Top 5 Things You Should NOT Do When Staying At Los Cabos Resorts

Share The Article

Los Cabos operates on an entirely different frequency than a standard tropical getaway. Located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, the region offers a massive, diverse mix of traditional all-inclusives and ultra-luxury, European-plan (non-all-inclusive) properties.

Because the landscape and the resort styles are so incredibly varied, the standard beach vacation rulebook does not always apply here. To keep your trip completely frictionless and avoid unexpected surprises, here are the top five things you should never do when staying at a Los Cabos resort.

1. Assume Your Resort Has A Swimmable Beach

This is the number one mistake first-time visitors make in Cabo. You cannot just walk out of your hotel room and dive into the ocean. Because of the way the Pacific Ocean converges with the Sea of Cortez, the underwater currents and rip tides in Los Cabos are notoriously fierce.

The vast majority of oceanfront resorts in Cabo are situated on beaches that are strictly black-flagged, meaning swimming is strictly prohibited due to deadly undertows and rogue waves. While there are a few incredible swimmable beaches (like Medano Beach or Chileno Bay), you must never assume your specific resort’s beach is safe for swimming without checking with the staff first.

Find our if your hotel has a swimmable beach in seconds here.

2. Wait To Make Dinner Reservations

Because Los Cabos has such a heavy concentration of non-all-inclusive luxury resorts, the culinary scene is heavily elevated—and highly competitive. Whether you are staying at an all-inclusive property with a specialty steakhouse or a standard resort with a highly-rated independent restaurant on-site, the best tables book out immediately.

Never wait until you are hungry to figure out where you are eating. You need to check the resort’s dining policy before you arrive. If they allow advance bookings, lock in your dinners a week before your flight. If they only allow same-day reservations, make it the very first thing you do at the concierge desk when you wake up.

3. Skip Tipping The Staff

Whether you are paying for every single margarita at a European-plan hotel or you booked a premium all-inclusive package, tipping is the ultimate cheat code for a flawless vacation.

While gratuities might technically be included in some all-inclusive packages, leaving cash for your bartenders, servers, and housekeeping staff is the absolute best way to level up your experience and show respect for their hard work. It guarantees lightning-fast service for the rest of your trip. Handing out small bills in Mexican Pesos is always preferred so the staff doesn’t lose a percentage to exchange rates.

4. Play The “Towel Game” Without Reading The Room

The infamous “towel game”—waking up at dawn to throw a paperback book and a pair of sunglasses on a prime pool lounger—is a universally debated topic. In theory, not hoarding chairs you aren’t using is a great practice that shows respect for other travelers.

In reality, you have to read the vibe of your specific resort. Some luxury Cabo properties have strict pool attendants who will aggressively remove abandoned items after thirty minutes. Other resorts let it turn into an absolute free-for-all. See how the staff handles the pool deck on your first morning, and adjust your strategy so you aren’t left sitting on the concrete.

5. Leave Your Valuables Unsecured

It is incredibly easy to let “vacation brain” take over the moment you check into a luxury suite. You feel safe, the property is beautiful, and your guard drops completely.

Never leave cash, passports, or high-end electronics sitting out on the desk while you go to the pool. Lock every single valuable in your room’s safe—it takes two seconds and prevents a completely derailed trip. Furthermore, always remember to lock your sliding glass patio door when you leave the room or go to sleep. Ground-floor swim-out suites are incredible, but an unlocked door is an unnecessary risk.