Palapas Resort - One and Only - Fun & Casual

The stand alone toilet between two single huts ( shared by both) did not have a toilet seat. The sink in another unit nearly fell off its pedestal when I tossed my towel on it to take a shower. It appeared that the mattress covers have not been washed in a very long time. It's not a place I would revisit.

The unique and perfect retreat for a quick, budget-friendly de-stresser in Los Cabos. If you are like me and want to experience the place for the place, and not so much for the wealthy tourists looking to buy a slice of uppity San Diego Sur, then you will appreciate the rugged, deserted expanse of East Cabo that beckons from this spot (the neighborhood of La Playa, just up the coast from the marina separating you blissfully from the resort-heavy hotel zone). You will also appreciate the easy access to the quaint and quiet marina, which draws a sportfishing crowd but which also has a sweet, low-key vibe, with some really nice places to eat and drink with a combination of locals and visitors. Also very accessible is "old town" San Jose del Cabo, with its shopping, gallery & food scene. But more than anything, you will fall for the quaint, quiet, slightly offbeat, funky yet friendly splendor that is Palapas, lovingly built by John, the proprietor, in 1990, and which he and his partner Patty, along with their adorable yellow lab Baby J, now share with their guests. I stayed in one of the budget cabanas on the ground level, which had the feeling of openness and seclusion. It was hot, but I never used the a/c, instead keeping the big window open and letting the ocean breeze and overhead fan do the trick. Great falling asleep to the trickling fountain out my window, filtering the pounding surf beyond. I didn't mind the separate bath setup (no one else was sharing it with me while I was there; the deluxe units I believe have their own), and it was nice to feel like moving through the tropical garden setting was part of the domestic routine, especially using the well-appointed open air kitchen. What could be more pleasant than mingling with all the colorful songbirds the garden attracts, on your way to a lovely pile of tropical fruit welcoming you into the shade for breakfast? The jewel of the place is the glorious pool which John has built, right above the kitchen, small but neck deep, lined with beautiful azure tile and resembling some bygone Roman bath, surrounded by crowning palm trees and looking dreamily out over the sea. No: the jewels of Palapas are John and Patty, who have figured out the right balance between making you feel welcome, being there to offer any assistance, yet leaving you to merrily bliss-out on your own. An oasis of old Baja bohemian charm, just off the beaten path, opening your spirit to a wider perspective on Los Cabos.

We had a decent stay at Palapas but I would definitely not categorize it as a resort. The owner and his girlfriend were very hospitable and the grounds were great- very beautiful. We would definitely stay here again if we were renting the whole place for a family function or spending a lot of time fishing. It would be VERY difficult to stay here without renting a vehicle. There were good places to eat within a short walking distance, but if you want to do anything else besides the beach, you'll need transportation. The beds, bedding, and other linens were only OK and had stains. I do wish there was a throw rug near the bed. One thing we also noticed was the street noise. It's located right at the edge of town and the buses were noisy for us since we weren't used to that as we live far from traffic. The pool is very small, 10'x18', but perfect to just dip in and get cooled off. The pool was also loved by the dog, who is super cute but definitely a puppy and a little frisky. The view from the pool area is spectacular. This is a great place to stay if you are out and about most of the day, but if you're looking for a more resort experience, this wouldn't be it. Also, I would say if you have mobility issues, this is not the place for you.

More Beautiful and incredible

This is the second time I’ve vacationed at ‘Palapas’. John has done an amazing job with Palapas. He is always creating an even more magical place to stay. I have such a great time when I’m there. It’s so easy to go to town because the bus stops in front of Palapas. The beach is only a 5-minute walk away and I love the restaurants that are so close. I also love cooking at Palapas. There are three kitchens in the compound and beautiful coconut trees and palms with flowers growing everywhere. There is even a ping-pong table that is lighted at night. The place is just beautiful and the accommodations are very nice. John has made improvements to the bathrooms and has also made Casa Mango the option of two separate rentals if you just want to rent just the upper or lowers floors with beautiful ocean views! He keeps the grounds very nice and has his helper Mario come in every day to make sure everything is just right. I love ‘Palapas’ and the area where it’s located. It’s just perfect for my friends and me :)

I stayed at Palapas in early May and had a wonderful time. The host, John was very nice and accommodating. Palapas has beautiful landscaping and Palm trees, flowers and mature plants and trees. I walked to the beach and swimming areas and to restaurants that are only two blocks from Palapas. Palapas has a great infinity pool with an awesome ocean view. I just loved it. John has the place lite up at night and it looks very pretty.

It was also fun taking the bus to downtown San Jose which is only a few minutes away. I really liked the downtown a lot and the beaches are really great.

I will definitely be back to Palapas !