The upshot is: Pacifica is a beautiful resort. The grounds are manicured and zen-like. The rooms are great, the beds comfortable, and the amenities good. The employees seem friendly, outgoing, and helpful. There are no screaming kids. There are no kids, period! The food is delicious and resort-priced. The location and setting are superb. There are activities available and nice touches such as couches around a fire-pit, lit at night. Also, it appears that internet access is free. Would we come back? Yes, absolutely. Next time I’d bring water, a travel kettle and coffee/tea bags. The “good” has been covered well here at TA – so I’ll outline what I consider the “bad and the ugly” below – which amount to petty annoyances. Skip if you don’t want to hear negativity! I wish I’d been properly prepared for everything so thought I’d add my review.

We were so excited to be able to stay at the highly-rated Pueblo Bonita Pacifica for four days while we wait to get in to our timeshare-trade at Hacienda del Mar (which, from my reading here at TA, may warrant a review of its own!). But I must say, as gorgeous as the Pacifica is, it really is best summed up by the words of another reviewer who wrote that the Pacifica seems to be a vehicle to sell timeshare at the sister resort, Pueblo Bonita Sunset – also, by the way, a beautiful property.

We arrived for our third visit to the Cabo area, after a long and arduous series of flights from Canada. We hadn’t slept the previous night, were on the road by 4 a.m., one of our planes was delayed so the connection was a worry, and our luggage didn’t arrive with us (though American Airlines handled that very well). So when we finally reached Cabo we were frazzled and just looking forward to arriving at the hotel.

Anyway, things seem to have changed at the Cabo airport and in order to get to the taxis after leaving the baggage area we were forced to go through a sort of anteroom where we felt like balls in an arcade game, pinging off timeshare people who harangued us and misled us at every turn. They literally took us by the arm and dragged us hither and yon trying to get us to sign up for timeshare tours. We declined repeatedly and politely but these guys would not take “no” for an answer. A few more aggressive encounters and we finally reached the taxi stand that we were aiming for. Paid $18 USD each for our tickets and we were on our way.

(Another airport note: we were all told that we have to arrive three hours before our departure flight. I’m glad I booked a later flight home. The more skeptical in the group immediately said, so they can try and sell us more stuff…)

We arrived and the Pacifica looked fantastic! We were so tired at that point and were so looking forward to a swim or shower, some food, and a rest. We checked in at the front desk, no problem – the front desk fellow said, I’ll give you your keys in a minute, just go over to that desk across the lobby for your Welcome Package.

So we did. We sat down at the desk to receive our Welcome Package and instead were subjected to another timeshare spiel! We said politely, thank you but we are not interested, but the sales agent went on and on, each time we declined she pulled out more coupons and deepened the discounts she was offering. We were frankly quite annoyed by this point and it was an effort to extricate ourselves politely. I even resorted to pleading for our room key! That’s pretty sad!

Then she moved on to the final pitch: I work on commission and I need you to sign for this tour. We declined politely and said please, all we want is to go to our room. Then she said, why not just use the company’s gifts – it’s a win-win that way – you get a massage and I get my commission. It is apparent that they are all taking lessons from the same master! We heard the same lines all day.

We finally get to the room but of course sans luggage, so we went to explore the beautiful grounds and down to the pool area restaurant for lunch. Food was good, maybe a bit pricey, but it is a resort after all – however, the water was outrageously expensive. The server brought me a bottle that turned out to be c. $14 USD!! The cheapest you can buy at the resort restaurants is $9 USD for 1 liter.

So our first few hours were bad and really put a bad taste in our mouths – made us feel that regardless of which way we turned, we were going to be sold or ripped off.

Closer examination of our room (and don’t misunderstand me, the property is fantastic) showed some more signs of this type of pettiness.

Example one: The sign on the bar fridge that says, it’s not food-grade cool, and you will be charged if you move any of the items to make room for your own. One of the couples took out some cans and set them aside unopened, and they were indeed charged for those items. How difficult would it be for them to set the fridges to a lower temperature?

