Cabo and Sheraton Hacienda del Mar
 

My husband and I are going to Cabo for the first time in early October and staying at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar. Has anyone stayed there recently and what was you opinion of the hotel and Cabo itself. Doesn't seem to be the safest place these days and I'm wondering if the hotel has gone downhill because of changes in tourism there. I read all the posts about Cabo and am wondering if we should cancel and go someplace else.

What safety issues are you aware of? I am taking my parents and family there for their 40th Wedding Anniversary September 2002, I'd hate for it to be their last!

We are going to Cabo and the Hacienda del Mar, also in September. I was there a few years ago, and had a good time. But reading the posts on Cabo here have scared me! There is almost nothing good said about Cabo. Does anyone have anything good to say?

Well if you look and search you could find some cheap eateries. Cabo prices have gone up and up on other reports to compensate for lack of tourists. They have to get it out of who's there.<BR>August/September are very very hot and is storm season. If you check historical records you will find storms and hurricanes have blown thru. Makes for disruption in power services and a very uncomfortable stay without air conditioning.<BR>Timehsare and Beach Hawkers abound. Best to find a hotel that is not engaged in the sale of Time and in a location where Beach Vendoring is not overwhelming.

ALl of you that are going to the Sheraton, I have one thing to say...I AM JEALOUS!! What a fabulous time you are going to have..at least that is my opinion. My husband and I stayed at the Westin and wished we had stayed at the Sheraton. Next time we go, we are staying there. We went there one night for a romantic dinner at the open air restaurant. It was fabulous..the food and the atmosphere. Cabo is a fun town. I think you will love it. If you like golf and fishing, you will love it even more. If you want to be entertained and have fun, go to the Giggly Marlin around 9:30 pm. That is when they usually pull people out of the audience and do fun things. For a good restaurant, go to Mi Casa in town. It is cheap, good food, and neat atmosphere. We went two nights in a row! HAve fun. I think you will be pleased. :-)

Thanks for the info! Anyone else?

I didn't read any of the warnings about Cabo, but I went this July and stayed at the Sheraton. It was beautiful! There's a lot of pools and the view is awesome! The only setback for me was the fact that it is a ways from the downtown Cabo (where the clubs/bars are). The drive is about 10 minutes, but then again it depends on why you are going there. It's a perfect, quiet place to stay. I myself felt safe in Cabo.

I didn't read any of the warnings about Cabo, but I went this July and stayed at the Sheraton. It was beautiful! There's a lot of pools and the view is awesome! The only setback for me was the fact that it is a ways from downtown Cabo (where the clubs/bars are). The drive is about 10 minutes, but then again it depends on why you are going there. It's a perfect, quiet place to stay. I myself felt safe in Cabo.

I found the Giggling Marlin boring it was the same tacky tourist show over and over again. Cabo has the feeling of a cheap tacky tourist holiday. It does have it's appeal if tacky tourist bars our your idea of fun. <BR>As far as Mexican Culture goes Cabo is a cultural wasteland.<BR>My feeling is the shills post on this board to pump their defunct tourism.<BR><BR>Keep in mind there is a big North American influx into the business and real estate market in Cabo with one goal in mind to extract your hard earned dollars and with little respect to their cliental in how they do it.<BR><BR>Where else in Mexico do you have time share hawkers camped out and operating in the Airport ready to pounce upon your arrival hungry after the tourist<BR>dollar. That to me says alot.

I am sorry that you feel that way, but Mexico IS Mexico. Tacky is Cancun, Gross is Acapulco where the sewage is dumped directly into the sea and snorkelers are dropped off right in the middle of it, etc. Cabo (for Mexico) was a nice change from all that. Yes, it is Mexico....not America. Maybe I hit the Marlin bar at the right time bc we had a blast there, but then again, you might be a wallflower. Maybe you are one of those that like to gripe about everything bc nothing is perfect for you. You are NEVER happy. Smile. It might make your day a little more pleasant. :-)

Is the beach at the Hacienda del Mar swimmable? Or what beach did you go to for swimming?

That depends where you swim and if you want to swim in shit. There are reports on other boards the water in the bay marina area is polluted. That is where Medano Beach is located. <BR>Reports as well as hotels tho didn't say which ones dumping raw sewage. I would want to check it out. Do not like swimming in shit myself.

