Strolling through Cabo San Lucas was my first time exploring an actual town/city in Mexico instead of just the beach, and it was everything I pictured. Everyone told me to expect calm and clean, and that’s what it was. Someday I’ll get to experience a grungier side of Mexico (someone take me on a coffee farm tour, please!), but for now, it just felt good to get a slightly more cultural glimpse of life here.

Mexican cuisine is one of my favorite types of food, so I quickly found my heaven in Cabo San Lucas: Edith’s. Under no circumstances should you ever go to Cabo and not eat at Edith’s. Just ask George Clooney. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there when we were, but with 9:45 dinner reservations, we were so hungry we hardly noticed. Subtle hint to call and schedule ahead of time. We started off with the only truly incredible sangria I’ve ever experienced, and ended with the absolute best liquid delicacy that exists on planet Earth: Mexican flaming coffee.

We also checked out Cabo Wabo Cantina for happy hour one day and found it was 2 for 1 margaritas, which means they literally bring you two margaritas when you order, so our table of three was decked out with six full cups. None of us were complaining. Not to be missed: the stuffed mushrooms, and loads of fresh chips and pico de gallo.

I always have an instant attachment to coastal cities. The harbors make me feel at home—I grew up exploring them all along the lakes and oceans in Seattle. I loved strolling the Cabo marina and checking out the boats as they buoyed up and down off the docks. Downtown is also the perfect place to pick up your Mexican wrestling masks or carpet hoodies for your skater bros back home. Handpainted maracas or marionettes are also popular in the shops along the street.

I’d definitely add Cabo San Lucas as a place to travel to again for a perfectly relaxing vacation. It’s easy to get there, it’s easy to get around, and it’s hard to do anything but relax and truly enjoy yourself the Baja way. Let’s just hope Clooney and I are both in town next time.

I took four years of Spanish in high school, and I mostly came away with “Viva Mexico,” “caliente,” and “tequila,” so I was clearly prepared for a weekend in Cabo when February weather was getting to me. Riu Hotels welcomed myself and two gal pals, Mallory and Lizz, for six days in the sun. It was one of those trips that I packed two books to read while we lounged on the beach, but all three of us were so focused on relaxing that I never even touched a cover.

The Riu in Cabo is divided in two: the Riu Palace and the Riu Santa Fe. Although we were out well before spring breakers showed up, we could tell the vibes at our home, the Palace, were quite a bit calmer than the Santa Fe. The entire campus is tastefully decorated and beautifully kept. I’d never seen a place with so many open-air hallways, and it made me want to live in a climate where such a notion is possible. Even though they’re continents and cultures literally on the other side of the world, I couldn’t help that I was strolling the halls of Pemberley with the high ceilings and grand staircases around me. Maybe more like Mr. Darcy’s vacation home in Aruba or the British Virgin Islands.

Still, we could tell the Palace was a popular place from the time I posted my first photo from the property on Instagram. Tens of people commented right away with nothing but positive things to say, so we knew we were in for a good time.

We were placed in a beautiful corner suite facing the ocean, which wasn’t a bad view when we woke up with the sun each morning. There’s nothing I love more about being on vacation than not having to set an alarm. The only thing here is lack of privacy. The bathroom is wide open next to the bedroom, so unless you’re using it as a honeymoon suite, don’t forget to announce your shower plans to your roommates!

The dining situation is super flexible, much like any other all-inclusive you’ll run into, with snacks available all hours of the day (have you ever dipped French fries in guacamole? A pile of bliss), divine mimosa brunches you can eat on the sun-soaked patio, and much better coffee than they serve in Cancun. My only complaint was that they didn’t serve goat cheese at every meal.

The entertainment staff was hilarious and always on point with their timing and teasing. As a big show tunes fan, my favorite performance was Broadway night, where they showcased a few numbers from the musical Chicago and it was practically like I was watching Richard Gere give us the ol’ razzle-dazzle in the flesh.

This was my first tropical vacation after the cruise I took in January, which I was missing fiercely, but luckily for me, there were even a couple of days that a Princess cruise ship was anchored in the Cabo San Lucas harbor. But after a few days of exploring, sunbathing, pool dipping and mango daiquiri sipping, I had just about forgotten all about it. The Riu Palace is just one of those places you can’t help showering praise on, recommending to all of your friends and family, and be planning a return trip to before you’ve even left.

Thank you to Riu Hotels for hosting us!