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Our latest adventure started at 2 am in San Diego!
We all bounced out of bed, showered quickly and headed up to Los Angeles to catch a flight to Cabo San Lucas! The drive to LA was longer than our flight, which is pretty mind-boggling. Non-stop flights are my love language, especially when traveling with children and it worked out best to fly out of LA to maximize our time on the ground. We could have flown out of San Diego or John Wayne, but we would have had less time in Cabo, so LA it was!
Our flight wasn’t 100% full so Em and I had a row to ourselves and she was able to take a little nap stretched out but made sure she was awake for drink time. Sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice is her drink du jour these days!
Our driver had us safely and happily to our travel partner who is hosting our stay, The Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas Hotel!
This is the view from our balcony.
I think I could stop this whole story after just this picture because I was left breathless after seeing this. Wow! But, I won’t, because there is so much more to share!
Here is a quick look into one of our rooms. We have connecting rooms and they are both exactly the same. Emmy was in love with the towel friend that was waiting for us on her bed at check-in.
As soon as we were settled in our rooms, it was pool time.
There are two huge pools on either side of the main lobby building where our room is. One is considered the quiet side and the other what I call the party side! Both are family-friendly, just with one being a bit more energetic.
We ended up heading to both to check them out.
It was a tie as to which was the favorite pool. The party pool has hosts that lead all sorts of activities and Emmy even won a round of bingo!
We opted to let the girls rest a bit after pool time and showers and Pete and I headed up to our favorite spot, the bar off the main lobby. The drinks were perfectly concocted, but the real reason was this view!
We’ve decided to make this an afternoon ritual to come up here and have a drink and just gaze out over the Sea of Cortez. This is also where the coffee bar is and they connect in the middle. I ended up stopping back in here later that night for a soy latte!
We also met our absolute favorite waiter Ceasar on our first night and we have been dining with him for almost every meal since. He was kind enough to take a picture of us too. This is proof that I really am here! Pete and I normally trade off taking pictures so that I can make an appearance, but the resort is just so pretty that I’m having a hard time handing over my camera. I want to take a picture of everything!
After dinner, Pete and the girls headed down to see the nightly entertainment which was a collection of authentic Mexican dancers. We were all really impressed at the caliber of entertainers they have here. It was a really good performance. Since we are on the party side we didn’t go to sleep right away, but eventually, things quieted down enough that we all fell fast asleep and were ready for day number two!
Day number 2 came quickly with a really good breakfast to start our day.
The food is really fresh and there are options galore. Em had eggs and fruit with a few bites of fruit loops on the side. She was pretty much thrilled with the fruit loops because that is a rare treat for her.
Ash was all about the cheese, veggies, and fruit. Oh and oatmeal too.
You all know coffee is life to me, so this was my breakfast starter, followed by potatoes, fruit, veggies, and toast. So much food!
We spent the morning just enjoying the beach.
The ocean isn’t very swimmable here because there are some huge waves that break right on the shore sometimes. But, with such a huge pool area spread out over the resort, it doesn’t really matter. There are still lounge chairs spread out and the beach is perfect for doing a little shopping too!
The highlight of the morning for Em… flying a kite!
Above the beach and towering above with a pristine ocean view is the perfect lunch spot. Open just for lunch and dinner, this is a much do. For lunch, they serve an exclusively Italian menu with table service and a buffet, and then at night, it is a Mexican restaurant.
Look at this view!!!
While we were eating lunch we had some special entertainment too.
The famous jumping manta rays!!! They were jumping in the air and belly-flopping down. The sounds echoed and bounced off the beach. We could have watched them for hours!
Each day there have been cruise ships pulling into the harbor and then tendering passengers onto land. We think that the Princess Cruise ship we sailed on was there when we first arrived. In fact, the first time I went to Cabo as a teen was on a Princess Cruise!
We love how many places there are to relax at the resort too.
If you want to enjoy a party aspect they have that. If you want to just sit back, be pampered and relax on your vacation, you are good to go here too. All in all, it is a really family-friendly place.
I love the way the lobby at Riu Palace Los Cabos lights up at night too!
We are off having more fun now. I can’t wait to share all the other fun we are having here tomorrow!
Here is our video of day 1 in Cabo!
Woo hoo! I LOVE Cabo. It is so beautiful there. We had the chance to go there, and it was so relaxing.
That looks like an amazing getaway for the family. We love to travel, and Cabo just jumped to the top of our “to travel” list.
I want to go to Cabo SO bad! It’s on our list but we haven’t gotten there yet. I look forward to see so much more from your trip!
So very cool you had a visit from the Manta Rays! What a wonderful experience! Cabo looks like a beautiful getaway! Perfect for the whole fam!
Wow it looks so beautiful in Cabo San Lucas. You had an amazing view from your room.
I have always wanted to go see Cabo San Lucas. This looks like an amazing place to stay.
This looks so gorgeous and a kid friendly place. I have been wanting to go to Cabo for a long time, hopefully for our 10 year anniversary.
The view is amazing. I love the teal hue to the ocean water. It is something that you don’t see on the beaches very often in the US.
