BajaChar
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Cabo All Inclusive US Dollars Or Pesos Or Both?
First trip to Cabo San Lucas for a week, staying all inclusive. Roughly how much recommended monies above two big excursions that will be prepaid,
would you recommend for two adults (non-drinkers)?
Also will just US Dollars suffice or do they need pesos (also if it will save a considerable amount of exchange money using Pesos?), and if so again
please advise how much.
Typically they'll walk around the town, marinas, maybe need a bus, taxi and possibly an odd small bite to sample local fare???
Of course they'll have their USA & Canadian Credit/Debit cards as a back up but would prefer to avoid charges to pay in cash for most items.
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MMc
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Welcome!!! I take peso's, it's just easier. Many places will take dollars but the exchange will vary, usually not in your favor.
As to how much,that is up to you. You can use ATMs if you need to, make sure your bank knows you are going.
Many here are not very big on Cabo as it is a bit over developed for some.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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Bob and Susan
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if you are from Canada why would you have USA dollars?
just get pesos before you go and exchange them back when you return
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BajaUtah
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Pesos are the coin of the realm so all transactions go much easier using Pesos. I am a fan of ATMs at banks. They are pretty common in downtown CSL.
Tell your local bank of your travels to avoid being cut off.
Depending where the AI is you can burn a lot of money on taxies getting into Cabo or (my preferred) San Jose. Collectivo buses are cheap always
running and usually an adventure. Most restaurants take cards but the little tiendas are not going to take cards and won't have a very good exchange
rate as MMC said above. Also going to shop trinkets at Artesano's is a Peso only experience.
The only drawback of ATMing Pesos is over estimating your need and leaving the country with a bunch but that's what I assume the Airport bars and Duty
Free shops are for - separating you from your excess coinage.
Have fun - get out of the AI - spend some time in old town San Jose - eat at some local spots.
Andy
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bajabuddha
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Char, contact the resort/hotel you'll be staying at. They should have a way to exchange dollars for pesos right there, so ask what their exchange
rate is. They usually cater to all your needs. I would take a little mad money for spending, but plastic (debit/credit) does just fine for pulling
what you need, and pull only what you need. When you change back from pesos to cash of course you'll get less than what you paid for pesos. Welcome
to Baja, and hopefully you'll get away from the tourist crowd and sample some local color. Biggest worry is sunburn; everyone wants to tan in 3 days
and suffers for the last two... good thing you're non-drinkers, because that always goes hand-in-hand with a ba-a-a-a-ad hangover.
Not that I speak from experience.... 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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BajaChar
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Bob and Susan, yes we are from Canada but we also have a US$ account which we changed up when the dollar was on par/sub par for us 2009/10/11ish etc,
as we built a property in Fla which we sold last year also, so we have US$'s to hand. We also spend a lot of time in the USA RVing as well, and we
see almost everything for Cabo when googling online quoted in US$'s hence the question 
Thank you Buddha, Utah, Mmc for your input as well, so as a rough idea initially trying to get the best exchange rate typically how many Pesos would
you suggest they take with them for a week? Like I said just for some bus fare, odd local food fare grab item maybe. Would a thousand pesos be too
much/too little for a week? They can always top up from an ATM, but just trying to get best rates etc in advance.
They'll have a US$1000 as well as their plastics. Also none of us are "trinket" collectors, just something really tiny as a momento maybe and
daughter might pick up an odd clothing item, if they are very good price but again not having been there but guessing it targets tourists to part with
their money unlikely much will be bought.
Thanks again to all for their valuable and useful input in advance
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CaboMagic
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BajaChar
Peso exchange will vary by merchant/cambio location - 1000 pesos may not go far but since they/you are at all-inclusive majority of food and beverages
are covered.
Are you in Cabo proper or San Jose del Cabo?
There are places to eat that wont break the bank
Tacos Gardenias
Tres Islas Mariscos - amazingly fresh fish and seafood
Guacamayas - moderate pricing but really good
Rossy Tacos
Any of several "Taco al Paisa" - these places typically open late - their specialty is a baked potato - you can add things like carne (meat) queso
(cheese) and they have a help youself salsa bar w/cucumber, radish, pickled onions etc.
Hope this helps you. Lori
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MMc
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BajaChar, I would pay attention to Cabomagic! They live there and fish everyday out of Cabo. They just made your trip with a little beta.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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mtgoat666
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaChar  | First trip to Cabo San Lucas for a week, staying all inclusive. Roughly how much recommended monies above two big excursions that will be prepaid,
would you recommend for two adults (non-drinkers)?
Also will just US Dollars suffice or do they need pesos (also if it will save a considerable amount of exchange money using Pesos?), and if so again
please advise how much.
Typically they'll walk around the town, marinas, maybe need a bus, taxi and possibly an odd small bite to sample local fare???
Of course they'll have their USA & Canadian Credit/Debit cards as a back up but would prefer to avoid charges to pay in cash for most items.
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Take pesos. How much? Who knows?
Take $30 per person per day. If you run out, use atm to get more. If left overs, take them home and exchange them with a friend - I am sure in the
few months after returning from Mexico one of your friends will tell you they are going to Mexico,... exchange, easy peasy!
