The Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Los Cabos: A Guide to the Best Options

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Planning All-Inclusive Resorts

By Sanjay SuranaFeb. 9, 2023 6:35 pm EST

At the end of the Baja California Peninsula, the strip of land that extends south from the Golden State like a leg on tip toes, Los Cabos is a vacation hub popular with Americans. That’s expected, given its year-round sunshine and proximity to the U.S. It is served by direct flights from a multitude of American cities. That closeness also makes the destination — which encompasses the busy Cabo San Lucas, the quieter San Jose del Cabo, and a well-developed tourist strip between these two towns — feel a bit like home (travelers can find a Walmart and Costco in Cabo San Lucas, for instance).

Los Cabos Tourism Board points to the area’s rich history — one populated with tales of indigenous tribes, Spanish colonizers, and Jesuit missionaries — and exquisite nature, with the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (which includes Cabo San Lucas and its famous marine arch) assigned as a Unesco World Heritage site. Life here changed in the 1970s, with the completion of the trans-peninsular highway (via the Los Angeles Times), and tourist numbers have swelled ever since.

Today, the area is a hotbed of hospitality, with hotels and resorts lining the rugged coastline. Many of them are all-inclusive, catering to guests that want a vacation free of minor, pesky details. The following examples, roughly arranged geographically from west to east, are some of the finest.

Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos

Music is integral to a stay at Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, which is unsurprising since Hard Rock built its brand on the unerring rhythm of pulsing beats. In its rooms, guests can listen to carefully compiled playlists, spin vinyl on a turntable, or pluck a Fender guitar.

For visitors aged 12 and above, experimenting at the Music Lab lets them unleash their inner creativity, jamming with other guests or trying their hand at being a DJ. In the Rock Royalty category of rooms, guests live the life of a musical star with access to their very own assistant, preferred restaurant reservations, and an exclusive aromatherapy and pillow menu.

Accommodations promise a comfortable refuge, with 300-thread-count cotton sheets, a terrace with a jetted tub, and streaming music channels. You can lounge by one of five pools, rediscover your inner child on snaking water slides, or attack the surf from a broad, sandy beach. Dining options range from Italian to East Asian to a Brazilian-style grill, and drinks at the seven bars and lounges are included in the rate. The property has a kids club and also welcomes pets.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

The luxury residential enclave Quivira Los Cabos fans out over 1,850 acres, and has three beaches on the Sea of Cortez. Its name draws inspiration from the legend of an ancient city where gold was plentiful. Today, this community emanates a rich aura. Visitors here will find plush residences, a golf course, and the all-inclusive Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort. The property is adults-only, an assemblage of buildings that cup the main pool area and private beach.

Rooms all come with terraces or balconies, and almost a quarter of them are located in The Towers, an exclusive dominion with butler service and where some accommodations feature a private pool. For some local flavor, the Refresca Tequila Bar allows travelers to try out a range of mezcals and tequilas distilled in Mexico. Golfers will beam at the chance to play a round at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Quivira Golf Club, opened in 2014 on bewitchingly dramatic waterfront terrain.

Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos

With cantilevered balconies and terraces atop cliffs, rooms at the family-friendly, all-inclusive Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos supply a sense of openness. Interiors are bright and airy, with stone tile floors and views ranging from the open water to the boats at Marina del Rey. Fun is part of the resort’s DNA, and guests can expect plenty of activities here for all age groups, day and night. These include Tiki parties at lunch time, painting classes, dance lessons, and tequila tastings.

Every night at Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos promises a different event, such as Wednesday’s beachfront White Party or a Michael Jackson tribute on the weekends. The spa celebrates the surrounding, using Baja California materials and design in its look, while the property’s location is used to fabulous effect for wedding venues: Couples can exchange vows at the beach, on a terrace that tops a mountain, in a desert garden, or in the central stone plaza that comes with views of the marina and the lively streets of Cabo San Lucas.

Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa

A hop, skip, and jump from Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos, this centrally located resort sits near the core of Cabo San Lucas, making exploration of the town center a breeze. Ocean views accompany the grilled specials at Brigantine while tacos and mezcal provide the thrills at La Taqueria, the newest addition to the food and beverage at Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa.

The property forms a V-shape, with a series of terraced pools leading down to the beach. Lounging by the water here is a sublime pleasure, though those in search of more pampering me-time can book a session at the spa, which offers a full menu of treatments (including therapies derived from the pre-Hispanic era) and views of the waves. Suites — all rooms fall under this category — have their own terrace or balcony and some come in warm, hacienda-style ocher color schemes. For a more upscale experience, consider checking in to sister property The Ridge at Playa Grande, right next door, which offers villa category accommodations.

Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa

Yachties ahoy, Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa is the place for you. Boat lovers will gush over the views of the marina from various points in this resort, even from the balconies of suites. Rooms are simply appointed, with neutral tones enlivened by bright colors on cushions and furnishings. The marina unfurls right outside the Presidential Nautical Suite, a two-bedroom spread with three bathrooms, and a balcony that looks onto the sea of boats (the room can accommodate up to eight guests).

