPROTUR Los Cabos under the private trust. See the website disclaimer here. For more information, visit https://fiproturloscabos.com.
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