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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BajaChar
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Posts: 12
Registered: 3-14-2018
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Bob and Susan, yes we are from Canada but we also have a US$ account which we changed up when the dollar was on par/sub par for us 2009/10/11ish etc,
as we built a property in Fla which we sold last year also, so we have US$'s to hand. We also spend a lot of time in the USA RVing as well, and we
see almost everything for Cabo when googling online quoted in US$'s hence the question
Thank you Buddha, Utah, Mmc for your input as well, so as a rough idea initially trying to get the best exchange rate typically how many Pesos would
you suggest they take with them for a week? Like I said just for some bus fare, odd local food fare grab item maybe. Would a thousand pesos be too
much/too little for a week? They can always top up from an ATM, but just trying to get best rates etc in advance.
They'll have a US$1000 as well as their plastics. Also none of us are "trinket" collectors, just something really tiny as a momento maybe and
daughter might pick up an odd clothing item, if they are very good price but again not having been there but guessing it targets tourists to part with
their money unlikely much will be bought.
Thanks again to all for their valuable and useful input in advance
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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1000 pesos is $55 usa...would you take that on vacation...not enough
you need to tip at all inclusive hotels
examples
Pool Bartender $2 - $5 per drink.
Maid $5 a day in room
Waiters in the Buffet Restaurants $5 or $8 per sitting
Waiters in Ala Cart Restaurants $8 - $10 a meal
Lobby Bartenders same
Concierge $10 every now and then.
They are helpful and have info
the real reason the rates are in dollars is to stabilize room rates
the peso goes up and down too much
all the big hotels do this
enjoy your vacation
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BajaChar
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Thanks to everyone for their advice and input on this first trip to the Baja for my husband and daughter = they are so very much looking forward to it
OK, so 5,000 pesos and US$1000 and the plastics for back up/any unforeseen large purchases should hopefully cover the week eh?
Cabo Magic - thank you for such detailed info: They are arriving at San Jose Del Cabo airport but the resort they are booked into for the week AI is
Villa Del Palmar Cabo San Lucas.
Ultimate goals for them bucket list wise are two:
i) To snorkel/free dive with the whale sharks which we believe is at La Paz (need to find a "fun" guide recommendation to book that). Any great
suggestions, preferably not a big group situation much appreciated.
ii) To spend a day fishing - bigger the fish, the better thrill for both of them (catch and release for them, or give edibles to the crew if
wanted). Would like to catch Marlin (stripped I believe are only in around Apr?), Tuna, Mahi, and an odd snapper wouldn't go amiss but the larger
the fish and fight the more they'll be smiling if not sore to boot! From what I've read on reviews there is a strong recommendation to go fishing
out of La Playita based on Cabos having become too hyper expensive, and just La Playita being better today by many it seems albeit now it's becoming
development targeted from what we've been reading. We don't know anything personally being their first time visit but .....
We truly value any and all comments and recommendations. Not sure if better with a Panga for the two of them or larger boat (would be good to have a
toilet facility naturally)? Any suggestions, comments about the reviews we've read and recommendations of which direct Capt to contact with ideally
great English (they don't speak a word of spanish) would be appreciated. They definitely don't want to be on a boat that does everything for you and
then just hands you the rod to reel in = they like to actually FISH themselves including casting, prepping, releasing, and learning local ways etc.
Again, a fun/humorous/interactive guide makes a huge difference to ones trip so ........
On a totally separate note: Any advice on where/which/how/when/costs for Public transportation to and from Jose airport to Villa Del Palmar; and
from Villa Del Palmar to La Playita for a day visit? It's been suggested on lots of reviews to catch the bus but not detailed how etc and I've
googled like crazy to try to find an answer.
Once again, thanks to you all for sharing your experiences and tips, to ensure they have a fab week in the Baja It's all so appreciated.
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windgrrl
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Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
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In Baja Sur, trade widely is done in both pesos and USD. You can pre-order pesos from your home bank and there is a money exchange in the airport near
the luggage carousels. Having pesos in small denominations on hand (e.g. 20s and 50s) are handy for tipping and other needs.
Hope you enjoy your trip!
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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CaboMagic
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BajaChar
1. What are travel dates?
2. VDPalmar is in Cabo proper. La Playita is in SanJosedelCabo - so you'll again need travel to/fro ($$)
3. Pangas use lighter tackle. Yes you can catch a BIG fish - it requires finesse not to break the line - lose the fish. No restroom facilities, just
a bucket or porta-potty.
Our smallest cruiser is this 26' Tiara
http://www.cabomagicsportfishing.com/BoatDetails.aspx?bid=21...
$440 for full day + licenses/livebait/crew gratuity. Since they are already in an all-inclusive, best to bring own provisions. Our cruiser offers
2-man crew w/very good English (not great Canadian tho  Full bathroom.
Two angler chairs.
4. As you can gather from our name, Cabo Magic Sportfishing, that's what we do - in Cabo.
Hope this helps.
Please peruse our websites, we have two - one built years before google, hence sans google technology www.CaboMagicSportfishing.com and the other is full of technology that makes google happy, but not as 'user friendly' www.CaboMagic.com
edited for spelling
[Edited on 3-16-2018 by CaboMagic]
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UnoMas
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BajaChar, go with CaboMagic. they have been there for years, may cost a bit more than some and as the ol' saying goes you get what you for  when you spend so much on travel and accommodations don't cut yourself short on a
maybe once in a life time fishing experience. Besides they are awesome people! Just my Dos Centavos.
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BajaChar
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Thank you this is just the kind of info we need to plan. So very much appreciated.
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