The all-inclusive plan puts a twist on the typical dining coverage. Meals at the restaurants, such as Presto (Italian) and Los Deseos (Mexican), are covered. In addition, six restaurants nearby (but outside the property) and those at sister property Hacienda Encantada fall under the plan, allowing guests to explore dining beyond the property without foregoing the traditional advantages of an all-inclusive. Shoppers will also delight at the proximity of Luxury Avenue mall, full of high-end stores, next door to the resort. After a day shopping, try the signature treatment at Amura Spa that uses heated seashells.

Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa

If one image represents the concept of Los Cabos, it is El Arco (The Arch), a pink-tinged rock regularly visited by boat tours and the area’s robust seal population, according to Los Cabos Tourism Board. It’s also a big hit on Instagram. It’s a breathtaking site, perched at the end of Baja California Peninsula, and no property is closer to it than Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa. And as if that wasn’t enough to brag about, the all-inclusive also sits in front of the dramatic Mount Solmar, which rises up behind the all-inclusive like a stoic sentry.

For guests that want to take full advantage of the beachfront location with some barefoot dining, Las Brisas has tables on the sand and a menu awash in seafood. The property’s name aptly summarizes the feeling here — the endless sea and towering mountain really make the place feel like the terminus of terra firma – and destination weddings at the property capitalize on that air of remote solitude.

Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa

El Arco is among the attractions at Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa, visible in the distance from a number of the resort’s vantage points. One of them is from a seat at Bella California restaurant, a beachside boîte with a broad terrace where the flavors explore Italy and Baja California, hence roasted vegetables, pizzas fired in a wood-burning oven, and ceviche made with freshly caught marine treasures. Views of the beach and The Arch are also one of the highlights of rooms, all suites with ceiling fans, colorful fabrics and artwork, and balconies. The largest can accommodate up to eight guests.

Families frolic in the surf at Médano Beach out front, practice their lobs and serves at the tennis courts, make use of the onsite kids’ club, or even sign up for some relaxation at the 31,000-square-foot Desert Spa. There are plenty of ways to keep busy — from aqua aerobics to learning how to make a tie-dye shirt — and theme nights include the hit musical “Mamma Mia.”

Hacienda Encantada

The beachfront and a clifftop chapel are two of the locations where guests of the Hacienda Encantada can hold their wedding. Picture a barefoot ceremony in the sand, saying “I do” at a gazebo among landscaped gardens and hacienda buildings, or exchanging vows in a whitewashed chapel that overlooks the Sea of Cortez. At this resort, all of these options are tried and tested, in settings that are guaranteed to generate lasting memories.

The property’s dramatic location is also evident from Los Riscos, set up high on a cliff with water views, and which serves Mexican fare and grilled seafood. Guests can also dine at select restaurants in Cabo San Lucas under the all-inclusive plan. Elsewhere, a kids’ club and water playground, a sports area with basketball and tennis courts, a putting green and cycling trail, and a full gym and outdoor pools ensure there’s always a place to burn off some calories. Textiles and furniture crafted in Guadalajara are on display in suites, providing a welcoming sense of place. For the ultimate splurge, book one of the 36 Residences: they come with butler service and include a two-bedroom duplex villa with a walk-in closet.

Grand Velas Los Cabos

Prepare to be hypnotized by the water views from the rooms at the all-inclusive Grand Velas Los Cabos: every accommodation is a suite and supplies guests with a vista of the Sea of Cortez from their private balconies or terraces. And the rooms are huge, starting at 1,100 square feet.

The Grand Velas Los Cabos prides itself on its fine dining, with seven restaurants offering a range of cuisines: Mexican, French, Italian, and even a place that specializes in grilled seafood. For a truly memorable meal, you should book a dinner at Cocina de Autor, where the dress code is smart, and the haute gourmet meals are 8-10 course tasting menus overseen by a two-Michelin-star chef.

The huge SE Spa by Grand Velas spills over 35,000 square feet, and features a large section devoted to hydrotherapy. Other options here include a treatment to help rein in the damaging effects of sun, and a special ritual for brides (the property also hosts destination weddings at its beach, terrace, and ballroom).

Le Blanc Spa Resort

The Le Blanc Spa Resort is roughly halfway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, and is reserved for adults only. With the word spa in its name, it comes as little surprise that this resort places great emphasis on health and wellness. This is where guests can try out aquatic spinning, paddle-board yoga, TRX workouts, Pilates, and more. And after a heart-pumping session, you can retire to the spa, where the relaxation area has tented day lounge beds, and the Renaissance massage help to re-energize overworked muscles.

Pampering also comes courtesy of butler service, assigned to rooms that are simplicity defined, dominated by whites, creams, and soothing light browns. They all have balconies, views of the water, and Bulgari amenities in marble bathrooms. Dining promises a global journey, from France to Italy to Lebanon; at Blanc Asia, the flavors of China, Japan, and Thailand are presented in a space where blown-glass chandeliers and solid wood tables create a festive ambience.

Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa

A newcomer on the Los Cabos scene, the 308-suite, all-inclusive Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa opened in February 2022 on a sumptuous stretch of beach. Water is a key constant in the design of the property, from views of the surf from the infinity-edge pool that seems to merge into the Sea of Cortez, to the show-stopper lazy river, which winds for more than 1,100 feet around the resort. Rooms are accented in hues of white and blue, and some are perfectly suited to families, with space for two adults and two children.

Dining at Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa is headlined by La Taberna, where Spanish food and marine delights are cooked in an open kitchen. At other restaurants, guests can order Mexican, pizzas, and steaks. Couples at Azul spa have the opportunity to book themselves a treatment that culminates in a massage that uses warmed rose oil. How sweet is that?

Zoëtry Casa del Mar

Simple pleasures are the draw at Zoëtry Casa del Mar, a boutique all-inclusive with just 57 rooms. These could be wandering around the finely manicured gardens, taking in design inspired by Spanish colonial haciendas featuring red-tile roofs and ornate fountains, or just digging your toes in soft sand while the southern coastline of the Baja California Peninsula unfurls to the left and the right. Zoëtry Casa del Mar lets guests enjoy sea views from all its rooms, where local furnishings and decor infuse interiors with Mexican warmth, while aromatherapy pillows and perfumed sheets infuse the air with heady scents.

The experience here is a study in unabashed indulgence, with inclusions like fine spirits, 24-hour in-room dining, Bulgari bath amenities, and round-the-clock laundry all part of the package. Meals at restaurants are also covered, with Arroyo (Mexican), Saltwater (seafood), and drinks at the swim-up bar Reflections set to tantalize the taste buds.

Paradisus Los Cabos

Towering palm trees, beachfront and poolside cabanas and loungers, and a sultry crescent shoreline set the tone at Paradisus Los Cabos. Set on a broad strip of beach, and with a private, adults-only section called The Reserve, the resort also has a spa and a convention center, making it a popular destination for serene sun-seekers and energized event attendees. The rooms at this all-inclusive are overwhelmingly white in palette, and visitors will enjoy views of the resort, the gardens, or the sea from their balconies.

At The Reserve, exclusive amenities include separate relaxation areas and restaurants, the plushest category of accommodations, and a personal concierge service. Asian and Mexican are served at the destination restaurants, with sushi presented to diners on a terrace, dining room, or bar counter at Tokimeku. Across the six treatment rooms, the therapists at Yhi Spa take customers to a higher plane of relaxation using local oil, herbs, and stones.

Marquis Los Cabos

Marquis Los Cabos is anchored by the main, broad, white beachfront building, the sea in front, the arid mountains of Los Cabos behind. The property’s 209 suites are located there, vibrant spaces with marble-accented bathrooms and balconies that afford guests views of the sea. The top tier of accommodations at this adults-only all inclusive are the 25 casitas, cubist-style villas closest to the ocean, just steps from the pools and the surf, offering travelers a more private experience.

You can choose from a huge array of activities, with wine tastings, archery, three pools, cooking lessons, tennis, and even a circus night, to name a few. There’s also a spa here, a 13,000-square-foot refuge of relaxation where treatment uses the Natura Bissé line of products. For meals, the choices extend to five restaurants and a casual cafe, with seafood as Dos Mares and Asian at Sakke among the alternatives.

Krystal Grand Los Cabos

Located near San Jose del Cabo, Krystal Grand Los Cabos caters to many sectors, from weddings to families to conventioneers, with meeting spaces that can handle up to 255 delegates and a convention center with a capacity of 1,000. The property appears like a broad high-rise, with rooms in towers or in the main building. Accommodations have unfussy decor, calm tones enlivened by colorful bed throws. The Club Altitude category of room adds concierge service and afternoon cocktails to the mix.

Dining at the resort includes Ayami, with its vibrant red chairs and eclectic assortment of dishes from China, India, Japan, and Thailand, as well as The Grill, a beachfront haunt where meats can be barbecued Mexican- or Argentine-style. The all-inclusive also delivers a spa, a kids club, and the option to book tours in the area. But perhaps the most memorable moments for guests are by the pools, set by the beach, with a drink in hand watching the sea lapping the shore in front.

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos

Shaped a little like a crab with welcoming claws outstretched toward the sea, the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos sits due south of the heart of San Jose del Cabo, and a short stroll from Club Campestre San Jose, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. All rooms here are suites, with clean design and roomy terraces; some have direct, swim-up access to a pool. Children can spend the day at the Kidz Club, or revel in a mini water park area that features five slides and a pair of giant water buckets that unload gallons of H2O on anyone below.

Guests need not forsake their fitness regime — active areas include basketball and tennis courts, a full gym, and various pools. Cultural muscles are flexed with language and dance lessons, and days end with the nightly live show, anything from magicians to live music. A Latin-accented steakhouse, Japanese cuisine served to tatami-mat-seated guests, and refined French await culinary connoisseurs. Buen provecho!