Cabo San Lucas: Getting to Chileno Bay for Snorkeling
 

Anyone know where to catch the bus to Chileno Bay? Bus #? Direction?

The independent excursions I found on-line all leave in the morning, but our ship doesn't arrive til 12pm. I'm hoping to organize our activities for they day, starting with snorkeling at Chileno Bay.

Any info much appreciated.

Enjoy-la!

Dear Klam: What time of year is this? How much time do you have?

The buses can be caught near the front of the Paraiso Mall, heading to San Jose del Cabo. Just ask. This may take up too much of your time. Plus, the snorkeling is nothing compared to Hawaii or the Caribbean. Depending on time of year, the water can be pretty cold. We did a snorkle trip with Pez Gato to Santa Maria Bay. It was very nice and there were some cruise people in our group. But the water was so cold, we stayed in less than 15 minutes. This was March.

I know there is some snorkeling done near Los Arcos. This would be handy for you.

Check over on Tripadvisor. Their Cabo forum is more active.

Thx a mint MichelleY for the reply & info!

Sorry, for leaving out the details: the ship will be in port early December, from 12pm to 7pm.

Maybe, we'll only get to snorkel in Aruba then.

I didn't even know TA had forums (DOH!)...and I go over there regulary for reviews. I'll go check them out - thx again!

Enjoy-la!

Too chilly for snorkeling without a wetsuit in December

Hmmm, really good to know.

Would anyone happen to know if it's comparable to snorkeling in Key West during Dec?

We did that in a couple of KW locales a few years ago over Christmas and it was bearable with a wetsuit. I'm concerned it might be too cold even with a wetsuit!

Enjoy-la!

I LOVE Cabo San Lucas, but it's not the place for snorkeling, especially not on such a short stay and that time of year. I would highly suggest figuring out different activities for your day in port there. Loads to see and do, but the ocean is rough and cold, it's only even swimmable of the beach in a couple of places.

Trip Advisor has GREAT forums (I'm not crazy about the hotel reviews part myself). They are destination specific (i.e., one for Cabo, or PV, or whatever, and most are very active). They also have a feature so you can private mail other posters, which is handy for getting into real detailed information or questions.

Thx a mint suze for your thoughts...okay, maybe we'll save snorkeling for Aruba. I've compiled a big list of other things to check out while in Cabo - I guess we'll just take that day to look around and relax.

Enjoy-la!

Let me know if you need some ideas for the downtown area, want some restaurant recommendations?

Thx a mint, suze. So far my plan is to poke thru the Mercado, wander around town and check out the vanilla, DH might want to check out the Sammy Hagar bar. We'll take a water taxi tour to the sea lion colony, the Arch, etc. and have them drop us off at Medano Beach, and just relax around there with a drink. Catch a cab back into town and pick up the vanilla if we found some earlier and then head back to the pier to tender onto the ship.

We get to Cabo after lunch and have to be back on the ship by 5 something (must be ON the ship by 6pm, I know DH will want us to shoot be back at the pier for 5pm) so probably won't eat a full meal on shore, maybe just snacks at the beach. I was considering Tabasco's or Sand Bar as other forum posters had recommended them.

Is there a standout place with authentic safe food? Any thoughts on my plans?

Enjoy-la!

The food is pretty much safe. It is a tourist town, so efforts are made to not make them sick.

The main thing to watch out for are the timeshare sharks!! They will try anything to get you to a presentation. We were tasting tequila and while purchasing it, the clerk tried to give us a timeshare pitch. We do own one in Cabo - Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, but that's going to be it. I would imagine with the economy now, they are getting pretty desperate.

Lots of fun places on the beach to hang out, drink and eat. Some cruise lines have deals with hotels to use their pools etc. Medano beach has jet skis, banana boats etc. Be sure to negotiate.

Have fun and please report back.

MY

Oh dear that's a very short timeframe. Your plan sounds fine, you won't have time for any more than that (you might not even have time for all that you mention).

I'm not sure where you mean by "the Mercado" though?

I never had a bad meal in Cabo. There's no problem with "authentic safe food" that I'm aware of.

Thx a mint MichelleY & suze for your replies.

The Mercado is right off the pier, apparently has a large "Arts & Crafts" sign at it with lots of vendor stalls. I'm not really looking for anything - just a walk thru to get a flavor of the local crafts - might pick up a straw hat that'll definitely be more fashionable than my functional Tilley...LOL!

Enjoy-la!

There is a shopping area right near the pier. I have never checked it out. There are shops all thru the downtown and then there is the shopping area which is set up in a maze of tents, just off the main drag.

There really aren't any particular indigenous crafts in this area of Mexico, but the Huichol bead crafts are plentiful. There are also higher end shops with artisan ceramics, metal work,jewelry and silver. Go wild!!

MY

That's true, there are a bunch of stalls along L. Cardenas (near Mar de Cortez hotel) but they are VERY typical souvenier junky stuff, not what I would call "flavor of the local crafts" by any stretch! But there are lots of nice shops dotted around that same area, some with interesting things (darn I wish I'd bought that old fashioned looking map of the Baja -lol)