The morning light slants across the resort pool and sandy beach with the view of crashing waves in front of Pueblo Bonito Pacifica. I sip my coffee slowly, savoring the rare silence. For the first time in weeks, my phone isn’t buzzing with graduation ceremony questions, or last-minute senior year emergencies.
I’m in the thick of high school graduation season. My youngest son is about to cross that threshold into adulthood, and the emotional whirlwind has been, quite frankly, a lot. Between the extended family travel plan wrangling, finishing up end-of-year school activities, and my own complicated feelings about this chapter closing, I’ve been desperate for a pause button on life.
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This midweek escape to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica with a girlfriend—who miraculously managed to coordinate four days away from her own work chaos—feels like finding an unexpected oasis in the desert. Which, given our location at the edge of the Baja peninsula where the desert literally meets the sea, seems particularly apt.
Today, I want to share with you my stay at the lovely all-inclusive Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort (review) after a recent media stay with them. All opinions are my own.
As a newly certified travel advisor with Fora, I’ve learned the insider secret that midweek reservations mean fewer crowds and better rates. But what I didn’t fully appreciate until arriving was how different an adults-only resort feels in your bones when you’re coming straight from the tsunami of teenage emotions at home. The absence of other people’s children is, I must admit, exquisite.
Day 1: The Sacred Transition
“Would you prefer your welcome cocktail with or without alcohol, señora?”
My butler Rodrigo asks this while handling our check-in within the exclusive Whale Watching VIP Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Pacific Ocean. After months of being everyone’s logistics coordinator, having someone coordinate for me feels like an extravagance I’ve forgotten how to accept.
We’d strategically booked rooms at the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort with butler service—a decision that would prove transformative throughout my stay. Rodrigo and Itamar, my second butler, didn’t just bring extra towels and a weighted down comforter; they arranged dinner reservations, coordinated activities, and sent reminders via WhatsApp, and—most importantly—ensured there was always a reserved lounger by the infinity pool with my name on it.
“With a tequila, please,” I answer. “The graduation planning detox begins now.”
The rest of my arrival day unfolds with the languid pace that only exists in luxury resorts and nostalgic dreams. My friend and I settle into the rhythm of doing precisely what we want, when we want—a concept so foreign to this mother of teenagers that I keep checking my phone for permission.
In addition to our exquisite room, we had exclusive access to the Whale Watching VIP lounge. This special amenity provided us with grab-and-go food options, refreshing drinks, and an enticing à la carte menu.
For lunch, I indulged in delicious fish tacos while dining outdoors on the patio, which offered breathtaking views of the ocean. The gentle sound of crashing waves only enhanced the serene atmosphere, making it the perfect setting to unwind and relish in the moment.
Later, at Peninsula restaurant, we toast our escape over a tasting menu with plates of lobster and pork belly taquitos, Baja gordita, local sea bass, and a decadent corn cake with popcorn ice cream. The wine pairing featuring Mexican vineyards added to our increasingly animated conversation. Here, away from the listening ears of our families, we share stories and laughter, enjoying the freedom of just being ourselves.
As I finished my meal, I wasn’t quite ready to call it a night and headed down to the beach to sit beside lit firepits. The cool breeze and the sound of music coming from the nearby bar was an irresistible invitation to join in on the fun. I grabbed a drink from the bar and joined a group of fellow guests to chat about travel adventures and bucket list destinations.
The night seemed to fly by as we talked and laughed, sharing stories of our travels and exchanging recommendations for must-see places. It was a refreshing change from the daily routine of work and responsibilities. As the fire flickered in the background, I felt a sense of camaraderie with these strangers who had quickly become friends.
Day 2: The Rhythm of Elsewhere
I awoke early and headed out to my patio to witness the golden light washing over the beach. After enjoying a cup of coffee in my room, I headed down to the beach where a yoga mat awaited and I spent sixty minutes moving through gentle poses as the waves provided rhythmic accompaniment.
After a breakfast of chilaquiles and fresh tropical fruit at Siempre, we met our driver for today’s adventure. We were headed to Todos Santos, the designated “Pueblo Mágico” about an hour away on Baja’s southern western coast. The landscape transformed as we drove—desert scrubland giving way to lush farms, then the colorful buildings of a town that feels caught in a beautiful time slip.
