10 Best Affordable Resorts in Cabo (Charming Ones!)

Wondering where to stay in Los Cabos that doesn’t cost a bundle?

In general, Cabo is expensive.

Occupying the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, it’s Mexico’s swankiest resort spot. Some five-star resorts on safe swimming beaches come with butlers, suites with private pools and celebrity-chef-branded gourmet dining.

But don’t let that scare you or your wallet away.

Because there are hotel gems that offer both comfort and character, without the steep price, as well as good affordable all-inclusives.

We visit Cabo often, making a point of scouting out great places to stay in Cabo, no matter the budget.

10 Best affordable resorts in Cabo

These affordable Cabo stays mix personality with coziness.

They’re not the absolute cheapest hotels in Los Cabos. (See our guide on the best cheap hotels in Cabo San Lucas for even less expensive accommodations.)

But they perfectly balance cost with quality. All are attractive hotels offering rooms with private washrooms. They all have pools and/or hot tubs, king beds and air conditioning.

And even if you’re not right on the beach, a brief walk is all it takes to feel the sand between your toes.

Pssst! How can you keep your costs down in Cabo? See our guide on enjoying Cabo on a budget.

Best affordable hotels in Cabo San Lucas

Fancy one of the sweetest boutique hotels in Cabo San Lucas? One that oozes authentic Mexican charm?

It’s built around a pretty outdoor patio, blooming with flowers and featuring a small pool – a welcome hideaway from the energy of the bars, clubs, shops and restaurants outside.

Speaking of restos, you’re only a short walk from loads of cute Mexican taquerias and tempting Italian restaurants.

Blending affordability with irresistible charm, The Bungalows Hotel lays out the welcome mat with a big dollop of Baja style.

It’s perfectly located – tucked away in a residential area, yet within easy walking distance to downtown Cabo San Lucas. It’s also not too far from Medano Beach.

Accommodations range from cozy rooms to 2-bedroom bungalows.

The Patio Bungalow, for example – with a king bed in one bedroom and twin beds in the other – has a brick-paved patio, adorned with flower pots, under a thatched roof. Read a book as you relax in the jumbo hammock, or enjoy your morning coffee on the hammock swing.

Every stay guarantees comfort with air conditioning and a handy kitchenette, complete with a mini-fridge, microwave and a French coffee press to enjoy their organic house-blend coffee.

Guests rave about the free breakfasts. Start your day with favorites like peach-pecan buttermilk pancakes or their signature cheese omelette, smothered with a mushroom-cream sauce.

And for those lazy afternoons, the shady courtyard pool is a great place to be, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

Don’t forget to ask for some complimentary fresh-popped popcorn in the evening! Just another treat at this 16-room, character-rich hotel…

3) San Angel Suites

• Rating: 9.3 stars out of 10
• Price: $$

Hidden away in the lower Pedregal neighborhood, San Angel Suites stands out as one of the best budget hotels in Cabo San Lucas that’s quiet and homey.

Each of the 12 air-conditioned suites features a full kitchen with a stove, microwave, fridge and coffee maker.

Some rooms have large balconies for lounging about on, while others have small Juliet balconies.

The centerpiece is a 12-person Jacuzzi nestled in a nicely landscaped courtyard, complete with a BBQ for an evening under the stars.

Free parking and free WiFi are the cherries on top at this owner-operated haven.

Best affordable hotels in San Jose del Cabo

We stumbled across this 3-star gem when we stayed (again!) at the waterfront Hotel El Ganzo on a recent visit to Cabo.

La Marina Inn is across the street from El Ganzo, but set further back, so we’d never noticed it before on previous stays at El Ganzo.

The name of the bar/restaurant, George’s Restaurant, drew us in. When George (the other half of this writing partnership) spotted that sign, we just had to check it out – and do a tour of the hotel.  

Anyway, the hotel has 24 recently renovated rooms with polished Mexican tile floors.

Most have two queen beds. But there are also two rooms with a king-size bed each. As well, there are two suites featuring a kitchen or kitchenette.

Tip: Get a room on the top floor, as you can hear people above you if you have a ground floor room. Also, top floor rooms have a balcony (overlooking the pool). And when packing for your Cabo trip, throw in a sleeping mask, as the rooms don’t have blackout curtains.

There’s also an (unheated) outdoor swimming pool in the hotel courtyard.

