The following is a list of questions frequently asked about Cabo San Lucas. Answers to these questions or further details may be found in other areas of our web site. You may wish to view these areas by topic from our home page. Information offered herein is intended to be general in nature, orientational and in no way should be taken as cast in stone, as this area is growing and subject to change from season to season. Please feel free to send us e-mail to ask a question you may have or sto tell us about your trip.

What is Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has now become a world-class destination resort area with superb sportfishing, PGA quality golfing and year round water sports. Cabo has grown tremendously over the last 30 years when it was a sleepy fishing village hide away known only by the adventurous, rich and famous. Some now call it "Palm Springs on the Ocean". Cabo San Lucaswas first discovered by Spanish explorers in 1542 and was a pirates' safe harbor through the mid 1800ís. In the early 19th century, an American company founded a tuna cannery in Cabo San Lucas due to the abundance of tuna in the area. Up until the completion of the Transpeninsular Highway (Mexican 1) in 1973 and official statehood of Baja California Sur in 1974, Cabo remained a sleepy fishing village. Since then, Cabo San Lucas has slowly grown into an exotic destination that has been called "Mexicoís Best Kept Secret" and offers perhaps the most unique environment "where the beach meets the desert". Cabo San lucas is now the fastest growing resort destination area in all of Mexico.

Where is Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas also known as Cabo is located in the State of Baja California Sur (south), a 900-mile long Peninsula, at the tip of the Baja where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, to the west of the Mexican mainland. Cabo is approximately 1,100 miles south of Los Angeles, California, and is at "lands end" or end of the road, Mexican 1 Highway. It is the furthest point south in Baja California, 10 degrees below the Tropic of Cancer and is at a latitude 22ƒ 55í 44". Cabo is the largest of several cities in the municipality of Los Cabos (the Capes) which includes the city of San Jose del Cabo. Cabo is approximately 20 miles south of the Los Cabos International Airport, which receives flights from all over the world.. Also check out the maps in Cabo's Home Page.

What is the weather like in Cabo?
The average year-round temperature is 78ƒF. (26ƒC.) During the high tourist season, October to April, the temperature is typically 80ƒF. (27ƒC.) during the day and cools to the 60ís at night. In the low season, May to September, the temperature is up to 20ƒF. warmer. The average year-round water temperature in the Sea of Cortez is 75ƒF. (24ƒC.). The climate is arid with over 300 days of sunshine, some reports over 350 days. Average annual rainfall is 5-10 inches(12.7-25.4cm), most with occurring during the month of September.Some have called Cabo the "Land of Little Rain". In general, Cabo is sunny and mild year-round. Also check out the current weather via satellite in the Cabo home page and our weather link on the Baja Life Online homepage.

How do you get to Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is accessible by air from most major cities in the United States and Mexico by Aeromexico, Aero California, Alaska Airlines, America West, Continental, Mexicana, United Airlines, and various other charter flights or private aircraft flying to the Los Cabos International Airport. From Los Angeles, the flying time is approximately 2 hours. Check out the airline section in the Cabo Home Page or ask your travel agent for specific schedules and airlines. Cabo is accessible by sea via Carnival Cruises from Los Angeles and other major cruise lines. By land, Cabo is accessible via Highway 1, which runs the entire length of Baja California from the US border. There is Greyhound Bus service from Los Angeles to Tijuana via San Diego and then by Autotransportes Aguila & Tres Estrellas de Oro from Tijuana to La Paz and then on to Cabo San Lucas or by various other tour bus operators. From Tijuana, the drive is long (25 hours by car & 30+ hours by bus) and the roads are narrow, so be careful and watch out for the cows!

Where do you stay?
Cabo San Lucas has many hotels to suit every price range from budget motels to five star or gran tourismo resort hotels. You may also consider renting an apartment, condominium or house by the day, week or month. Or you may prefer to stay at one of several fine Bed & Breakfast Inns. Check out the Cabo hotel link.

What is there to do in Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas is a very unique resort area with a diverse range of activities for every age. The first rule is to be patient and be adventurous. Cabo offers everything from watersports to desert safaris. Fishing has long been a "world class" event in Cabo, however "golf" and "shopping" are providing strong competition for top spot. Maybe you prefer hiking the Sierra La Laguna trails, or enjoying a Balloon ride, horseback riding on Playa El Medano, JetSki to El Arco, or Scuba Dive off Playa del Amore, or taking a glass bottom boat ride to view exotic tropical fish, a bungy jump, a game of volleyball on the beach, or just sitting in the shade with a tall cool one observing your own bikini contest...Check out the Cabo Home Page for details of various activities.

How do I get from the airport and around in Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas has taxis, vans, buses and rental cars & jeeps to get to and from the airport or around to see the many sights, activities, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, golf courses, fishing, shopping or to the beach. If you stay in town, it is walking distance to many restaurants, good shopping, fishing and nightlife. Many hotels have a shuttle bus or van, so check with your hotel. If you like to get around and see lots of things and want the freedom to go at anytime, perhaps itís best to rent a car as taxis can get expensive. Check out the car rental section for information on car rentals.

Can I use US dollars or should I convert dollars to Pesos?
Cabo San Lucas gladly accepts US Dollars or you can convert your dollars to Mexican Pesos. You may encounter the symbol US$ (US Dollars) or N$ (nuevo peso or new peso). The peso has historically fluctuated so whichever you choose, you might check to see the daily exchange rate with your bank or newspaper like the Wall Street Journal. Credit cards and travelers checks are also regularly accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels. Banks typically offer the best exchange rate for buying pesos and they all offer the same rate set by the Bank of Mexico. Moneychangers offer the second best rate and you will find many, so shop around as they may each be different. If you need to get some additional cash, there are ATM machines in most Banks.

