Casa Dorada on Medano Beach: Casa Dorada Resort, Cabo San Lucas

I just completed my seventh trip to Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa. It started as a girls’ trip and then, through the years, we have let the husbands come down a couple of times. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on how to plan a trip to Casa Dorada Cabo covering the following things:

• Dos and don’t of selecting the right room at Casa Dorada.
• Deciding on whether to go all-inclusive or not.
• Arranging for transportation to and from the airport.
• Arranging grocery stops or grocery delivery (new this year).
• Where to get a great massage at a great price (not their spa).
• Which onsite restaurants to eat at and when.
• List of good off-site restaurants that are close.
• Day trips and excursions that are easily accessible from the hotel.

So here is my full Casa Dorada review and trip planner.

Planning Your Trip To Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa

The Casa Dorada Resort is located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas. This region is a perfect fusion of relaxation and adventure, waiting for you to make the most of it.

Casa Dorada Resort offers a blend of traditional architecture and natural beauty. The resort strikes the perfect balance of local charm and modern luxury. Whether you are on a romantic retreat, a family vacation, or a solo getaway, the variety of rooms and suites here should meet your needs.

Selecting Your Hotel Room At Casa Dorada Cabo

Rooms range from standard garden with a kitchenette to one and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens. The ocean-view 2-bedroom units on the south side are quiet and have fantastic exposure to the beach.  Be aware the resort overlooks Medano Beach, one of the only swimmable beaches in Cabo and it gets really busy at key vacation periods. 

We normally book by calling directly to the reservation office, but you can book directly online or, since some of the units are timeshares, you may be able to grab a short term rental on VRBO from an owner.

Pro Tip: Minimize the noise and maximize your scenic views by requesting a room away from the Mango deck, a lively bar with loud music, and an observation deck between the hotel and the beach that obscures the line of sight from rooms near it.  I think it is the East side you want but the front desk understands “put me away from Mango Deck”.

We have been experimenting with ground level rooms that last couple of visits and have had good luck with them so far.

Last thing, housekeeping is friendly and thorough. Don’t forget to tip them.

Booking Transportation From The Airport

I have used the same company for our airport and hotel transfers to and from Casa Dorada in Cabo.

Whether To Go All-Inclusive Or Not

Overall the restaurants are good at Casa Dorada. But we have normally never considered all-inclusive since we go grocery shopping and like to explore off-site restaurants during our trips.

However, we were very surprised this year by the dramatic increase in price at all of the on-site restaurants. It could be inflation but it also seems like they are trying to push the all-inclusive packages or packages with higher room costs but discounts at the on-site restaurants.

When you book, they may offer you a room at a slightly higher rate that comes with a 30% discount at all of their restaurants. Interestingly enough, it seems like the restaurants all cost about 30% more than the last time we were there. You really have to evaluate how much you plan to eat on-site. Our room this year was a really reasonable rate, but they made up for it and more with the increased cost of our poolside “Winnie The Poohs” and quesadilla orders.

Casa Dorada Restaurants

Casa Dorada offers a variety of dining options that showcase traditional Mexican dishes as well as international cuisine. From fresh seafood to locally sourced vegetables, the six on-site restaurants cater to your hunger.

Start the day with a coffee or espresso from the B Bar, open early and late. A full breakfast buffet and stunning beach views come together at Maydan, pictured below, which also serves beach loungers all day.

Okianus serves the pool and swim-up bar.  They have great tacos, quesadillas, and frozen drinks.  Pro tip: order a Winnie the Pooh (strawberry daiquiri up top with mango below) with a float of rum.  Okianus often features 2-for-1 specials to get the party started.

In the evening, 12 Tribes is great for grilled items and often has live music.  Attached to 12 Tribes is the sushi bar, a popular spot to meet other guests before heading out for the evening. 

If pizza is your thing, the wood-fired oven at Pizza Time can take care of your craving. Add 24-hour room service and the XOXO deli for quick bites to go and Casa Dorada has you covered all day long. 

Restaurant	Description
12 Tribes Restaurant	Upscale contemporary Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oceanfront terrace seating. Open 7am-11pm daily.
Maydan	Views of Cabo San Lucas Bay and the occasional live musical performance. In the dining room or out on the open-air terrace, guests enjoy a sumptuous international breakfast buffet, enticing specialties, and locally caught seafood.  MONDAY – SUNDAY BREAKFAST 7:00 AM. – 12:00 PM. LUNCH 12:00 PM. – 5:00 PM. BEACH CLUB 10:00 AM. – 7:00 PM.
Pizzeria	The outdoor pizza bar is open daily for lunch and dinner. Serves Neapolitan, Chicago, and Sicilian-style pizzas.
Sushi & Poke	Sushi bar is open daily 11am-10:30pm. Serves soups, salads, sushi rolls, nigiri, and more.
Okianus Pool Bar	Casual poolside bar and grill. Open 10am-6pm for tropical drinks, sandwiches, salads, and Mexican fare.
B Bar	Indoor lounge with snacks, pizzas, and cocktails. Open 9am-11pm. Also serves coffee and baked goods from 7am-2pm.
Casa Deli	Deli and convenience store open 7am-9pm. Grab-and-go food and grocery items.
24 Hour Room Service	Available for guests preferring the comfort of their rooms.

Casa Dorada Resort & Spa Photos

Here is a dump of a variety of photos we have taken on our trips to Casa Dorada Cabo.