Our guide, Max Uranga, met us in the town square. With his storyteller’s cadence, Max illuminated the town’s history as we walked, weaving tales of the local artists, Jesuit missionaries, and the sugar mill industry that once thrived here.
“This is not a place that reveals itself to those rushing through,” Max said, leading us down a cobblestone side street away from the more touristy areas. “Todos Santos rewards the patient observer.”
He couldn’t be more right. While the famous Hotel California draws crowds (and despite the name, has no official connection to the Eagles song), the true soul of Todos Santos resides in its art galleries and quiet courtyards.
At Galeria de Todos Santos, we spent an hour speaking with a local artist, Erick Ochoa, and gallery owner, Michael Cope. Erick captures the Baja light in oil paintings that make my heart ache with their beauty. A popular theme for him is cows on vacation which is whimsical and fun. The gallery cat, Azul, napped contentedly on a table nearby while we chatted.
As we continued to explore the town, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. The streets were filled with vibrant colors and intriguing Neoclassical Hispanic architecture, each building telling its own unique story.
Max pointed out a small coffee shop, Caffe Todos Santos, tucked away in a downtown side street, known for coffee and fresh baked pastries. We made a mental note to try it later.
As we strolled through the quiet downtown area, Max highlighted the local murals and shared some history about Todos Santos. He told us how the town was once a prosperous sugar cane farming community until natural disasters caused a decline in production. But rather than giving up, the residents turned to art and tourism as a way to sustain themselves.
This is evident in the stunning Todos Santos Boutique Hotel that once served as the private residence to a Sugar Mill owner. Now, it’s a charming retreat with beautiful gardens and open air galleries.
Our tour ended at the town square where Max bid us farewell and invited us to explore the area on our own. I wandered into Zócalo Todos Santos, a small boutique owned by an Australian who fell in love with the town and decided to make it her home. The shop is filled with unique women’s clothing and accessories. I fell in love with this hand-knotted fringe belt/skirt whose use is as unlimited as the owner’s imagination.
As I continued strolling through the streets, I couldn’t help but notice the vibrant colors that adorned many of the buildings. Max had mentioned that this was a result of a community effort to beautify the town after the economic downturn. Everywhere I looked, there were murals and street art that reflected the rich culture and history of Todos Santos.
For a light lunch, we stopped at Oystera for fresh seafood and bubbles. Housed in what was once part of the Santa Terra Sugar Mill. Sitting in this repurposed industrial space, now elegantly minimalist with high ceilings and exposed brick, I couldn’t help but see parallels to this moment in my own life—something once designed for one purpose now transforming into something equally valuable but entirely different.
Over platters of local oysters, ceviche, and shrimp cocktail, we talked about the inevitable transitions that define midlife. The children growing up. The parents growing older. Our own bodies and priorities shifting. The prosecco was exquisite and the cocktails were strong, making the conversation stronger.
“We need this,” my friend Heide said, gesturing expansively at our table, our surroundings, our temporary escape. “Not as an indulgence, but as a necessity.”
Once back at Pacifica, I slipped into swimwear and claimed a lounger by the pool. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the water and it felt glorious. This is the luxury of adulthood—the guilt-free enjoyment of doing absolutely nothing.
As evening approached, we freshened up for our next adventure: exploring Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, the sister property just a short shuttle ride away. Unlike adults-only Pacifica, Sunset Beach welcomes families, making it ideal for multi-generational getaways. I made mental notes of the expansive pools, the family-friendly accommodations, and the impressive fact that all guests have access to 21 dining options here as well as other restaurants across the Pueblo Bonito resort collection.
The crown jewel of our Sunset Beach visit was dinner at LaFrida, where head chef Anaisa Guevara had prepared a five-course tasting menu that left us speechless. The restaurant itself is a tribute to Frida Kahlo, with vibrant colors and artistic touches that honor the iconic Mexican painter.
Our culinary journey began with a tuna tartare so fresh it practically melted on the tongue, followed by a wild mushroom crème soup with delicate emulsion of foie gras that added an unexpected richness.
