A Complete Guide to Luxury at Riu Cabo San Lucas

The Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas sits right on Medano Beach, the only swimmable beach in downtown Cabo. That location alone makes it worth talking about. But let me be honest with you: Riu is not the same category as Zadun or Las Ventanas. It's a different game entirely, and that's fine. If you understand what you're getting, you might actually love it.

The Location Is the Selling Point

Medano Beach is where Cabo's energy lives. The fishing boats, the water taxis to the Arch, the beach vendors, the restaurants, the noise, the life. Riu sits right in the middle of all of it. You walk out of the lobby, cross a few feet of sand, and you're in the Sea of Cortez. At a property like Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, you have a stunning Pacific view but the water will eat you alive. At Riu, you're actually swimming.

The marina is a ten-minute walk. Downtown bars and restaurants are five minutes. The water taxi to Lover's Beach and the Arch costs $15 roundtrip and departs from the beach right in front of the hotel. For accessibility and walkability, Riu is hard to beat.

The All-Inclusive Reality

Riu is all-inclusive, and it does the all-inclusive model competently. You get multiple restaurants, unlimited drinks, pool access, entertainment, and no need to think about money once you're checked in. The buffet is solid if not spectacular. The a la carte restaurants (Japanese, Italian, steakhouse, Mexican) are a step up. The steakhouse is the best of the bunch; order the ribeye and skip the pasta place.

The drinks are fine. Standard all-inclusive pours. If you care about craft cocktails or premium mezcal, you'll want to venture off-property to places like Acre or the bars in San Jose del Cabo. But for poolside margaritas at no additional cost, Riu delivers.

Rooms in the Palace tower are the ones you want. Upgraded finishes, ocean views, better pillows. The standard rooms are clean and functional but feel like a business hotel. The Palace upgrade is $50-80 more per night and worth it.

What Riu Does Well

• Pool scene: Multiple pools, including one with a swim-up bar. The energy is social without being Spring Break chaos. Good for couples and friend groups who want to meet people.
• Beach access: Direct, immediate, on the best beach in Cabo. This cannot be overstated.
• Price: Rates run $300-500/night all-inclusive for two people. Compare that to $1,500+ at Las Ventanas and you see the math.
• Convenience: Everything within walking distance. No taxi needed for nightlife, restaurants, or the marina.

What Riu Doesn't Do

Don't come here expecting butler service or a spa that changes your life. The spa is fine, basic treatments at reasonable prices. The service is friendly but not anticipatory. Nobody's memorizing your drink order. The architecture is modern and clean but not going to end up on any design blogs.

The entertainment program is the standard resort variety: poolside trivia, evening shows, theme nights. If that's your thing, great. If not, walk five minutes to downtown Cabo where the real nightlife lives.

Who Should Book Riu

Couples who want a lively atmosphere on the best beach in Cabo without spending $1,000+ per night. Friend groups who want all-inclusive convenience as a home base for exploring. People who'd rather spend their money on yacht charters and adventures than on their hotel room.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you want privacy, tranquility, or a resort that feels like a destination in itself, Riu isn't it. Look at Zadun for desert serenity, One&Only Palmilla for hacienda elegance, or Montage for family-friendly luxury with beach access. Or skip the resort entirely and rent a private villa where you set the rules.

The Smart Play

Book Riu for three nights as your social, beach-focused base. Then move to a private villa for the rest of your trip for the quiet, the pool, the chef, the sunset. Best of both worlds. This is what I recommend to clients who can't decide between resort energy and villa privacy.

Making the Most of Your Stay

Eat breakfast at the hotel (it's included, the omelette station is good). Then get off-property for lunch and dinner. Manta at The Cape is a $10 taxi ride and serves the best food in Cabo. Edith's is walking distance for a candlelit dinner. The fish taco stands on Lazaro Cardenas street are three blocks away and cost $2-3 per taco.

Book a yacht charter for one afternoon, a desert ATV tour for one morning, and spend the rest of your time between the pool and the beach. That's the perfect Riu itinerary.

Want help building the perfect Cabo trip? Start here or let our concierge team handle the details.