Cabo | All-inclusive Resort
Mexico has all the options for all-inclusive resorts. So many options it can be overwhelming. I've stayed at super nice resorts with several restaurants, sit down service, all the bells and whistles and I've stayed at resorts that have one buffet option for breakfast lunch and dinner. My absolute favorite for all-inclusive, good food, not completely watered down drinks and affordable for the average person, is the RIU Santa Fe 5*. The Riu brand has hotels all over Mexico, there are so many options just with RIU. The Santa Fe is one of their Riu party hotels but fear not if you don't want to party the whole time. My boyfriend is 50 next year so his idea of vacation isn't partying all night. This resort has families, young people, people my age (30's) and couples closer to his age. You can book a hotel room in the "party zone" if you choose, or just a normal room. We booked a garden view room, not in the party zone and were pleasantly surprised by the size of the room. It had a king bed and a pull out sofa. It also included, which I've never seen before a drink dispenser in our room. Four bottles of alcohol just at your disposal, 10/10. The party part of the hotel is they offer themed parties a few times a week. When we went the parties were, Jungle Party, White Party, Pink Party & Neon Party. They have dancers dressed to theme, a DJ, foam pool, a bar and merch. My boyfriend was very hesitant, he doesn't love crowded places and a neon party in Mexico just didn't seem like his vibe. Let me tell you, we had the BEST time. It isn't is crowded you couldn't move, unless you were in the foam pool, we danced, we made friends with the people around us, we stayed until they closed it down. It was one of our best nights. The resort has two main pool areas, one in the middle of the resort (it does have a swim up bar) and one at the end of the resort, with an infinity pool that overlooks the beach and The Arch and it was just beautiful (photo above). This pool area also has 2 swim up bars. There wasn't a ton of food options up here but they did have tacos, hot dogs and burgers. Now most importantly, the food options. For breakfast there are 2 buffets, one by each pool. The breakfast buffets were great, the food was delicious but breakfast is breakfast. For lunch both pools offer the foods mentioned above, there is also a pizzeria and a snack bar. The snack bar was a find on the last day and that was a bummer, they have everything, salad bar, pizza, pasta, help me here JB. It's next to the main pool and there are signs that say snack bar. Now for dinner, this resort has a Mexican, Italian and Asian restaurant all buffet style. I have never experienced all-inclusive different cuisines all buffet style and honestly I can't go back. They still have servers to order drinks from, and all the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. They also have an American Country and steakhouse "a la carte" options, I honestly didn't try them but I have no doubt the food was just as delicious.
This resort also offers entertainment nightly on the main stage, kid friendly entertainment on select nights and a bar and night club open late. If you are staying up late just note the food stops at 10, so I recommend going to the buffet and putting some munchie food in your room fridge for later.
How to get to Cabo
First, if you live in San Diego or Southern California and the TJX, border crossing is an option for you, USE IT! Honestly, it's the easiest choice you'll make. Usually your airline will include your CBX border crossing pass with your ticket purchase, if not you'll need to purchase this pass in order to use the border crossing.
Parking is on the San Diego side, parking rates range from $17-$39 depending on which lot and time of year you are going. Book parking online before you go! https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/#parking
Once you park and get inside, it's just like any other airport. You'll scan your CBX border crossing pass, go through customs and then walk through the indoor building to your terminal. You don't have to go outside for anything at any time.
The TJ airport has a few different restaurants and bars to get your Mexico vacation started!
We booked the shuttle through the hotel but it's actually a third party through the website, our flight was delayed and although you are required to put in your flight info when you book the shuttle they did not adjust the pick up for our flight. There were 10 of us (different groups) at the airport going to the resort that now had no transportation so we all split a van for $8/ per person plus we made friends we saw throughout the resort all weekend and hey, it's all part of the adventure. I recommend just booking or calling an Uber. we used Uber leaving the resort and had no issues.
Cabo is a fabulous place and on our next trip we will be venturing out so I'll have an update post about that!
Let me know if you book this resort and what your experiences are!