CABO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whether it's your first adventure to Cabo San Lucas, or your tenth, you may have a question that you have not been able to get answers for. Well, Carlos Fiesta is here to help. Below we have included some of the most commonly asked questions about Cabo San Lucas, along with the best answers that Carlos could put together. These pages will continually changes, so keep dropping by for additional information.
If you have questions that are not answered here, you can fax, snail mail, or E-mail your questions to us using the contact numbers on our CABO EXPO home page. We'll get you your answer as soon as possible!
QUESTION:
I have heard from friends that Cabo has changed and is nothing like the 'old' Cabo San Lucas. Is that good or bad?
ANSWER:
The answer is...it depends! It depends on what you are looking forward to in a Cabo vacation. It's true that Cabo San Lucas has changed a lot in the last 10-15 years, but that is not necessarily a bad thing for most people.
The 'old' Cabo was a sleepy fishing village with spectacular beaches and weather that offered only a few hotels and amenities and was favored mostly by die-hard fishermen looking for the ultimate kook-up. The streets rolled up at about 9 p.m. and things got started again at sun-up at 5:00 the next morning.
The 'new' Cabo still offers the same spectacular beaches and weather, but is anything but sleepy. It offers a multitude of hotels and amenties, and caters to a crowd much greater than just fishermen (although fishing is still h-u-g-e in Cabo). And now Cabo stays open until 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. for those who want to drive it hard and long.
The 'old' Cabo setting has not really disappeared, it has just moved up the west coast an hour to TODOS SANTOS and up the east coast an hour to EAST CAPE and BUENA VISTA.
Despite it's growth over the last decade, Cabo is still much smaller (and better planned) than many Mexican resorts such as Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
QUESTION:
Is there an office in the United States where I can obtain tourist information for Los Cabos?
ANSWER:
Yes! There is a Los Cabos Tourist Board office in Mission Viejo,
California. They can be reached by telephone toll free at (800) VISIT-CAB0, or at (949) 586-2840.
QUESTION:
What is the best way to get from the airport at Los Cabos to Cabo San Lucas?
ANSWER:
There are three ways to get from the airport to Cabo from the airport. PRIVATE TAXI CABS and PRIVATE VANS will take four people to Cabo for about $80 U.S., with an additional charge of $5 per person over 4 people. AIRPORT SHUTTLE VANS provide service to Cabo for about $20 per person, and there may be a stop or two on the way to your hotel to drop off other passengers. PRIVATE LIMOUSINES will cruise up to 6 people to Cabo in style for $100 - $120 U.S., and that price includes one cervesa per person!
QUESTION:
I hear Cabo is located in the tropics. Does that mean there is a rainy season I should try to avoid?
ANSWER:
Good question. Cabo is located in the tropics, but there is no real 'rainy season' like some other tropical destinations. Cabo can recieve moisture from the tropical storms that are generated in the warmer waters south of Baja from June through November, but most of these weather systems only last for a couple of days, and are generally not very intense. For the most part, the weather during these summer and fall months is clear and hot and sometimes humid. It never hurts to take a look at the most recent satellite photo of Mexico before heading to Cabo, so you can have some idea of what to expect during your stay!
QUESTION:
This is our first trip to Los Cabos. Will we be approached to purchase a time share? If so, what do you suggest we do?
ANSWER:
The odds are 100% that during your stay in Cabo you will be approached by a friendly young man or woman whose ultimate goal is to get you to sign up for a free 'vacation ownership' presentation. They will use a free breakfast, sunset cruise, or some other type of 'gift' to encourage you to set aside some time to hear their company's presentation.
Timeshares and Vacation Ownerships are not necessarily a bad idea, and for some folks these slices of vacation in a luxury resort setting work out well, as long as they are not purchased under the premise of an 'investment', such as real estate.
