Cabo San Lucas Mexico Travel Guide [First All-Inclusive Experience]

Jun 27

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This trip was my first time going to Cabo San Lucas Mexico. We stayed at the Riu Palace. This is an all-inclusive resort. This was a different experience than my trip to Puerto Vallarta but a fun one! This guide will let you know everything about all-inclusive in Cabo.

Transportation

I flew Alaska Airlines to Cabo. Which is my favorite airline. They have good customer service. Plus I have their credit card that gives awesome companion fare. Sidenote: When I travel I love to go to an airport lounge. It makes the flying experience so much better. They usually have their bathrooms, free food and drinks, and wi-fi. I use Priority Pass for lounges. My fiance loves that I have it cause I can take a guest in with me.

Book transportation from the airport to your hotel before you get to Cabo. It will make your life easier and you will be happy to have a nice comfortable car. I booked my travel from Cabo Incredible and they were great. I would book them again for my travel needs.

When you land at the airport in Cabo make sure you exit the airport before making travel decisions. There are people inside of the airport that will try to stop you. They are selling timeshares, car services, and excursions. Be polite but tell them no and keep walking. KEEP WALKING. The legit taxis and car services are outside of the airport next to that outdoor bar.

Hotel

We stayed at the Riu Palace hotel in Cabo San Lucas. After a lot of research, we choose this. A lot of people were telling us that we need to try all-inclusive. Now my fiance and I are explorers we like to travel and explore our surroundings. But, we always wanted to give all-inclusive a try. We figured with the travel regulations lately this would be a good time to try it. Since it would be a bit safer.

Again all-inclusive at the Rui means all your food and drinks are already paid for. You get a wristband and anytime you walk into a restaurant or bar you can order anything you want. From my understanding what’s not covered is salon and spa services and excursions they book for you.

Our first room was wack but I asked to change rooms our second room was 100% nicer. Our room number was 4112. It has a perfect Ocean view. I’m giving you my room number so that you know which room to request.

Walkability

We love to walk around when we stay in different places. This was my first time in Cabo but I found that it wasn’t as walk-friendly as Puerto Vallarta. We still walked though. If you're staying at the Riu your best bet is to walk via the beach to the main town area. It was a nice walk. If I go back to Cabo I would stay closer to the Marina if I wanted to walk. But per our driver, heading to San Cabo San Lucas would be a better more local experience.

Money + Tipping

I didn’t take any Pesos with me when I went to Cabo. Because I knew it was all-inclusive. They like and accept USD over there. I took USD 100 in USD 1 for tips. Let me start by saying I never find concrete answers on tipping etiquette. So I have to go by experience and chatting with friends.

Yes, everything is all-inclusive at the resort. BUT you can still tip people and I recommend it. At the pool, I generally tipped $1-2 per drink order. After each dinner at the resort restaurant, I tipped my server or servers $2 each.

Generally tipping $1-2 for drinks while you’re there and $2-3 for dinner. I also tipped housekeeping $2 every day.

Food

I ate most meals at the resort. In case you're headed to the Riu Palace here is my ranking for restaurants so you don't waste your time:

Best Food at the Riu Palace

Maski Japanese Restaurant - Get the Sushi, Salmon, and Tempura Ice Cream (ask for it). I ate here twice.

Food Stand at the pool - Cheese fries and nachos will save your drunk ass.

Buffet - When you go for breakfast ask the taco lady to make you a quesadilla.

We also enjoyed hitting up the little coffee shop Cappuccino. If you go there the muffins and chocolate croissants are good.

Worst Food at the Riu Palace

The Steakhouse - I got the lobster and I hated it. This was our first meal. It was trash. Listen to my advice don't make it your first meal.

Overall Favorite Food!!

My favorite food though was of course not at the hotel. It was the one time we ventured away from all-inclusive.

Gardenias Tacos

Delicious and affordable everything I wanted. The funny thing is. It's the type of Mexican food we wanted the hotel to serve us. We got ceviche, fried shrimp, fried fish, and grilled shrimp tacos. All delicious with so many sauces and toppings. I loved this place. Check it out and get a taco in my honor if you go.

Fun things to do

We were relaxing and contemplating for two days on which excursion to get. Then got too drunk one day and were honest with ourselves that we didn’t want to do any. But, in our true relaxing fashion, we did get massages. I love getting massages when not in the USA because I can afford them. Upon research, I found Sandbar which had an amazing deal. In case it changes I won’t mention it here. Let's just say I got a 90-minute massage for under $60. With the sounds of the ocean waves. Tip well when you go!

Other than that we hung at the beach and pool pretty much every day. The infinity pool looked out over the beach where we could see the arch in the distance. With food, drinks and some people watching.

Here are some quick Tiffy Travel Tips:

Make sure that you have some cash in small dollars or pesos. Since I hear that the taxis only take cash and they don’t turn on their meters. Meaning that you need to negotiate with your cab ahead of time. A cab from Rui to the town should be $14 there and $14 back.

Book your transportation round trip to and from the airport ahead of time.

The weather during the trip my weather app said that it was 70-72 degrees every day. Letting you know that it felt like 80+ degrees every day. All you will need is a light sweater or jacket at night and you’ll be fine.

My thoughts on the all-inclusive experience

It was cool. I'm glad I did it. However, you’re not going to get an authentic experience in all-inclusive. It’s built so that you don’t leave the hotel. Which I understand! But I didn’t understand until I was in it. Know yourself. Because there are a lot of benefits to all-inclusive. But there is a lot of fun in staying somewhere and scooping out the scene too.

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