Cabo for the First Time

The first time I went to Cabo San Lucas, I didn't know what to expect. I'd only been to places in the Yucatan, so I thought that there'd at least be ruins or something.

Cabo is only for people who like to golf, fish, or do nothing at all. The nightlife is not anything like Cancun, and you can't go swimming in the ocean. It is also pretty expensive.

Quick Tips:

Stay at an all-inclusive resort, as Cabo is expensive.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxi and walking--that's it. The bus is cheap but scary--many have broken glass windows with jagged edges.

As a last-minute decision, my husband and I came down to Cabo a day early for our first trip. We put in a bid at Hotwire for an all-inclusive resort, and the Royal Solaris is the one we got. We couldn't have been more pleased.

When you arrive, be prepared to be inundated with a timeshare presentation on the *left* side of the lobby. The check-in desk is on the *right* side, so if you don't want to deal with the pitches, just make a beeline to the desk.

The rooms are spacious, but there are no bathtubs. The water takes a few minutes to get warm in the shower, so don't step in right away or you'll get a really nasty surprise.

This is an all-inclusive resort, and the alcohol is free-flowing and food is available most of the day. When it isn't a designated meal time, there is a snack hut that has things such as nachos and hot dogs, which aren't half bad.

There are two restaurants at the resort that require reservations, and since we were only there for one day, we didn't get the chance to eat in one, so we went to the normal dinner buffet, followed by the evening's theme entertainment. It was seafood that night, followed by their Broadway show.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but that show was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my entire life. It was so horrible in so many ways that I couldn't help but laugh hysterically. I'd stay here again just to see this show!

The beach is not private, and there are peddlers there to braid your hair and sell you poorly made pottery and jewelry. Also, beware of horse droppings, as people ride their horses in front of the hotel.

In all, though, this hotel was a great value and surprisingly quiet.

When I first arrived at the Westin, I was stunned. The view from the lobby is utterly breathtaking.

This hotel is built on the cliffs of the Sea of Cortez, and is in the shape of an arch in two different ways: both on its side and standing up. From the lobby, you can see through the center arch straight through to the glistening waves of the Sea, and it is spectacular.

Anyway, the Westin has the Heavenly Bed, but the sheets are scratchy, so it kind of counteracts the benefits. The rooms are large, and the bathrooms are marble. There is a huge balcony, and the higher the floor you are on, the better your view.

I stayed in a club room, all of which are located in the very center of the top three floors. The rooms themselves are no different than the others except for location, but they do give access to the club lounge.

The club lounge is open a few hours a day and has all the usual suspects. They don't have milk, however, and the juice selection is very limited, so children might be remiss here.

The food they offer here is relatively standard as well, with only a few "local" items. Get there early, though, as they don't replenish them very quickly.

This hotel is expensive, no matter how far out you book it, and the only way to get anything (food, drinks) included is to book club level. It is located halfway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, so you'll need to take a taxi to get anywhere "else." They have their own private beach, and it is REALLY private, and they have some gorgeous pools.

Stay here if you want a quiet retreat, but not if you're looking for action.

Located in the Marina, not far from the Porto Paraiso, this gem is worth a visit for those who love sushi and those who enjoy modern art.

Sushi is the same everywhere, right? Wrong! The chefs here manage to mix in some Mexican flair with their sauces, and you'll find French and American influences as well.

Try to sit inside, as outside you'll be subjected to street peddlers coming up every five seconds trying to sell you stuff.

Prices for sushi are standard, running around $3 for nigiri and $5 per roll on average. The most expensive items are the hibachi combinations, which can run up to around $25.

They have a full bar with interesting martinis as well as the typical Asian beers, but the true draw here is the lovely artwork that surrounds you.

For an enjoyable meal or snack, or even just a few minutes out of the sun, certainly give this a try.

This is a restaurant so pretentious, it is honestly named "The Restaurant" (seriously, you can look it up at http://www.lasventanas.com if you don't believe me.) Cocktails here start at $16 each, so that should give you some idea of what you are in for.

The food here is good, certainly, but what you're really paying for is the service. While you're there, you are given individual attention (theoretically) to such a degree that they have purse stools, and if you even think about standing up, someone will rush out of nowhere to your chair to pull it out with the speed of The Flash.

This is all well and good, but I go to a restaurant to eat, not to be pampered. If I want to have 5 people waiting on me hand and foot, I'd rather it be in a spa.

Anyway, as I mentioned above, the food is good, but not spectacular. For the prices they charge ($80 for a steak - not even a filet mignon - when I was there), I want to be wowed. I have no problem going to a restaurant and spending hundreds of dollars on a meal for two people - but the food has to be worth it. Here, it's not.

However, a reservation here will get you past the entrance gate to Las Ventanas, which is *the* most exclusive resort in all of Cabo. This is where the stars stay, and you might catch a glimpse of Madonna or John Travolta or someone else walking the grounds while you're there (they are both among the regular visitors).

If you are the type of person who wants to see what a $10,000 a night hotel looks like, by all means, eat here. If you just want to eat a good meal, go somewhere else, like Peacock's downtown.