What language is spoken in Cabo?
In Cabo San Lucas, as in the rest of Mexico, the native language is Spanish and as in any foreign country you really benefit by speaking the language. However, Cabo is a resort town and most people in the hotels, restaurants and shops speak English. If you plan to explore a bit outside the resorts area you would be best to learn enough Spanish to navigate everyday transactions. Be patient and try to learn a little Spanish, maybe you will make some new friends. Besides, you will gain much respect from local Mexicans. Donít be afraid to make mistakes by speaking Spanish. Check out our Spanish section for a short lesson in the language.

Do I need a passport to visit Cabo?
Mexican Law requires all foreigners to carry a passport or birth certificate as proof of citizenship and a tourist visa ( usually supplied by your travel agent or at the airport check-in counter). Always remember to bring your passport or birth certificate (copy) with you to the airport or you will not be allowed to check-in. Check out the US Consulate section for services offered and any specific questions.

What books or publications are available about Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas is a world-renowned exotic destination resort area with a rich history. Many books have been written about the area from John Steinbecksí classic "The Log From The Sea of Cortez " to the recent "Cabo Handbook" by Joe Cummings. Magazines such as National Geographic Traveler & Conde Naste Traveler, as well as major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times have featured stories on Cabo. Annually there is a "Los Cabos Guide" published on the area and a beautiful magazine, "Baja Life" published with stories & spectacular photos of Cabo. Check out the Books, Publications and Maps area and our new Online Library on the Baja Life Online Home Page.

What type of food is served in Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas offers foods for almost every taste or budget, from tacos at a humble taco stand to lobster, steak or pasta at a five-star hotel restaurant... Or if you wish, you may go to the mercado (market) and select what you wish of everything from soup to nuts. There are several markets and products are a mix of Mexican and American. For you fishermen (and women) many restaurants will prepare your catch to your preference with trimmings for a modest fee. The regional foods are more of northern Mexico, with meat and dairy foods more highly favored, however in most restaurants seafood is most common. Check out the Restaurant section for more information on specific menus.

Is there shopping in Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas has many stores & shops offering a full range of shopping from Mexican handicrafts to fine artwork to furniture & clothing for every style and budget. Cabo is filled with small shops and centers that will fill many days for those looking for a unique item or a simple T-shirt. If you just want to park yourself on the beach, you may even have the venders come to you selling many different Mexican handicrafts items. Check out the Shopping section for a sample.

Where can I play golf in Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas is becoming a golfing paradise for both amateurs and professionals. Cabo has several world-class golf courses including the Cabo San Lucas Country Club, the two PGA quality courses designed by Jack Nicholas at Cabo del Sol & Palmilla Resort, and the Cabo Real course at the Melia Cabo Real Hotel. The Jack Nicholas designed courses (his first in Latin America) are said to have two (#17 & #18) of the best finishing holes in the world. Golf is the new growth industry in Cabo and is attracting players from all over the world. Check out our Golf link for more information.

Where can I go fishing?
Cabo San Lucas is called the undisputed "Capital of the World" for sailfish and marlin. It is reported that over 50,000 billfish (marlin, sailfish & swordfish) are hooked up each year in the waters around Cabo, more than any place else in the world. The Sea of Cortez contains over 800 identified varieties of fish and an estimated 3,000 total species. Approximately 90% of Baja fish are found near the shores of Cabo and adjacent islands. This wealth of sealife makes the waters around Cabo one of the richest in the world. The sportfishing is excellent for billfish corvinas & croakers, dorado, mackerel & tuna, jack, bass, flatfish, snapper, sharks, rays & squid, and shell fish. You may cruise the marina and select from many sportfishing crews or make arrangements at your hotel for various fishing packages or visit the west end of the marina in the afternoon to view the catches of the day as they are weighed in. Cabo is host to many international fishing tournaments, including the Bisbees' International Black & Blue Marlin Tournament, promoted to be the largest in the world and held annually in October. Check out our Fishing section for more details.

Where can we play tennis?
Cabo San Lucas has several tennis clubs located at various hotels and residential developments, including the Pedregal, Palmilla and Villa del Palmar properties. Inquire with your hotel or travel agent to determine if your accomodations offer includes tennis facilities.

Where are the best beaches?
Cabo San Lucas has many of the worlds most beautiful beaches both along the corridor (area between San Jose del Cabo & Cabo San Lucas) as well as in and around Cabo. There are five beaches close to Cabo from Playa Amore to El Medano and secluded coves & beaches along the corridor of the Sea of Cortez from Playa Cabo Bello to Playa Costa Azul. Each has a different character, quality, services available and surf conditions for various water sports. If you seek to find a beach where you can walk for miles without seeing anyone, take a drive along the Pacific shore. Check out our beach link for more information.

Where can I go diving?
Cabo San Lucas offers a whole world of underwater treasures. There are several locations for excellent diving and many diving specialists for equipment and/or tours. If you are not a diver but would like to see whatís under the water, take the glass bottom boat ride. Check out our Diving link for more details.

If we drive our mobile home or RV, are there parks where we can set up?
Cabo San Lucas has several very nice RV and mobile home parks with complete facilities for long and short term stays. Check out the RV & Trailer Park link.

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