hpluss1

Is it a good idea to go to Cabo if I cannot sit in the sun (due to very fair skin)? I like to sit in a hammock in the shade though and enjoy a beautiful swimming hole. Is Cabo good for this? My friend just invited me on a very inexpensive trip in January.

qwovadis

www.cabo.com

www.esperanzaresort.com my fav there

but lots of nice little palapas shaded palm tree settings

very pretty beaches nature(Land's End) and a bit of nice

colonial architecture in nearby towns...

So think you are fine lather on the SPF 30-100 sunscreen

and go for it you should have tonnes of fun,

Happy Journey,

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Great restaurants and nightlife too. If you have the chance to go, do it.

suze

Cabo is a fun place, there's lots to see and do besides sit in the sun. Most of the beaches there are not safe for swimming though, it's very rough. There really aren't hammocks much in this part of Mexico, that's more a Caribbean side thing. Also not much 'colonial architecture' as it's not that old, but plenty of interesting things to see.

Check out the Cabo San Lucas forum over at Trip Advisor. There's a wonderful active group of Cabo regulars posting there who can help you with everything you need to know.
best, suze

suze

Get a straw hat, and bring lightweight long sleeve tops to cover up from the sun. The weather should be beautiful in January. Take a day trip over to the towns of San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, even La Paz.
I'd definitly go for it! As mentioned, there's some fabulous restaurants in Cabo. Here's my favorite:
misionesdekino.com

hpluss1

Thank you! Ok I'll get long sleeves and a hat. But three questions more:

1. does it feel very much like Mexico there, or could this resort be anywhere? I want to go somewhere where I can feel like I've visited Mexico.

2. what food do you recommend there?

3. And lastly, is it safe to travel to Cabo at this time, or has it been affected by the drug war crime?

suze

1. Depends where you stay & what you do. If you go inland into the normal downtown area of Cabo, it's very "Mexican" feeling. If you stay only at the Marina, the mall, or your hotel property, maybe not so much. What resort are we talking about specifically?

2. Seafood (fish, shrimp, lobster), Mexican, Italian, it's all good. I used the recommendations from the Trip Advisor Cabo travel forum ("Trappers List") and did not have a bad meal anywhere. For breakfasts I especially liked The Office on Medano Beach, and Mama's Royal downtown on Hildalgo.

3. Yes it's fine. No it has not been "affected by the drug war crime". Nothing. Nada.

hpluss1

Thanks Suze! We're staying at Villa del Palmar. I guess we'll definitely go inland and to San Jose del Cabo for the charming town. Ooh I'll check out that restaurant list, too! I'm getting excited!!

suze

Villa del Palmar is a long walk or a short cab ride into downtown Cabo. In downtown 'The Marina' is more touristy, but nice. The Paraiso Mall is an upscale place but has a pretty layout and fun to walk around even if you aren't into shopping (fountains, plazas, public restrooms). L. Cardenas Blvd. is the main drag thru downtown. Most tourists seem to not venture to the inland side of it. If you go there, it's a 'normal' small Mexican town with the local tiendas, restaurants, places to poke around. I went to a fabric store, department store, various papellerias (stationery), like that. There's also a town square with a small local museum, Catholic church. Tourists in Cabo more seem to stick to the mainstream places (their own resorts, Medano Beach) but I found it interesting to look around the rest of the town.

I never made it over to San Jose del Cabo, so can't help with that.

tenthumbs

I stay at VDP, and we always walk to town. It takes about 15 minutes.

hpluss1

Thank you everyone . It sounds wonderful and relaxing, the perfect break from frigid winter weather. So I'm going!!! Just decided!!!! Now a follow-up question: if we tack on another week to our vacation, do you recommend Costa Rica, Panama, or Argentina? We really wanted to do Argentina but not sure if it's too far. Costa Rica and Panama could be equally culturally rich and adventurous, but a much shorter flight. Thoughts?

suze

Wow! That's an entirely different trip. And three totally different places you're asking about.

It's easy just to pop in to Cabo and have a nice vacation for a week, but if you're adding another country in Central or South America that's going to take more serious planning efforts imo. Why not just go somewhere else in Mexico, if you want to add another week and don't have anything specific in mind?

MichelleY

I agree with Suze. Lots more planning and $$. Plus you would then probably have to hub thru Mexico City.

Take another week and head north from Cabo. In January the whales are calving in Magdelena Bay and the bays on the Sea of Cortez. There are trips to these areas where you stay in tent camps and go out in pangas to get up close to the mama and baby whales. They are not cheap. Here are some links:

http://www.greywhale.com/whale_watching_in_baja.htm

http://www.bajaecotours.com/

http://www.magbaytours.com/

http://www.loscabosguide.com/activity/whales.htm

Los Cabos Guide is a service for booking adventures in Cabo.

I would just stay another week in Cabo. OR use the 2 weeks to go to one of the other places on your wish list.

suze

If you really want to attempt a week in Argentina, Costa Rica, or Panama, you might want to make a new post on the Central or South America forums. Since it's really an entirely new question, and kind of hidden here under your original one about a quick trip to Cabo.

I don't think you necessarily have to stay on the Baja, but I would suggest choosing somewhere in Mexico for that second week. Or take the entire two weeks if you really want to do the bigger trip like to Argentina (a much longer plane ride I assume). Also know that the weather will be opposite that far south.

hpluss1

Thank you everyoen. You're right, great advice. We are going to save the second week of travel for sometime in March and I will inquire in another forum for that. We are looking forward to the relaxation and beauty of Cabo for now. Getting very excitied! I love how everyone loves it, yay!

Any other recommendations?

suze

Do you have transportation from the airport included in your package? The airport in Los Cabos is 29 miles from the town of Cabo San Lucas, so if it isn't included you'd probably want to arrange a shuttle, as just hopping a taxi is kind of expensive because of the distance.

hpluss1

oh thank you, i'm not sure if i do. i'll look into that.

suze

If you need one, I used what is most often recommended over on the Trip Advisor Cabo forum. That's a company called TransCabo which you can arrange in advance online thru www.cabosanlucastours.net. It was only $15.50 per person each way (compared to taxis which are more like $80 or private drivers which can run $100).

needsun

It is mentioned here that most beaches in Cabo are not very safe for swimming. Does it mean that the only option is a hotel/ resort pool? No single "swimmable" beach at all?

suze

No, not only a pool. There is Medano Beach, which is very swimmable. It's the main public beach in downtown Cabo San Lucas. It's a great place! Gorgeous view out to the tip (rock formations). Lined with fun beach bars & restaurants.

It's not that other beaches aren't "very safe" they are downright dangerous (people drown). There are a few other beaches in the area but you'd need a rental car or arrange a shuttle or taxi to get you there.