CABO GOLD PROPERTIES: DISCUSSING SAFETY AND OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS.
Cabo San Lucas is very safe to walk around, even at night. Always be mindful of your surroundings and do not take your cash out if somebody asks you for change, use common sense as you were anywhere. Please do not buy any items from the children on the street because it keeps them out of school as parents use their children to raise money for the family and has them out late at night. There is a movement in Cabo to discourage rewarding this behavior by asking tourists and locals not to buy from the children. Cabo instead tries to promote education by allowing the top students in their school to earn the opportunity to work. Most Students bag groceries for tips and must get straight A’s to be able to work there, so encourage them with a tip at the cashier, they will appreciate that and it helps send the right message.
AIRPORT
The best way to get to and from the airport is two arrange a ride with Cabo Gold properties. If you do not have the time to pre-arrange a ride with us, then you can arrange a ride when you get through customs at the airport. Just a reminder, the rides originating from the airport are a little more costly as most of the vendors understand that you have not pre-arranged something and are in need of a ride which might bring higher prices for transportation.
ELECTRICITY
Mexico uses 110 volt electricity just like the United States and Canada. If you’re coming from Europe or Asia, you’ll need the proper adapters. All of our properties in Mexico have 110 volt outlets.
RENTAL CARS
If you’re going to rent a car for your stay, we recommend doing so at the airport – that way you save yourself the money of the airport transfer back and forth. At the airport, you’ll find all the major companies. Just type in “SJD”, which is the Los Cabos airport code. There are several rental car companies in Cabo, including Dollar Rent a Car, Avis, Alamo, National, Payless and Thrifty Car Rental. In San Jose del Cabo (City North of Cabo), you’ll find Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. If renting a car, you will be required to purchase Mexican Liability insurance. Check with your credit card company because they will often cover the theft and collision insurance on the vehicle. You don’t need an international driver’s license, but you do need a valid drivers license in your country. You can ask your automobile insurance to insure you while you are on vacation.
INTERNET
Wifi is included throughout all of Cabo Gold Properties’ condos, Serranos tequila and wine in the lobby of the main building, and the Marina Sol pool area. Additional wifi is common in many Cabo establishments.
TIME ZONE
Cabo San Lucas is on Mountain Standard Time.
TRANSPORTATION
There are no set rates in los Cabos, make sure you negotiate a price before entering a taxi. Taxi rates can vary from company to company, at night, and traveling the entire Corridor can be quite expensive. Cabo Gold Properties can set up a transportation service for you ahead of time to and from the airport for a much better rate. There are many public buses which are inexpensive and run all day long up until about 10 PM. These are typically cash only and are a little hard to negotiate for specific areas. To travel the Corridor most of the larger buses stop about every 20 to 30 minutes along the side of the main road. These are an inexpensive way to travel.
WATER
Cabo Gold Properties has UV filtered water systems in all of their properties to insure safety. Most hotels and restaurants use purified water (it’s bad for business if the guests get sick), but if you’re in a private home or condo you may want to get bottled water. It’s better safe than sorry. Always ask if the water and/or ice is filtered.
WEATHER
Cabo San Lucas weather is posted daily on our web page. During the winter Cabo has some of the best weather without rain in the world. Come down and enjoy some FUN & SUN!
CURRENCY / CREDIT CARDS
Mexico’s official currency is the peso. US dollars are widely excepted in Cabo. Pesos to dollar conversion rates will fluctuate daily with local merchants giving you 1 to 2 pesos less per dollar. Most credit cards are excepted widely throughout Cabo San Lucas. Services such as Venmo, Zell, Apple Pay, PayPal, and other advanced pay services are not as widely used. Cash is always welcome and sometimes might be the only way you can pay for something. Pay attention to the Peso to dollar exchange rate. You can also visit a local bank with your passport and exchange dollars for pesos at a better rate. If you do not want to go to the bank, there are many ATM machines throughout Cabo. ATMs come with fees and the exchange rates are not as good. Regardless of where you are always ask your vendor to run your credit card in pesos. Because your bank and credit card company will give you the best exchange rate. If you still need Pesos for cash transactions, come into our Carbo Gold Properties office and we will be happy to help you.
CALLING HOME
With advances in technology today most areas offer Wi-Fi which allows all sorts of communications from Cabo to home. Check with your cellular carrier to make sure that roaming charges do not apply as they can be quite expensive. Some cellular carriers such as AT&T have plans that allow calls out of Mexico to be treated the same as calls in the United States. Please check your plant to make sure that you have adequate communications from Mexico if needed.
DRINKING AGE
The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. Be safe while drinking and do not carry more cash than you want to spend on the outing or only take the credit cards that you’re are going to use. Same practices when traveling anywhere else in the world.
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the language of Mexico. English is commonly spoken in Cabo, but expect some communication gap’s, especially in areas that are not as tourist friendly. In most restaurants waiters will not bring you the bill automatically, it is best to ask for the bill. “La Cuenta, Por favor” is a common term to request a bill. “Propina” is tip in Spanish and is always greatly appreciated as the minimum wage is much less in Mexico and workers survive mostly on tips.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
All citizens from visiting countries need to have a valid passport to enter Mexico.
TIMESHARE
As with many tourist vacation locations, Los Cabos is no stranger to a time share salesman. If you’re looking for a way to get a free lunch or other perks, then it’s a good way to spend the day. Otherwise it’s probably best and requires much less time if you just say no Gracias, unless you are seriously interested in a timeshare.
TIPPING
In Mexico it is customary and very appreciated for you to tip. The average minimum wage is lower here than where you may be coming from. Because of this the service professionals relay on your gratitude. Normal tipping practice for restaurant service professionals and tourism is 20%. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers unless they help you with your bags or expend some extra effort to help you, which most readily do!