{"id":272503,"date":"2025-11-09T04:27:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T04:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/272503\/"},"modified":"2025-11-09T04:27:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T04:27:19","slug":"cabo-trip-report-quivira-golf-club-and-pueblo-bonito-pacifica-resort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/272503\/","title":{"rendered":"Cabo Trip Report: Quivira Golf Club and Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort"},"content":{"rendered":"

In three days, I witnessed the best three sunsets I had seen all year. I only wish there could have been a hundred more.<\/p>\n

The spot was the beachfront Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where the experience was made even more memorable by the thunderous crash of shore-breaking waves\u2014so powerful you could feel them beneath your feet.<\/p>\n

It had been more than fifteen years since my last golf trip to Cabo. Back then, there were only a handful of courses; now there are nearly twenty.<\/p>\n

The Pueblo Bonito development includes two all-inclusive hotels, the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus\u2013designed Quivira Golf Club, full and timeshare ownership opportunities, a private beach, marketplace, and much more. None of this would work without world-class amenities and service\u2014and my experience in both areas was exceptional.<\/p>\n

Quivira Golf Club<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the thing about courses with extreme holes like Quivira, or Cypress Point for that matter: how do you focus when you finally get there\u2014when you\u2019re overwhelmed by the beauty and sheer audacity of building holes on the edge of the earth? And perhaps more importantly, how do those holes fit into the overall flow of the round?<\/p>\n

At Quivira, designer Jack Nicklaus provided not one, but three holes that could find their way onto any \u201cextreme golf\u201d calendar. Staying at the resort, I found myself mesmerized by the golf video running on a continuous loop on my room\u2019s TV. Watching movie-star-handsome Antonio Reynante, the resort\u2019s Director of Golf, navigate those holes gave me a preview of what awaited. His staff\u2019s advice on how to play the 6th hole was spot-on: hit a 200-yard tee shot down the right side, followed by a short approach to a green that seems to perch on a precipice disappearing into the Pacific below.<\/p>\n

The dramatic par-3 7th hole is every bit as exhilarating as it looks in photos\u2014its green set on a narrow finger of land with the ocean as a constant backdrop. Later in the round, the shorter 14th hole demands precision, with Nicklaus\u2019 smallest green ever\u2014just 5,000 square feet\u2014ready to reject any misstep. It\u2019s a wedge shot you won\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n

What makes Quivira truly special, though, is that the rest of the course doesn\u2019t take a back seat to its headliners. The opening stretch is strong and varied, offering a taste of what\u2019s to come before the layout climbs into the cliffs. The par-5 13th zigzags downhill with strategic bunkering, leading to a thrilling run of holes capped by No. 14. And the par-4 17th, which tumbles back toward the clubhouse from the upper plateau, might be the most satisfying drive on the property. (I couldn\u2019t resist playing from the back tee.)<\/p>\n

Add in the amenities\u2014a halfway house built into the cliffs that serves fresh tacos and cold drinks, a welcoming clubhouse overlooking the sea, and a staff that treats every golfer like a member\u2014and you have a course that captures everything Cabo golf aspires to be.<\/p>\n

While I wouldn\u2019t necessarily recommend Quivira for families with young golfers (the minimum age to play is 17), it\u2019s ideal for couples who both love the game. Staying at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica and playing Quivira together would make for a spectacular romantic getaway\u2014or even a honeymoon. It\u2019s no wonder the resort hosts more than 300 destination weddings per year.<\/p>\n

\"QuiviraFast Facts: Quivira Golf ClubDesignerJack Nicklaus (Signature Design)OpenedDecember 2014Par \/ YardagePar: 72 | Yardage: 7,085 yards from the back teesOceanfront ExposureMore holes along the Pacific than any other course in Los CabosSignature Holes6 (cliffside par 4), 7 (dramatic par 3), 14 (Nicklaus\u2019 smallest green at 5,000 sq. ft.)Practice FacilityExpansive ocean-view range and short-game areaAmenitiesCliffside halfway house serving tacos and cocktails, full clubhouse with Quivira SteakhouseAccoladesNamed one of the World\u2019s 100 Greatest Golf Courses by Golf Digest; winner of IAGTO Global Golf Course of the YearOff-Property Adventures & Dining Highlights<\/p>\n

For my off-property excursion, I chose a morning sailing tour with the aptly named Cabo Adventures\u2014and it couldn\u2019t have been a better call. What I love about this company is how seamless they make the experience: a comfortable, air-conditioned van picked us up right at the resort lobby and delivered us to their sleek marina welcome center, where guests can learn about their many land and sea excursions.<\/p>\n

