Cabo
San Lucas is similar to small city in the US with all the convenience and
amenities, from stores like Costco to active nightlife. Cabo San Lucas
is the best area in Los Cabos for younger crowds who like to party at night.
If you want an exotic location, Cabo San Lucas is not the place for you.
If you want a tropical destination but with all the conveniences of home,
Cabo San Lucas is a great destination.
Just like my
previous
reviews, I will not be including info about Cabo San Lucas that can easily
be found online. I will try to minimize this review to tips, recommendations,
and my opinions of the products and services, .
US Currency
is widely accepted. If you want to exchange your cash to MX$,
Consultoria Internacional by the Tesoro hotel had good exchange rates
(US$1-MX$10.90 at the time). But some of the stores and restaurants
exchanged at a better rate (US$1-MX$11 when we were there) so it was better for us to keep most of our US$.
Cabs exchanged at US$1-MX$10.
Order
vouchers at
LosCabosGuide.com. You can buy vouchers to restaurants, tours and
more at 65% of its face value.
You can return the unused vouchers and get a refund. Note that the
places don't give you change with your voucher. You can find sample menus on
LosCabosGuide.com so you'll have an idea how much it would cost. Go to the Resources section to view
recommended restaurants.
Beware
of timeshare sharks. Right after customs at the airport, you’ll reach
an area with counters on the sides filled with people wearing marked shirts
and ID’s that made them look official. Some may even tell you that you have
to check in with them so they can call the driver you’ve booked your
transfer with. That’s not true. These people are timeshare salespeople. Just
tell them no and go straight outside the building. The airport
transfer companies are right outside the building.
I don't completely
discourage going to timeshare presentations. You can get freebies or
discounts
(tours, meals) and/or cash from them. If you are approached by a
timeshare shark, hesitate and you might get more. Just be cautious and
not get suckered into buying one if you never plan to buy one before you came.
Most of the beaches in Los Cabos are not swimmable. A few including Medano Beach
and Lover's Beach in Cabo San
Lucas are swimmable.
If
you want to stock up on food, there is a City Club that was like Costco.
One day membership fee was US$2.55. We bought a pack of bottled water
in addition to other food. We
thought it was too many, but by the end of the week, they were all gone.
Keep hydrated, the summer is scorching hot.
Free
wi-fi and a free call to the US/Canada is available at
Senor Sweets by the
marina.
Gratuities
are 10%-15% in restaurants, fishing, guides; none for taxis; $1/bag for
bellboys; $2-$3/night for the maids; $1 for gas station attendant; $0.50-$1
for parking lot security.
First, we start with 5 smilies, then we deduct points for
anything we think anyone might find or consider a negative, even just slightly.
If there were no deductions, we look for
similar options. If we think there are better options out there, we then
rate accordingly based on the best option having the highest rating.
Since there are two of us, we average our
rating to get the final rating.
Having less than 5 smilies does not mean it's
not highly recommended. We are just not keen on giving a perfect rating (5 smilies).
We purchased our tickets in May. When we got to the airport, we realized
American Airlines changed our flight numbers. The times were pretty much
similar, but there were differences in the flight coming back to Boston. I
never got an email regarding the changes.
Everything was practically for a fee at American Airlines. They did offer
free drinks including full cans of soda. But even a tiny bag of chips or
headsets were available only for a fee.
At $17 per person one way for a shuttle, Transcabo offers one of the
cheapest airport transfer services. I found one that was $16, but their
reservations were kinda strange and unsecure so I didn’t go with them.
The Transcabo staff wore orange shirts so you won’t miss them when you get
out the airport. One of the staff approached us with a clipboard and asked
for our names to verify our reservations. We waited a few minutes for
everyone else who were taking the shuttle to arrive. Our driver helped us
with our luggages. After he arranged them in the back of the van, he offered
us all bottles of water.
We were a little cramped, with 10 passengers in an 8-passenger van. But
everyone was very nice.
