Disclaimer: I was not paid or compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are my own and based on my personal experience at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach.
When I was planning a Christmas vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, my goal was simple: rest and relaxation. We had never been to Cabo before, but a friend highly recommended Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort. Since we were traveling during the busiest (and priciest) time of year, budget and availability played a big role in my decision. After extensive research to find the best all-inclusive option (learn what I look for in an all inclusive resort), Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach checked all the boxes for our family getaway. Now, I’m excited to share my experience so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your family too.
About Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach
According to their website, Pueblo Bonito offers a range of all-inclusive vacation experiences for travelers looking for a full oceanside getaway in beautiful Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán. In Cabo alone, Pueblo Bonito operates six resorts, each varying in size, style, and price point. A great perk is that staying at one resort gives you access to the others — unless you are traveling with children, who can’t go to the two adults-only properties. Also, it’s worth noting that you can choose to stay at any Pueblo Bonito resort without opting into the all-inclusive plan.
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach is one of the largest resorts in the group, which means more restaurants, pools, and amenities—like tennis courts and access to the award-winning Quivira Golf Club. It’s also a great option for multi-generational families thanks to its variety of offerings.
As I mentioned, the resort is very large and spread out over a hilly landscape. While they do offer golf cart shuttles that you can call to get around, relying on them completely can mean a lot of waiting. Walking is definitely doable, but the paths can be steep, and we had a few close calls with fast-moving golf carts—especially at night when visibility was lower. The stairs throughout the property are also quite steep, so keep that in mind if mobility is a concern.
Pueblo Bonito also offers timeshares, and during our stay, we met several people who owned one and were happy with their decision. Interestingly, we were never approached about buying a timeshare or attending a sales presentation—not even at check-in—which, honestly, was a pleasant surprise!
Location
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach is located just outside of Cabo San Lucas, within the upscale residential development of Quivira Los Cabos, and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown Cabo, nestled in a hilly area that provides stunning vistas—especially of the neighboring golf course. The resort sits adjacent to a beautiful beach, which is walkable but not swimmable due to strong currents.
I felt very safe throughout our stay. The resort has a gated entrance with a security guard, and even when leaving the property, the area still felt secure. The surroundings are primarily luxury homes, so there’s little traffic and a quiet atmosphere. However, it’s worth noting that there’s not much within walking distance—no shops, local restaurants, or entertainment outside of other nearby resorts. If you want to explore, you’ll need to take a taxi or use the resort’s shuttle service to reach downtown Cabo or one of Pueblo Bonito’s sister properties.
Rooms
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach has over 40 buildings of guest rooms spread throughout the property. We stayed in Building 26, which had a great central location with a pool and pool bar just steps away. One of the perks of the resort’s hillside layout is that all rooms are designed to have ocean views—a nice tradeoff for the steep terrain!
That said, the building and room itself weren’t in the best condition. One of the two elevators was out of service for our entire stay, and we heard from another guest that it had been broken for months. We stayed in one of the junior suites, which are the most budget-friendly option and still offered plenty of space for our family of four. We were also able to request a rollaway bed, which was great now that our kids are older.
The suite included a kitchenette, which is especially useful if you’re not on the all-inclusive plan. However, it came with limited plates and utensils, and the maid service only cleaned the kitchen area for an additional fee. The highlight of our room was definitely the balcony—the ocean views were absolutely stunning, and we spent a lot of time out there watching sunsets and spotting whales.
Food and Drinks
One of the main reasons I chose Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach was the Food Hall at Quivira. Whether we were craving sushi, pizza, a fresh garden salad, or churros, the Food Hall had it all—and then some! There was even an American-style diner, which is perfect for picky eaters. The best part? It’s all under one roof, so everyone in the family could grab something different and still eat together. Most offerings were included in the all-inclusive plan, but there were a few items, like specialty coffees and boba tea, that came with an extra charge.
In addition to the Food Hall, the resort featured several specialty restaurants. Two of them, located at the golf course, weren’t included in the all-inclusive package but came highly recommended. Onsite at Sunset Beach, there was also one à la carte restaurant with an extra cost, and three others that were included. We dined at two of those—the Asian restaurant and The Bistro—and enjoyed both meals. You don’t need a reservation at these restaurants, but because of that, it’s best to go early. They fill up quickly, and long wait times are common.
The main buffet, La Nao, is located near the ocean and the resort’s largest pool. We enjoyed every meal we had there, but the standout was the Sunday champagne brunch—an impressive spread with everything from savory dishes to a custom crepe bar, where you could choose your own sweet or savory toppings.
