Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, MXFamily friendly
Our take
Family‑friendly all‑inclusive beachfront resort with pools, spa, kids club and party vibe
- 692 rooms
- 7 dining venues listed
- ~45 min from SJD
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Resort facts & overview
- Location
- Cabo San Lucas, MX
- Audience
- Family friendly
- Brand
- RIU Hotels & Resorts
- Rooms
- 692
- Dining listed
- 7 venues
- Airport
- SJD
- Transfer
- ~45 min
- Reno
- Reno 2016
Why travelers love it
“Family‑friendly all‑inclusive beachfront resort with pools, spa, kids club and party vibe”
Guests praise attentive, friendly service and varied dining options. Pools and swim‑up bars are a highlight for families and social travelers, despite occasional maintenance issues.
Food & drink
StrongEndless options across a strong buffet and multiple à la carte venues, with Krystal, the steakhouse, and L'Italiano drawing the loudest praise. Expect to arrive early since no reservations means waits can stretch long at prime times.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Buffet variety impresses at breakfast and dinner
- Krystal, Japanese, Italian and steakhouse standouts
- Poolside tacos and fresh fish
- Real-brand liquor, not watered down
Heads up
- No reservations means long waits at peak hours
- A few call dinner buffet bland
- Wines and margaritas can be hit or miss
Dining overview
Dining options include a main buffet with live cooking stations, themed restaurants (Fusion, Japanese, Indian, Mexican), and a poolside steakhouse. The resort also has seven bars and a 'Capuchino' pastry and ice cream shop.
7 documented dining venues
Main buffet
international with live cooking stations, breakfast, lunch, and dinner
L'Italiano
Italian à la carte, dinner
Asian restaurant
Japanese and pan-Asian, dinner
Counts and access can vary by source and room tier.
Beach
MixedPostcard-worthy views of the Sea of Cortez, but the surf drops off dangerously fast and swimming is off-limits at the resort's stretch. Walk about 20 minutes for a swimmable beach or plan to stay in the pools.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Stunning ocean and cliff views
- Long soft-sand stretch great for morning walks
- Balinese beach beds with private server for $58
- Swimmable beach within 20-minute walk
Heads up
- No swimming due to steep drop-off and waves
- Some prefer sister resorts' beach access
The hotel sits directly on El Medano, the wide, soft-sand beach that's the most popular and swimmable stretch in Cabo San Lucas, with views toward the Arch. Note that surf along this coast can still be strong depending on the day, and some guests report waves too big to comfortably swim in.
Pools
StrongMultiple large pools with lively swim-up bars anchor the resort and rarely feel packed. Tile work and edges are showing wear and the whole pool complex is due for a refresh.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Several pools spread across the property
- Swim-up bars with standout bartenders
- Cool, refreshing water temperatures
- Balinese-style beds and loungers plentiful
Heads up
- Tiles falling off, sharp edges reported
- Overdue for renovation
- Towel service not at every pool
Multiple pools including two with swim‑up bars and children’s pools; an infinity pool and one outdoor hot tub are on property; spa pools included
Photo: www.riu.com
Rooms & suites
692 roomsOver 600 rooms with minibar, beverage dispenser, balcony or terrace; includes swim‑out Junior Suites with private pool and Jacuzzi sea‑view suites (post‑2016 renovation)
Double Room
Standard entry-level room with one king or two double beds, balcony or terrace, and garden or partial views. Some guests note the décor feels dated and rooms can run dark.
- View:Garden view
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +balcony or terrace
- +minibar
- +beverage dispenser
Double Room Ocean View
Same layout as the standard double but positioned for direct views of El Medano beach and the Sea of Cortez. The view is the main reason to book this tier.
- View:Ocean view
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +ocean-facing balcony
- +minibar
- +beverage dispenser
Junior Suite
Larger layout with a separate sitting area and balcony or terrace. Some Junior Suites have swim-out access to a shared pool, and select sea-view suites added in the 2016 renovation include a Jacuzzi.
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +sitting area
- +balcony or terrace
- +Jacuzzi in select suites
- +swim-out access in select suites
Room details here are AI-assisted, compiled from the resort's own website and public sources. Categories and names change often — confirm the exact room when you book.
Room photos
Photo: www.riu.com
What’s included
StrongFor a Cabo all-inclusive with real liquor, endless food and included airport transfers via Riu Class, the price-to-experience ratio lands well. Repeat guests are the loudest evidence.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Included airport transfers via Riu Class
- Genuine premium liquor pours
- Many repeat visitors returning yearly
- Strong food quality across venues
Heads up
- Rooms and pools starting to feel dated
- Balinese beach beds and some extras cost extra
Package inclusions and upgrade access have not been collected yet. Confirm them for your room and dates when booking.