Example two: the water and drinks have stickers on them, so it’s not as though you can use their water and buy replacements in town. However, this is Mexico, so that may not be a bad thing.

Example three: most ironic and laugh-out-loud funny is a page in their Guest Services book saying: “Your attention please to this important message!” … “Unfortunately in any rapid growth area, the risk of over commercialization is a threat to the serenity that is part of the attraction to our beautiful capes. We feel that the aggressiveness and abundance of beach vendors are a threat to this ambiance, and are often known to not take a polite “no” for an answer….Please support us trying to discourage their practice by refusing to purchase any items from vendors on the beach.” Too bad this doesn’t extend to timeshare sales people.

Example four: there are other notices around saying that bringing food and water on to the property is prohibited.

And finally, I got turista – but my constitution’s not that strong and I find it difficult to blame the resort for that! Front desk assured me that it nearly “never” happens here…

All in all, a beautiful place, but it felt as though we were part of a timeshare shell game.

Overall - the most peaceful vacation I have ever been on.

First the bad: No surprises after reading trip advisor. Prices: They do nickel and dime you, they do charge for coffee and soft drink refills. However, after reading previous posts, we were armed with a suitcase full of snacks and our own coffee. Also, you cannot swim in the ocean.

On arriving to the hotel, we were "invited" to a timeshare breakfast. Although, we usually say no, after hearing about the prices, $200 in free food was pretty good. Plus $50 off the the spa and discounted activities. It was actually 2 hours, but the salesman was fun and we made no bones that we weren't interested. The presentation is at the sister resort the Sunset 5 minutes away, it was actually good in that it gave us a tour of the sunset and we returned several times as we liked its resturaunts. They are much cheaper than the pacifica, with food just as good.

The room was very nice. All the rooms are ocean view, there is no smoking in the hotel and there are no kids. This is by far the most relaxing vacation we have ever been on.

We did go on an excusion on the Pez Gato, a catamaran where we went sailing, it was only $24 each after the presentation with snorkling, free food and drink and lots of fun. The crew were great and made sure everyone had fun.

Overall we were quit impressed and will definately go back. If you have kids consider the Sunset as it is very nice, but there are kids there so be warned.

We had a wonderful time and didn't want to leave! The staff was extremely friendly and for the most part spoke superb English. We are thinking of returning in December. Pacifica has one restaurant, deli and poolside cafe. I can't forget the wine bar ...we didn't get an opportunity to check it out. We were able to dine at other Pueblo Bonita properties, i.e., Sunset, Blanco and Rose. The food was outstanding! We encountered an extremely rude timeshare salesman... that aside our stay was great. There are free shuttles to the other Pueblo properties, however, be sure to reserve the ride with the concierge. Downtown activities are a short walk from the PB Rose property. The couples massage was out of this world, it should only be accompanied with the VIP package which includes sparkling wine and fruit and an additional hour of solitude to enjoy the hot tub. - WOW! Every room has an ocean view. Because of severe undertow, swimming in the ocean isn't permitted.

The Pacifica provided the most romantic, incredible vacation I've ever had in my life - I was so sad to leave!!! It's impossible not to feel relaxed at this place, the entire resort creates a peaceful ambiance that lends itself perfectly to a calming, romantic getaway. I think my boyfriend and I were the youngest ones there (we're both in our early 20s), but I really feel like this place is perfect for people of any age that are looking to relax poolside with a few pina coladas rather than pound shots among a ton of crazy drunkards. We mozied into town twice to have some drinks and do a little shopping, but after a bit we'd find ourselves wanting to head back to our little paradise resort. Such an amazing "home" to come back to. And the fact that we were EXCITED that Hurricane Henrietta did us a nice little favor by forcing us to stay for 2 more days definitely says something about the place, dontcha think? :)

P.S. Yes, the tempura shrimp tacos at the pool bar ARE as good as everyone says. We ate them EVERY day for lunch!! I am now on a mission to learn how to make them at home.