Most stores in Cabo open at around (everything is around here) 10 am and close by 9 pm. A decent number of stores close for siesta. Store hours are influenced by whether cruise lines are in town. All stores accept US dollars though you will get a bad exchange rate. Your best exchange rate is from an ATM as you’ll get the rate being offered in Mexico City. Change will be in Pesos.

CABO SAN LUCAS SHOPPING AREAS

Puerto Paraiso Mall
Located marina-side between Plaza Bonita Mall & Marina Fiesta Resort, the Puerto Paraiso mall combines indoor shopping and entertainment with cascading waterfalls, restaurants, and open areas for strolling and relaxing. The architecture is an impressive merger of classical Mexican-colonial design elements and sleek, modern amenities. Floors are rich with inlaid mosaics in marble and canterra stone, decidedly luxurious and expertly finished.

A fairly large and fancy looking shopping mall, there isn’t that large a selection of stores. It’s still nice to walk through the mall to the marina. It is home though to a number of galleries including Kaki Basi, a local artist, as well as Sergio Bustamante. Clothing stores in the mall include Quicksilver, Cotton Club and Guess. Jewelry stores include Joyeria México Lindo’s newest location for custom-made jewelry, and Tanya Moss, a young Mexican designer with contemporary styles. For the Harley buff head to the Harley Davidson cafe where you can either rent or buy your next Harley.

Plaza Aramburo is where you’ll go for groceries if you don’t have a car and are renting a condo or villa. Plaza Aramburo is home to the Aramburo supermarket as well as a pharmacy and tatoo store.

Accorss the street from Plaza Aramburo are a number of markets selling Mexican wares.

The following little shopping areas are home to restaurants and stores. Stroll around downtown Cabo San Lucas and you’ll get to each one.

Plaza Bonita
Plaza del Mar
Plaza Nautica
the Meraco de Artesanias

SAN JOSE DEL CABO SHOPPING

If you are looking for quality products then go to San Jose del Cabo. San Jose is home to the best shopping in the area for high quality art, jewelry and home furnishings.

Many of Cabo’s busiest restaurants are located along the marina. Unlike most internet sites that say how amazing foods are in Cabo, and how Cabo San Lucas has become this international playground for the stars and a cauldron of star chefs, great food is not the norm, however there are some scattered yet excellent restaurants.

Prices are high and most restaurant food is simply adequate with a few exceptions such as some sushi restaurants which are world class, some of the hotels have terrific restaurants with exorbitant prices and in the back streets of both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo there are wonderful traditional taquerias that serve up inexpensive and delicious traditional Mexican foods.

If you like sweet iced tea make sure to try the Agua de Jamaica, made by boiling the bright flower leaves of the hibiscus plant and sweetened with sugar. It looks like fruit punch but tastes a lot better.

On the streets of Cabo, if you pass a fruit vendor, don’t pass him. Stop and get a fruit salad with cut up mixed fruits that include fresh mangoes, papaya, cantaloupe, pineapple, watermelon, and chayote which look like a cucumber. Your options include having hot red chili powder sauce along with, lime juice, and salt. Beware the chili is strong so you may want to avoid it and simply have lime juice and salt, or just the lime juice or perhaps just the salt or maybe none of the above. Whatever you decide, this stuff is good eatings.

If you do happen to eat at a great place, please let us know.

Dining in Cabo San Lucas

Here is our advice on where to eat in Cabo. Of course food can vary depending on who is in the kitchen and this is Mexico

Misiones de Kino
What you see is not what you get! Not very impressive from outside, but it’s the food that counts. Excellent quality and presentation at very reasonable prices. The Chapalla is Israel’s own creation which makes any seafood choice incredible.

La Galeria
One of several local restaurants owned by Rodgiro Cabeza de Vaca, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, they offer unique and delicious versions of authentic Mexican food as well as continental cuisine. Located on the malecon between the Nowhere Bar and Puerto Paraiso Mall.

