"Adults-Only Paradise: Our Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Los Cabos Experience"

Nicky and Heide give their review of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica adults-only luxury resort in Los Cabos. From fine dining and top-notch spa experiences to day trips to one of Mexico's "Magical towns," the resort far exceeded any expectations. Perfect for a girls' getaway or a romantic escape, see what you can expect from this premium resort.

Transcript

Episode: "Adults-Only Paradise: Our Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Experience"

35-minute episode featuring Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro

INTRO MUSIC & OPENING (2 minutes)

HEIDE: Welcome back to Untethered and Wanderwise! I'm Heide Brandes—

NICKY: And I'm Nicky Omohundro, and ladies, do we have a treat for you today!

HEIDE: Oh my gosh, yes! We just got back from the most incredible adults-only resort experience in Los Cabos, and I'm still dreaming about those ocean views and bottomless margaritas.

NICKY: laughs Heide's not even exaggerating! We spent four amazing days at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, and honestly? This might be the perfect girls' getaway destination.

HEIDE: Before we dive in, let me just say—this was a hosted press trip, but as always, all opinions are our own. And trust me, we have OPINIONS about this place!

NICKY: The good kind of opinions! So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's transport you to paradise. We're talking stunning oceanfront suites, world-class spa treatments, incredible food, and even a little art-filled adventure to the magical town of Todos Santos.

HEIDE: Plus, we sat down with Mary van den Heuvel, the Director of Marketing for Pueblo Bonito, to get all the insider details about what makes this resort group so special. And wait until you hear about their exciting new boutique hotel concept!

NICKY: But first, let's talk about how this whole adventure started...

SEGMENT 1: ARRIVAL & FIRST IMPRESSIONS (5 minutes)

HEIDE: So picture this—we land at San Jose del Cabo Airport, and the chaos begins immediately. The itinerary warned us about this, but wow!

NICKY: laughing The timeshare people are like vultures! But our instructions were clear: "Give a simple 'NO THANK YOU' and keep walking."

HEIDE: Which we did, like bosses! We found our Cabo Travel Solutions driver at Pole 12—shoutout to the beige shirts and brown pants uniform that made them easy to spot.

NICKY: The 40-minute ride to the resort was gorgeous. You start seeing these dramatic desert landscapes meeting the ocean, and you know you're somewhere special.

HEIDE: Then we pull up to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, and Nicky, what was your first thought?

NICKY: Honestly? "This looks like where celebrities would hide out." The property is stunning—it's built into these cliffs overlooking the Pacific, with this gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture.

HEIDE: And then they mentioned the Whale Watching VIP Lounge, and I was like, "Wait, there are WHALES?"

NICKY: In whale season—December through March—you can literally watch whales from your cocktail! We missed whale season, but the views were still incredible.

HEIDE: Let's talk about being adults-only for a second. This is Pueblo Bonito's only exclusively adults-only property, and you guys... the vibe is chef's kiss.

NICKY: No crying babies at breakfast, no kids running around the pools. Just pure relaxation. It's like the resort equivalent of business class.

HEIDE: And can we talk about our welcome toast? Sunset cocktails in the Whale Watching Lounge with those panoramic ocean views? That's how you set the tone for a trip.

NICKY: I knew right then we were in for something special. But the real magic started the next morning...

SEGMENT 2: THE RESORT EXPERIENCE (8 minutes)

NICKY: Okay, so let's paint the picture of a typical day at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica. We started with yoga on the beach at 7 AM.

HEIDE: Which, full disclosure, I skipped out to get a little work done, but Nicky was out there doing sun salutations with the sound of waves crashing and this endless ocean view...

NICKY: It was honestly magical. And then we'd grab breakfast—either at Siempre or back in that amazing Whale Watching Lounge. The food quality here is not your typical all-inclusive resort food.

HEIDE: This is where I need to geek out a little. So many all-inclusive resorts cut corners on food quality, but Pueblo Bonito is doing something different. They have legitimate gourmet restaurants.

NICKY: Peninsula Restaurant in The Towers section—where we stayed—was fine dining level. We actually got to meet Chef Carlos, and you could tell this guy is passionate about his craft.

HEIDE: And the variety! Remember, you're not stuck eating at just your resort. Pueblo Bonito has five properties in Los Cabos, and your all-inclusive package works at all of them.

NICKY: That's huge! Free shuttle service between properties, so one day you could be downtown at their beachfront locations, the next day you're at the golf club, then back to the adults-only sanctuary.

HEIDE: Speaking of The Towers at Pueblo Bonita. if you're going to splurge anywhere, do it here. We had our own personal butler, and I'm not talking about someone who just brings you towels.

NICKY: Our butler would unpack our suitcases, make restaurant reservations, even sew on a button if we needed it! It sounds extra, but when you're on vacation, being pampered like that is incredible.

