november_moon

suze - Care to share the name of that hotel? DH and I are considering a road trip through Baja California in the future. The trip wouldn't be for awhile, so I am just informally collecting info in preparation of the actual planning. Our thinking is to take 2-3 weeks for the entire trip - drive quickly down to SD and then take our time to drive the length of Baja California, spend a few days in Cabo and then take our time driving back.

suze

Or course I will!

My hotel for Cabo is the lovely Mar de Cortez downtown. I actually planned my trip around staying there (I thought Cabo was only fancy resorts until a kind soul here on Fodor's directed me to MdC and I decided to go).
http://www.mardecortez.com/

If you make it over to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez side, which I suggest you include, I absolutely loved Club El Moro there.
http://en.clubelmoro.com.mx/

MichelleY

November_moon- be sure to check out Loreto on your way down. If you go during whale season, you can catch the mamas and calves at Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side.

november_moon

suze - Both hotels look terrific. And for Cabo, staying in town rather than at a large resort is probably what we will want to do. I've heard that the town is really fun. When I mentioned Cabo to my husband, he kind of wrinkled his nose at first - he thought the same as you did originally, that it was just fancy resorts and he says he has no desire to travel to Mexico and not feel like he is IN Mexico.

Michelle - Thanks for the recommendation for Loreto. It looks like a neat place.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Don't forget that there's more to Los Cabos than Cabo San Lucas. Up the inside coast is San Jose del Cabo. It has more the feel of a small Mexican town, with a few small inns and good restaurants. While not one of the "Cabos," there's Todos Santos, about an hour up the Pacific coast. It has great small hotels and a lot of galleries and artisan shops.

suze

They are! (both wonderful places).

I had mixed feelings myself. I ended up going to Cabo because of finding the Mar de Cortez suggestion, and secondly at that time Aeromexico was running an incredibly priced non-stop from Seattle (like $275 or something).

Cabo is "more Americanized" if you hang around the tourist part of town like the fancy resorts, Medano Beach, the Marina, Paradiso Mall, etc. But all you have to do is cross the main boulevard and walk around downtown and it's a normal small Mexican town.

If you do end up trying Cabo, definitely post again and I'll give you restaurant recommendations. The food is incredibly good there (I had the help of the kind and generous posters on the Trip Advisor Cabo forum).

I ended up on La Paz just because everyone made fun of me for always going to Puerto Vallarta, so I did a solo two-weeks in La Paz one time just for fun. Sweet town. Definitely less touristy there (for the good and the bad of that) than Cabo.

KVR

Suze, I didn't mean to cause a debate with you. And, I didn't say this; "Are you saying you have already done all these things I list below? That there's nothing interest to do there?" I also didn't say bad things about PV or Cabo. I expressed my personal opinion. Sorry, you don't feel it matches to yours, but that doesn't mean you are right and I am wrong or vice versa. You took what I did actually say out of context to fit your own meaning.

What I actually said was "I couldn't find any additional excursions or interests to do that we didn't already do on our prior trips there." And, I also said, I would gladly go back to those destinations someday.

Also, your perception of the Caribbean side of Mexico is skewed. There are more places to stay there than just AI resorts. Just because we prefer them, doesn't mean there are not other types of accomendations to stay in. There are boutique hotels, non all-inclusive hotels, condos and villas in that area also. At least I opened up my preceptions by going to PV and Cabo in order to make my own opinions and not speculate on something I know nothing about.

november_moon

Thanks suze - once this trip gets closer - it might not be for a couple years, I will ask for specific recommendations

suze

<<At least I opened up my preceptions by going to PV and Cabo in order to make my own opinions and not speculate on something I know nothing about.>>

Fine KVR. You have made your point. You think I'm talking about something I know nothing about. Fine.

tomrgr

Totally appreciate the post. Thanks. I'm not staying at the same hotel as you, so that part isn't relevant to me, but good tips about the other stuff you experienced:

- be prepared for long waits and high airport security
- sketchy and inconsistent service throughout your trip
- bait and switch car rental -- line up your ducks ahead of time.
- timeshare sharks.

Thanks for the heads up.

suze

<sketchy and inconsistent service throughout your trip>

Why in the world would you go in expecting the worst? Talk about doomed before you even get started!

MichelleY

Odd. I have never had any particularly long waits at the airport in Cabo. Sketchy service. Or bait and switch a car rental. Just do your homework and then enjoy your trip.

suze

Well I've never rented a car, so couldn't give first hand information there. And I could do without the timesales sharks around town. But beyond that I never had any problems in Cabo. The airport was just fine, no hassles with that. If you are expecting so much negative from Mexico, why not go to Hawaii next time? I'm serious.

Stewbear

I have not rented a car in years in Mexico But the only company I hear no complaints about is Europcar. No Hustle on rates, insurance etc. Over all a better price/experience according to many friends.

DianeGermaine

Never frisked in Mexico, but I -- and every other passenger boarding the flight (it was either United or Lufthansa) -- was frisked in Frankfort, Germany in 2006. I was told it was required by the U.S.

Also patted down in the U.S. when I set off the alarm with a safety pin. My husband laughed at me, so the TSA agent hit a button that set off the alarm on him... didn't know that the TSA could do that.

Tomsd

Just got back from two weeks in Cabo and we loved it. Had 2 BR condo at the Villas des Palmar - with an incredible view of the harbor/arches. The fishing was great - and hey - if you go to a timeshare presentation - you get a day of fishing for free. Also - my friends who love the Pueblo Bonito Sunset - got $500 CASH - for going to a timeshare presentation there. Sure - it takes a couple of hours - but since I am in Commercial Real Estate - I like to see their sales techniques and then just tell them - not this trip. and again - not this trip - and finally - not today - and eventually they turn you free with your gifts. Spa for the ladies, fishing for the guys, etc.

Snorkeling is great there - especially up at Cabo Pulmo - and I will write a restuarant review later. Great dining in Cabo and great meal deals as well, and the people are friendly and it's safe.

MichelleY

Tom- how was the weather this time of year? We are thinking of going next year at this time. Thanks!

Tomsd

The weather is great - warm but not humid - and the water is warm - 80 plus degrees. Also great fishing!!!

tomrgr

After 2 trips to Hawaii, we are back in Mexico and loving it. For the same price as a 2 1/2 star hotel across 2 blocks away from the beach in Hawaii, we are staying at the Welk Resort with ocean views from our room, and a private beach that is great for snorkelling.

Yes, there are lots of aggressive vendors in Mexico that try to take advantage of you. If you're prepared, this is easily overcome or avoided. Here's a great article on how one car rental agency tried to dupe this traveller: http://www.hoteldealsrevealed.com/bl...rental-review/

It sounds like your experience at Pueblo Bonita wasn't that great, but I can highly recommend the Welk. We'll be back someday.

CascadeBob

On the list of "pros" too bad the poster didn't go to downtown Cabo San Lucas to the restaurant, Mi Casa, one of the best restaurants I've eaten at anywhere in Mexico. The pollo en mole negro and pastel de tres leches are some of the best I've ever had.
The little beachfront bar, The Office, had a great mariachi band playing and we had a great evening singing Frank Sinatra hits at the big karoke bar downtown with all the Mexican patrons singing along (everyone knows Frank).