Back in the Travel Groove at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach

Back in the Travel Groove

For the first time since 2018, I took an international trip. Getting back in the travel groove led me to Cabos San Lucas, Mexico. Two things kept me from traveling: the COVID pandemic and treatment for breast cancer.  Traveling is my refuge and part of my self-care regime.  To not have traveled in my life for two years was almost a traumatic experience in itself.  However, it’s time to begin to get it in as much as possible.

I have been itching to travel since December 2019. Just before the pandemic hit I was advised not to travel by my oncologist. Little did she or I know that a pandemic lurked around the corner and pretty much shut down the world. It was a scary time for everyone, but I was not throwing caution to the wind. So, I waited but not necessarily patiently to travel once again. 

During the last week of July 2021, a trip to Cabos San Lucas was imminent. Originally, reservations were made for July 2019, but the pandemic still remained and we were given one year to take the trip. In other words, take the trip or lose your dollars. So, we reserved another date for Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach. Believe me, it was well worth the wait.

Trip Trepidations

Before getting back into the travel groove, I had trepidations about traveling to another country and heard stories about bad behavior on airplanes. I wanted to know that protocols were in place and they were followed by resort guests and employees. I needed to have my travel groove be a peaceful transition back into something I love to do. 

The trip began out of O’Hare Airport to Dallas and then to Cabos San Lucas. We flew American Airlines and had to complete specific documentation a couple of days before actually flying out. The airline emailed constant reminders of what documents to complete and when. The departing flights were full. I guess everyone needed a vacation, too. Also, all passengers followed the airline’s protocols and no one behaved badly. 

Getting There

Four hours later, we arrived in Cabos San Lucas to a hot, breezy, and sunny climate. It felt good to get off a plane and end up in another country. Yes, I’ve traveled much farther in the past, but this felt so good. After a 45 minute ride from the airport, we arrived at the beautiful Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort. 

Location and Accomodations

Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the resort is sprawling with rooms that sit high and low. There are 635 junior and executive suites. Each has a kitchenette, double sink bathrooms, spacious balconies, and excellent views of the beach.  Unfortunately, the beach is not swimmable due to the roughness of the water. However, all guests have access to a beach at a sister resort of Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort. Despite the roughness of the water, the sound of waves lured us to a night of sound sleep each night. Afterward, we walked the sandy beach each morning.

What a way to get my travel groove again. Our executive suite rooms were nice and accomodating. Each had two spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms with double sinks, closet space,  and showers. One bathroom also had a jetted tub. Entering the suite, we walked into a living and dining space with a table for four, a sofa sleeper, TV, and kitchen area. Each bedroom and the living room have sliding doors to the extended balcony with an amazing view of the grounds and the beach. For an extra ounce of relaxation, the four-person jacuzzi rests on the balcony. 

Beach and Pools

Although the beach is not swimmable, guests have several swimming pools options to choose from. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach has pools set aside for adults only and also pools for children and families. Beach towels are provided for guests by handing over a towel card during one’s pool visits. Food and drinks are served by the pool, also. Some pools are more active than others depending on the age groups. I spent most of my days lounging at the adult pool because it was all the way chilled out. 

Food and Drinks

As a person who loves to eat great food, I enjoyed the variety of different cuisines to choose from. We purchased the all-inclusive package and managed to eat plenty during our stay. The all-inclusive meal plan includes drinks, too. Yet, some food or restaurant items have a surcharge, but they are listed on the menus. Most menus in restaurants require you to scan a QR code. Paper menus were pretty much non-existent due to COVID. The variety of restaurants includes 

The Market at Quivira has nine different menus with expansive cultural dishes. The Quivira Steakhouse offers delicious steaks, poultry, and seafood in an outside or inside setting. Lo Nao offers themed night dinners and a delicious daily breakfast. La Frida restaurant is an upscale Mexican restaurant that you can experience. Guests also have a choice to sip their favorite drinks at the Lobby Bar and Manila Bar. Check out the link to review more restaurant choices. https://www.pueblobonito.com/mexico-all-inclusive-resorts

Amenities

If you like spending time at a spa, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach has the award-winning Armonia Spa. It was voted as the #1 Top Hotel Spa in Mexico on the Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best List. Services range from massages, skincare treatments, and hair and nail services. Check for special deals during your stay. During our stay, the spa offered three services for a sizeable discount. Be sure to ask for special offers when booking services.

Other available amenities include a golf course, meeting and conference rooms, and wedding services. Tours can be arranged to swim with the dolphins or whale watching. Concierges are available to assist you with setting up any tours or to make reservations at specialty restaurants on the resort. Another important piece is that the resort rooms are pretty spaced out on the property. Plus there are many hills to walk, so the resort offers golf carts to help guests get from point A to Point B. However, you can get your steps in and bypass the golf carts if you feel spunky. If you want to get out to see more of Cabos San Lucas, you can visit the Marina and shopping areas by taking a cab for $14.00 one way. 

Overall service is excellent. Check-in and check-out were smooth and timely.  Room service and cleaning are available daily.  Concierges are available to make restaurant reservations and tours.  Golf carts run every five minutes to take you from the room to restaurants, pools, spa, etc. Lastly, COVID testing is onsite and must be done 72 hours before your departure.

Go to Cabos San Lucas

My stay at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach was enough to help me get back the travel groove. It was pure relaxation for me. The great thing about the resort is that one can do a lot or a little. I chose to do a little because it’s what I needed most at the time. Depending on your needs, you can go to Cabos San Lucas and get your travel groove, too.