Latitude 22 Roadhouse
A must visit place. A Cabo Landmark. Located on the Corridor on the way to Costco. Spend as much time as you want checking out all the photos. articles and displays on the walls. You will get the very best history lesson of Cabo San Lucas possible. Not fancy, but a lot of fun with good substantial grub. Most tender calamari I have ever eaten, great burgers with lots of all you can eat selections. Make the u-turn at the Pemex station, drive past Costco and turn immediately after the electric company.

Esperanza Breathtaking!
Save this for that one special romantic dinner in Cabo. The ambience, service and food all make this worth the price. Located at Punta Ballena at Km. 6.9 on the carreterra. Reservations required.

Nick-San
This is not the best sushi restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. This is the best sushi restaurant you will ever eat in. This place is phenomenol. Great place for celebrity watching.

Costco Restaurant
Good pizza. Cheap. Sea of Cortez Views

The beaches in Los Cabos proper can be divided into 5 distinct areas.

1. Cabo San Lucas Beaches

2. Pacific Beaches

3. Corridor Beaches

4. San Jose del Cabo Beaches

5. East Cape Beaches

It’s been estimated that only around 25% of all visitors to Los Cabos go into the ocean as they prefer to hang out and lounge at their resort pools. This is a shame, as the water in Los Cabos is a magical experience. However, depending on the time of year and the beach you are on, swimming can be extremely dangerous. Do not take any chances and make sure you are aware of the conditions of the surf. If you see a black flag on the beach DO NOT go in the water. There are no life guards on Los Cabos beaches.

Cabo’s Main Beach – Playa el Medano
When in Cabo make sure to visit Playa el Medano Beach. El Medaon is the main beach in Cabo San Lucas. Medano is a petty beach that is safe for swimming. Approximately 2-miles long, Medano is where you’ll typically find a lively crowd, lots of music during the day along with jet-skiing, parasailing and water taxis that will take you over to Lover’s Beach. In the evening Medano Beach transforms itself from a rather raucous scene into a romantic wonderland of candle lit tables, right on the beach, overlooking the Arc and the moonlit sea of Cortez.

Other beaches in Cabo San Lucas

CANNARY BEACHES – 2 small beaches, popular with locals, located on the south side of the inner harbor entrance.

DIVORCE BEACH- visit Lover’s Beach first and then head over here! It’s next to El Arco and the pounding surf and powerful waves are an incredible sight.

LOVER’S BEACH – Playa del Amor – great sightseeing, romance, views. Named as one of Mexico’s top 10 beaches by Conde Naste Traveler magazine.

MONUMENT’S BEACH – great surfing.

PLAYA SOLMAR – no swimming here, great for chilling – a long beach, no crowds, separated from Lover’s Beach by a large rock formation. You can hike here from Playa del Amor during low tide though be careful of tidal changes or access it via the road to Hotel Solmar.

Bed & Breakfast – Posada Chabela
four ‘casita’s’, sit high on Costa Azul, most avant-garde, each individually designed and named, scattered throughout the lush gardens, gently resonance of rolling waves and tropical breezes. A new B&B, Posada Chabela is gay friendly, has a wonderful owner and offers a terrific location ..

More about San Jose del Cabo

People not interested in the crazy night life and commotion of Cabo and that want more of a cultural experience, have the option of coming to San Jose del Cabo for art galleries and a fine dining restaurants.

The fascinating old buildings of the historic district along Obregon Street behind the church have now become the “Art District” of San Jose. Each of the galleries have its own unique character, some specializing in fine art, some in folk art and some in other collectibles.

One of the top galleries appropriately named “Old Town Gallery” features work that sees “Mexico through the Eyes of the Artist” and also exhibits collectible artists like Louis Sakalovsky, who produces luminous bohemian crystal sculptures which definitely add to the value of ones home or office.

The best way to experience the vibrant diversity of San Jose’s cultural scene is to participate in one of the Thursday evening “Art Walks” held weekly from November to May when the galleries stay open until 9:00 p.m. and serve a little wine to enhance ones viewing pleasure.

