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Welcome to Cabo San Lucas!
Cabo's signature
is the archway at Lover's Beach. Below, the town from above.
• Party
Trips to Cabo –
Flights • Accommodations • Drink Coupons • Excursions
Sitting beautifully at the meeting spot
of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, Cabo San Lucas is Mexico's
Grand Lady of Baja.
She is splendid to behold, a marvel of sea and sand with water so deep
blue in color it as if was painted by van Gogh. In the bright sunlight,
Cabo's water sparkles like a lovely lady's eyes.
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Cabo
Travel Tips
• Take US Dollars. They are as readily
accepted as pesos.
• ATM machines are not abundant and charge a local $7.50
fee per transaction.
• Pay cash in bars. Credit cards seem to increase the
cost of the tab.
•¨For taxis, always ask the rate ahead of time and pay
only that rate. Otherwise, can be $20 when you get in a cab and
become $60 when you arrive.
• Keep up the guard. While pickpockets are rare, there
are always people looking to take advantage of gullible tourists.
• Learn a few basic words of Spanish to knock down the "tourist"
barrier with local merchants, cab drivers, etc.
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Certainly the marlin know a good thing when they see it. These magnificent
fish love clear, blue water and their presence attracts adventure fishermen
from all over the world seeking the ultimate rod-and-reel thrill.
But for the younger set, most of the fishing in Cabo comes in in the
bars searching for compliments. Beyond its beauty and endless water
activities, Cabo is best known as one of Mexico's wildest party spots
Cabo is where people from California and other Western U.S. states
go to cut loose. It is a small town with simplistic nightlife, giving
it a friendly community atmosphere which makes it a bit like the Mayberry
of Mexico. It's not unusual to know nearly everyone vacationing in Cabo
within a couple of days.
Yet this is no place for Opey and Aunt Bea. It's a single's spawning
ground for insignificant others. Romances are created on the spot, a
result of the free-pouring tequila and ceaseless cervezas. The party
starts when one wakes up in the morning (or afternoon, as the case may
be) and continues pretty much until one decides it's time to quit.
Orientation
Guide
Arrival and Accommodations
Many places are
right on a quiet coast with magnificent views.
Cabo 's casual airport is serviced by
several airlines, with most flights departing from the Western or Southwestern
United States.
The airport is in a remote location, 45 minutes from town. Shuttle
vans are available for 120 pesos; taxis cost a whopping 700. Whatever
your choice, have the driver stop at the "cheap" liquor store
away from the airport to stock up on beer and booze. There, it's about
a buck a bottle for the local brew. At the airport, one will set you
back four times that amount.
Playa Medano is
a place to play and a place to stay.
Most people arrive through a combined airline/hotel travel package.
PubClub provides such trips, which include airport pickup and return,
personal hosting, even local celll phones. When searching for a room,
look for a place either right in town or on the beach at Playa Medano.
This is where jet skis can be rented, boats to Lover's Beach and snorkeling
tours are found and food and drink can be had – in abundance if
one so chooses – from several places on the beach. Also expect
to be approached often by locals selling blankets, jewelry, hats, even
illegal drugs. There are also several resorts along the coast
halfway between the airport and Cabo. While offering magnificent views,
they do require a 20-minute (200+ peso) ride to town.
Avoiding Trouble
Life is pretty basic in Cabo but there
are three things that will get you into trouble: Drinking out of bottles
in the street, getting into fights and urinating in public. There are
also some locals who prey upon some unsuspecting visitors, so be sure
and pack your common sense.
Getting Around Town
Water taxis are
a great transportation option.
Since it's fairly compact, it is possible to walk almost anywhere in
Cabo. Those staying in the heart of town, such as by the harbor, may
wonder why any other means of transportation is even necessary. The
clubs are within easy walking distance one one another and for those
content to lay by the pool or the beach in the daytime,not much else
is needed.
The liveliest beach, Playa Medano, is about a 20-minute walk from town.