HEIDE: And the spa—oh my god, the spa. Armonia Spa is not messing around. I'm not even exaggerating when I say Betty put me in a trance of pleasure. This woman has magic hands. But beyond the treatments, the spa has this whole wellness circuit—wet sauna, cold plunge pool, hot jacuzzi.

HEIDE: The cold plunge was such a nice surprise! You don't see those everywhere, especially at resort spas.

NICKY: And they recommend getting there early to enjoy all the facilities. It becomes this whole experience, not just a quick massage.

HEIDE: But can we talk about the real star of the show? The restaurants and the food program?

NICKY: Yes! So we ate at Peninsula, which was incredible, but then they shuttled us to Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach for dinner at LaFrida, and that's where we met rising star Chef Anaissa Gevaro.

HEIDE: This woman is in her early 30s, learned from her grandmother, then trained with top chefs. Food & Wine recognized her as one of the best new chefs last year.

NICKY: Her food is this perfect blend of authentic Mexican ingredients with modern techniques. And she's about to become head chef at one of their new properties.

HEIDE: The level of culinary talent they're attracting tells you everything about where Pueblo Bonito is positioning itself in the market.

NICKY: It's not just unlimited mediocre buffet food. We're talking legitimate culinary experiences that happen to be included in your stay.

SEGMENT 3: TODOS SANTOS ADVENTURE (6 minutes)

HEIDE: Alright, let's talk about our day trip to Todos Santos, because this was such a highlight.

NICKY: For context, Todos Santos is about an hour from the resort, and it's designated as a "Pueblo Mágico"—a magical town—by the Mexican government.

HEIDE: Our guide Max Urunga was incredible. This guy knows everyone and everything about the town, and he made the experience so much richer.

NICKY: Todos Santos is basically an artists' colony now. It started as this small desert town, but over the years, it's attracted artists from Mexico and internationally.

HEIDE: The art galleries are incredible. We stopped at Galeria de Todos Santos, which is one of the oldest, showcasing famous Mexican painters. Then there's places like Galeria Logan and La Sonrisa de la Muerte with contemporary graphic art.

NICKY: But it's not just about the art. The town has this bohemian, laid-back vibe that feels worlds away from the resort scene in Cabo.

HEIDE: Max told us all these stories about the local characters, the art scene politics, the way the town has evolved. You get this real insider perspective you'd never get on your own.

NICKY: We also visited the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church, which dates back to 1733. It's right next to Hotel California and was originally one of the first Spanish missions.

HEIDE: The downtown shopping is fantastic too—lots of women-owned boutiques supporting local charities. And Rocco's Nieves Artesanales for handmade ice cream in this adorable pink adobe building.

NICKY: What I loved most was how different it felt from the polished resort experience. Don't get me wrong, we loved the resort, but this felt like real Mexico.

HEIDE: It's the perfect balance. You get your luxury and pampering at the resort, then you can explore this authentic, artistic community that's completely different.

NICKY: And Max made it so easy. He knew which galleries were worth visiting, where to get the best local crafts, even the stories behind the buildings and murals.

HEIDE: If you're staying at Pueblo Bonito, definitely book this tour. It adds so much depth to your Los Cabos experience.

SEGMENT 4: INTERVIEW WITH MARY VAN DEN HEUVEL (8 minutes)

NICKY: So we were lucky enough to sit down with Mary van den Heuvel—and yes, we practiced pronouncing her name multiple times—

HEIDE: laughing We butchered it at first! But Mary is the Director of Marketing for Pueblo Bonito, and she gave us the inside scoop on what makes this resort group special.

NICKY: Mary, first tell us about all five Pueblo Bonito properties in Los Cabos.

MARY: [From transcript] We actually have five different properties here in Cabo San Lucas. The first ones that opened were the ones on Medrano Beach, which is Pueblo Bonito Rose and Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos. They are downtown properties, which is really nice. Their location is really like their great point, right? So people there can swim in the ocean. It's a beautiful beach. It's very calm water.

HEIDE: What Mary explained is that each property has its own personality. The downtown ones are perfect for people who want to be in the action, walking to restaurants and bars.

NICKY: Then there's Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, which was recognized as having the most stunning views in the world based on TripAdvisor reviews!

MARY: [From transcript] There was a publication that gathered a lot of TripAdvisor reviews, hundreds of thousands actually, and it was the resort that got most mentions of stunning views.

HEIDE: Built on a hillside with villas, so every room has a view. Six pools, over 20 restaurants. It's huge but doesn't feel crowded because everything's spread out.

NICKY: And then there's Pacifica where we stayed—the adults-only sanctuary—and the Monte Cristo villas for small groups who want their own private pools and jacuzzis.

HEIDE: But here's what's genius: the free shuttle service between all properties, and your all-inclusive works everywhere.

