My mother, myself and my son stayed at the Riu Cabo San Lucas from August 20-August 31, 2005. The riu is situated about 20 mins from San Jose Del Cabo (34 dollar taxi ride each way) and 10 mins to Cabo San Lucas (10 dollar taxi ride each way). Cabo San Lucas is the party town with the famous CAbo Wabo, Squide Roe, Hard Rock Cafe, Ruth Chris's and other restaurants and night clubs.

I have been to many all-inclusive hotels AND I must say that this was by far the best hotel ever. I have read many of the reviews, some negative about the food. I cannot imagine how people can complain about the food. All the restaurants were very good. If you were unhappy with your meal in a restaurant, you could then go to the buffet for food. Lunch had many choices - Always a salad bar, pizza. multiple types of fish, pasta, tortillas, cheeses ( many different types), meats, shrimp. hamburgers, All there choices were available every day. I cannot believe that one reviewer stated that there were not many choices. I cannot imagine that she has that many choices at home. NOTE: Although all the literature that I read said that men had to wear long pants, I saw many men in shorts going to the buffet at all meals, and into the restaurants with shorts on. Dress is casual. At breakfast and lunch most people ate in their bathing suits with cover ups on and men with a t shirt.

The hotel rooms were absolutely beautiful. We had a junior suite with 2 double beds. There are double sinks in the bathroom with granite counter tops, built in hairdryer, built in large tiltable magnifying mirror, tub/shower that is surrounded in granite. A huge closet with at least 40 hangers!! The beds were firm and the pillows wonderful (some thick and some thinner so that you can pick) There was a very warm fleece blanket in the room if you are bunking with someone else who jacks up the air conditioning. We had more towels than we knew what to do with. A shampoo dispenser is full in the shower/tub area, and hair conditioner and body lotion is provided daily. There is a mini bar with 4 bottles of alcohol (tequilla, rum, vodka and brandy) Refrigerator with Coronas, pepsi, diet pepsi, orange crush and bottles spring water. All mini bar items are included in all - inclusive pricing. In addition, continental breakfast via room service was included if desired. I would have coffee and several pastries delivered early and then hit the absolutely exquisite breakfast buffet later. The watermellon carvings were amazing. Some can be seen if you go to the Riu website and check out the pics for this hotel.

My son had a terrific time. There were people from the unitied states, mexico, and the caribean that I met. People were all ages and all sizes. I met honeymooners, young families. older couples. and at least 10 woman that were 6 months or more pregnant. The pools were incredible. They appeared to be almost 1 1/2 times the length of an olympic swimming pool. There were two alcoves in each pool with jacuzzi jets, as well as built in "Tiled beds" so that you can suntan while being submerged in 8 inches of water. The pools are infinite pools overlooking the ocean on the ocean end. In addition to the 2 large pools, were 2 adult pools at the 2 poolside bars with stools and tables to sit at. At the pool there was never a problem finding at least 5 beach loungers together - all have cusions and umbrellas. In addition there are beach loungers, cushions and umbrellas on the beach if you chose to go there. Infortunately, the water is too rough and swimming is not recommended at the beach. Still.... some people did try. There is a swimmable beach that is a 10 minute walk along the beach to the right of the hotel where swimming is safe. Large beach towels are provided and can be exchanged multiple times throughout the day for dry ones if needed. The pool was fine by me, waiters come every 10 mins to bring your drinks.... no tipping, no paying as this is all incluced!! There are ping pong tables at the pool area to use. I must say, the service at the pool was unbeatable and many people tipped the servers anyway, on their last day of vacation, as they treated all of us like royalty.

The entire hotel is open, without doors. All the walkways are done in beautiful tiling - I advise ladies to leave the stilleto heels at home as the tiles can be slick if wet. Everywhere throughout the hotel, one can find a plump comfortable cusioned chair to sit and read a good book, to play cards, or to listen to the ocean.

At night time, there is always entertainment. There were Mexican dancers, singers, talent show, bands etc... There is a disco also, and early in the evening they show movies for the children. There were people of all ages at this resort. The environment was so relaxed that everyone, staff and guests, were friendly and happy to be around. The evening entertainment is held in the middle of the hotel which is opened to the outside and has 2 bars and waitress service for your drinks (again no tipping as this is included) The drinks were fabulous always with a fresh pinapple or peice of fruit. In addition, the bar tenders made wonderful "Virgin" drinks for the kids. My son just loved going to the bar and getting a strawberry-banana milkshake whenever he felt the urge!!

There is no need to leave the resort. If snorkeling is an interest, go to the website for baja wild. This is the major company offering snorkeling and kayaking excursions. We booked our excursion at the hotel lobby, however, it would have been nice to have looked this up prior to my arrival. We went on the all day kayaking and snorkeling excursion through baja wild. It Was 95.00 per person which included a light breakfast, lunch, transportation and kayaks and snorkeling equipment. I had never kayaked before and was apprehensive as I am not the best athelete and neither is my mother. The water was calm at this spot and was very east to kayak. The drive unfortunately is almost 2 hours each way to get to the location, but definitely worth it!! (The last 10 mins is on a very bumpy dirt road to the beach on the sea of cortez. There are no hotels or homes on the beach where the kayaking and snorkeling is. The water is crystal clear, beautiful and very calm. The landscape is not marked with buildings and was breathtaking. I recommend doing this!!!

I booked my shuttles to and from the airport online with cabos dot com website. I was sent an email with specific instructions where to go and was greeted by a person holding a sign with my name on it. All that I needed was a copy of the confirmation and we were on our way, Shuttle was $90.00 for three people inclusive both ways to and from the airport. They arrived on time to bring us back to the airport, and did not require a confirmation phone call.

One warning, after you go through customs at the Cabo Airport, go straight outside and catch your shuttle. You will be greeted by very aggressive salesmen wanting to sell you a time share. The salesmen will tell you that your shuttle will be there in 30 mins and that you have to wait with them inside. This is a ploy. Just ask for ID, and if they do not have your shuttle companies logo on their ID badge or sewn on their shirt, then they have nothing to do with your shuttle company and just want to sucker you into hearing their sales pitch.

I hope that this information is helpful to you. If you need any further information, you can go directly to the riu web site and get the hotel phone number. I called them several times with questions as different web sites had different information on them.... some correct and some incorrect. I forgot to mention, there is a kids club with a nice building by the pool area. My son did not take advantage of it, however, many others were pleased with their services which were "also included" I cannot tell you have wonderful this vacation was. I felt like a queen as the service was impeccable, the hotel beautiful, and Cabo is Fabulous!!!