How We Found a Cheap All-Inclusive Vacation in Los Cabos Mexico
I hadn’t been on an all-inclusive beach vacation in over ten years, so I recently went on a trip to Los Cabos Mexico through Sunwing. I enjoyed my time in Los Cabos so much, I thought I’d write an article about the experience, and share some tips on how I was able to find an affordable, all-inclusive vacation.
Getting To Know Los Cabos
The first thing you should know about Los Cabos is that it’s actually not a town or a city, but a region. It’s located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Inside Los Cabos, you’ll find two towns – Cabos San Lucas, and San Jose Del Cabo. The two communities are connected by a series of resorts that stretch along the coast.
Because Los Cabos is considered to be a desert climate, it gets less rain and humidity than many vacation hotspots in the Caribbean, yet it’s placed right against the sea, which makes it an ideal tropical destination. There is no shortage of adventure to be had in Los Cabos. The area is home to some of the best scuba diving found anywhere in the world, particularly in La Paz, which is a couple of hours drive from the resorts on the coast.
Sport fishing is another popular activity in the region, and for land dwellers, championship golf courses abound. If you’re considering a trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, but your Spanish isn’t great, no need to worry. The region attracts millions of tourists every year, therefore many of the locals speak English. You’ll also find lots of recognizable chain stores and restaurants in the area, such as Costco and Walmart.
The Beauty Of An All-Inclusive Vacation
I like the ease of all-inclusive vacations. You don’t have to worry about finding places to eat or drink, everything you need is right on the resort. And with most expenses covered by the all-inclusive package, it’s an easy vacation to budget for. There are very few surprises in that regard.
One thing you need to consider, however, is whether or not you want to pay for an excursion, or multiple, off of the resort. Most excursions can range from $80-$250/person, but while expensive, the right ones can enhance the vacation experience. I’ll share details on the excursions I took, a bit further down.
Sunwing Vacation
I found an all-inclusive vacation by searching Expedia for the week that we wanted to travel, deciding on a 7-day stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos. I got a great deal through Sunwing, which is the same provider I used ten years ago.
Sunwing is Canada’s largest provider of vacation packages, so there are plenty of destinations and resorts to choose from. On this particular trip, Sunwing provided me with an Elite Plus upgrade, and private transportation to the resort, which was a nice surprise.
While normally I don’t see the value in paying to upgrade your seats on flights, Elite Plus is only $50 one way. For that, you get extra legroom, advance seat selection, increased baggage allowance (30kg), and priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.
The Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos
The Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos is a 4-star, beachfront resort, about 15 minutes from the airport. Like many all-inclusives, it offers several amenities which cater to young and old alike. You’ll find no less than 3 pools and 6 bars onsite, as well as tennis courts and plenty of water activities. There are two very nice restaurants located directly on the resort.
Several golf courses are close by, and if you are travelling with children, the resort offers a kids club with a babysitting service and other scheduled activities. The resort even has a few special features for guests, the most unique being their involvement in a seasonal, turtle release program.
Turtle Release
Each year, the resort assists with the hatching and release process of the Olive Ridley turtles, which are an endangered species. They do this with the help of local wildlife experts. If you visit at the right time of year, you may get a chance to participate when the newly hatched turtles are released into the ocean. It is a seasonal activity, taking place between June and November.
Things To Do In Los Cabos Mexico
If you’re in search of a bit more adventure than lounging at the poolside bar, there are no shortage of excursions to embark on in Los Cabos. At the resort, the excursions through our Sunwing Experiences representative were provided by a company called Cabo Adventures. I went with their 3X2 package, which gives you one free excursion with the purchase of any 2 tours, or dolphin programs.
In other words, when you book 3 excursions, one with equal or lesser value will be free. I’ve listed a few of the more popular ones below, including the outings I went on during my trip.
Luxury Day Sailing
If you love being on the water, this is a can’t miss excursion, and one I really enjoyed. We boarded a luxury sailboat for the better part of an afternoon. Lunch was served, and the cruise included an open bar. After touring along the coastline, we dropped anchor, and were able to get in the water, and use the paddleboards and snorkel gear, which were supplied. Some guests opted to remain on the deck, soaking in the rays. This excursion runs every day and is one I highly recommend.
Dolphin Swim & Ride Experience
I have to say, this was definitely a first. I signed up for the Dolphin Swim & Ride, which was a lot of fun. We had an opportunity to interact with the dolphins in the water, and learn the ways in which they communicate. The entire experience was about 4 hours long, and definitely worth the money. The resort offers a few other dolphin related excursions, including one called “Dolphin Trainer For A Day”, and another that geared specifically to kids.
Sea Of Cortez Snorkel Adventure
This excursion involves cruising to a natural reef, about 30 minutes from Cabos San Lucas, where guests are able to get in the water, and snorkel amongst some of the most incredible submarine life you’ll ever see. Life jackets and snorkel gear are provided, as well as lunch and an open bar on board. This was our third excursion, and a great way to spend an afternoon. The cruise passes by notable landmarks, such as The Arch, and Lover’s Beach. If you enjoy snorkelling ans want to swim with sea lions in the wild, this is a can’t miss excursion.
Swimming With Whale Sharks
Would you consider getting into the water with sharks? Well, in Los Cabos, you can. Thankfully, the whale shark isn’t going to be at all interested in feasting on you. While these magnificent creatures are the largest fish in the ocean, they are filter-feeders who prefer a diet of plankton.
This all-inclusive experience will take you away from the resort, on a couple of hours drive to La Paz, which is home to some of the best scuba diving in the world. Once you’re in the water, it won’t take long to locate the whale sharks, as the area is a regular feeding ground for them. You aren’t allowed to touch the fish, but seeing them up close in the water is enough of a thrill.
Monster Ziplines
This zipline adventure will have you suspended 100 meters in the air, crossing canyons and desert. Unfortunately, I didn’t go on this excursion, but judging by the pictures, it looks like a lot of fun. The total length of the series of ziplines is over 800 metres, and like most excursions, this one is about 4.5 hours in length. A great way to spend an afternoon.
Party Hopper
This is an excursion for those looking for an excuse to party. Party Hopper allows guests to experience the best nightlife Los Cabos has to offer. Air-conditioned transportation is included, and carries guests round trip to a number of top bars and nightclubs. There is an open bar on board the transportation, and a welcome drink is provided when you arrive at each establishment. Of course, you’re on your own for drinks after that. This is just one of a number of available party-themed excursions.
How To Book A Sunwing All-Inclusive Vacation
I had an amazing vacation through Sunwing. If an all-inclusive is something that interests you, there are a number of ways you can book your next vacation.
I often use Expedia to look for deals, but you can book your trip directly through Sunwing, on their website. They have all of their partner resorts listed, and you can also pick your excursions. In addition to vacation packages, you can book cruises, hotels, and car rentals, directly through the Sunwing website.