BajaNomad

Advice please for my first trip to Los Cabos

watusie - 8-21-2010 at 07:44 PM

I need a vacation, threw a dart at a map, and came up with Los Cabos as my destination.

I've never been to the area and know little to nothing about it, other than it is said to be beautiful.

Could anyone give me advice on whether or not I can have a car-free vacation if I fly into Los Cabos Airport? Advice on where to stay?

k-rico - 8-21-2010 at 07:50 PM

I used to go to Cabo quite often in the 90s. I always stayed at the Finisterra. Walking distance to town and on the beach.

DENNIS - 8-21-2010 at 08:05 PM

Re-throw the dart. Maybe, if you keep trying, you'll hit Puerto Vallarta.

watusie - 8-21-2010 at 08:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Re-throw the dart. Maybe, if you keep trying, you'll hit Puerto Vallarta.

Been there, done that.

David K - 8-21-2010 at 11:13 PM

The Los Cabos airport is many many miles from Cabo San Lucas and a few miles north of San Jose del Cabo. Most big airports are a ways from the town they serve... San Diego is the exception!

karenintx - 8-22-2010 at 06:05 AM

Watusie,

U2U me...we live in Cabo so I will be happy to help.

Karen

Pompano - 8-22-2010 at 06:14 AM

Sorry you threw badly. But...go anyway, experience Cabo..and make lemonade. As for car-free, of course. Taxi, bus, walk, bike, hitch..it's all there.


When you want a comparison, come visit me at Coyote Bay and we'll have a couple glasses of enlightenment.

[Edited on 8-22-2010 by Pompano]

BajaDove - 8-22-2010 at 06:57 AM

Lands End is a beautiful site and it can be seen at full from the Costco parking lot

capt. mike - 8-22-2010 at 07:09 AM

"The Los Cabos airport is many many miles from Cabo San Lucas and a few miles north of San Jose "

may be so but is all 4 lane now and a fast trip.
we buzzed from cabo to Los cabos in about 10 minutes in March - no big deal and fast driving was the rule. i think those cosmopolitan cape people think they are Italianos... hahaha.
don't sweat it, go to Los Cabos and have a blast.

vandenberg - 8-22-2010 at 07:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaDove
Lands End is a beautiful site and it can be seen at full from the Costco parking lot


And, while there, you can stock up on beer, wine and other refreshments to take to your room to avoid paying the freight at the overrated and overpriced etablishments the Cape is overrun with.
Have fun !!!!:biggrin:

comitan - 8-22-2010 at 07:21 AM

Also needed but hasn't been invented yet is a Condo Sales Person repellent.

Go for it! Cabo is calling!

Lee - 8-22-2010 at 07:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by watusie
I need a vacation, threw a dart at a map, and came up with Los Cabos as my destination.

I've never been to the area and know little to nothing about it, other than it is said to be beautiful.

Could anyone give me advice on whether or not I can have a car-free vacation if I fly into Los Cabos Airport? Advice on where to stay?


Can't advise on where to stay -- all the places in the Corridor are nice.

I can advise on driving. You don't need a car unless you want to explore outside the Cabo area.

There are shuttles with trips up to Todos Santos and getting you in to Cabo or San Jose from the Corridor. No big deal.

For those slamming Cabo, ignore these idiots. They're laying their own bias's and warped opinions on what a resort area should be. Cabo is like PV, Cancun, and other places but then you know this. Lots of hussle, glitz, money exchanging hands. So what?

Cabo is still beautiful and you'll have everything there. Leave the hotel and explore or hang by the pool all day and sip margs. It's still beautiful. Weather is great, people are friendly, and the food is the best and freshest anywhere.

I LOVE CABO and SAN JOSE and could stay there easily if I was flying in for a short stay.

Find the best deal, rent a car or not, figure out your agenda and what you plan to do.

It's all fun down.

capt. mike - 8-22-2010 at 07:44 AM

For those slamming Cabo, ignore these idiots. They're laying their own bias's and warped opinions on what a resort area should be. Cabo is like PV, Cancun, and other places but then you know this. Lots of hussle, glitz, money exchanging hands. So what?