I wouldn't stay anywhere but the Sheraton!! Took a day trip to town and only lasted a couple hours. Dirty, vendors pestering you, etc. Also didn't get sick from food and drinks at the Sheraton. They have 4 restaurants to choose from, so don't need to leave. Infinity pool is heaven. Water was too rough for me, but walking on the beach was cool. The rooms were clean and large. It was very romantic--have a great time!!

I love Cabo...but it IS mexico. I wouldn't swim in the waters either. I prefer to lounge by the nice pools, buy cheap silver, and spend time with my husband. He likes to go bc of the golf. He goes there frequently with friends to play. I BET the marina is dirty. Like I said..it IS mexico and with that, you get the dirty towns, but Cabo has some really nice resorts. They are currently working on a Ritz or Four Seasons there. It is suppose to be right next to the Sheraton. As far as eating out, the only place I trust is Mi Casa. It was PACKED with AMericans bc it has a very good reputation. Other than that, I would stay at the resort too. Try Mi Casa . It is VERY good.

Reading up on resorts in Mexico, either Fodors or Frommers, 2002, it was stated that the only resort area in Mexico not dumping sewage into the ocean is Huatulco, my next Mexico destination. I have always had a great time in Cabo and have never been had any problems and plan to go back. Just returned from Playa and it had it's share of relentless timeshare sellers also.

Be Aware:<BR>Message: Travel Warnings and other web pages:<BR>http://travel.state.gov/mexico.html <BR><BR>REAL ESTATE AND TIME-SHARES: U.S. citizens should be aware of the risks inherent in purchasing real estate in Mexico, and should exercise extreme caution before entering into any form of commitment to invest in property there. Investors must recognize the absolute need to obtain authoritative information and to hire competent Mexican legal counsel when contemplating any real estate investment. Mexican laws and practices regarding real estate differ substantially from those in the United States. Foreigners may be granted the right to own real property only under very specific conditions. Whether investing through a trust mechanism in border and coastal areas or by outright purchase in Mexico's interior, U.S. citizens are vulnerable to title challenges that may result in years of litigation and possible eviction. Title insurance is virtually unknown and untested in Mexico. In addition, Mexican law recognizes squatters' rights, so homeowners can spend thousands of dollars in legal fees and years of frustration in trying to remove squatters who occupy their property. American citizens also should exercise caution when considering time-share investments and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some time-share sales representatives. Buyers should be fully informed and take sufficient time to consider their decisions before signing time-share contracts, ideally after consulting an independent attorney. They should resist pressure to sign a contract the very day that they see the model unit. Mexican law allows time-share purchasers five days to cancel the contract for unconditional and full reimbursement. U.S. citizens should never sign a contract that includes clauses penalizing the buyer who cancels within five days. <BR><BR>Canaidan Government Travel Warnings RE: TIMESHARE AND REAL ESTATE http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm <BR><BR>Reports of problems with time-share arrangements (including the cancellation of contracts) have increased. Exercise caution whenever approached by persistent time-share representatives, since they may use pressure sales techniques. Review the contract to ensure that promises made are confirmed in writing. Anything not included in the contract may not be honoured. Do not reveal personal information nor show your passport or plane ticket. Only provide your credit card if you are certain you wish to make the purchase. Mexican law stipulates that consumers are legally entitled to cancel a time-share contract without penalty. The cancellation must be done within five working days from the day following the original date of purchase. Cancellations of contracts must be done in writing and must be presented directly to the time-share company. Keep copies of any correspondence. If you experience any difficulties in with the time-share company, you should immediately contact the Mexican consumer protection agency, Procuradur&iacute;a Federal del Consumidor (PROFECO). Further information on PROFECO, including service locations throughout Mexico, can be found on their Web site (www.profeco.gob.mx). LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE PEOPLE!!!!! http://www.solcaribeowners.com/index.htm <BR><BR>ABC NEWS 20/20 by Arnold DIAZ :Beware of the Heat Merchants: THE CLAIMS AND THE REALTIES: As an investment timeshare is as bad as it gets, difficult to resell and at a fraction of what you paid for it, difficult to rent out: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/busin...iaz010727.html <BR><BR>Sales Pitchfalls, Pitching Heat, SHOW Them the BEST Sell Them The REST http://abcnews.go.com/sections/busin...iaz010810.html <BR><BR><BR>

use the search at the top type in Timeshare then read the government travel warnings {Both U.S. and Can.}regarding timeshare and other purchases in Mexico.