Cabo San Lucas (or just Cabo) and San Jos้ del Cabo
It is a small tourism city in Baja California, Mexico. Cabo was
earlier a small fishing community, famous for sport-fishing and white-sand
beaches. Cabo San Lucas has now transformed into a high-end holiday destination with
a number of resorts and timeshare clubs along the coast.
Topics:
Cabo Tourism Overview
Getting There
Transportation And Car Rental
When To Go
Popular Tourist Attractions
Golf
Shopping
Nightlife
Spa
Climate / Weather
Local Tourist Office
Currency
Recommendation and Safety
CABO TOURISM AND TRAVEL OVERVIEW:
People come here for incredible nightlife, picture perfect beaches, whale-watching (humpback and grey whales between November and March), horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, adventure-oriented activities and partying. Water enthusiasts do snorkeling in blue-water bays and explore the coast in a kayak. Cabo San Lucas is also a popular destination for many cruise ships. Almost all of the activity happens on the main strip close to the ocean shoreline. Cabo San Lucas together with neighboring San Jos้ del Cabo forms a major tourist destination for travelers, particularly from the United States and Canada. San Jose has old Mexico charm and some shining new resorts. The Corridor is the main highway which connects San Jose and Cabo San Lucas and has many resorts, golf courses and shopping areas.
John Steinbeck, one of the best-known authors in the 20th century described Cabo as a simple town with undeveloped shoreline. If Steinbeck were to see this place today he will probably not recognize Cabo. There are hundreds of luxury hotel rooms for tourism along the Corridor north of Cabo San Lucas. This is Mexico's most elite resort destination with world-class fairways and greens. You will also discover towering rock formations and a dramatic stone arch rising from the sea as shown in the picture (El Arco).
GETTING THERE:
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are served by Los Cabos International Airport (IATA: SJD, ICAO: MMSD). Some cities that connect here from USA and Canada are as follows.
Domestic: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Mazatlแn, Tijuana, Toluca and Monterrey.
USA: San Diego, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis and New York.
Canada: Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Kelowna.
There is also a small terminal for General Aviation and Private jets.
CRUISES:
There are several international tourism Cruise liners like anchor.
A number of daylong and sunset cruises use a variety of boats and catamarans costing between $15 to $40. Glass-bottom boats leave from the town marina daily every 45 minutes during the day. They pass close to sea lions and pelicans, and often take you to El Arco (Rock Arch) at Land's End.
TRANSPORTATION AND CAR RENTAL:
Airport to the city: Airport is 26 miles (43 kilometers) northeast of Cabo San Lucas and 7 miles (12 kilometers) north of San Jos้ del Cabo. There are regular shuttle buses which connect these cities to the airport. The buses charge between $10 and $20 and will mostly stop at your hotel if you plan to stay in one of the resorts in the Corridor. Taxis will charge you higher for San Jose and even more for Cabo San Lucas.
Also a lot of international car rental companies operate here including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and Thrifty, rental car is an economical way to explore this tourism area. Car parking can be tough in Cabo during peak tourism season, public parking at the southern end of Blvd Marina is a good option. Most rental companies require you to be at least 25 years old and major credit cards are accepted. International Drivers license is recommended although not always required.
WHEN TO GO:
High tourrism (busy) season runs mid-November to end of May particularly during Christmas, New year, Easter and Spring Break. Whale-watching activity happens between November through March. The temperature in Los Cabos from December through April can be chilly at night. Low tourism season is June through November due to Pacific hurricane season. If you want most for your money and a fair climate, planning in June is a good choice.
POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND TOURISM ACTIVITIES OF CABO SAN LUCAS:
Beaches:
There are hundreds of beautiful beaches for swimming and other water sports activities from Cabo San Lucas to all along the Corridor and beyond San Jos้ del Cabo. Playa El M้dano (The Dune Beach) is the most popular beach and is good for swimming, sun-tanning, and lots of beach activity. Playa Solmar is a wide stretch of white sand beaches good for sunbathing. Monuments Beach is a small beach popular with surfers. Twin Dolphin Beach is located just southwest of the Hotel Twin Dolphin. Playa del Amor , Playa Santa Maria , Playa El Tule and many more. San Jos้'s main beach, Playa Hotelera, is fine for strolling and sunning but the surf is quite rough. Do snorkeling, shopping, partying and some tours.
Whale-watching:
Watch humpback, orcas, blue and grey whales between November and March. Tourists hire boats to watch these huge magnificiant creatures diving in the ocean.
Land's End:
Take tour to the El Arco (Rock Arch) rising from the sea. The tour will pass close to sea lions and pelicans El Arco at Land's End.
Sail to beautiful Santa Maria Cove and enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters.
Cactimundo Botanical Garden
It is located halfway between downtown and the main beach. It offers one of the world's best collection of thorny succulents, 850 species and nearly 12,000 plants from Montana to Patagonia.