Pueblo Bonito staff greeted us upon our arrival to the hotel,
opened the van doors and helped us with our luggages. A bell boy took our
luggage as we checked in. As soon as we got our room number, the bell boy
headed to our room.
The check-in was quick enough and even though we got there around 1:30 pm,
they were able to give us a room. Maybe because it was the off-peak
season. After check-in, we were told to get our welcome package from
across the lobby. It was actually timeshare. You can always just say no or
do what we did, we told them that we were already booked with activities
for the next few days.
Our room was 4012 and was very far from the elevator. There were only 2
elevators and they were both near the front of the hotel which was very
inconvenient. Our room was close to one
of the stairs that lead to the swimming pool. That’s what I don’t like
about big resorts - everything is not very accessible. The room was beautiful though. It was clean and
spacious. It had two full beds, each topped with four pillows and
featherbed. The beds were soft and very comfortable. The mini kitchen counter was a bit tiny to really do some real
cooking, but well equipped. The bathroom was clean and spacious with a shower stall. The
balcony was a bit tiny and we had a small view of the ocean.
We were given one towel card each at check in. You can pick up a
beach towel at
the towel stand by the pool. The towel stand opens at 8am. The towels need
to be returned the same day. You might find this unreasonable, but it
actually wasn’t. They created that policy so people can’t reserve
pool/beach chairs the night before or very early morning. You have to be
careful to not lose the towel cards coz they cost $25 each if lost.
The pool wasn’t too crowded. But I would probably expect it to be crowded
during peak season. There were a lot of vendors by the beach. But there
was a rope separating the beach chairs from the vendors so they didn’t
really bother me. I actually like having them there. If I wanted to buy
something, they were just a few steps away. Besides, they don’t bother you
once you say no.
Most of the activities were by or in the pool including aerobics, pool
volleyball, table tennis, and much more. There was a list of activities
(mostly free) hanging on the fridge door.
There was free wifi in the courtyard by the internet center. If you don’t
have a laptop, the internet center has a few computers you can use for a
fee. I read that they offer dial-up access in the rooms, but we didn’t use
it.
BAJA CANTINA BY THE BEACH,
Cabo San Lucas $50/2 + tip
We
had fried calamari for appetizer and I’ve had better ones. I wouldn’t order
it again. John had fish filet which was dry. He didn’t really enjoy it. I
had the stuffed clams and they were delicious. I loved it so much that I
ordered it again when we went back to Baja Cantina. Check your dinnerware
though. They once gave me a glass with lipstick on it.
Baja Cantina didn’t have indoor seating. They had huge fans blowing but it
didn’t make much of a difference. It was a really hot September. But you can
do some people watching while eating plus a beautiful view of Land’s End.
Baja Cantina charged us in MX$. We paid using the vouchers I purchased from
LosCabosGuide.com with a 35% discount and US$ assuming a rate of MX$10 to
US$1.
Mi Casa serves traditional Mexican cuisine.
John ordered La Cochinita Pibil and I ordered El Mole Poblano. My order was
okay. The chicken wasn’t that juicy. And I didn’t like the sauce very
much. Service was good though.
There was a mariachi band who sang at each table.
There were a couple of clowns making balloon stuff for the guests, too. Of
course we had to tip the clown, even though we could care less about the
balloons. The mariachi band didn’t approach us. But John rather had the
mariachi band than the clown.
The exchange rate at Mi Casa was MX$11 to US$1. It
was better than the exchange rate ($10.90 - $1) we got when we exchange
our US$ at Consultoria Internacional by Tesoro hotel. So we paid for our
dinner in US$ in addition to the vouchers I purchased from
LosCabosGuide.com
with 35% discount.
We had a hard time finding Nick San. There was a huge
sign with the name, but we couldn’t find it. We finally asked someone and
learned that the entrance was behind the stairs.
We had Baked Scallops Clam, Chicken Teriyaki, and Seabass Misoyaki. They
were all good. I wish I had some sushi too, but we knew our order was more
than enough.
The whole dinner cost us US$65.45. They charged in MX$ and had an exchange
rate of MS$10 to US$1. We paid with the vouchers I bought from
LosCabosGuide.com with a 35% discount and some MX$ for the tip.
