CABO HOTELS, RESORTS - BEST PLACES TO STAY The Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort is one of few resorts with a swimmable beach.
IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT RIGHT FOR ME? Los Cabos has an impressive list of all inclusive resorts. Great restaurants, a wide variety of activities, outstanding locations and more are par for the course in Cabo. Most all-inclusive resorts offer access to many of these amenities free of charge when you purchase their package. To make the best choice for your particular vacation needs and wants, do a little homework. Before choosing an all inclusive resort, know that they vary in style, services offered and the type of traveler they cater to. Some all-inclusives are designed for couples, some for singles, some for families. Some cater to the young while others steer towards an older crowd.
Packages at these resorts come in all shapes and sizes. As a rule, the more items offered in the package, (airfare, airport transfers, meals, drinks, and activities) the greater the overall savings. Have kids? Check with the resorts you are considering as many offer child-care facilities that are more like a kid’s style resort of it’s own. Keeping the kids happy goes a long way toward making the parents vacation a memorable one.
Many all inclusive resorts also offer timeshare rental suites in addition to standard hotel-style rooms. These suites can be rented like traditional vacation accommodations or purchased for annual use during a set week each year. Many vacationers prefer this option, as prepaying for the timeshare at a fixed rate compounds the savings that come with staying at an all inclusive resort.
So why choose an all inclusive vacation resort? Knowing what you’ll spend ahead of time takes the anxiety out of budgeting the vacation expense. Not having to carry cash means not losing it. I know I’ve donated my fair share of dollars to the Sea of Cortez, so as Forrest Gump said, “One less thing.” Another positive is that many first-time visitors can get off track looking for things to do. At the all-inclusive resort, finding fun is easy. A quick visit with the activities desk and you’re on your way.
Who should look into all inclusive resorts? Just about anyone who wants to experience as much of Cabo as possible without having to venture out of the resort. Those that prefer to search out their own activities and explore restaurants outside their own resort or hotel aren’t likely to stay in one place the majority of time they’re here. Vacationers who are on a tight budget, traveling with the kids, or simply want to have what they need and want brought right to them are best suited for all inclusive resorts.
How much can you expect to spend on all inclusive resorts? All inclusive resorts can sound expensive but when you factor in the meals, drinks and recreation most save you money over the pay as you go route. If you are a big drinker with a big appetite, the savings can really add up. Typical rates for all inclusives in Los Cabos start around $140 per night per person and go up from there.Remember that these resorts can vary tremendously in what they offer as well as the quality of what they offer. The lower priced resorts may only have one or two restaurants, minimal entertainment or club scenes and offer cheap drinks in their packages. The higher priced usually offer premium liquors, gourmet food from several restaurants, nightly parties and entertainment as well as larger rooms and a greater variety of activities. You get what you pay for.
While most travelers tend to hop on any one of the many travel shopping sites to search for the best deal, Cabo’s Best has found that dealing directly with the resort can often result in the most bang for your buck. The personnel at these resorts are helpful and willing to go the extra mile to help you make the right decisions and get great value for your vacation dollar. Don’t be shy, ask them about special offers, some are not posted on their Web sites and if you don’t ask you’ll just get the rack rate.
Don’t forget to inquire about airfare deals when speaking with a resort reservation agent. Many resorts receive special offers from air carriers and pass the savings onto you to get you to stay with them. If you are traveling with a large group, use the power of numbers to encourage the resort to give deeper discounts.
What else is usually included in all inclusive vacation packages?
Use of tennis courts may be free, but bring your rackets, as you'll probably have to pay to rent them. Some packages can even include greens fees for a few rounds of golf. In most cases you have to rent a golf cart, but compared to the price of play on most courses, that cost is negligible. Sailing, snorkeling, themed parties, horseback riding and beach activities are usually part of the program. Motorized water sports and ATV tours generally do not make it into the included category but arranging these activities is most often handled on-site for a fee. Many all inclusive resorts offer spa treatments as part of their packages, with the option of paying for more intensive therapies.
For more information on all inclusive resorts in Cabo San Lucas, the tourist corridor of Cabo and San Jose del Cabo, visit our all inclusive resorts section.
HOTEL AND RESORT LISTINGS IN CABO SAN LUCAS The southern tip of the Baja peninsula encompasses some truly miraculous geography and coastal scenery. Planning a trip to this paradise requires a little homework in order to make the most of your time here. When considering where to stay it is important to find the right location for your tastes and your budget. Accommodations in Cabo range from as low as $45 per night in the budget class to $5,000 a night and more for some five star resorts and private villas. There are three distinct areas in Los Cabos; San Jose del Cabo; the Corridor (which runs from just south of San Jose del Cabo to about three miles from Cabo San Lucas); and of course, Cabo San Lucas or Land's End. When deciding on which area is best for you, think about what it is you wish to do and see as well as what day trips you would like to make part of your experience. We'll start with an overview of Cabo San Lucas.