A few hotels are located here; taxis provide transportation for
about 100 pesos. Water taxis make regular stops between the beach
area in front of The Office, the prime daytime bar, and the port. They
also go to Lover's Beach from either location for about 50 pesos. They
will drop you there; getting one for the return ride is a as easy as
catching a cab in New York City.
The People
Calm and casual is the Cabo attitude.
Locals are from all parts of Mexico who
come to Cabo chasing the tourist dollars. Many of the workers are young
and friendly.
Most residents people encounter are the dozens of people selling various
items along the beach. They are not allowed in the beachside bars and
restaurants, but swarm around cocktail-drinking tourists. For them,
it's like blood to a shark. Many good deals can be found, and expect
to bargain. The quality is good enough for the price. Jewelry, sunglasses,
shirts and more are being hawked. Why anyone would want their name on
a grain of rice, though, is beyond us.
Visitors are largely from the United States. Californians, in particular,
make weekend journeys to Cabo a regular occurrence.
Sightseeing
and Activities
One could have a good time in Cabo just
participating in the many activities without ever visiting a cantina.
The snorkeling booze
cruise combines fun in and out of the water.
There are more activities in Cabo than there are bars. Since the water
is as inviting as the hookers behind Squid Roe, there is a natural interest
in swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, snorkeling, booze cruises and
nature journeys aboard a Zodiac. But there are other activities to experience,
as well, such as ATV rides through sand dunes, golf and horseback riding.
One can choose do it all, or do nothing.
Cabo is the World Capitol of Sportfishing. Marlin love clear,
blue water and Cabo has it in abundance. The area hosts several large
tournaments in the fall, and experts and novices alike cruise the high
seas at all times during the year in search of big game. Be sure and
insist to you captain you want to release your catch, if in fact you
are fortunate enough to land a fish.
The Cabo fishing fleet is among the most active – and successful
– in the world.
The late nights make early-morning excursions difficult and deep-sea
fishing a real challenge, but there are several options for those wanting
or needing to sleep in.
One of the most entertaining is the snorkeling booze cruisa three-hour
tour. Deck time is spent swilling cocktails and rocking to music. No
worries signing up; recruiters cruise the beach throughout the day.
A must-do is to take a water taxi out to Lover's Beach. This
is Cabo's signature spot, the natural archway at the meeting of the
Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez. Snorke, swim and nap on the small beach,
but when in the water be careful of the strong currents on the Pacific
(far) side and leave before high tide.
Among the most popular daytime excursions are the various All-Terrain
Vehicle (ATV) tours. For prices ranging from $45-100 USD, one can
explore sand dunes, river beds and natural water springs, an old Indian
village or a lighthouse.
Hitting the links in Cabo is as easy as opening your wallet. Spectacular
golf courses line the seaside, although at $150-300 USD a round,
it's more expensive than Pebble Beach.
Those in Cabo on an extended stay – more than the "California-style"
three-day weekend – can rent a car and explore the outlying area.
The Glass Factory just outside of town has locals blowing glass
in front of your very eyes.
An hour drive along the Pacific Coast leads to the small artists colony
of Todos Santos. A trip in the other direction along the dirt
roads toward the East Cape sections of Buena Vista and Los Barriles
is rewarded with numerous beach spots and secluded coves that are great
for sunning, picnicking and snorkeling.
Exploring these and other adventures is a snap. Most hotels hand out
promotional pamphlets on each and will be happy to make all the arrangements.
Transportation is usually arranged and all you have to do is be in the
lobby at the designated time.
When to Go
Cabo hits its stride in April and May.
Memorial Day, the last weekend in May, is one of its busiest weekends
of the year. The first weekend of September for Labor Day is another
high time. Hurrican season is from mid-August thru September. Summer
is hot and humid, which makes it the slow season. Those serious about
fishing go from August to October.
Time Zone
Cabo is GMT -7, putting it in the same
time zone as the Central United States.
The Weather
The sun shines nearly year-round in Cabo,
so getting a tan is pretty much a given. Because it so so far South,
the summer months become extremely hot (90+ degrees) and the sand is
scorching.
 Next
on the Party Bus: Cabo Pub Clubbing
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