Seen through the eyes of: Abigail & Audri Ana Harrison

Who went? A group of 20 friends from high school and college

We went because…
Cabo is a popular destination for college-aged spring breakers. We voted on Google Forms between a few destinations like Cabo and Cancun. Cabo won! We wanted a place that was within our budget while maintaining a fun atmosphere and resort.

Resort recommendations: We voted on a few different resorts based on the accommodations and pricing. Riu Santa Fe ultimately won. It has 13 bars and 12 restaurants and is all-inclusive—perfect for young adults. The resort featured several infinity pools with stunning views of the famous Cabo arch and rocks. The hotel also has swim-up bars at almost every pool.

Where to eat: The Office is a popular beachside Mexican restaurant with some of the best margaritas in town. It neighbors Mango Deck, a restaurant and beach club, known for its live music and games/competitions on a stage. Both offer unbeatable views of Lovers’ Beach, the Arch and Cabo San Lucas Bay.

Item you shouldn’t leave home without: Scalp sunscreen! My friend actually brought this and let me borrow it. She had two brands. One is a mist from Sun Bum and one is a powder from Hawaiian Tropic. The powder is a less greasy option.

Must-see landmark: Of course, this has to be the Arch of Cabo. We could see it from the shuttle on the way to our resort, but taking a boat up close made all the difference.

A great experience off the beaten path:

We got there a day early, so we booked a Camel ride, an ATV ride, a tequila tasting and a Mexican buffet on Viator with Cabo Adventures. A shuttle was scheduled upon booking that picked us up at 10:40 a.m. for our 12 p.m. excursion. The shuttle ride was a nice chance to go off the resort and see the non-touristy side of Cabo. There were lots of cacti, sand and trees—it’s like a jungle and desert mix.

Once everyone was ready, we geared up for ATV riding on the beach and a trail in a rocky desert near the facility. It lasted about 40 minutes. A photographer and drone followed us for both ATVs and camels, with the pictures and videos available for purchase.

Next, we saddled up on our camels. Mine was rescued from a circus. We rode in a line onto the beach. After a short break, we got in line for the Mexican buffet, sat down and tried four different tequilas. A different guide accompanied us for each event. Be sure to bring lots of cash for tips, pictures, etc. We got back to our resort around 4 p.m. to meet up with our friends who had arrived.

Another must is a boat cruise. This allowed us to see the Arch and rocks up close, but also to go to swimmable beaches. A lot of beaches in Cabo are not swimmable, including the one in front of our hotel. I did not mind because the pool was right there anyway. But, if you want to get in the water, take the cruise!

The captain brought us to multiple beaches, and we were able to see lots of scenery. We even saw multiple whales, which was awesome! Our boat came with an open bar, food and a photographer. The crew was so nice and even partied a little with us. They brought paddle boards, floats, etc. The boat can get cold close to sunset, so bring a cover-up and a towel.

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