My first all-inclusive vacation lived up to all of my eating, drinking and relaxation dreams. Earlier this year, just as we were beginning to experience a taste of ‘normal,’ my husband broke his leg during a men’s league hockey game and underwent surgery. After eight weeks of recovery, crutches and numerous doctor’s appointments, we were both ready for the kind of R&R that Cabo offered – and delivered. Looking to plan your own Cabo getaway? I’ve rounded up our details and would be happy to help you as you plan your own adventure.

Getting there

We flew United Airlines, which is a middle-tier option by my own opinion. I generally find United to be overpriced tickets with little-to-no perks for nondescript people like me.

From Nashville (BNA), hubs and I flew about two hours to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and had an hour-and-a-half layover. Remember, layovers can often be deceiving! Your layover time dictates when the plane departs, but most airlines board 30-40 minutes early. Make sure you factor that in when booking a layover and planning your downtime (meals, bathroom breaks, coffee runs, etc.). For adult travelers, I recommend a 60-90 minute domestic layover, which allows you to take your time deplaning, grab a bite to eat and land you at your departure gate with a few minutes to spare.

We then flew from Houston to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). Upon arrival, we were instructed to fill out a standard entry form as well as a COVID-19 form. We were asked to complete a digital survey, though we didn’t show results until our return flight. Once our forms were filled out, the customs process was a breeze!

We booked a ride through Transcabo, and they were waiting under the sunshade when we arrived. After a quick 20-minute drive, we had arrived in paradise!

The resort

We were thrilled with our choice to stay at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos – a 5-star all-inclusive with tons of amenities on-site. Our room had a sitting area, two bathrooms and a large bedroom overlooking the water, which was more than enough space for the two of us. A small balcony (standing room only) was attached to the bedroom.

Being an all-inclusive resort, drinks were constantly flowing at the seven resort bars. During peak check-in times, a bartender greeted guests with drinks for arrivals and departures. Our shoes and luggage were sanitized before we stepped on property and the check-in process was quick and easy.

The resort is huge with breathtaking views of the sea and Cabo’s mountainous shoreline. It is very Instagrammable 🙂

Dining

The resort had several restaurants onsite. Our favorites were:

• La Hacienda: Upscale restaurant serving steak and seafood. Had beach seating and a covered patio.
• Zaffiro: Upscale Italian, steak and seafood with seating on a covered patio.
• La Plaza: Expansive international buffet serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor (pool area) seating.
• Coco Loco: Poolside snack bar with street tacos, guac and pico, burgers and more. Poolside servers would happily bring food to your lounge chair. We loved munching on small plates all day long!
• Coffee House: An adorable modern coffee shop serving craft coffee drinks, ice cream and cheesecake, pastries and light sandwiches, open 24-hours.
• El Catrin: Poolside food truck serving nachos, tacos and guac.

Other restaurants included a French bistro, Japanese hibachi, upscale Mexican and Spanish tapas. We will add these to our list to try next time!

Drinks

All on-site sit-down restaurants also included drinks (shots, daiquiris, martinis, wine, beer, you name it!). The resort also housed a tequila tasting bar, a lobby bar, a sports bar and poolside bars at the infinity and adults-only pools.

While hubs and I are definitely both drinkers, we didn’t have a drink that made us desperate to return. By the end of our trip, our favorites were a piña colada with a Captain Morgan floater (Kellie) and an ‘iceberg’ which is Tecate Light with a frozen margarita on top (Matt).

Activities

The Ziva Team, led by my new favorite person Frankie, kept guests engaged and the energy high throughout our entire stay. Every morning kicked off with yoga on the beach, followed by a day filled with dance classes/parties in the pool, trivia games, cooking and cocktail classes and more. Two activities in particular stood out:

• Karaoke: On Sunday night, the lobby piano bar had a lively DJ and karaoke. The evening wrapped up early (too early, IMO) due to COVID, but the bar was packed and the drinks were flowing until then.
• Carnaval: The resort hosts a Carnaval on Monday nights, complete with food stations, an open bar and lots of entertainment. Performers interacted with guests on stilts before launching into their show, which featured singers, dancers, fire performers and more. We had an accidental front row seat on one of the resort’s floating fire pits. We were so close, the fuel from the final fire-breathing trick stained my dress… Worth it, this was such a fun night!

Excursion

With our stay only lasting four nights, we planned to stay at the resort for the duration of our trip. I’m so glad we changed our mind and decided to book an excursion! With the help of our resort, we booked a “Jazz and Wine” sunset cruise on a giant sailboat to see the iconic Cabo arch and the Sea of Cortez. This was the highlight of our trip! We used PezGato, and the $98/person price included transfers to/from the marina, two hours on the boat, light appetizers and an open bar. I will say, the water got a bit choppy and I did get a bit seasick. I might take a Dramamine (Alexa, play 6 foot 7 foot) if doing something similar in the future, but the experience was beyond worth it!

Many companies offer similar tours, so if you have something specific in mind, there are plenty of options. We passed several party boats and even a few pirate ships (adding that one to the list for next time). Our ride was quiet and more mature, and we loved every second.

Prices

We booked most elements of our trip as a package, so we paid one price for flights, our hotel and our airport transfers. All-in-all, we spent less than $3,000 for four nights and five days in Cabo. Price breakdown estimations:

• Package: $1,330/person
• Excursion: $98/person
• Tips*: $100
• Total for Two: $2,957

*While gratuities are included at most all-inclusive resorts, it’s recommended to tip for exceptional service. We tipped transfer drivers, our excursion bartender, poolside servers and at the conclusion of most meals. We also tipped the entertainment team because we participated in many of their activities. We brought $100 cash in small bills (ones and fives).