In this episode, we are bringing you the essential things to know, so you can have a great and safe Cabo vacation. This list is from over 18 years of living and loving Cabo and traveling all over our beautiful desert on the beach. So Let’s get started.
10- Arriving at the airport- We are blessed with a wonderful and modern International airport in San Jose del Cabo. Making it thru customs can be trying especially if you arrive mid-day or on Friday or Saturday, so try to arrive early or later and mid-week. Once you clear customs be sure to keep the tourist card in a safe place as you will need it when you depart. The number one complaint is the aggressive activity providers that want to give you free stuff by attending a presentation. Nothing wrong with that if you want but beware the 90-minute tour is rarely 90 minutes. Insider Tip- Keep walking and don’t make eye contact and proceed to your transportation.
9- Local Transportation- Getting around Los Cabos is easy with tons of choices. It is best to book your preferred option before arriving. The cheapest way is shared shuttles but we always prefer to secure a car rental. Taxis and private cars are safe and convenient but expensive. Ubers do work here but only once you are away from the airport. Insider tip- once you are comfortable renting a car be sure to know the insurance rules before you get to the counter.
8- Where to stay- We find that where you stay has a big influence on how much you like a place. There are a wide range of options and an even wider range of prices for where to stay. If you want a luxury suite at a 5-star oceanfront resort, then be prepared to shell out the big bucks. There are all-inclusive options, private villas, downtown economy hotels, air BnB´s and everything in between. Go to our website Cabosfinest.com and watch the dozens of videos where we take you inside each of these categories so you can take the guesswork out of this important step.
7- Currency Exchange- people often ask us about using money. Los Cabos makes it easy by accepting dollars as well as pesos. Pesos has the best rate but at least you won’t be stuck if you only have dollars. The airport has ¨no commission´ currency exchange booths but the exchange rates are terrible, so do not go this route. Better to exchange at your resort or at a bank or at an ATM at a bank or grocery store. Credit cards are accepted at most places. Avoid the high international rates at the ATMs on the streets and marina.
6- Natural Wildlife- You will notice flying into Los Cabos the natural beauty of this amazing destination. We have the Sierra de la Laguna mountains with waterfalls, endless beaches, bays, estuaries, and more. Do your homework and make some plans to get out there and enjoy some adventure. Whether it is a day at Wild Canyon, a dive trip to Cabo Pulmo, or a whale watching trip you have a wide range of incredible natural wildlife.
5- Swimming in our Ocean and Sea. People often ask me is it safe to go into the ocean? Well, that depends on when, where, and your level of experience. Every beach in the world has times when it is unsafe to swim so be aware. There are many safe swimming beaches as well as guided diving and snorkeling tours. If it is your first time you might want to stick to the resort pools. If you want to swim in the ocean learn about rip tides and how to time the entry and the exiting in regards to wave sets. Remember to be safe and always keep a wary eye for sneaker waves when walking the beaches.
4- Activities- This is yet another big list of things to do that you will want to plan before arriving. Everybody is different and you can either relax and recharge or be very active or something in between. We suggest you make a list of the top 5 things you want to do and then prioritize them. Set a budget if you are on a tight one or splurge because this is your vacation and isn’t it time to reward yourself? A good idea is to go to Cabos Finest YouTube and or cabosfinest.com and view the videos about what the experiences are like so you can judge for yourself if the activity is a good match.
3- Partying- In Los Cabo partying is world-class both day and night. Again everyone is different and has their own idea of a good time and your options are aplenty. We are advocates of daytime partying at the beach, resort pool, or cool beach club and then ending the night with a great dinner. The young-at-heart crowd have late-night options galore. Just remember that the least safe thing to do is get hammered late at night at a crowded club. Insider tip: rotate a designated member of your group that keeps tabs on everyone. We like to see you have a great time and remember to drink responsibly.
2- Local culture- Mexico is one of the greatest countries in the world and the culture is a key ingredient. The best way to experience it is to get out of your resort and explore the wider area. There are guided trips you can use or just grab a bus or a rental car and go. We recommend the 4-hour loop road where you can circle the mountain range and see both sides of the tip. Another great option is to add a night or 2 to your itinerary and stay in one of the smaller Pueblas at a boutique hotel in Cerritos, Todos Santos, La Paz, Los Barriles, or the gorgeous East Cape. Again do your homework and be prepared to be impressed.
And finally, we give you our number 1- Food. Los Cabos has an impressive amount of amazing cuisine choices. Of course you have to try the various Mexican options starting with the famous Baja Fish Taco. Lumping all Mexican food together is a mistake as the regional varieties are immense. Being the fastest-growing tourist destination also means we have Mexicans moving here from all over the country. Lucky us that they bring their grandma’s recipes of regional delicacies with them. In addition, the global gourmet options are everywhere with Italian, Asian, French, Mediterranean, and fresh seafood prepared every way possible. Yes, Sushi in Cabo is awesome. Couple this variety with trained mixologists, sommeliers, and tasty Mexican beer and you can see why we kept the best for last.
So there you have it, the top ten things to know when visiting Los Cabos. The simplest way to do your homework prior to arriving is to go to Cabosfinest.com and become a Cabo Genius. Who knows you just might want to stay and become a local. That is what we did and we are happy to assist you. In fact, that is what we do.