Amenities & activities
Couples
Good fitA solid pick for anniversaries and honeymoons when you want ocean views, champagne on arrival and a lively but not raucous vibe. Just know grad-trip crowds occasionally spill into the pool deck and can dent the romance.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Champagne and strawberries for special occasions
- Ocean-view junior suites with dramatic Sea of Cortez views
- La Ventana bar great for sunset drinks
- Balinese beach beds bookable for two
Heads up
- Grad-party groups can disrupt the mood
- Not swimmable at the resort beach
- One honeymooner reported uneven service treatment
Families
Good fitMultigenerational trips work well here thanks to spacious rooms, multiple pools and enough activity to keep young adults happy. Younger kids have less dedicated programming, so this suits teens and adult children better than toddlers.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Connecting rooms available
- Multiple pools rarely feel crowded
- Activities span all ages
- Easy layout to navigate with a group
Heads up
- Limited structured programming for young children
- Ocean not safe for swimming
- Party atmosphere at times not ideal for little ones
Peace & Quiet
MixedThe vibe leans lively with Riu-signature pool parties and access to the rowdier Santa Fe next door, but the North side and shoulder-season stays feel genuinely peaceful. You choose your energy by choosing your pool and room location.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- North-side rooms noticeably quieter
- May and shoulder season feel under half full
- Location 10 minutes from town keeps street noise out
- Beach walks are calm and scenic
Heads up
- Grad and wedding groups bring loud pool days
- Pool parties audible from courtyard rooms
Beyond the pools and beach, the resort includes a Renova Spa, gym, kids' club, nightly entertainment, a disco, and the higher-tier Elite Club by RIU upgrade for guests who want a more exclusive experience. Non-motorized water sports and an introductory scuba lesson in the pool are typically included.
Water sports included
- snorkeling
- kayaking
- paddleboarding
- windsurfing
- introductory scuba lesson in pool
Resort amenities
What guests say
High confidence497 reviews · through Nov 2026
Read all reviews on TripAdvisor ↗Google ↗
Consistently praised
Recurring complaints
Best suited for
What past guests say
“Neon Night was great!”
★★★★★
“We had a great time, from the food to the drinks no complaints. No shade in any of the pools so wear a hat. Rooms are older but functional, great views. Gym equipment old and worn out, in the palace so use santa fe they have newer equipment. Beach swimming not recommended due to strong tides and short shores so swim in town its safer. They always try to keep customers engaged and entertained and put on some good shows. Plus you have access to the other 2 neighboring riu resorts. Over all we...”
★★★★★
★★★★★
“One of the best Riu resorts I’ve ever stayed at! I’ve visited Rius in Cancun and the Dominican Republic, but this one tops them all. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Carolina at reception for helping us change rooms, and Tony at the buffet, who deserves a promotion! His service and attitude were outstanding.<br><br>The buffet was honestly the best I’ve experienced at an all-inclusive. Most specialty restaurants were average, but the Sushi House was delicious....”
★★★★★
“It surpassed all my expectations. We stayed here for 3 nights and each meal, drink and entertainment was amazing. We will be staying here and other Riu resorts again.”
★★★★★
Latest reviews from Tripadvisor
Loaded live from Tripadvisor when you ask — the newest reviews and the current rating.
Ratings breakdown
Read all reviews on Google (14,701) ↗
Ask Rosie
Have a specific question about Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas?
Rosie answers from this resort’s guest reviews and our research — with quotes.
Know before you book
- rooms feel dated and some report AC issues
- long waits at à la carte restaurants with no reservations allowed
- buffet food described as decent but unspectacular
- WiFi unreliable for work
Location
Km. 4.5 Camino Viejo a San Jose, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, 23453, Mexico
View on Google Maps →What you should know
What to Know
Book the free Riu Class airport shuttle, arrive 10 minutes before restaurants open since none take reservations, and request a North-side higher-floor room if you want quiet. The property is aging in spots and check-in can be slow when flights land in waves.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Free airport transfers with Riu Class enrollment
- North-side rooms are quieter
- Bracelet grants access to Santa Fe and Baja California next door
- Uber into town is quick and cheap
Heads up
- No restaurant reservations, expect waits
- Check-in bottlenecks at peak arrival times
- Room assignments sometimes differ from booking
- Isolated reports of in-room theft and pest issues
WATCH OUT: Seasonal heads-up
- Hurricane season runs June through November, with peak risk in September
- Spring break (late February through March) brings a much younger, livelier crowd to the adjacent Riu properties
- Whale-watching season runs roughly December through April off the Cabo coast
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is about 45 minutes away — pre-book a shuttle or private transfer since taxis from the airport are notoriously expensive. The à la carte restaurants operate first-come, first-served, so arrive right when they open or plan to wait. Tipping isn't required but is genuinely appreciated by staff, and small US bills work well. If you want a quieter trip, this is the calmer of the three adjacent Riu properties — Santa Fe and Baja California next door are where most of the spring-break crowd parties.
Good to know
- El Medano is one of the few swimmable beaches in Cabo, but surf can still get rough on windy days
- À la carte restaurants don't accept reservations — expect waits at peak times
- This is the quietest of the three adjacent Riu Cabo properties; Santa Fe and Baja California next door run a livelier party scene
- The 24-hour all-inclusive includes premium liquor and room-service snacks
- Property is older and some rooms feel dated — request a renovated or ocean-view room if it matters to you
All photos
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
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What we know
Everything below comes from data we collected: here's the inventory for this resort.Updated October 2026- Photos
- 24
- Review excerpts
- 20
- Dining venues
- 7
- Menus
- Not yet collected
- Room categories
- 4
- Videos
- 2
- Editorial lenses
- 8
We aggregate. We don't trap. Verify on any of these:
Where this data comes from
We tell you what we know, and what we don't.
- Last updated
- October 16, 2026
- Sources
- Official resort siteGoogle PlacesTripadvisorDirect resort media
- Completeness
- 83%
Source collection snapshot
These collection totals can differ from the items available on this page. Video totals include screened results; the inventory above counts published tours.
- 24 photos
- 3 dining venues
- 29 videos