Cabo is still beautiful and you'll have everything there. Leave the hotel and explore or hang by the pool all day and sip margs. It's still beautiful. Weather is great, people are friendly, and the food is the best and freshest anywhere.

I LOVE CABO and SAN JOSE and could stay there easily if I was flying in for a short stay.

Find the best deal, rent a car or not, figure out your agenda and what you plan to do.

It's all fun down.


well said Lee. Cabo area CAN be great if you know how to have a good time.

oxxo - 8-22-2010 at 08:12 AM

Some people love to bash Los Cabos, stretching from San Lucas all the way to the East Cape, but it is one of the most beautiful places on earth with beautiful weather to match. Much better than PV in my opinion, nicer locals. We like it so much, that we retired here. We don't get involved with the tourist scene, it is easy to avoid, not much hustle and glitz where we live.. We love it here, we call it home.

BajaBlanca - 8-22-2010 at 09:51 AM

Cabo is gorgeous and fun. I agree that it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It has a special feel to it that not all touristy places have.

vandenberg - 8-22-2010 at 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Cabo is gorgeous and fun. I agree that it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.


You are just jiving us, not.:?:
Comparing to LA and New York City maybe.:no::no:

mtgoat666 - 8-22-2010 at 10:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by watusie
I need a vacation, threw a dart at a map, and came up with Los Cabos as my destination.

I've never been to the area and know little to nothing about it, other than it is said to be beautiful.

Could anyone give me advice on whether or not I can have a car-free vacation if I fly into Los Cabos Airport? Advice on where to stay?


lots of taxis and busses. no problem getting around on busses.

use the web to find deals on places to stay -- lots of deals out there due to slow economy.

slimshady - 8-22-2010 at 11:28 AM

Stay at the Los Cabos Hilton. It is really nice and moderately priced. No timeshare hustlers to bug you. Don't forget to eat in San Jose Del Cabo.

Cypress - 8-22-2010 at 11:48 AM

watsuie, Cabo is a bigtime tourist destination, you'll burn thru a lot of $$$, after 2 or 3 days you might want to get a rental car and head north.:D

desertcpl - 8-22-2010 at 12:12 PM

I think for the most part, old timers like me think of Cabo 30 years ago, when they are confronted with it now its a shock, I first retired 1998, I was thinking then I might want to retire in Cabo,, so off we went, havnt been to cabo for many years, WOW what a change,

Bajahowodd - 8-22-2010 at 02:10 PM

I will second k-rico's suggestion, if you are looking for a car-free vacation. The Finisterra is a great choice. An easy walk to the marina and town. I would not make that my first choice if I was renting a car. But, given the dozens and dozens of hotels that stretch for miles, everyone will likely have their personal favorite. Will warn that taxis are expensive, but you can hop on a bus to San Jose cheap. And for you Costco fans, also don't overlook a very well stocked and well priced Walmart that is closer to town.

mcfez - 8-22-2010 at 02:15 PM

We stay at the Hilton (Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort)....very nice. Other cheaper places nearby too that are very nice. Good snorkeling. Horse back riding...you cant get bored with this area.

Lots to do in San Jose del Cabo and surrounding area that is less congested than downtown Carbo.

We also rent a car (VW convertible) in town (San Jose) where it's a lot easier than the Airport.

Sort of like Palm Springs with a ocean :-)

[Edited on 8-22-2010 by mcfez]

CaboMagic - 8-22-2010 at 04:01 PM

Hello Watusi

Everyone has a differnt idea and definition in their mind of wha they want so, depending on what you seek - you certainly can find it all - despite the naysayers - which surprises me since most usually everyone on this wonderful board are so tolerant and accepting of the differences amongst us all ...

For car-free vacations here are some ideas:

Finesterra is a great selection for being 'mostly in town' and definitely on the beach - Pacific side. Same for Playa Grande which is the timeshare arm of the Solmar Group. You can walk into town easily - depending on your stride or stroll, and where you want to go to, it can be 15 mins or 30 ... or take a short cab. Everything is mostly around the marina, or within a few blocks thereof.
On the marina itself here a few ideas: Marina Fiesta Resort and Tesoro Hotel .. being on the marina can be a bit noisy .. but affords excellent location.