We boarded our sailboat under bright Cabo skies, and luck was on our side. There was just enough wind to raise the sails and let the crew cut the engine for a while as we glided toward \u201cLand\u2019s End,\u201d the dramatic point where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. From the water, we had a close-up view of the rock formations that make this coastline so iconic\u2014especially El Arco, the natural arch carved by centuries of wind and waves. It was breathtaking to see from that perspective, surrounded by clear turquoise water and distant beaches.<\/p>\n

While it was a bit early in the season to spot whales, we were treated to a special surprise: a pod of dolphins appeared alongside the boat, circling us playfully for several minutes and drawing delighted oohs and aahs from everyone on board. It was one of those spontaneous travel moments you couldn\u2019t plan if you tried.<\/p>\n

Dining at Quivira and Beyond<\/p>\n

Every meal during our stay at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica was a highlight, but three stand out. We began with dinner at the resort itself\u2014an elegant yet relaxed introduction to Pacifica\u2019s culinary scene. The following night, we dined at the Quivira Steakhouse, located in the clubhouse of the Quivira Golf Club, where perfectly cooked prime steaks and a panoramic view of the coastline set the tone for an unforgettable evening.<\/p>\n

The grand finale came at LaFrida, the resort\u2019s fine-dining restaurant inspired by the life and art of Frida Kahlo. Before dinner, our group toured the resort\u2019s marketplace, a lively hub for coffee, fresh pizza, and casual fare throughout the day. At its heart sits the chocolate shop, which\u2014understandably\u2014is the only spot not included in the all-inclusive package. (It\u2019s probably for the best; guests would walk out with bags of truffles if it were.)<\/p>\n

Once seated at LaFrida, we experienced a five-course dinner that ranks as the best meal I\u2019ve had in 2025\u2014yes, even better than a memorable dinner earlier this year at Pine Valley. The standout dish was slow-braised short ribs that melted in your mouth, paired with a lobster bisque that was as light as it was flavorful, and finished with a traditional Mexican meringue dessert. What elevated the evening was the personal touch of the restaurant\u2019s executive chef, Anaisa Guevara, who presented each course herself, sharing the inspiration behind the ingredients and techniques. It was the perfect fusion of artistry and hospitality\u2014a true reflection of LaFrida\u2019s namesake.<\/p>\n

Other Excursions and Relaxation<\/p>\n

While I spent one afternoon on the course (more on that soon), other guests in our group explored the cultural side of Baja. They joined a guided walking tour of Todos Santos, led by local expert Max Uranga, and enjoyed lunch at Oystera, a beautiful restaurant set in the former Santa Terra Sugar Mill in the heart of town. Others took advantage of the amenities at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, including its famous Sky Pool, which seems to float above the Pacific with panoramic views.<\/p>\n

Several of my fellow travelers also indulged in massages at the Armonia Spa, which they claimed erased every ache and sore muscle from travel\u2014or maybe from golf. I, on the other hand, chose a different kind of therapy: an afternoon nap in a beachfront cabana. It may not have been as restorative as a deep-tissue massage, but the rhythm of the waves and the ocean breeze made it equally relaxing.<\/p>\n

If You GoGetting There<\/p>\n

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort is located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, about 45 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). The resort offers airport transfers for guests, and taxis or private shuttles are readily available.<\/p>\n

Stay<\/p>\n

The adults-only Pueblo Bonito Pacifica offers an all-inclusive experience that covers nearly every detail\u2014gourmet dining, premium beverages, 24-hour room service, and access to sister resorts throughout the Pueblo Bonito family. Guests can also upgrade to the Towers at Pacifica, featuring private butlers and elevated amenities.<\/p>\n

Play<\/p>\n

Guests staying at any Pueblo Bonito property have access to Quivira Golf Club, the Jack Nicklaus Signature course ranked among the world\u2019s best. Tee times can be arranged directly through the resort concierge.<\/p>\n

Dine<\/p>\n

Enjoy more than a dozen dining options across the properties, including Quivira Steakhouse, LaFrida, and a collection of oceanfront casual restaurants and bars. Most are included in the all-inclusive plan.<\/p>\n

Relax<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss the award-winning Armonia Spa for a massage or hydrotherapy treatment, or spend a lazy afternoon at Sky Pool or one of the resort\u2019s beach cabanas.<\/p>\n

Best For<\/p>\n

Couples\u2019 getaways, golf vacations, destination weddings, and travelers who love combining great golf with great food and oceanfront luxury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In three days, I witnessed the best three sunsets I had seen all year. I only wish there…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":272504,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[566],"tags":[16669,16668,64,63,755,85],"class_list":["post-272503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-golf","tag-amateur-golf-news","tag-amateurgolf-com","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-golf","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272503"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272503\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}