My husband and I honeymooned in Cabo and stayed the bulk of our stay at the Villa del Palmar. I was terrified from reading all the reviews on this site, but it turned out to be decent....not nearly as bad as I expected. There were a few snags, but the were quickly resolved. We actually rented from an owner so that might have helped. Additionally, we were there from May 20-27 so we didn't run into any of the 'Spring Break' type teenage fiascos that some people have mentioned on the site. (Suggestion - if you want to avoid that, don't travel to spring break locations during spring break time).
We had no problem checking in....no long lines. the room wasn't ready when we got there, but that was no big deal, we had worn our swimsuits, so went and had lunch and sat around with fruity cocktails.
when the room was ready, we were disappointed to find that we had been given 2 double beds instead of 1 queen bed. Our bellhop, Eilai, was on the phone immediately trying to help us, but was told that they wouldn't have any available until the next day. this wasn't a huge deal to us...only a minor inconvenience. early the next morning, we went to the UVC office on the grounds and explained the situation....within minutes our room was changed. We actually ended up with a better view and a quieter room.
yes, the doors are loud when they close....but we never had a problem with getting woken up by them.
the pools are nice - much nicer next door at La Estancia....but fun. it was geared towards a younger crowd with daily bingo and tequila volleyball, but we're early 30's and didn't mind that...we actually had fun with it. if that's not your cup of tea, then don't stay here...it's every day.
the restaurants were ok.....nothing spectacular, but definitely hit the spot at times (great cheeseburgers for a hang over!). watch the bartenders on drinks though....very very little alcohol in a huge glass of ice or mixer.
everything is really expensive, all resort pricing...not nearly worth the value. i suggest only buying small amounts of stuff at the on site grocery and taking a cab to nearby City Club. it's like a costco or sam's. you can buy a one day membership and get everything you need for a week. Liquor and beer super cheap - my husband and i did this and no doubt saved a ton of money.
We did do the timeshare thing but really it was worth it...we got to see two other gorgeous resorts in Cabo and in return paid about 1/3 price for both scuba and golf. we thought the time was well worth the reward.
We never really had too much of a problem with vendors or timeshare people...yeah, they're everywhere, but just say No gracias, and keep walking. i'm a new yorker, so i'm kinda used to doing that.
the hotel is too far really to walk into town...you cna, but you'll be sweating buckets by the time you get there. taxi's back and forth are $7 each way.
Pretty much everyone speaks English and they actually prefer dollars over pesos. I thought that kinda took away from the point of being in a different country, but that's what happens they they "tourist-ize" a place. it was disappointing to me, but might be great for others.
great places in town - on the Marina - Barometro....couches on the marina and one of the best Mojitos this side of Cuba! Lorenzillos'....expensive, but totally worth it for a nice nice meal out. Senor Greenburgs - perfect hung over breakfast...diner type. Cabo Wabo - we didn't eat here, but was a great party crowd on a tuesday night. mixed ages - not a bunch of teeny-boppers, stiff drinks.
for shopping, i would suggest the flea market on the main street for silver and pottery. you can haggle like crazy and get really really great deals. also the Plaza Paradio mall on the Marina is nice, but overpriced.
Lovers beach - this is beautiful, but bring lots of sunscreen. also, the water can be rough and you need to be able to get yourself back into a boat while you're standing in water b/c there is no place for the water taxi's to come on the beach to load you up.
Cuadra San Francisco - great for horseback riding. they treat the horses wonderfully, and the people couldn't be nicer.
Scuba - either pay the extra money or do a timeshare presentation to get a good deal, but i highly suggest going to Cabo Pulmo. It's gorgeous. a 2 hour trek by van, but well worth it. the water was a little cloudy the day we were there, but from what they told us, that's not the norm.
Buccaneer Queen pirate ship - if you're in the mood for some cheezy fun on a sunset booze cruise, then this is it. We LOVED this...it was really a lot of fun and we got the most beautiful pictures of the sunset.
We loved Cabo, but probably won't be back. Mainly because of the expense. We can go to the Caribbean for a lot cheaper and find some of the same things with a shorter flight. but it was so much fun while we were there!
***the first 3 days, we stayed at Los Milagros in town....see my review on that one too!

Although I stayed at VDP in March 2006 I just read some very bad reviews of Villa Del Palmar and decided to put my comments since some of the reviews I read were soooo negative. My husband and me took this trip unexpectedly in early March because a coworker had two studio timeshares at this resort to rent for her daughter who had to cancel her trip due to a work commintment. I can't tell you how happy me and my husband were as well as another coworker and three of her girlfriends. She is in her late 30s, her gf in her late 20s and her cousin and a friend of hers in their early 20s. My husband me me are in our late 40s. This vacation was a long needed celebration for my husband since he had had major foot surgery in September 2005 and had a 5-month recuperation. By the way, this was perfect time to go because the rolling spring break was just starting and there were only maybe a hundred students from Purdue, Wisconsin, USC, University of Arizona and a couple of other schools. East Coast schools still have to discover Cabo!! Sure we had some noise but no more than we have when go to the beach in the summer and nothing we had to call security over!