CABO SAN LUCAS HOTELS AND RESORTS If you're looking for quick and easy access to wild nightlife, sport fishing, a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shopping and just plain good old people watching, Cabo San Lucas hotels may be your best bet. In addition to the party atmosphere of downtown Cabo San Lucas you have Medano Beach, which is the safest swimming beach in Cabo. Medano Beach is for more than swimming, some of the areas most happening clubs and eateries are right here on the sand. You'll also find Cabo San Lucas resorts right on the sand as well. Cabo San Lucas has the greatest variety of accommodations, both in price and type. Here you will find five star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, private villas in the famous and exclusive Pedregal development, condos and even B&B's that offer a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the downtown area. You can also choose to stay on the marina side of the cape, or on the breezy and usually 10-15 degree cooler Pacific side where endless ocean views await. Swimming is not an option on this side of the cape. Shore-breaking waves and a powerful undertow make the Pacific extremely dangerous and signs will warn you to "Stay Out, Stay Alive" and they mean it. The Pacific side restricts street and beach vendors from entering the area so getting hassled by the local merchants is not an issue. Please remember that you are in their country and if approached by unwanted vendors, a simple wave off or a "no, gracias" will get them to leave you alone. Polite works. Staying in Cabo San Lucas is an especially good idea if you'd rather avoid driving in a foreign land and don't want to spend a fortune on taxis. Most cab rides to or from your resort and downtown or the marina are around $8 to $10. Water taxis are easy to find and will gladly shuttle you to snorkeling areas, Lover's Beach or your beachfront hotel for about $20 a ride. Perhaps the greatest reason to stay in Cabo San Lucas is the fact that everything is right here. ATV tours, horseback riding, eco-tours, desert racing, sport fishing, water sports, parasailing and more are never more than a few minutes away. If you've never been to Cabo, this is the place for first-timers, unless peaceful out-of-the-way vacationing is what you're after.
THE TOURIST CORRIDOR HOTELS AND RESORTS The stretch of coast and highway that runs from south of San Jose del Cabo to near Cabo San Lucas is known as the Cabo corridor. Here, the definitive attraction is the coast and the azure blue and turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. The late, great writer, John Steinbeck took part in a marine expedition of the Sea of Cortez with marine biologist Ed Rickets and wrote about the area in his Log From The Sea Of Cortez. "At last we stopped in front of a mournful cantina where morose young men hung about waiting for something to happen. They had waited a long time–several generations–for something to happen, these good-looking young men." Well, something has happened and some may say, too quickly. Although it is hard to deny the beauty of the corridor developments, there is still the thought that maybe it was better left untouched. Be that as it may, the corridor offers some of the finest accommodations, amenities and activities in all of Cabo. You may opt to buy a Cabo San Lucas timeshare for the perfect vacation and enjoy the pleasures of a lifestyle of sun, sand, and surf every year.
Rugged cliffs, quiet coves teeming with hundreds of species of marine life, desert vistas and mountains all come together to create a veritable Eden. For those who love the ocean and enjoy sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and water sports, this place is heaven on earth. Most resorts here offer on-site dining, entertainment and activities from golf to tennis to beach soccer and volleyball making the need to leave to search for things to do almost unnecessary. However, in a place this beautiful and this diverse, we always recommend renting a car with full insurance for at least a day or two to do some exploring of your own. If a night on the town in Cabo San Lucas is what your are after, it's best to take advantage of shuttle services from your hotel or take a taxi. Tequila makes for a terrible copilot and Mexican police do not hesitate to arrest the drunken driver. The corridor is also home to most of Cabo's premier, world-class golf courses. Designed by the best in the business, these courses are frequent hosts of PGA tour events. For more information on sights to see, things to do or courses to play, visit our activities and golf pages.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO HOTELS AND RESORTS
Originally an 18th century mission town, some areas of San Jose del Cabo still have the look and feel that it must have had way back when. Exploring Viejo San Jose is a real treat. Small shops offer up works by local artisans and range from; rustic Mexican furniture; high-quality handcrafted silver jewelry and accessories; hand-woven blankets; leather goods and more. While the town still retains it's old-world look and feel, that is likely to change with the construction of a new marina and several master-planned communities currently underway. The small town of La Playita abuts the new marina development area and real estate prices have sky rocketed in the last few years. While lots within the development start around $180,000 US, this is sure to keep rising and rising. Plans include several resort hotels and golf courses including courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
One of this area's biggest draws is the San Jose Estuary. Here lush tropical vegetation surrounds the waters of the estuary creating a wildlife and bird sanctuary that must be seen to be appreciated. Taking a day to kayak through these peaceful waters is a trip you won't soon forget; just don't forget to bring your camera. To watch our San Jose Estuary video, CLICK HERE. The coastal areas of San Jose del Cabo offer the chance to visit coves where pirates hid, preparing to ambush Spanish Galleons entering the Sea of Cortez. Folklore tells of vast treasures still hidden along this historic and magnificent coastline.
One of the best reasons to choose San Jose del Cabo as your destination is that it is somewhat centrally located between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas making day trips both north to La Paz and south to Land's End more realistic. Renting a car with full insurance is the best way to experience this area, as you will find yourself eager to explore both the coast and the mountains looking for that next great view or discovery.