MARY: [From transcript] All the hotels are all-inclusive, and you can use your all-inclusive at the other properties. So yes, for example, if you're staying here at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, like you are, you can go for the day to Medrano Beach and enjoy the beach there... Your all-inclusive will still be valid there.

NICKY: So you're not stuck at one resort for your entire stay. You can experience five different vibes and over 30 restaurants total.

HEIDE: And let's talk about Quivira Golf Club, because this isn't just any golf course.

MARY: [From transcript] It is a Jack Nicklaus signature design. It opened in 2014 and it has been amazing. Upon the opening, it got an award from Golf Magazine as the Best New International Golf Course of the year... It's known as one of the best 100 courses of the world.

NICKY: In whale season, you can see whales from the golf course! And it has the only oceanside driving range in North America.

HEIDE: Even if you don't golf—like me—the clubhouse is gorgeous for breakfast or lunch, with views over the course.

NICKY: Mary also told us about all the experiences they offer beyond just lounging by the pool.

MARY: [From transcript] We have like, tequila, mezcal tastings... there's cooking classes. You pick your own ingredients from the garden, together with the chef, and he will teach you to make new dishes.

HEIDE: The cooking classes use ingredients from their own garden! And the tequila tastings—because when in Mexico, right?

NICKY: What impressed me most was Mary talking about safety, because that's always a concern for solo female travelers.

MARY: [From transcript] It's very safe. You are very, very safe. And then there's many things you can do outside the resorts without any issues. Cabo really has safety as their main priority.

HEIDE: That peace of mind is huge, especially for women traveling alone or in small groups.

SEGMENT 5: NEW BOUTIQUE CONCEPT & FINAL THOUGHTS (6 minutes)

NICKY: Okay, but here's where it gets really exciting. Mary told us about Pueblo Bonito's brand new concept.

HEIDE: They're launching Pueblo Bonito Vantage—boutique hotels in destinations where you can really immerse in the culture.

MARY: [From transcript] This year, we are launching our new brand. It's called Pueblo Bonito Vantage... They're all going to be located in destinations where you can immerse in the culture.

NICKY: The first one opens in downtown Mazatlán—just 24 rooms, walking distance to the main square.

HEIDE: And then this summer, they're opening in San Miguel de Allende, which was named best small city by Condé Nast Traveler.

MARY: [From transcript] It's 110 rooms, and it's within walking distance of San Miguel de Allende, which is a beautiful city... It has a lot of history, beautiful art galleries. It's very colorful, beautiful architecture. It's a great walkable city.

NICKY: This is such a smart evolution. They're taking everything they do well—the service, the food quality, the attention to detail—and creating more intimate, culturally immersive experiences.

HEIDE: I love that they're not just doing cookie-cutter resorts. Each property has its own personality and purpose.

NICKY: So let's wrap up with our final thoughts. Would we recommend Pueblo Bonito Pacifica?

HEIDE: Absolutely! If you're looking for an adults-only retreat with incredible food, top-notch spa services, and the flexibility to explore multiple properties, this is it.

NICKY: The service level is exceptional without being stuffy. The food rivals standalone fine dining restaurants. And the location gives you both the luxury resort experience and access to authentic Mexican culture.

HEIDE: For girls' getaways, this is perfect. Adults-only means you can actually relax. The spa is world-class. There are unique experiences like cooking classes and tequila tastings.

NICKY: And if you're a solo female traveler, the safety and service make it ideal. Having a butler sounds extra, but when you're traveling alone, that level of personal attention is actually really valuable.

HEIDE: The only downside? We didn't want to leave! Four days wasn't nearly enough to experience everything they offer.

NICKY: Next time, we're definitely trying one of those Monte Cristo villas and playing some golf at Quivira.

HEIDE: And we'll be first in line to try the new Pueblo Bonito Vantage properties. San Miguel de Allende, here we come!

CLOSING (2 minutes)

NICKY: Alright ladies, that's a wrap on our Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos adventure! Thank you so much to Mary van den Heuvel and the entire Pueblo Bonito team for hosting us.

HEIDE: And huge thanks to our guide Max Urunga for making Todos Santos come alive for us. If you're planning a trip to Los Cabos, definitely reach out to the team at Pueblo Bonito.

NICKY: All the contact information and links will be in our show notes, along with photos from our trip on our Instagram @UntetheredandWanderwise.

HEIDE: Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review, and slide into our DMs with your own Los Cabos stories or questions!

NICKY: Next episode, we're diving into European river cruising—spoiler alert, it's not your grandmother's cruise experience.

HEIDE: Until then, keep exploring, keep wandering, and remember—

BOTH: Life's too short for bad hotels and boring trips!

NICKY: Bye, beauties!

HEIDE: Adiós!

OUTRO MUSIC FADES

EPISODE NOTES:

• Tag @QuiviraLosCabos @PuebloBonito in social media promotion