A hidden gem we found was the taco truck near the Adults-Only pool. It’s only open on select days, but the street tacos were fantastic—a must-try! Seating is limited, so plan to go early to avoid a long wait.
Beyond the main restaurants, the pool bars served food starting at 11 a.m., with a solid variety of menu options—we genuinely enjoyed everything we tried. You could also order room service 24/7, which meant you were never far from a good meal or snack.
When it came to drinks, they were easy to find throughout the resort. There were bars at the pools, near the buffet, in the lobby, and even a large bar at the center of the Food Hall, right next to the After Hours Club. With the resort being so spread out, it was great to have so many convenient options when you were in the mood for a drink.
Amenities
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach features an impressive network of outdoor pools spread throughout the property. At the very bottom of the hill, near the buffet, there’s a large family-friendly pool where daily activities and entertainment take place. At the very top of the resort—yes, it’s quite a hike!—you’ll find a stunning two-level infinity pool with breathtaking ocean views, perfect for whale watching during the right season. Several other pools are scattered across the resort, including an adults-only option for those looking for a quieter atmosphere. We were especially lucky to have a pool right at the entrance of our building, which made it super convenient to pop back to the room throughout the day.
While the beach adjacent to the resort isn’t swimmable due to strong currents, it’s still beautiful and walkable. It’s a peaceful spot to watch the sunset, and for daytime lounging, beach beds are available to reserve.
The resort is also home to the Quivira Golf Club, an exclusive, Jack Nicklaus-designed course considered one of the best in Cabo San Lucas. It’s only open to Pueblo Bonito guests and owners. While we didn’t golf ourselves, other guests mentioned it can be tough to get a tee time, and it’s definitely a premium experience, both in terms of quality and cost.
Additional amenities include a fitness center, a spa, and a tennis court (which requires an extra fee).
If you’re looking to explore beyond Sunset Beach, your stay includes access to the other Pueblo Bonito resorts in Cabo. A free shuttle service makes it easy to visit the other resorts, giving you even more options for dining, relaxation, and activities.
Entertainment
From my experience, the resort didn’t offer much in terms of formal entertainment—or if it did, it wasn’t well advertised, because we never came across it. There was an 18+ bar and nightclub that featured karaoke in the evenings, but since our kids are under 18, we didn’t check it out.
For younger guests, there was a FunLab that showed movies three times a day and included an arcade, pool table, air hockey, and video games—though most of these came with an additional cost. Snacks and drinks were also available, but again, many weren’t included in the all-inclusive package. Unfortunately, this area was a letdown for us. It was consistently overcrowded, and with so few amenities actually included, it didn’t feel like a great value.
Overall Impression
Overall, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach provided a beautiful setting in Cabo San Lucas and was the perfect place for our Christmas vacation. With a wide range of dining options and on-site amenities, it’s easy to spend a full week (or more) at the resort without ever needing to leave. We even met several guests who return year after year—a true testament to the experience the resort offers.
I did a lot of research leading up to this trip, especially since we were traveling during Christmas break, one of the busiest (and priciest) times of the year. In the end, I found the value of the all-inclusive plan to be well worth the cost for our family. That said, I wasn’t thrilled with the number of additional fees for certain items and activities that weren’t covered by the plan. If you’re not mindful, costs can quickly add up—whether it’s specialty food and drinks, the FunLab, or recreational fees like tennis and golf.
Who Should Stay at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach?
I would definitely return to Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach with my family. While there were quite a few amenities and activities that came with additional fees, the resort still delivered the all-inclusive experience, spectacular views, and high level of service I was looking for on our vacation. One of the highlights for me was being able to watch whales right from the resort—an unforgettable experience.
This resort worked particularly well for us because our kids were a bit older—11 and 15 at the time of our visit. If you’re traveling with younger children or infants, you might find there aren’t enough age-appropriate activities to keep them entertained. Plus, navigating the resort’s steep hills with a stroller could be challenging. The same goes for guests with mobility issues or elderly travelers—it would be tough to get around without relying heavily on the golf cart shuttles.
If you’re looking to stay closer to the buzz of downtown Cabo San Lucas or want direct access to a swimmable beach, you may want to explore other options in the area. However, if you’re seeking a more laid-back, scenic experience with plenty of dining options and incredible views, Sunset Beach is a great choice.
Pueblo Bonito offers a helpful breakdown of what’s included at each of their resorts, which can be a great resource as you decide which one is the best fit for your travel style and group.
