Cabo Fiesta

Cabo San Lucas has something for everyone as long as fun and relaxation are your goal. There are beaches for all tastes from quiet with excellent snorkeling (Chileano and Santa Maria), to party beaches (Medeano) with loud music, 2-for-1 drinks all day, and pushy vendors.

More restaurants than you could ever want with options from gourmet dining (Pitahaya’s at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar) to the usual fast food (McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway). For local flavor, go to Mi Casa or Pancho’s in town or The Office on the beach.

Visit beautiful golf courses by day, bars and discos by night. Make sure to hit Lover's Beach and see the arch by boat (better yet, do it at sunset).

Quick Tips:

Take the sunset dinner cruise on Cabo Rey for a fairly decent meal and wonderful views of the Arch and Land's End. Better yet, do it for free after putting up with a timeshare presentation.

Every 20 feet in town, you encounter "activity booths," which are solicitations for the many timeshare presentations. The best deal, though, is from a man named Santiago on the beach by Billygan’s who gave us vouchers to go to Hacienda del Mar. We used that for two excellent dinners at Pitahaya’s. Everyone else seemed to be offering perks worth less than . Take a couple more of these presentations and you don't need to pay for dinner the whole week. On the other hand, if you’re not interested just keep walking, the sales people aren't as bad as it appears from other reviewers.

Best Way To Get Around:

My wife and I rented a car since we were staying in the corridor and love to explore on our own. It probably is not necessary if you stay in town where you can easily get around on foot.

Spectacular resort with luxury service. We stayed here on an RCI bonus week ($300) and were given a room in the hotel (as opposed to a villa which I understand is the accommodation through an RCI exchange). The room was on the 4th floor overlooking the main pools (there are 5 separate pools) with the ocean beyond. It was large for a hotel room with a king bed, small table and chairs and terrace. Bathroom was luxurious with separate shower and tub. If given the choice, take a higher floor over a lower floor. Room service daily with turn-down service at night. Soaps and lotions are replenished each day, and the ice bucket was filled each night.

The entire staff always appeared eager to address any need, desire, or question. The concierge made all our dinner reservations and provided suggestions for food and activities. Business center has internet access for nominal fee so we could check in with kids at home.

You could easily spend entire week at hotel as long as you want only peace and quiet. It was particularly quiet at night without any club or activities on the premises. Space at the pools was plentiful, and lounge chairs and towels were always available. Although the beach was not fine sand, the palapas with lounges and food or drink service were quiet and relaxing. Beware, however, because the ocean seemed bit rough for swimming.

If you do not mind being 15 minutes from town, you cannot go wrong here. As we had a car, it was no problem. Without a car, I understand you need to rely on the hotel shuttle ($20 roundtrip per person and it stops running at 10pm) or taxis (even more expensive) -- that can become pricey every day.

Coming from New York, we have experienced many quality restaurants. Pitahayas is right there for superb presentation and delicious food. Meats and fish served in an outdoor setting overlooking the beach. The dishes are unlike anything you will find in Cabo. This is Pacific Rim fusion cooking with sauces and preparation that will satisfy any palate.

Try the coconut shrimp for an appetizer. For an entree the breast of duck, swordfish, and steak all left us anxious to return for more.

A quiet beach used by locals and tourists. It was not crowded at all. Good snorkeling right off shore among the many reefs. Go to the right as you face the ocean, over the bluff to the right of shack. Avoid the expense of snorkel trip from town with its time limitations and restrictions if you can get to beach on your own--car, bus, or cab.

Go to the right for a little peace and quiet, or jump right in at Billygans and partake in two-for-one drinks all day, loud music, and participate in contests. Non-stop vendors with a wide variety of wares. Beware, however, that the jewelry is NOT solid silver. More likely it is silver plated despite the asking prices of $30-40. You can easily get any piece for $5-$6. Find Santiago in front of Billygans for $200 in food vouchers after a timeshare tour at the Hacienda del Mar.

Beautiful beach with excellent snorkeling along reefs to right. Save your money on snorkel tours as this is where the boats bring their passengers. Unspoiled and uncrowded, although there is a steady stream of vendors. Bring water and drinks since none are available. If you cannot get there by car, take a taxi or bus. Take the tour but the time alotted is too short.

Two hour sunset cruise on a relatively large boat. Free local drinks on top deck as sun sets over the Arch and around Land's End. Dinner actually was good with choice of steak, shrimp, or chicken. Nice finishing touch was a dance show. You can get the entire trip free as part of timeshare presentation.

Probable the trademark of Cabo (other than the bars), Land's End separates the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortes. Take a water taxi from town around the Arch and stop at Lover's Beach for a truly beautiful experience and sights that are breathtaking.

If you take in only one sight, this is the trip to take. Bargain with the taxi operator to get a trip for two for $10. You can be dropped off at Lover's Beach and a water taxi will return at an appointed time.

If you had too much sun and want to take a side trip, drive about an hour north to Todos Santos. While there are plenty of the same T-shirt and souvenir shops as can be found in Cabo, there are a number of galleries with handmade jewelry, Hotel California of Eagles fame, and restaurants like the Todos Santos Cafe. On the way, stop at the Blanket Factory where the blankets, ponchos, and shirts are made by the family on premises.