However, my suggestion is to avoid these presentations during your first trip to Los Cabos. There are so many wonderful things to see and do at the Cape, and most people can't seem to find enough time to do half of the things that they want to do during their short stay! Setting aside an unplanned 4 hours to review and decide upon the purchase of a time share does not fit in with their original itinerary.
Your best bet, when approached, is to smile, maintain your walking pace, and say "thank you" while you keep walking. Once you stop to take a peak at their brochure, and engage in conversation, it becomes harder to break away. Remember your main goals in Cabo...eat!...drink!...snorkel!...lay by the pool! Now get out there and have fun!
QUESTION:
Is there a place in Cabo San Lucas where I can acces my E-mail or get on the Internet?
ANSWER:
Yep! Most of the larger hotels in Cabo and San Jose del Cabo have Internet access, plus there are several small Internet Cafes in downtown Cabo that are very affordable.
QUESTION:
Is it really necessary to exchange dollars for pesos before getting on the plane to Cabo San Lucas?
ANSWER:
No way, Jose. Dollars are accepted everywhere in Cabo, however large bills (Franklins, etc.) can be a tough call with some smaller vendors. It's a good idea to bring along plenty of $1's, $5's, and $10's. If you go on an adventure way out of the main tourist areas, it can be helpful to have some pesos available, just in case.
QUESTION:
My flight to Cabo is an International flight. I've been told by friends that I need to re-confirm my return flight 48 hours before departure. Is that really true?
ANSWER:
Not really, Billy. That was true for flights to Cabo years ago, and for some International travel it may still be true today. But most carriers to Cabo today do not need any additional confirmation. If you want to double check, just to be sure, ask the folks at the airline counter where you pick up your boarding pass before coming down.
QUESTION:
When I rent a car on vacation at other destinations (like Hawaii), I'm usually told not to take the car on dirt roads. Is this the case in Cabo, also?
ANSWER:
Don't fret, Brett. Taking a rental car off the blacktop in Baja is not the mortal sin it is in other places. Of course it's a good idea to read the fine print in your rental contract so you are aware of your legal obligations. But practically speaking, if you bring the car back in good shape, they're not going to be checking for dust between the treads. Go for it!
QUESTION:
I've heard that the drinking water in Cabo San Lucas is much safer than the water on the Mexican mainland. True?
ANSWER:
You got it right, Tonto. Cabo's water comes from clean underground aquifers, where it has ended up after coming down from the local mountains. Even still, most local hotels and restaurants purify their water to give the tourists an even greater measure of protection. Serious illness from drinking Cabo's water is not common.
QUESTION:
I know very little Spanish. I feel comfortable communicating around the hotel area, but how about out and about when eating and shopping?
ANSWER:
No problema, Ponchita. The businesses in and around Cabo thrive on tourism, it is there number one source of income. They'll figure out a way to understand you. "Olah" (hello), "Gracias" (thank you), and "Adios" (good-bye) go a long way. For more basic Spanish, ("uno mas cervesa - donde esta los banos?) check the Spanish directory under BAJA EXPO.
QUESTION:
The last time I went to Cabo, I saw some great beaches from the main road. I wanted to check them out, but didn't want to trespass. What's the scoop?
ANSWER:
Relax, Ajax. All beaches in Mexico (yes, this includes Baja) are public property, and are open for everyone. This includes a minimum of the first 20 meters (60 feet) up from the high tide line. Even the great beaches in front of the hotels. While most hotels usually don't have a problem with visitors walking through their grounds to get to the beach, it's a good idea to be more careful about crossing over private property to get to some of the other private beaches. There are quiet a few public access paths to the beaches between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.
QUESTION:
Who the heck is Carlos Fiesta, and why should I take his advice on what's happening in Cabo San Lucas?
ANSWER:
Good question, amigo. While Carlos has no particular authority to provide information on Cabo, he is recognized throughout the known universe as being pretty knowledgeable about Cabo and Baja, and rumor has it he's a great guy. Besides...you gotta love a guy who's last name means "party"!