The third course—a confit totoaba served with contrasting red and white moles—showcased Chef Guevara’s masterful balance of traditional Mexican flavors with modern technique. It’s clear why she was named one of Food & Wine Mexico’s “Best New Chefs in Mexico 2024.”
But it was the fourth course that rendered me momentarily speechless: a short rib so perfectly prepared, so tender and flavorful, that I was compelled to close my eyes with each bite. As a travel writer, I’ve eaten remarkable meals around the world, but this short rib—infused with guajillo chile and served with the silkiest purée—instantly entered my personal culinary hall of fame.
Dessert arrived as a sophisticated play on dulce de leche, accompanied by house-made pine nut ice cream that somehow captured the essence of the Baja peninsula itself—a little wild, unexpectedly complex, and utterly memorable.
Day 3: The Body Remembers What the Mind Forgets
Today started with a morning walk on the beach and a reward: an appointment at Armonia Spa. When choosing between a facial and massage, I always opt for a facial, especially in dry desert areas like Cabo. Not only does my skin drink in the hydration, but the skilled estheticians at Armonia include a heavenly head, shoulder, and neck massage as part of the treatment—delivering two indulgences in one. It erased not just the morning’s exertion but the months of graduation-planning stress from my face. As expert hands worked their magic, I felt the tension melting from my jawline where I’d been unconsciously clenching through college application season and graduation preparations.
The afternoon brought another adventure: a sailing excursion with Cabo Adventures. From the marina in Cabo San Lucas, we boarded a sleek 50 foot sailboat that would take us around the famous Land’s End arch and out into the Pacific Ocean. As we sailed, the wind picked up, filling the sails and carrying away lingering thoughts of responsibility and routine.
Our two-hour cruise included a surprisingly robust light lunch spread. Fresh ceviche with local fish practically sparkled with lime and cilantro, while perfectly grilled shrimp skewers arrived hot off the small onboard grill. Crisp salad, platters of tropical fruit, and homemade guacamole with just the right amount of kick completed the offering. The open bar served everything from Mexican beer to classic margaritas, but I opted for a Ranch Water—tequila, lime, and Topo Chico—that has become my vacation signature drink.
I staked out a spot at the front of the boat and stretched out with the sun warming my face and the occasional refreshing spray from the bow cutting through waves, I sipped my Ranch Water and experienced a rare moment of perfect contentment. The combination of gentle rocking, sunshine filtering through closed eyelids, and the unfamiliar sensation of having absolutely nowhere else to be created a meditative state no app or guided practice has ever achieved.
For our final dinner, we dressed up for Quivira Steakhouse, located at the clubhouse of the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. The shuttle whisked us between locations, a convenience I appreciated. But before we left Pacifica, I noticed a tree adorned with glass hearts. A member of staff explained they’re crafted by a local artisan, Israel Bautista, who repurposes empty bottles into these delicate ornaments.
The sustainability aspect appealed to me, but it was the metaphor that resonated most deeply—taking something emptied and creating from it something beautiful and new. Isn’t that exactly what this next phase of life asks of us as our children leave home?
But for our final night, the setting was idyllic where desert meets ocean across undulating greens, providing a fitting backdrop for our farewell meal.
We were welcomed with Moscow Mules, the ginger beer providing a spicy counterpoint to the earlier Ranch Waters. The dining room married rustic elegance with panoramic views, and as we settled in, our server explained the four-course experience that awaited us.
The culinary journey began with a beetroot mille-feuille—paper-thin slices of ruby-red beets layered with goat cheese and microgreens, a visual stunner that tasted even better than it looked. Next came an unexpected delight: a small “broth shot” featuring tender brisket and tapioca pearls that burst with flavor, a playful reimagining of traditional Mexican consommé.
When the main course arrived, I couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer audacity of the presentation. My XL prime beef steak was a cut so generous it would make a Texas rancher nod in approval. The exterior was perfectly charred while the interior remained a perfect medium-rare, glistening in the candlelight. This was carnivorous excess elevated to an art form, and I made a mental note to skip breakfast the next day.
