Rating8.4
Rating8.0
Rating8.1Adults OnlyGood
Based on 12k reviews
Exceptional Staff
Guests consistently praise the staff's incredible friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service, making every interaction a pleasure.
Impeccable Cleanliness
The resort and rooms are maintained to an exceptionally high standard, with guests frequently highlighting the resort's spotless appearance.
Stunning Beachfront Location
Direct access to El Medano Beach provides breathtaking views of the ocean and the iconic Land's End Arch, a significant draw for visitors.
Excellent Pool Facilities
The resort's multiple pools, including popular swim-up bars and heated whirlpools, offer diverse options for relaxation and fun for all ages.
Access to Riu Sister Property
Complimentary access to the Splash Water World and RIU Pool Party events at the adjacent Riu Santa Fe adds significant value and entertainment options.
Spacious, Well-Appointed Rooms
Rooms are generally found to be spacious, clean, and comfortable, featuring convenient amenities like minibars and liquor dispensers.
Inconsistent Dining Quality
While variety exists, some guests find the overall food quality, especially at buffets, to be inconsistent or merely average, with flies occasionally present.
Restaurant Reservation Challenges
Securing reservations for specialty restaurants can be difficult, often involving long lines and limited availability, leading to frustration.
Potential Noise Levels
Noise from pool areas and entertainment, particularly from the neighboring Riu Santa Fe, can be an issue for guests seeking a quieter experience.
Unsafe Beach Swimming
Guests are cautioned that swimming directly off the resort's beach is generally prohibited due to strong currents and powerful waves, requiring use of nearby aquatic centers.
Minor Room Maintenance Issues
Isolated reports mention minor maintenance problems in rooms, such as non-working fridges or inconsistent hot water, though cleanliness remains high.
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Travelife Sustainability System
GOLD certification
Travelife
Travel Proud
Certified Property
Booking.com
4-Diamond Rating
Awarded Rating
Independent Rating Body
Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas occupies one of Cabo's better land positions: directly on El Medano Beach with clear sightlines to the iconic Land's End Arch. The 2016 renovation ($23M) brought the 2004 original to current standards. At 692 rooms, it's one of the larger properties in the Riu Cabo portfolio, which means a fuller activity program and more consistent specialty restaurant availability than smaller Palace properties.
The most unusual feature in the dining program is Bombay — an Indian specialty restaurant, which is rare at any Caribbean or Pacific Mexico all-inclusive. Lamb stew, cardamom rice pudding, and pistachio desserts are the items the kitchen has developed around. For guests who want genuinely different cuisine within the all-inclusive rather than the standard fusion-Italian-steakhouse rotation, this is a meaningful differentiator.
Critical planning information: El Medano Beach is typically non-swimmable directly off the resort. Pacific swells and strong currents along this stretch of the Baja coast prohibit safe ocean swimming. The beach is beautiful for walking and photographing the Arch — not for swimming. The pools handle aquatic recreation; an aquatic center nearby provides safe water access for an extra charge. This is not a deal-breaker but it's essential to know before booking based on beach swimming expectations.
Complimentary access to Splash Water World and Riu Pool Parties at neighboring Riu Santa Fe expands the entertainment without additional cost. Family-friendly with RiuLand for ages 4–12 and adults-only swim-up junior suites for 18+.