CABO WABO,
Cabo San Lucas $50/2 + tip (fish provided by us)
We brought the Dorado that we caught the day before to
Cabo Wabo. We asked them to cook it three ways. They turned out dry and we
didn't finish them. We ordered Pan Seared Scallops with Tequila and Lime for
appetizer and it was delicious! That was probably our favorite dish our
whole trip. If you're interested, I think the Cabo Wabo website has the
recipe.
SENOR SWEETS,
Cabo San Lucas $35.50/2 (including tip)
I love breakfast so Senor Sweets was one of my
favorite places to eat in this vacation. On September 12, I had Eggs
Benedict and Crepe with Strawberries and Chocolate. I loved it except the
chocolate they used for my crepe. John got Breakfast Pizza and that was
great, too. John was nice to share :P. On September 16, I ordered Crepes
with sausage, egg, and cheese and it was very good.
Senor Sweets charged us in MX$ with a MX$10 to US$1
exchange rate. We paid with the vouchers we got from
LosCabosGuide.com
with 35% discount and some MX$. We paid more or less US$71 for both days we
ate there including tip. With the 35% discount from the voucher, we spent
less.
The dive shop was small but adequate. The boats we
had were not that big either, and could accommodate up to 8 passengers. We
had the Amigo 1 our first day of diving. The boat allowed for the giant
stride entry. We had the Amigo 2 our second day of diving. It was
smaller than Amigo 1 and we had to do the backroll entry.
Our divemaster, Jorge was great. Since it was only my
second dive trip, I was a real newbie. I even had to take my time to
remember how to set up my gear. The biggest problem I usually run into when
I dive is going down. I can’t seem to go down easily. Jorge held my hand
and helped me go down. He made sure I’m settled in the bottom and asked me
to stay so he could help the others.
Pisces Sportfishing was very accommodating. When I
submitted my request to share a boat, I entered September 11, 12, 14, 15,
and 16. They found us someone to share a boat with on the 12th, but then I
found out that one of the dive trips was only available on the 12th. So I
called Pisces and told them I would only be available on the 14th, 15th, and
16th. Based on their policy, the 12th would have already been confirmed,
but they accommodated my request and found someone who would share a boat
with us on the 14th. Their customer service was great.
When we were about to pay for the balance, we were
told that the total cost was $280 for the all-inclusive sharing a boat. It
included 6 beverages and boxed lunch that you can choose from a variety of
options, bait, fishing license, fileting and freezing of catch. I was
surprised though. I thought it was $250 based on what was written on the
website. The information on the website is outdated by the way, so don’t
rely on that.
We got the Quien Sabe and it was a very slow boat.
When you book with Pisces, request not to get the Quien Sabe. We got to the
fishing area after everyone even though we weren’t the last to leave the
dock. We probably caught the least number of fish.
Cactus ATV Tours provided free round trip
transportation from the hotel. The van/bus was very nice, clean and
comfortable. At the Cactus ATV base, we were provided with helmet, goggles,
and bandana. I was kinda hesitant about the items knowing there were
previous riders who sweat on them. But they were pretty clean and the
bandana smelled nice and warm like right out of the dryer.
Efren was our guide and he was great. He slowed down
at spots where we could take snaps of beautiful sceneries. He even stopped
so he could take pictures of us. That was in addition to the planned stops
to get refreshed. Close to the beach, he made his ATV stand on its hind
wheels with me on it!
We had boxed lunch that included sandwich, chips, and
drinks at Migrino beach. There were tables and umbrellas set up for us. We
were the only ones there and it was beautiful. We all had fun.
We got a discounted rate of $94 for two people from
the timeshare presentation we attended.
The swim with the dolphins was so much fun and I highly
recommend it. Guests were not allowed to wear sunscreen, so be careful if
you burn easily. Guests were not allowed to bring their own cameras and
photos provided by Cabo Dolphins are expensive, but I thought they were
worth it. We bought 16 digital photos in a CD for $139.