Dessert provided the finale to our culinary symphony: Catalan cream crowned with a berry crumble that provided just the right textural contrast to the silky custard beneath. As we savored each spoonful, we couldn’t help but reflect on the progression of meals we’d enjoyed throughout our stay, each one seemingly better than the last.
The meals I experienced during this all-inclusive stay have truly been extraordinary. While premium dining options like the exquisite dinners I relished did come with a minimal upcharge of about $30 per person on average, they were absolutely worth the splurge. Pueblo Bonito guests can dine across all of the collection’s restaurants offering diverse culinary experiences, from traditional Mexican cuisine to fresh seafood and even Italian specialties. The variety and quality of food available at this resort is truly impressive.
Day 4: The Return (But Not Really)
My final full day dawned bright and clear. Rather than racing to pack in last-minute experiences, we unanimously decided to embrace slower pleasures. This is the wisdom of women in their fifties—knowing that sometimes the richest experiences come from depth rather than breadth.
Before breakfast at Siempre, where I enjoyed a delicious made-to-order omelette and chilaquiles, I packed my suitcase so I could enjoy the last remaining hours. Packing felt like a ceremony of sorts. I carefully wrapped my glass heart the resort gifted me and made note of the particular brand of prosecco we enjoyed at dinner. These tangible touchstones will help bridge the space between this sanctuary and the graduation festivities awaiting me at home.
Over breakfast at Siempre, my friend Heide and I chatted over coffee, mimosas, made-to-order omelettes, and more coffee. We drafted our intangible souvenirs list—those elements of this experience we want to integrate into our everyday lives back home:
- The morning moments of solitude before the day begins
- The liberation of a phone set to “do not disturb”
- The pleasure of meals enjoyed without multitasking
- The perspective gained from physical distance from our usual environments
The rest of my morning found me by the pool, having claimed my spot early (thanks again to butler service). I was no longer the woman who arrived three days ago—slightly frazzled, slightly hunched from carrying invisible burdens. The sun and sea had worked their alchemy, as had the simple permission to exist without constantly attending to others’ needs.
Before taking my car service back to the airport, Rodrigo assisted with checkout, handling the details gracefully and ensuring our airport transportation arrived promptly. I thought this is what separates good service from transformative hospitality, filing away another observation for my travel advisor toolkit.
On the flight home, somewhere over the Grand Canyon, I found myself smiling at the perfect timing of this interlude. I needed this pause, not to escape my son’s graduation milestone, but to prepare myself to embrace it fully. The perspective gained from physical and emotional distance had cleared space for the complex emotions ahead.
I was returning with more than a suitcase full of sundresses and a slight tan. I was carrying a renewed connection to myself, a reminder that while the role of mother has defined so much of my identity, it has never been the entirety of who I am. As my son prepares to commence his adult life, perhaps I, too, am commencing something new—not a replacement for motherhood, but an expansion beyond its boundaries.
The captain announced our initial descent, and I closed my eyes briefly, holding onto the sensation of that pool, the taste of fresh oysters in Todos Santos, the sound of sails catching wind, the feeling of being fully present in my own life. These are the souvenirs that matter—the ones that will sustain me through graduation day and beyond, into whatever comes next.
Travel Advisor Tips:
When to Go: Consider midweek stays (Monday-Thursday) for better rates and fewer crowds. April-June offers ideal weather before summer heat intensifies.
Is Butler Service Worth It? Absolutely. Beyond the practical assistance with reservations and arrangements, the mental relief of having someone else handle logistics is invaluable, especially during stressful life transitions.
Packing Essentials:
- Versatile dresses that transition from pool to dinner with just a change of accessories
- A lightweight sweater for evening ocean breezes
- Reef-safe sunscreen (crucial for ocean activities)
- A hat with good sun coverage
- Comfortable walking shoes for excursions
Resource Links:
- Cabo Adventures offers reliable sailing tours: Get with Get Your Guide Here
- For cultural tours of Todos Santos, contact Max Uranga: [email protected]
- Oystera in Todos Santos for a memorable lunch experience: Oystera Website
Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!
- AIRFARE
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
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- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
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- LODGING
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- PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
- For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
- TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
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- ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
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- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
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- LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.
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