Cabo looks amazing. I would love to visit one day. The pool looks so relaxing.
As I sit here getting ready for one of my longest weeks of my life I wish I was in Cabo at this beautiful resort. Thanks for sharing this beautiful family friendly location.
oh my goodness, that place looks like paradise and I would really really really like to be there right NOW! I’d even take my kids with : ) I’ll have to remember Cabo for my next vacation destination!
Cabo is beautiful and that view from your balcony is stunning! Never been to Cabo, but I certainly would love to go with my boys someday!
This sounds amazing. I would love to go on vacation right now just to enjoy Cabo’s lovely beach. Thank you for sharing your vacation with us. Amazing view!
Who wouldn’t want to stay here! I would stay here forever if I could. The water is pristine and the place is just stunning.
The jumping rays are really cool, I’d never heard of them before so I had to go do some research on them. Very Cool..
I don’t even drink alcohol, but those drinks look delicious and refreshing. And that pool? Ugh, makes me want Summer to hurry up and get here.
Cabo is one of the places I am dying to go. It looks like the kids would even enjoy it!
Cabo is definitely on my bucket list. I would love to take my family for a vacation, I am so jealous of your family breakfast by the beach.
Taking in that view while sipping on some nice drinks each day must have been amazing. This place was super impressive!
Wow this is beautiful! What a great way to spend some family time on vacation. I think that this looks like a great place, Cabo has so much to offer!
Cabo looks like a dream destination! The view surely was impressive. I can see myself settling in and not ever wanting to leave!
That beach is beautiful. I would love to see those manta rays in person.
Now that’s the way to vacation right there. I can’t get enough of all of the blue water.
Now that’s the way to vacation right there. I can’t get enough of the beach and all of the blue water.
From the moment you arrive, you’re already going to feel pampered and special. I think the place is amazing and it would be nice to spend some time in that beach and the pool as well.
I am so jealous! This looks so amazing! The hotel looks so awesome. I would love to vacation here, and the nightly entertainment sounds so interesting. I could lay on that beach for weeks!
Wow, looks like it was a really cool trip! Those beaches are beatiful, thanks for sharing your experience!
I would love to visit Cabo St. Lucas someday. It looks like a lovely place to stay. I have to admit that I am a little jealous of your trip.
Cabo is on my bucket list and even more so after seeing your pictures! It just look so beautiful and relaxing.
looks like such fun. Would love to head to Cabo. Have always wanted to actually, so its one of those places i know I’ll get to someday!
Wow this place looks like so much fun! I am so putting it on my bucket list!
I have been to Mazatlan many times, but never Cabo. Your post makes me want to leave this weekend! Thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures & detail 😉
I have not been to Cabo before but my husband has and loved it. I think it is def. somewhere we will want to take our kids when they are a bit older (2 and 4 now). Although all they really need is sun, sand and water and they are happy!
What a crazy early start to your latest travel adventure!
Your pictures are simply lovely – I wish I was there for sure!
My favorite traveling family is at it again! It is so nice to see you guys always having a great time and bond as a family. I have not been to Cabo and I wish I could someday. Looks like a really awesome family friendly place. Maybe when my grandchildren are a little older, we’d plan for a vacation there too.
I hope to someday be able to vacation in Cabo with my family as well. It looks so inviting and totally relaxing there!
I feel like I need another vacation right now! Work is so hectic, this sounds like heaven. Take me toooo!
2 AM seems SO early! However, clearly it’s worth it to visit such a beautiful place!
It sounds like it was exhausting getting there but that’s what adds to the adventure. I am so jealous and wish I could have soaked up the rays with you!
I have always loved balcony views. They just make it that much more magical.
This place look so amazing! Love all the photos. Everyone seems to have a lot of fun time. I need to add this one in my bucket list.
I love your balcony view. The sea is so calm and blue! I would love to spend a weekend there in Cabo San Lucas! Or maybe a month would be better!
I love RIU resorts! I stayed at the RIU in Panama and it was definitely a luxurious stay. RIU is my favorite international travel resort brand!
WOW This looks amazing.I have never been to Cabo. I definitely need to check this place out
That’s awesome that you used the same agency twice. You know it’s good when that happens.
What an amazing vacation! This pool looks so gorgeous! Such a beautiful place to relax and enjoy – what a happy vacation!
Oh my god, that place is absolutely gorgeous! I really want to visit Cabo one day! I might have to do some of the same things as you, because it looks so much fun!
Oh my goodness, Cabo looks the like the happiest place on earth! i would love to visit some day. Y’all look like you had a great time and really enjoy yourselves. Im dreaming of a drink with a view like that!
What a grand time you had! I haven’t been to Cabo San Lucas but I sure would want to! The pools look so inviting, and the beach! I could just sit there and watch sunsets for my entire life!
I’m pretty sure that you had fun and amazing experienced! I’ve never been in Cabo what a perfect spot for a family.
Wow Cabo San Lucas looks like an amazing resort. We have never been there but I can totally see us enjoying it. You guys sure did have fun, I love that you had a visit from the manta rays.