Thanksgiving in Cabo San Lucas: Back to Where It All Began
There are certain places in the world that just feel like home, and for my husband and I, Cabo San Lucas is one of them. It’s the place where we met, where we got married, and somewhere we always find ourselves returning to when we need a little sunshine, relaxation, and fun!
This past Thanksgiving, we decided to keep the tradition going and headed back to our favorite place for another unforgettable trip.
Traveling on Thanksgiving Day
Traveling on Thanksgiving might sound a bit chaotic, but honestly, it was surprisingly smooth. When we landed in Cabo early, and experienced one of the fastest customs experiences we’ve ever had.
Thanks to the new screening machines, it actually took us longer to walk from the plane to the customs line than it did to get through it. Within minutes, we were outside and ready to start vacation mode.
Transportation Tip: Cabo Private Transport
If you’re flying into Los Cabos International Airport, one thing we always recommend is booking private transportation in advance.
We used Cabo Private Transport, and it made the arrival process so easy.
Cheers to the start of vacation!
Why we love it:
No waiting for group shuttles
No dropping off multiple passengers at different resorts
Comfortable, clean vehicle
Courteous driver
Cold cooler waiting for you (this kickstarts the vacation)
For two passengers round trip to the hotel, the cost was $140 plus tip, and honestly, it’s completely worth it for the convenience.
RIU Baja California (Adults Only)
This trip we stayed at Riu Palace Baja California, which is the adults-only section of the RIU complex.
One of the things we enjoy about this property is that there are actually three RIU resorts connected, so you can explore different pools, restaurants, and bars while still having the option of a quieter adults-only space.
A few highlights:
Morning Coffee Views
Every morning we started the day with coffee on the terrace overlooking the ocean. The view of El Arco de Cabo San Lucas in the distance never gets old. It’s one of those peaceful vacation moments you wish you could bottle up.
Best Food at the Resort
In our opinion, the steakhouse restaurant was the best meal on the property.
The Day Pool Party
Let’s just say… things got wild.
The daytime pool party was completely out of control in the funniest way possible. There was music, dancing, and a foam pool party that had us laughing most of the afternoon.
The RIU properties are definitely more about fun and social energy. While it’s not quite as luxurious as Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort (where we got married), it’s affordable and perfect for a lively getaway.
Game Day in Cabo: Go Bills!
Even when we’re on vacation, football still matters.
While we were away, the Buffalo Bills had an away game. The sports bar at the resort isn’t our favorite, so we asked around for some recommendations in town.
We actually met a couple Bills fans at the resort, and they decided to join us for the adventure into town for the game.
Watching the Game at Happy Ending Cantina
We’ve watched games before at TAPES Sports Bar, which we love (great burritos), but this time we decided to try Happy Ending Cantina.
It ended up being a great spot for game day.
They set us up in a back area with two TVs, we grabbed some beers, ordered a few appetizers, and settled in to watch the game.
Bonus: there was even a shot girl walking around, which added to the fun, party-style atmosphere.
And the best part? THE BILLS WON!
Exploring Downtown Cabo
After the game, we decided to wander through downtown Cabo, which is always full of surprises.
We stumbled into a few great bars, including:
A lively Irish pub
And the hilariously named “World’s Smallest Bar”
Sometimes those unplanned stops end up being the most memorable moments of the trip.
Couples Photos in Cabo
Since Cabo is such a meaningful place for us, we also decided to capture some updated couples photos during this trip.
We hired an amazing local photographer: Ana Badillo from @Anabadillophotography
She was:
Professional
Affordable
Easy to work with
She even picked us up and drove us to a secluded beach for our session. The shoot lasted about an hour and a half, and it was such a fun way to document another chapter of our Cabo memories.
If you're visiting Cabo and want professional vacation photos, I highly recommend reaching out to her.
Another Perfect Cabo Trip
Every time we return to Cabo San Lucas, we’re reminded why we love it so much.
This trip had a little bit of everything:
Smooth travel
Beautiful ocean views
Foam pool party chaos
Buffalo Bills football
New friends
Downtown adventures
And romantic beach photos
Another successful Cabo trip in the books — and somehow we always leave already planning the next one.
Links to Shop
Amazon Island Items
Amazon Womens Swim Link
Link for Arch excursions
Link for Sunset Cruise