First and foremost, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!! This should be a given with whatever vacation you're taking. We reserved our airport shuttles through the hotel in advance. We reserved a deep sea fishing trip on the El Budster in ADVANCE and were not disappointed. My husband caught a striped marlin and it was the best experience of his life and it was a catch and release boat. We had no intention of keeping the fish or having it stuffed! We preordered our food for the room and saved 20% by doing so.

For our next stay in September, we will only order breakfast foods because you can't beat the prices at the beach places Tabascos and the Office on the Beach. As for liquor, you can get it at the hotel store or for a very good price at the Europa liquor store on the marina - carry it back after enjoying the marina. Mangos was very crowded with early spring breakers but it was fun people watching. We didn't do a lot of tourist waking in Cabo because of my husband's foot but my friends did and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Cabo Wabo, Squid Roe, Margarita-Villa (NOT Margaritaville) and other downtown establishments.

Cabo is really a place for the 55 and under set. I can't say that I'd recommend it for the faint at heart or the older generation who want total peace and quiet. The activities directors really try to keep things moving all day long and are great at the evening events too. I think it was Andrea who I thought did an outstanding job. There was a 10 year old who couldn't be happier when she won pool bingo two days in a row!!

The pool areas are very inviting and I think they're close together to keep people involved. We had outstanding wait staff. I even asked them how the resort treated them as employees and they said very good!! We didn't even mind the beach vendors from whom I bought some lovely things. I will recommend that if you like to drink that you DO purchase the all inclusive package because based on liquor consumption alone, it's worth the price and they don't skimp on the alcohol in their drinks, especially the Pina Coladas!!

My biggest mistake was NOT doing the timeshare talk as soon as we arrived because we would have saved money on the Caribbean and Mexican Fiesta nights as well as other things. When we finally did our timeshare talk, the day before we left, I was able to get free outside massages which were a nice way to end the vacation as well as a couple of boat trips. I agree with another reviewer though that you should speak with the beach guys about timeshares. They can get you good deals - some of those deals will amaze you!! They got my coworker and her friend FREE surfing lessons that included transportation to and from - they were happy beyond belief with this all day adventure.

There were some things we didn't do that we can't wait to do when we go back. Although we had eight days, it wasn't enough time for "first timers" to see and do everything this area has to offer. We will probably rent a car the next time to take in San Jose Del Cabo to experience the true Mexican side, to go to Todos Santos to see the real "Hotel California" and to be able to stop at some of the artisan places along the way. I'm looking forward to spending a more time in downtown Cabo.

Just so you know, this is a cruise ship stop and if the ships are in port, hold off going to the beautiful Puerto Paraiso Mall until they leave or later in the day. The leather store in the mall has some very good prices. The mall has some typical restaurants and chain stores that the shipgoers apparently patronize, i.e. Johnny Rockets, the Cabo Harley store, etc. etc. I strongly recommend Senor Sweets for some gelato. Eat at a restaurant near the Marina. There is an artisan's market on the other side of the Marina and you might want to go after lunch to shop and to see fishermen with their catches of the day lifted at the weigh station.

We met a great couple honeymooning couple from Indana who we invited to come on our deep sea fishing trip and we can't wait to get together with them again. Smiles to Jason and Crystal!! I think we made some life long friends. Although we welcomed a granddaughter this past September, it will be nice to share the firsts in their life and to travel with them again. They'll keep us young forever!

As for sunrises - they are soooo gorgeous. We stayed on the outside sunrise side of VDP in a studio and the pictures we got were gorgeous! I loved seeing the cruise ships coming in and because of this took my first cruise with a girlfriend from Chicago this past May. The sunsets from the deck bar at Villa Del Arco were gorgeous too and a nice way to spend an early evening while having a cocktail.

We did buy a timeshare at VDP but not through VDP. We came home and I found a 1BR unit for sale online and we bought it!! A timeshare tip though. The salespeople can be high pressure. We definitely weren't in a position to buy one when we went and Villa Del Arco, the new sister resort, is beautiful. I liked the kitchens at VDP better. Our studio at VDP was clean, our maid was wonderful. Our studio had one queen size bed and a couch, chair and table for two. We loved having our breakfast on the balcony in the early morning! Perfect for us since we're early risers. My coworker had a studio with two queen size beds which was perfect for her party.

Don't judge one person's vacation by another except that if you are looking for total peace and quiet, this may not be the place for you but then again you can always go on the beach on the side of the hotel where the volleyball is. Remember you're on VACATION!! Just have fun and get involved. Talk to people. Make new friends. Do things you might not otherwise do!! You will not see these people again unless you become friends and come back again and again and again!! I've resolved to introduce myself to at least a couple of people no matter where I go the rest of my life. Otherwise, life will get very lonely in the end. Besides that, by doing this, you put a smile on their faces too!

