Hotel Riu Palace Baja California
Riu Palace Baja California is an adults-only all-inclusive on El Medano beach that has built a following among travelers who want a Cabo resort with real social energy. Four pools, the Sunset swim-up bar and a busy daytime activity program keep the pool deck lively, and guests get free entry to RIU Party events at the neighbouring Riu Santa Fe. Riu also advertises a Pacha nightclub as part of the entertainment. The Cabo San Lucas Marina is about 4.5 km away, and El Arco is a short boat ride off the beach.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Adults-only property in Cabo that hits a sweet spot between social pool energy and actual relaxation, without children changing the vibe
- +Eight restaurants and seven bars: the Promenade buffet plus Agave (Mexican), Yu Hi (Asian), Krystal (gourmet), Sofia (Italian) and the Guacamole steakhouse, so a week-long stay rarely repeats a dinner
- +Four pools, including the Sunset swim-up bar, plus the Tropicana pool bar and the Daiquiri bar's sunset terrace
- +Free entry to RIU Party events at the neighbouring Riu Santa Fe, the cluster's big-ticket night out, without leaving the Riu complex
- +24-hour all-inclusive, with Lounge24 serving drinks and snacks around the clock
- +Renova Spa with complimentary steam bath and relax pool, plus free gym access and RIU Fit group classes
- +Right on El Medano beach, about 4.5 km from the Cabo San Lucas Marina and a short boat ride from El Arco
Cons
- −You cannot swim off the resort's own stretch of sand: Riu says the beach swimming area is about 2 km away, so the pools are where you actually swim
- −Beach vendors are a persistent complaint: they approach loungers directly and are described as relentless, a problem across Cabo's public beaches
- −The cross-resort specialty dining exchange is gone: an October 2026 guest review on Riu's own page notes you can no longer book specialty restaurants at the other Cabo Riu hotels
- −Repeat guests say the building is showing wear (September 2026): loose outlets, worn blackout drapes, missing hallway tiles and tired paint
- −Seagulls around the pool deck can be bold enough to take food, an issue management has struggled to solve
- −The social crowd means hallways can be loud late into the night, which light sleepers may find frustrating
- −Dinner can be a squeeze at peak hours; some guests report popular à la carte venues filling up, so eat early or stay flexible
- −About 40 km and roughly an hour from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), and the décor reads functional rather than luxurious next to Cabo's newer high-end resorts
The practical side is solid with some rough edges. There are eight restaurants and seven bars, from the Promenade buffet to Agave, Yu Hi, Krystal, Sofia and the Guacamole steakhouse, and the 24-hour all-inclusive includes Lounge24 around the clock. Food reviews run from above average for the tier to sharply disappointed, so expect some inconsistency. The beach is for sunbathing rather than swimming, since Riu places the swimming area about 2 km from the hotel, and vendors work the sand persistently. Splash Water World belongs to the family-friendly Riu Santa Fe next door, not to this hotel, and as of 2026 guests say specialty dining at the other Cabo Riu hotels is no longer allowed. Repeat visitors in September 2026 also noted worn fixtures and tired paint.
This resort suits couples and friend groups who want a lively, party-adjacent adults-only Cabo stay with plenty of dining choice and easy access to the Riu Santa Fe party scene. If you want a serene romantic retreat or polished luxury, the hallway noise and functional décor will feel off, and resorts such as Marquis Los Cabos or One&Only Palmilla aim far higher at a much higher price. Riu Palace Baja California wins on value, pool life and nightlife access, and the Elite Club rooms add better views, a private lounge and an exclusive restaurant for those who want a step up.
Common Questions
Is Riu Palace Baja California really adults-only?
Can you swim in the ocean at the resort?
Does the resort have a water park?
Can we eat at the other Riu hotels in Cabo?
What is the nightlife situation like?
How long is the transfer from the airport?
Restaurants (7)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Promenade |
| Mexican | Agave |
| Italian | Sofia |
| Asian | Yu Hi |
| Steakhouse | Guacamole |
| American & grill | Pepe's Food |
| International & fusion | Krystal |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Medano Beach3 min walk · 0.1 mi
Palmilla Golf Club30 min drive · 15 mi
Santa Maria Beach20 min drive · 6.7 mi
8 min drive · 2.5 mi
Cabo San Lucas Natural History Museum7 min drive · 2.7 mi
Marina Cabo San Lucas8 min drive · 2.5 mi
More things to do (24)
- Chileno Beach · beach15 min drive · 7.6 mi
- Monuments Beach · beach9 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Playa del Estero · beach35 min drive · 21 mi
- Sunset catamaran cruise · excursion8 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Snorkel cruise to Santa Maria Bay · excursion8 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Glass-bottom boat to El Arco and Lover's Beach · excursion8 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Snorkeling at Pelican Rock · excursion8 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Sportfishing charter · excursion8 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Iglesia de San Lucas · historic site8 min drive · 2.7 mi
- Cabo San Lucas · town9 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Cabo Dolphins · adventure park9 min drive · 3.1 mi
- Cabo del Sol Golf · golf14 min drive · 5.2 mi
- Quivira Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 7.0 mi
- Cabo Falso Old Lighthouse · historic site20 min drive · 7.5 mi
- Cabo Real Golf Club · golf25 min drive · 12 mi
- Acapulquito Beach · beach25 min drive · 16 mi
- Costa Azul Beach · beach25 min drive · 16 mi
- Palmilla Beach · beach30 min drive · 15 mi
- Club Campestre San José · golf30 min drive · 18 mi
- San José del Cabo · town30 min drive · 18 mi
- San José Estuary · nature30 min drive · 19 mi
- Misión San José del Cabo · historic site30 min drive · 19 mi
- Cerro de las Chivas · viewpoint30 min drive · 20 mi
- Sea turtle release, San José del Cabo (July to December) · wildlife30 min drive · 19 mi
Amenities
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Seaweed & sargassum
Cabo San Lucas is not a sargassum destination.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 2,681 reviews
“Always superior service. Special thanks to Karla G in Public Relations for assisting us with unexpected changes to the Gold program and making our stay better than expected. Especially liked the tall thin pool security guard who helped us twice getti...”
“The rooms were clean, the staff was super friendly, and the food wasn’t bad! Reyna at the buffet made the stay extra special. She made sure our table was decorated every morning and even offered to take us out and explore more of Cabo! She is truly o...”
“RIU Baja California – A Comfortable Stay… With a Few Springs Attached Our room was in a great, convenient location with easy access to both the elevator and the stairs, which we appreciated daily—especially after long days at the resort. That said,...”
