Dining In

Eating every meal in a Los Cabos restaurant can devour your dollars quickly. Most food and liquor is shipped from the mainland or imported from the United States, resulting in higher prices than the rest of Mexico. Many hotel rooms have small refrigerators and coffeemakers, and more and more of the popular time-share units becoming available in Los Cabos are equipped with completely stocked kitchens. By stocking up on groceries you can save your pesos for splurges. Watch out for the prices on imported goods—a box of imported cereal can cost $5 or more. Stick with Mexican brands, or the many U.S. brands that are manufactured in Mexico. (It'll look just like the Kellogg's Corn Flakes box, but it will say "hojuelas de maíz".)

Supermarkets such as Cabo San Lucas's longtime standby Aramburo, and neighborhood markets sell the basics for quick meals. Aramburo keeps a good stock of items that appeal to foreigners. Av. Cárdenas across from Hard Rock Cafe, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, 23401. 624/143-1450. Hwy. 1, Km 17, 23401. 624/143-4292.

Newish to the area is Soriana, a Mexican supermarket chain that resembles a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The stores have terrific prices and great produce selection, but fewer U.S. brands than at Aramburo. Hwy. 19 just outside Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, 23401. 624/105-1290. Hwy. 1, Km 34.5, 23401. 624/142-6132.

At Costco, members can stock up on inexpensive supplies. Hwy. 1, Km 4.5, just outside Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, 23401. 624/146-7180.

Tutto Bene has a great selection of beer and wines—more than 450 different labels from Australia, California, Chile, Italy, and Spain—as well as organic and frozen foods, healthy and low-calorie offerings, and cheese, all at prices that can be even lower than those at Costco. Tutto Bene offers free delivery throughout Cabo San Lucas, and people even drive in from La Paz to shop here. At the western end of Marina San Lucas, Blvd. Marina and Camino del Cerro, Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, 23401. 624/144-3300.

Located in the Puerto Paraíso Mall, on the lower, marina level, La Europea Deli and Grocery also has good prices for food, drinks, grocery items, beer, wine, champagne, spirits, and varied food staples. For liquor in particular, stock up at the airport's duty-free shop at your departure airport. Liquor stores are generally less expensive than supermarkets and stay open until 11 pm (earlier on Sunday. 624/105-1818.