Riu Palace Baja California Review: Is This Cabo Resort Worth It?

I just got back from 5 days at the Hotel Riu Palace Baja California in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and I have a lot of thoughts to share. 

It’s not my first time in an all-inclusive in Cabo (this is my third, actually) and I found this resort to have a lot of highs, but also some lows. If you’re thinking of booking a vacation to Cabo at the Riu, keep on reading. 

Riu Hotel In Cabo San Lucas Includes Access To 3 Properties

First off, a major highlight of staying at the Riu Palace Baja California property is the fact that it’s not only all-inclusive, not that it’s adults only (though that’s a major bonus) but the fact you get access to the Riu Palace Baja adults only property, Riu Santa Fe hotel sandwiched in the middle and then Palace hotel that’s open to children. 

This means there’s plenty of corners to explore, restaurants to eat at and activities available so we never were bored. Compared to the Pueblo Bonito Blanco, which is smaller and better for short stays, Riu kept us entertained for all 5 days of our stay without the need to leave the hotel at all. 

Riu’s Elite Status Is Worth It

Look, I’m not the bougiest person out there, but I don’t see the point of traveling all the way down to Baja California and getting a room that faces another room. Or having only basic alcohol to choose from at the bar. Or having limited restaurants and food options to choose from. 

I think it’s always worth it to pay a little extra for rooms with ocean views, especially at the Riu Hotel Cabo San Lucas property since the rooms have views of the famous Cabo Arch. 

We all got Elite Status which granted us:

• Premier check-in
• Rooms with ocean views
• Super fast room service
• Special Elite-only bar and restaurant 
• Top shelf alcohol 
• Cabanas (only available for Elite)
• Dedicated bartenders and service at the pool

I loved having the Elite Status to make the trip smoother and overall more relaxing. I would recommend it if it’s in your budget. 

There’s 5 Pools, Cabanas, And Beach Access

I loved how much space was available to guests with multiple pools, cabanas and direct beach access. 

Since we’re morning people, we didn’t find it too hard to claim pool chairs or cabanas in the morning, though we got up at 6am each day to do so and a couple of times the best ones were already claimed (I blame the East Coasters who woke up at 4am).

YES, Riu Palace Los Cabos does allow chairs to be claimed so keep that in mind. But, I never found it hard to find a pool chair at random times in the day if I wanted to pop out of the cabin to soak up some sunshine. 

The Restaurants Are Sneaky About The All Inclusive Drinks

Something I didn’t like was how the restaurants were all sneaky about the wine menu. The first night we sat down and scanned a little QR code on the table labeled “wine menu”, which brought us to a list of wine we could purchase by the bottle. 

When we asked the server about wine, they pointed to the QR code. We had to ask again and this time get clarification on what wine is included in the all-inclusive package and what isn’t (turns out, nothing on that landing page was included /free, we had to order off menu). 

I found this offputting and confusing since I know there are guests who probably order a bottle of wine thinking it’s included like everything else in the hotel, and then get charged without realizing it. 

They Lean Heavy On The Buffet, I Wish There Were More Breakfast And Lunch Options

Speaking of restaurants, the hotel leans really heavy on their Buffet. Don’t get me wrong, the buffet was well put together and had so many food stations with different cuisines and it’s all fresh and tasty.

But, the buffet is the only food option for breakfast and lunch, minus a cafe if you’re looking for a quick cold sandwich or pastry. 

By day 3, I was getting tired of eating at the buffet twice a day and would love to see more restaurants open for lunch to keep things more interesting. 

The upside of this is, the buffet is open late for late night munchies which we appreciated. 

Riu Santa Fe Pool Parties Are Perfect For Spring Breakers 

We were in Mexico for a birthday party, not spring break but we still loved being able to pop over to the Santa Fe property for their epic pool parties. 

We started off with the Pink Party which is in the afternoon. They transformed the pool into a giant foam pool with balloons and dancers and club music. Then, we went to the Neon Party which was at night and, you guessed it, you were encouraged to wear neon. 

As a 30’s something with her club days behind her, I found this so freeing and fun. If you’re coming to Cabo to party or for spring break, you’ll like the pool parties at Riu. Just make sure to look at the schedule before you leave and make sure to pack items to fit the themes (aka a pink swimsuit for the Pink Party.) 

There’s Nightly Shows And Live Music

Oh, and it’s not just pool parties, there’s also nightly shows, live music and activities like karaoke or blackjack. And, during the day there’s a robust schedule of work out classes and games. 

It’s impossible to get bored here. 

Is Riu Palace Baja Worth It? I Think It’s A Great All-Inclusive For First Time Visitors To Cabo

Is Riu Los Cabos worth it? I think it’s a great Cabo resort for anyone looking for parties, bottomless drinks, pool time and a more active vibe. Once, after a long day of drinking, I joked it felt like a “land criuse” and we kind of stuck with that joke since it’s accurate. 

This resort is very cruise-vibes. Unlike the Paradisus Los Cabos which I stayed in on my last visit, which is more upscale but also quieter, the Riu always has something going on. They make it easy to jump right into your vacation without making prior plans and you’ll have a fun time. 

If this is your first visit to Cabo, you’ll like it here. Especially since it’s close to downtown so you can easily leave the resort if you wanted to, but I don’t think you will. 

Have you stay at the Riu? Leave a comment below so everyone can hear your thoughts!