First trip out of the country to Mexico need tips

Thank you.

You can still take it, just bring the Rx printout, if you have it. If I was heading to Asia or some other locales, I would be iron clad about the full RX, but it’s Mexico.

Beer is always safe from bacteria and whatnot. That’s part of the reason it was invented.you just want to make sure whatever you’re drinking out of is clean. Some third world countries put spare product behind the restaurant where people pee.

Do not bring too many credit cards, or too much cash (every country.) don’t carry around a “full wallet.” Put everything you don’t need that day in the hotel safe. Do not get foreign cash in the outbound airport. Just go to an atm in the airport when you arrive (you don’t really need pesos when you have $) and take out cash in the local currency if you’re flying anywhere else.

Take Imodium and Tums

Cabo is gorgeous! You’ll love it. Try to find an off-roading excursion and go get dirty.

Even Mexicans don’t drink the tap water. Any form of water (liquid or ice) you will be served in a restaurant or at the resort is safe.

Do NOT open your mouth while showering. Do NOT use the tap water to brush your teeth.

I’d suggest waiting til you get there to get bottled water. It’s everywhere and easy to get.

You won’t be able to swim in the ocean in Cabo. The tides are too rough. The pool areas at resorts there are amazing for that reason. Enjoy it!

Customs in Mexico is weird. When it’s your turn you will get a green light or a red light. If you get red, they’ll search all of your luggage. If you get green, you’re good to go without inspection. It’s completely random.

Mexicans will haggle with you in shops and when buying souvenirs. Since Cabo is a cruise ship stop, most places will take dollars. Wait to exchange dollars to pesos until you get there. You can use the ATM machines to get pesos and get decent exchange rates. I recommend using a card because credit cards and debit cards have the best exchange rates.

You’re going to have a great time!

Here is a rundown for beginners, you will soon see that there are endless things to do in such a tiny area of awesomeness. Have fun let us know what all you got into with restaurants, bars, etc.

Arriving in Cabo
Bring a pen onto the plane so you can fill out the immigration/customs form ON THE AIRPLANE. Many people wait until they get into the airport and there are not any pens available – major mistake.

After you go through customs, immigration, and baggage claim… walk straight out of the doors. DO NOT STOP to talk to anyone trying to sell you excursions, free fishing, etc. They are relentless timeshare sharks. Be sure you know exactly what stall # your transfer will be waiting for you at, and what outfit they will have on.

If you want a beer at the outside bars while you wait for your shuttle to leave, be prepared to spend $12 for a Dos Equis, $15 for a margarita. The prices are totally outrageous.

ATMs at the airport will give you $US dollars. The best way to get pesos (and you will need them for taxis and tips all throughout tour trip) is to go to an ATM in Cabo and withdraw money from there… you will get pesos and you only have to pay the one-time fee or around $5. Get out as much as you can.

For the transfer to your hotel, use a company who offers a “private” option instead of “shared”… if you choose shared your car will be full of people and you will stop at 5-6 other hotels before you get to yours…. Don’t want to burn half of your first day dropping other people off at their hotels! You want to hit up YOUR OWN pool for some cocktails! The price should be pretty much the same if you choose private. Book this ASAP.

While in Cabo
Always negotiate the taxi fare before you get in. If you are getting a ride from the hotel, you can always have the front desk guys help you. Fares , for the most part, are set by how far they take you. If you have more then 2 people they will charge you $2/person extra on to of the normal fare.

You will be offered all sorts of “party favors” when walking around, they have no shame in peddling that stuff. They are not aggressive or physical, just know that you will be asked “if you want anything” walking around town, especially at night if you are on the main drag by the clubs….and you know what types of things I’m talking about

Paying for meals with a credit card is easy, but they will add a % to cover their transaction processing fee, so pay cash in pesos if you can. The USD/MX conversion rate offered by banks is correct, the rates you get at restaurants is horrible…meaning you will probably pay $5-10 more than usual if you choose to pay in $USD. If you use a credit card, tell them you want to pay in pesos.

Massages – find a place called the Sand Bar. It’s right behind the Mango Deck. No happy endings at that joint, but there are plenty of those in town if that’s your jam, you will see the scantily clad girls wearing the tight black outfits sitting outside enticing you to come in.

Where to eat
$ – El Gran Pastor; tiny taco shop where you order at a window and stand in the street to eat; best tacos I think

$ – Tacos Guss; tiny taco shop where you choose your meats, they being a big tray of all the sides you add what you want (don’t miss this place!).

$$ – Tres Gallos; beautiful restaurant that is in an outdoor courtyard, order a Caesar salad and they make it from scratch at your table

$$ – Marina Corona; similar vibe as Tres Gallos but they have live music; beautiful restaurant that is in an outdoor courtyard, order a Caesar salad and they make it from scratch at your table

$$ – Outpost; rooftop dining in town where they grow all of their own herbs and spices, beautiful and funky spot with great food. Ask to sit on the roof.

$$ – Daikoku; Japanese restaurant with good sushi and other dishes. A small man-made rover flows through the restaurant and the landscape is very lush; super cool experience and the food is great

$$$$– RosaNegra; high-energy upscale steakhouse with a DJ, a “fire show”, has a “vegas party” feel to it. Awesome vibe with beautiful people. Definitely find a way to eat here one night!
$$$$– Nicksan; upscale sushi restaurant, known for being a spot where celebrities go eat when they visit Cabo

Avoid – Sunset Monalisa has some of the best views but the food is below average and the menu is very expensive.

Things to do
Daytime – Mango Deck has a stage with contests, live music, fun drinks, lively crowd…. Very when on days when a cruise ship is docked. Dies down after 3:00pm.

Daytime – there are some daytime “’booze cruises”, but not many. Cabo is very different than Cancun, much more low key.

Daytime – pirate ship snorkeling over to Chileno Bay.

Daytime – take a glass bottom boat over to the arches and lover’s beach. TIP: eat breakfast at The Office. They have their own boat. Have your waiter call the boat over and show your receipt, you can each pay $10 for a ride over there. He will drop you off at “lover’s beach” if you want to hang out there for a while and he will come get you later. Just agree on a time.

Nighttime – lots of clubs and bard all in one area (El Squid Row, La Vaquita, Mandala)…. Overpriced drinks, but a fun places to dance and people watch

Nighttime – Rooftop 360; sits on the roof of a nice hotel, awesome view, great people watching, dress up nicely!