For quaint boutique hotel in downtown Cabo check out Casa Bella - its lovely. Another is Los Milagros .. for straight economy cant beat Mar de Cortez.

On the east side of the peninsula - the Sea of Cortez side, If you like youth-oriented techno music check out ME Cabo - previously was called Melia San Lucas .. another possibility is Casa Dorada Medano Beach ...

A few more ideas are renting a private condo (not a timeshare) at Plaza Nautica (slightly behind the marina and kind of noisy too) or Marina Sol Condos - 1/2 block back from the marina on the east side. . lovely grounds and some really beautiful units.

Do arrange a trip from the airport to wherever you are staying... choices are many - suggest www.transcabo.com which offers shared shuttles and private vehicles ranging from vans to hummers .. demonstrating something for all tastes and all budgets as we do too ... Dont do the round trip tho - there are sometimes protests staged by the taxi union on private shuttles that make a mess of things - your hotel/resort/condo front desk will be able to assist you with that the day before your return trip as its generally known which properties will be targeted.

Hope this helps. Enjoy whatever you do!

805gregg - 8-22-2010 at 04:30 PM

If you like ta ta bars and drugs, you'll love Cabo. If not go to East Cape.

Bajahowodd - 8-22-2010 at 05:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
If you like ta ta bars and drugs, you'll love Cabo. If not go to East Cape.


We've been here before. And it was previously noted that Cabo ain't the same as it once was. How about we consider the person who started this thread as someone who has never been to Cabo, and let them make up their own mind. I first visited Cabo almost 30 years ago. I will absolutely agree that forces have caused an amazing change in what it is. But, today, why would so many tens of thousands of folks visit it over and over, if they were not having a good time. Think Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. I remember taking a cruddy ferry over to Playa Del Carmen from Cozumel thirty years ago. We docked at this rickety wooden pier that was surrounded by maybe three buildings. Everything else was jungle. Even Puerto Vallarta falls into the same category. The developments would not sustain, if masses of folks did not enjoy being there. For us old purists, it just means finding some other more remote paradise.

estebanis - 8-22-2010 at 08:56 PM

I also started going to Cabo 30 years ago and lived there through the eighties. We got married offshore on a yacht while living there. I just went back for a week to celebrate 25 years of Wedded bliss after a nice Elvis Wedding in Vegas! Hell I even registered it this time with a government agency...
We were blown away by the growth in the 15 years since we had been back. But I snorkeled at my favorite cove that we lived above(Chileno) and it was full of fish just like I remembered. We saw old freinds and best of all I was smart enough to stay at an all inclisive so I could eat and drink all I wanted with out going broke.
It was in Feb 2010 and the weather was outstanding. My pal hooked me up with a great 29 Blackfin that I simply picked out 3 gentlemen from the hotel that I felt I could bare being with for a day of fishing and had them pay the crew twice what my pal had worked out which was ridiculously low. I worked the deck alongside the Mexican deck hand and caught those fellows some fish.
The wife and I danced and dined and all the stuff one does on a second honeymoon...
We spent most of our time at the resort as I had a theory then and now. If you only went to town in Cabo to shop and work it was a far better place.
When we were several miles offshore and casting to a couple of feeding marlin I glanced toward shore. From that vantage point it looked just like before only with a whole lot less chaparel...
I found my deal on Bookit.com at the RIU
Esteban

[Edited on 8-23-2010 by estebanis]

BajaBlanca - 8-23-2010 at 04:57 PM

I was not kidding .... my first taste of Cabo was in 2000 and I loved it then and I love it now. I do not go to bars at night but enjoy the beaches and the off the beaten path restaurants and people. I do love Cabo.

and once in a while I go to the all inclusive and just hang out for the week.

I am sure it was remote and gorgeous and undeveloped 30 years ago but it still is a magical place. La Bocana is remote and just as magical. Talk about opposites !!! but both are fantastic places. IMO.