Los Cabos is a place of stark beauty. Located at the southern tip of Baja California, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos is a dramatic mountain / desert landscape punctuated by miles of gorgeous beaches.

Along the Los Cabos’ coastline, the desert and huge sandstone cliffs, directly abut the astonishing blue-green water of the Sea of Cortés, making for shockingly, beautiful contrasts.

Comprised of three resort areas — Cabo San Lucas, the Corridor and San Jose del Cabo– Los Cabos offers something for everyone.

Los Cabos is a vacationer’s paradise . In addition to its stunning panorama, the area provides many resources for water- and land-based sports and activities, and the seaside has many upscale hotels and resorts with peaceful, private beaches.

Los Cabos offers plenty of activities. A sportsman’s dream, Los Cabos has watersports, championship golf, world-class fishing, hiking, surfing and excellent scuba diving.

The beaches of Los Cabos are gorgeous and offer plenty of quiet and solitude for those who want it, or watersports and people watching for those who desire more excitement.

Cabo San Lucas also is home to Mexico’s largest sportsfishing fleet, the heart of Cabo is its marina where plenty of luxury yachts, fishing boats, sunset cruise boats and speeds boats dock. Nearby there are plenty of world class restaurants, stores, bars and shopping. After dark, Cabo’s nightlife is second to none in Mexico.

Every November, more than 10 thousand gray whales migrate from the the freezing waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea for the warmth of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The gray whals travel along the Pacific ocean coast at top speeds of 5 mph. The females take lead (as is common for the human species tambien). The whales take approximately 4 months to travel the 10 thousand miles roundtrip.

Taken a clue from humans, the whales upon reaching the Mexican coast mate, bask in the warmer waters and give birth; making January to early April the best time to whale watch.

During these months, there are many whale watching excursions that run in the bays of Baja California. These trips are described by many as “the best experience of their lives”. During many of these excursions gray whales a swim right up to the boats and allow human contact.

Early spring, the calves and their mothers head back up north, and without the presence of the males, who have split early (again when most needed the males are out of there). With the males gone, the mothers appear less protective and often times allow their young to approach tour boats

Spots to Watch Gray Whales in Baja
A small percentage of whales, make it as far south as Los Cabos. However during the months of January to April you will often catch sight of a whales playing in the waters. To truly experience life with these magnificent mamals, visit 1 of the 3 major lagoons on the coastline of the Baja Peninsula.

Laguna Ojo de Liebre:
Known as Scammon’s Lagoon, this body of water is located half-way down the peninsula on the Pacific side in Guerrero Negro, about 440 miles south of the border. Scammon’s Lagoon was the principal hunting lagoon used by commercial whale hunters in the 19th century. Today tourists arrive to the lagoon by car, but a national airport is also available for tourists flying in from other destinations in Mexico.

Laguna San Ignacio:
Located 100 miles south of Laguna Ojo de Liebre, access to this site is mostly through charter air service from San Diego, Tijuana and Cabo San Lucas.

Bahia Magdalena (Magdalena Bay):
This bay is very popular for whale-watching due to its proximity to the La Paz, Cabo san Lucas and Loreto airports.

Whale-watching options
Gray whale excursions comprise half-day or day trips, packages based out of whale-watching camps, and cruise programs that allow tourists to sleep onboard ships. There are various tour operators that specialize in whale-watching, including some major ones below.

Baja Expeditions:
Based in La Paz and one of the oldest and largest whale-watching outfitters, Baja Expeditions service both the Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio lagoons. It offers charter flights directly from San Diego to San Ignacio and five-day, all-inclusive packages, including accommodations at the camps. It also offers seven-day combined kayaking and whale-watching programs to Magdalena Bay, meeting at the La Paz International Airport. Programs run from February to end of March.

Baja Discovery Tours:
Boasting more than 20 years experience, Baja Discovery Tours it offers all-inclusive service from the San Diego International airport, including ground service to Tijuana, charter service to San Ignacio and accommodations at the San Ignacio camp. Five-day programs run from February to end of March.