The video below has some commentary on Casa Dorada but it does give a good overall video tour of all the different areas on the property.

Casa Dorada Cabo Hotel Room Tour

I forwarded this video below to the part that does the room tour. She does a good job of walking you through a typical room and shows you the kitchen, outdoor space, bathrooms, etc. Each room type will be slightly different, but the finishes and base amenities are similar and this gives a good base overview. We have had the room right above this one. I prefer being on the second story but we have also had garden-level rooms which were great as well.

Resort Activities and Entertainment

When you’re not soaking up the sun at the pool or beach, Casa Dorada offers an array of activities to keep you entertained. You could start your day with a yoga class, partake in water aerobics, or delve into the underwater world with a snorkeling adventure.

Many activities are scheduled inside at the Concierge desk by check-in but you can also book a jet ski or banana boat rental with vendors just outside the exit doors to the beach.  That option trades convenience for a little haggling and a potentially better price. Fishing and sightseeing by boat can also be booked after a quick walk to the marina. 

You can also use Viator to look for off site excursions.

Lover’s Beach

Casa Dorada sits directly across the bay from Lover’s Beach and a 5-minute boat ride takes you there.  Small boats leave all day and the ride is cheap, about $10 US. You can also arrange to snorkel on this trip for a few dollars more but the wildlife is not abundant and there are better locations in Cabo for that. 

Arriving at Lover’s Beach, a guy will wade out to hold your things (obviously leave valuables and items that can’t get wet in your room ) and help you jump from the boat into shallow water and walk in (bring some small bills for tipping coming and going). 

Land’s End And El Arco

Land’s End, or El Arco, on the other side of the peninsula from Lover’s Beach, is where the Pacific meets the Baja.  It is a natural beauty to behold and incredibly dangerous.  Take photos but do not under any circumstances even try to approach the surf. 

Wellness and Relaxation at Casa Dorada

At Casa Dorada, your time isn’t just about adventure; it’s also about rejuvenation. The resort boasts wellness facilities, including a spa and a well-equipped fitness center. Whether it’s a traditional Mexican massage or a dip in the infinity pool, it’s all about feeling revitalized. 

Pro Tip: Right next to the hotel at the public beach access walkway is the Sandbar featuring a restaurant downstairs and affordable massage heaven upstairs.

Book online or take a chance and walk over when you first arrive.  These massage therapists are gooooood and the best times are snapped up quickly.

Getting A Good Spot At The Pool Or Beach

The old saying “the early bird gets the worm” applies in regard to getting a good chair by the pool (or a chair at all). You will see people down by the pool staking their claim with towels and bags as early as 6 a.m. It seems like a jerk move since most people just stake their claim and come back later, but it is generally accepted behavior.

The demand doesn’t seem to be as high for the chairs down by the beach. Generally, you can go anytime during the day and find a few chairs. However, if you want to be front row with an unobstructed view of the ocean then you may need to go early there as well.

Exploring Cabo San Lucas

Casa Dorada’s prime location is within easy reach of some of Cabo San Lucas’ top attractions. The iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas and a plethora of shopping and dining options are all conveniently located nearby. For those willing to venture further, I highly recommend a day trip to Todos Santos to explore art galleries and other beaches of the Baja Peninsula.

We had a great lunch at Santo Pecados (shown below) during our day trip. You can book a Todos Santos excursion on Viator. We tried it on our own and ended up paying an Uber fee and then the Uber driver said he needed more money in cash on the way down there. Then we couldn’t get an Uber or taxi to get home. I went to the Hotel California (I speak passable Spanish) and thankfully they helped us secure a ride with Oso (The bear). A very large man in a very small car. The four of us crammed ourselves into the car. The “Oso” was great and it made for a memorable experience. We may have saved a little money between the 4 of us, but I think booking an excursion is the way to go next time.

Restaurants Close To Casa Dorada

Restaurant	Description	Price
Hacienda Cocina	This place is lovely and expensive. If you want to splurge this may be a place to try. It is walkable via the beach or a short taxi ride.	Expensive
Edith’s	This get’s mixed reviews, but it is walkable from Casa Dorada Cabo.	Expensive
The Office	This is an easy walk on the beach to the right when you leave Casa Dorada. If you get the flaming coffee at the end of the meal they will work you for an extra tip (on top of the normal tip). The food is. consistently good.	Expensive
Tres Sirenas	This is a quick walk across the street. The food is consistently good and on some nights they have music.	Expensive

Customer Experience

Staff training at Casa Dorada is top-notch.  The employees are friendly and helpful, including the timeshare sales associates in the lobby, you just may not be interested in what they are selling.  They will approach you as a concierge, offering to book activities for you but there is a catch.  You have to sit through a timeshare presentation to take advantage of the freebies so be forewarned.

Exceptional reviews for Casa Dorada abound. These testimonials from Casa Dorada guests stand for the resort’s commitment to providing top-notch customer service. 

• Trip Advisor Travelers Choice 2023
• Fodor’s Best

With an outstanding rating and consistent positive feedback, it’s clear that Casa Dorada delivers an unforgettable experience.

How to Make Your Reservation at Casa Dorada

When you are ready to book a fun-filled vacation in Cabo head over to (https://www.casadorada.com/reservations

Casa Dorada Webcam

There is a Casa Dorada Los Cabos Webcam so you can preview the action, check out how busy the beach is from your room, or look wantingly from your home once you get back from your vacation.