It was mentioned in the site that you spend half an hour
learning about dolphins and how to interact with them, and the other half
swimming and playing with them. It wasn’t the case with us. We spent most
of the hour swimming and playing with the dolphins. We had enough time to
get towed twice by our dolphin.
I think the treatments at the spa were expensive. The
couples massage cost US$200 for a 50-minute massage. They charge 10% tax
and 12% service charge. If you’re using your credit card or charging to
your room, be aware that they charge in MX$. At check-in, we were told that
the men’s spa was undergoing renovation, and the showers were the only ones
available. John wanted a discount, but we didn’t get one.
The place was beautiful. The place wasn’t crowded at
all. According to the website, they only make reservations for 5 people at
a time. I was alone in the hot tub. It was great and very serene. They
had a steam room which I only used for a few minutes. There were cucumbers,
cold towels and lounge chairs. There was also a relaxation room. They
provide towels, robes, slippers, tea, and iced tea.
The massage was very relaxing, but I had better
massages in the Philippines. John said the massages are too hard at time,
other times too soft. I don’t think he’s gonna go for another massage again
anywhere.
We didn’t give additional tip. With some areas of the
spa being inaccessible and the massage not being great, we thought the 12%
service charge automatically charged to us was more than enough.
Cabo
San Lucas is similar to small city in the US with all the convenience and
amenities, from stores like Costco to active nightlife. Cabo San Lucas
is the best area in Los Cabos for younger crowds who like to party at night.
If you want an exotic location, Cabo San Lucas is not the place for you.
If you want a tropical destination but with all the conveniences of home,
Cabo San Lucas is a great destination.
more at 65% of its face value.
You can return the unused vouchers and get a refund. Note that the
places don't give you change with your voucher. You can find sample menus on 
We
thought it was too many, but by the end of the week, they were all gone.
Keep hydrated, the summer is scorching hot.
We were given one towel card each at check in. You can pick up a
beach towel at
the towel stand by the pool. The towel stand opens at 8am. The towels need
to be returned the same day. You might find this unreasonable, but it
actually wasn’t. They created that policy so people can’t reserve
pool/beach chairs the night before or very early morning. You have to be
careful to not lose the towel cards coz they cost $25 each if lost.
We
had fried calamari for appetizer and I’ve had better ones. I wouldn’t order
it again. John had fish filet which was dry. He didn’t really enjoy it. I
had the stuffed clams and they were delicious. I loved it so much that I
ordered it again when we went back to Baja Cantina. Check your dinnerware
though. They once gave me a glass with lipstick on it.
I love breakfast so Senor Sweets was one of my
favorite places to eat in this vacation. On September 12, I had Eggs
Benedict and Crepe with Strawberries and Chocolate. I loved it except the
chocolate they used for my crepe. John got Breakfast Pizza and that was
great, too. John was nice to share :P. On September 16, I ordered Crepes
with sausage, egg, and cheese and it was very good.
The dive shop was small but adequate. The boats we
had were not that big either, and could accommodate up to 8 passengers. We
had the Amigo 1 our first day of diving. The boat allowed for the giant
stride entry. We had the Amigo 2 our second day of diving. It was
smaller than Amigo 1 and we had to do the backroll entry.
Pisces Sportfishing was very accommodating. When I
submitted my request to share a boat, I entered September 11, 12, 14, 15,
and 16. They found us someone to share a boat with on the 12th, but then I
found out that one of the dive trips was only available on the 12th. So I
called Pisces and told them I would only be available on the 14th, 15th, and
16th. Based on their policy, the 12th would have already been confirmed,
but they accommodated my request and found someone who would share a boat
with us on the 14th. Their customer service was great.
The swim with the dolphins was so much fun and I highly
recommend it. Guests were not allowed to wear sunscreen, so be careful if
you burn easily. Guests were not allowed to bring their own cameras and
photos provided by Cabo Dolphins are expensive, but I thought they were
worth it. We bought 16 digital photos in a CD for $139.