Lindblad’s Special Expeditions:
This provider offers nine-day cruises featuring whale-watching at Magdalena Bay along with other destinations and activities. Groups meet in Los Cabos.

Miramar Adventures:
Offers three-day excursions to the Ojo de Liebre lagoon. Tourists arrive by car.

For those not interested in signing up for a whale-watching package, Puerto Lopez Mateos or Puerto San Carlos at Magdalena Bay are quaint sleepy villages where boats can be rented for US$50 a day, skipper included, and are located two hours by car from the Loreto International Airport.

Gray whales aren’t the only species to see while in Baja. Sea Kayak Adventures: also offers kayaking/camping adventures out of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez, located on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. Tourists can watch finback and blue whales, along with dolphins, sea lions and exotic fish. Apart from paddling among islands, additional activities include snorkeling and hiking up scenic canyons offering breathtaking panoramas.

Erick Laseca
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517

Closer to San Jose del Cabo is the world famous, exclusive area of Palmilla. Palmilla is home to the “One & Only Palmilla” resort as well as spectacular and breathtaking villa rentals.

Featured Cabo San Lucas Vacation Rentals include
Probably the most stunning villa rental in Cabo San Lucas.
San Jose del Cabo

Live your Dreams … in this luxuriously appointed villa on the
grounds of the One and Only Palmilla. Sleeps up to 8 guests.

Zipper’s Surf Break Vacation Rental
Beachfront. Ideal for couples or families. The home has room for up to 10 guests.

Villa Patrizia – the jewel of San Jose del Cabo
Embrace the airy ambiance and elegant design of this wonderful Mediterranean-style, ocean-view home. Gaze out at gorgeous views of the Sea of Cortez and Palmilla Bay as you enjoy Villa Patrizia’s many unique amenities, both inside and out. Sleeps up to 10 guests.

Cabo San Lucas Corridor
Villa Paraiso – a 7,000 square foot Mediterranean-style villa – beachfront vacation rental located in the private, exclusive gated community of Punta Bella on the Cabo Corridor.

To rent these Cabo San Lucas villa rentals visit Vacation Rentals Unlimited, a company that lists Cabo Vacation rentals by owners.

Things to Avoid

Read this article if you don’t want to get caught by timeshare sales men who are hiding behind every rock and tree in Baja; because when you least expect it they will jump out at you starting from the second you arrive at the airport and thereafter from information booths, hotel lobbys, restaurants to crawling out from under a scorpion’s rock.

They will offer you FREE scuba diving, tours, ATV rides, money, fishing trips, and their ex-mother in law for you to attend a 4 hour lecture where they will attempt to hi-jack your entire day until you purchase.
Behind the scenes they will use phrases such as, “buy or cry”, or “break ‘em, bag ‘ em and box em.”
Keep walking away (at least 4 times) from the price and they will come running after you and the price will drop dramatically. They are told to “sell at any price”, so what could start out as a $40,000 time share could come down to $12,000.

Remember the one thing a decent time share salesman will not tell you is that you may cancel your time share purchase within 3 days of your purchase. This is Mexican law. Forget this tiny bit of info at your own peril.

How to Identify a Timeshare Guy

1. They drive Harleys without helmets
2. Most are single, divorced males
3. They are of the pushy persuasion
4. They are “super, cool, nice guys” as long as your plastic is close by.

Even with these tips, you’ll get home and say “what the ph… did we just do….what was I thinking? … Well I suppose I’m allowed one mistake in my life.”

ps. while in Cabo pick up a FREE copy of the Gringo Gazette, where you will find ads for time share resales, from people who have made the same mistake that you could potentially make …or not. These resales are for up to 70% less than what the original purchaser paid.

The majority of resorts in Cabo San Lucas offer vacationers the option to purchase a time share. This article assumes that you know about the benefits and costs of a timeshare.

You can expect to come face to face with a timeshare salesmen during your stay in Cabo. Read about what to expect when approached by a timeshare salesman.
To explore the many timeshare and vacation clubs in Cabo San Lucsa Los Cabos, you may want to narrow your choices to resorts and read up about them before visiting Cabo.