One thing, remember this is the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean. Think Endless Summer and the surfing in the Pacific. It is not the Caribbean so the water is not as warm and there can be rip currents so if you're not a strong swimmer, be aware! If you're swimming in Cabo with small children, use the pools or go down the beach to The Office where they have a roped off safe swimming area. Also, near the Office is where you can rent wave runners and ride the banana boats. Glass Bottom boats run all the time as do boats to Lovers Beach. We were so caught up in relaxing we didn't get to Lovers Beach but we'll be going there in September. Just ask to go when it's low tide on the Pacific Side!!

Go to Cabo and enjoy!

My family just got back from Villa Del Palmar, have to say after reading these reviews was a little worried before we got there but I must say I was delightfullly surprised. The resort is an average resort, however, the views of the Sea of Cortez (which it sits on is amazing) The rock, is right there, as well as all of the activitiy.

The rooms are huge, we had a one bedroom, two bath, the living room is gigantic with a sleep sofa. Full kitchen amenities. The bathrooms are marble. The staff is AMAZING! The activities staff has so many things for you to do (only if you want to), but I have a 22 year old and a 19 year old and they joined in everything. They had such a good time. Nightlife in Cabo is amazing especially for that age group. We even joined them a few nights at Cabo Wabo and El Squid Roe and Nowhere Bar and Giggling Marlin, fun places!

The restaurants at the hotel are acceptable, however, the breakfast at the Baja, so good. The pizza there so good. We did an all inclusive through the resort for 4 of the days that we were there and it really paid off for us, but like I said that age group can eat. Market and shops are on site of the resort so we stocked up on water, corona, milk, cereal, and snacks. Prices are average. Coffee shop and internet cafe right there also. As well as washer and dryers. The boys did the atv and jet skis through Baja, great time.

When you get to the airport, make sure you have travel arranged though and don't listen to the people inside the airport that say I am your travel guy, they are not telling the truth. Go outside that is where your travel guy will be waiting. We did the 90 minutes and yes that is all it was time share thing at Villa del Arco, took the place is beautiful and well worth the price, if you already have time shares like we do, it wasn't for us but highly recommend for those that don't and love Cabo.

The staff at Villa del Palmar is extremely friendly and helpful. Langugage is not a problem, most speak enough english to be able to communicate. Highly recommend this place, don't listen to the pretentious people on here that have given it poor ratings, I have been to many places and this was great. If you want ultimate luxury and to be in bed before 10, you don't belong in Cabo.

This was our second year at staying at this hotel. Each year we had an ocean view. I don't know why anyone would stay in a resort on the beach and not get an ocean view room?

Yes, while we did tour the sister properties next door..... Villa La Estancia (last year) and Villa Del Arco (this year) and yes!!! They are beautiful!!! They were both built in the last two years!!! We would have loved to stay at either one of those properties but for the extra money it wasn't worth it to us. We went to Cabo to relax, enjoy, and have fun not sit in the room and talk about how wonderful the architecture was.

Anyways, back to Villa Del Palmar. Like I said it was our second year staying there and we loved it. We booked through Costco and still the cheapest price around. And they guarantee an OCEAN VIEW!!! We had no problems checking in and loved the room they gave us. One thing about Villa Del Palmar is that all the rooms have a full kitchen so you can prepare your own lunch and bring it down to the pool.

THere is a handy little market on the property to buy a few things...although kind of pricey.

And yes, the timeshare thing was annoying but we were prepared and bargained our little booties off. They gave us free access to the gym all week (normally $8 a day pp). Also they gave us tickets to ride the 4 wheelers for $40.00 for 4 people. yes that is $10 pp. So we took the tour and yes it was longer than 90 mins but we got to see the new property of Villa Del Arco. I don't think the timeshare thing was any worse than the other properties in Cabo. It is a racquet down there and you just have to be prepared.

Our room was modest but nice. We are young thirty somethings and not at all stuck up. We wanted some place clean, friendly, and fun. If you are looking for high end this would not be the place to go. The maid service was perfect. They came every day and did wonders on our room. One day we put the Do-not-Disturb sign on the door and left it there all day. About 4pm they even called us to make sure we didn't want our room cleaned. We called housekeeping to ask for more pillows and they were there within 5 minutes.

The hotel is about a 15 min walk from downtown or a $7 taxi ride. At night when it was cooler we walked but during the heat of the day we took a taxi.

The hotel has a theme night party every night. Usually around $30 pp. We passed on everything except the last night we were there we did splurge and do the "Beach Party." Boy was it worth it. They had an awesome BBQ on the beach with a live band and games. The hotel entertainment staff was wonderful. All you can eat and drink!

I would stay there a 3rd time without any worries. We were happy the first time we went and just as happy the second time.