Cabo San Lucas Travel Forum

We won a 5 day, 4 night trip to Cabo San Lucas. My wife and I have never been to Mexico. The travel agent has a budget to work with from the radio station we won the trip from. She is paying for airfare and the resort. The rest is up to us.

She gave us four resorts to choose from: RIU Sante Fe; RIU Palace Cabo; Melia Cabo Real; Royal Solaris

We think we like Riu Palace Cabo and Melia Cabo Real the best of the four. But this is just from reading their websites.

We are looking for advice on which resort to choose. The following is important to us:
All Inclusive - alcohol included
Good, quick shuttle service to the bars and restaurants in Cabo
Don't want to be harassed with Time Share sales pitches
Ocean front, great beaches, great pools for adults
Great buffets and food
Clean, safe rooms

Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you!!!

Though I haven't been personally, my brother-in-law and his wife love the RIU resorts and speak highly of them.

My husband's former squadron has held a couple reunions at the RIU Palace and quite enjoyed it and the food is good (all-inclusive); but they also had some trouble with things missing from some rooms----BUT, they were careless and left them out. So, as with ANYWHERE, you need to take responsibility for your own belongings and put them in a safe, carry them with you, or not bring valuables.

Just got back from Cabo on Saturday. Right on the beach it is beautiful but in town and beyond kind of ugly and looks like a lot of poverty. You will CONSTANTLY be harrassed by people trying to sell you stuff on the beach and in town. You will get whiplash from shaking your head no so much. I took a walk through Riu on the beach and it was spectacular!

Be very VERY suspicious of everyone and everything. We got ripped off several times and we knew the exchange rate and everything but they talk circles and try to wheel and deal a lot.

Make SURE you have pre-arranged transportation to and from the airport as kidnapping is on the rise down there. I believe we almost fell victim to this when a person at our hotel arranged for a "private ride" for us back to the airport. Something in my gut told me not to get in the car. No one else got into single cars only buses and shuttles. Travel in groups when possible.

Program the number to the consulate in your cell phone as a precaution. There is a lot of price switching going on as well. One minute they tell you one price and suddenly it changes!

Be careful where you walk around at night. I know I sound like I am being paranoid but please trust me when I tell you to be very aware and trust your gut. I have traveled the world and have never felt so taken advantage of. I went to Cancun two years ago alone and felt ok with that but Cabo seems more like a scam!

Be careful! Do not stay at the Villa de Arco we got ripped off there on the first night. They will tell you they need to swipe your credit card for "incedentals" and then start charging your card immediately. Check your checking account frequently and do NOT sign anything pertaining to "incedentals" until checkout! I had to cancel my card while down there.