Fishing Tourism:
Some of the world's deepest water is just offshore. Over 650 different species of fish swim through these beautiful waters.
Cabo Dolphins center in Cabo San Lucas offers people of all ages the chance to swim with bottlenose dolphins for half hour.
Hiking:
Mountain bikers and Hikers can take trips into the highland peaks and valleys of the nearby mountains.
Faro Viejo Lighthouse:
Located outside the town, this historic lighthouse was built in 1865.
Just walk around San Jos้'s charming historic downtown. Simply go around the Cabo San Lucas (Main Town), San Jose del Cabo(Older Town), The Corridor highway along the coastline.
GOLF:
Cabo is a world premier golfing destination with six championship golf courses mostly along the Los Cabos Corridor with all having ocean views. They are The Raven, Palmilla, The Ocean Course, The Desert Course, Cabo Real and Campo del Golf.
SHOPPING:
Cabo is a shopping paradise where you can find artwork, unique handicrafts, blankets, pottery, masks, clothing, jewelry and even Cuban cigars. Bargaining is common specially in smaller stores in this tourism destination of Mexico.
In Cabo San Lucas, the most notable shops are now concentrated in the Puerto Paraํso Entertainment Plaza Mall with a number of outlets, food courts, movie theaters, and video arcade. Boutique shopping is also good here.
The Plaza Bonita Shopping Center in Cabo San Lucas is the older shopping center.
Mercado Mexicano is also one of the most comprehensive shopping area with dozens of stalls with crafts from all around the country. Take a walk through the pottery and glass shops and keep your eyes open for some of the locally made wares.
In San Jos้, the city's main plaza is across from the church. Shop for wood carvings, hand painted clothing, jewelry or designer sportswear at duty free prices. There are several galleries that display the works of local artists. Stroll the maze of streets around Plaza Mijares; several small shops sell everything from hammered tin mirrors to hammocks.
NIGHTLIFE:
There is a long list of bars, nightclubs and discotheques in Cabo. Cabo nightlife is mostly concentrated along Blvd Marina. The hottest nightclubs include El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, Hard Rock Cafe, Roxx, Barometro, Mambo Cafe, Zoo Bar & Dance, and the Giggling Marlin are the heart of the Cabo Spring Break and nightlife scenes. Latitude 22+, Sancho Panza, Billygan's Island, Mango Deck, Nikki Beach, Nowhere Bar and Pancho's are also very famous. You must be 18 years or older to drink alcohol in this tourism hotspot.
SPA:
Spas are a major attraction in Cabo. Each spa boasts of its own specialties, ambiance, and celebrity following. There is a wide variety of world class spa options, some of them are as follows.
Casa del Mar Golf & Spa offers massage, beauty salon, whirlpool, waterfall, exercise equipment, body treatments and facials.
Hotel Twin Dolphin offers European style spa, massage, Jacuzzi and exercise room.
Casa Contenta offers a full body Swedish Massage and yoga.
The Spa at Las Ventanas
One&Only Palmilla
Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa.
Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa.
Villa del Arco Beach Resort & Grand Spa.
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat And Spa.
Aura Health Spa.
... many many more.
CLIMATE:
Cabo San Lucas is a perfect tourism destination due to its warm, sunny, tropical weather. Cabo is in the dry tropics, experiencing a desert climate, although nearly surrounded by ocean. Days are hot and sunny and humidity is low.
Winter: December and January
Hurricane and storm season: July to Early November.
Summer: May to September, with temperatures often crossing 100+F during the day and upper 70's in the evening. Summertime gets hot, but the surrounding bodies of water yield refreshing breezes.
Spring and Fall highs average in the mid 80's.
Average water temperature: 72บ F.
Average year-round temperature is 78F.
TOURIST OFFICE:
Los Cabo Tourism Trust
Fideicomiso de Turismo de Los Cabos
Phone 624-143-4777
USA Toll Free: 1-866-567-2226
CURRENCY:
Most hotels and restaurants except Credit Cards and US Dollars. ATM machines are not so abundant and charge a high transaction fee. If you are taking travelers cheques then you should consider getting them in U.S. dollars for better acceptance and exchange rates.
Mexican Peso -MXN ( 1 US Dollar = 11 MXN apx)
You can use Yahoo finance for latest conversion rate
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?from=USD&to=MXN .
RECOMMENDATION & SAFETY:
- Use hotel in-room safes for your valuables and passport.
- Learn a few basic words of Spanish to knock down the "tourist" barrier with local merchants, cab drivers, etc.
- When traveling to an unfamiliar area check with your hotel about any areas to avoid or precautions to take.
- Bring sun block and drink lots of water.
- In most resorts the water is safe for drinking, but if unsure then take bottled water.
- Do not accept drinks from strangers.
- Always carry identification.
- Although not very common still there are Pickpockets waiting for a chance. Wallets should be kept in front pockets.
- Before coming check with your doctor for any vaccinations he may recommend.
- The police station is fairly centrally located if you need in case of an unfortunate event.