As for George’s bar/restaurant, it serves steaks, pizza, burgers and the like. And if you bring your own freshly-caught fish, they’ll cook it up for you.

What we like best about this attractive but cheap San Jose del Cabo hotel, however, is that you have complimentary access to Hotel El Ganzo’s boat taxi service to El Ganzo Beach. (This beach is one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos.)

Being so close to the Puerto Los Cabos Marina, the hotel reels in a lot of sportfishers.

But it also appeals to adults looking for a cute, clean and comfortable stay, with easy access to El Ganzo Beach and its beach clubs.

Talk about life coming full circle.

The owner of this property, Blanca Pedrin, bought the El Encanto Inn & Suites in 1998 and has since turned it into one of the best inexpensive hotels in Cabo.

It had been her childhood home and brought her such happy memories that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy it years later and make it a happy home for others. 

Situated in the historic district of San Jose del Cabo, it’s a hacienda-style boutique hotel, nestled in a beautiful oasis bursting with native flora and tropical birds.

Replete with sweeping chandeliers and interesting architectural archways, its secluded and peaceful atmosphere makes it ideal for de-stressing, as you should on vacation.

The onsite spa and sizeable outdoor pool don’t hurt either.  

Located in the main hotel zone of San Jose del Cabo, this intimate little boutique hotel has just seven rooms.

The rooms are individually decorated. But they’re all contemporary and pleasing, with cool tile floors, Mexican blankets at the end of the bed and small balconies.

Each also has a flat-screen TV plus coffee and tea making facilities, a toaster and a mini-fridge (useful for stocking items from the La Comer grocery store, which is just a few minutes’ walk away).

Marisol Boutique Hotel is spickety clean, the A/C works well and it has super-fast Internet access.

While you’re just a block or so from the beach, it’s not one where you can swim.

If you’ve rented a car for your Cabo vacation, the closest swimming beach is beautiful Palmilla Beach. It’s only a 7-minute drive away. (Or you can take an Uber to get there.)

For beach lovers, the hotel provides complimentary beach chairs, towels, umbrellas and coolers for your use.

You also need wheels to get to the good restaurants in San Jose del Cabo.

And you might want to pack ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper, as some TripAdvisor reviewers have mentioned that the rooms aren’t completely soundproof.

But all of this is a small compromise for the hotel’s good value.

Tagged as one of the town’s best-kept secrets, Drift is a hidden treat in the heart of San Jose del Cabo’s historic district.

It’s the only industrial-style boutique San Jose del Cabo hotel – think 29 guest rooms with raw stone features, polished concrete and neutral colors. The décor was inspired by the textures of the desert, and it shows.

With clean sweeping lines and dune-colored linens, it’s a minimalist’s dream hotel.

This small modern retreat is situated between a golf course and the beach.

Its décor is less beachy and more urban (hence the name, Six Two Four Urban Beach Hotel). It’s black and white with hints of color that make it stand out in a sea of hotels in the area.

With a large pool surrounded by chaise lounges on the ground floor, you may decide to forgo relaxing on the beach (which isn’t swimmable), even though it’s only a 5-minute walk away.

Best affordable all-inclusive Cabo resorts

Located near San Jose del Cabo, it’s a beachfront resort that features 390 cozy rooms with full or partial ocean views.

There’s also a trio of outdoor pools, including a serene adults-only oasis.

Kids and teens get their own clubs, and the mini-water park, brimming with slides, is a splash hit.

The high-end Renova Spa and fitness center also sucked us in.

The resort also has two infinity pools, hot tubs and a kids’ club for young ones. You won’t be bored with all the daily activities on offer, including DJ dance parties at the Riu Santa Fe .

Essentially, you’ve got the best of everything at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas!

Last words on the best affordable resorts in Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos

If you’re dreaming of sun and fun on a budget, look no further than Cabo’s affordable gems.

From clean and cozy (sometimes downright stylish!) rooms to lively pools, these cheap Los Cabos hotels and cheap Cabo all-inclusive resorts offer a wallet-friendly escape to paradise.

All of these relatively inexpensive places to stay in Cabo blend character with comfort. Offering good value, they hit the sweet spot of both affordability and quality.

Here’s to an amazing but affordable Cabo vacation!

Photos: 8 © Janice and George Mucalov, Cabo Visitor | 1 El Encanto Inn & Suites | Remaining images courtesy the respective hotels