Los Cabos Car or Not?
 

Hi! We will be in Cabo San Lucas in early Jan and are staying at the Hilton. Is it necessary to rent a car? I will appreciate any advice. Thanks. PJ

My wife and I just got back from Cabo.<BR>We stayed at the Westin Regina. It is along the corridor like the Hilton. If you want to go into Cabo San Lucas frequently a car is probably a good idea. Taxis can get quite expensive depending on how often you go into town. Hope this helps. Have fun in Cabo. We had a great time. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions about Cabo.

Watch out for timeshare they are everywhere I mean eveywhere. They got em sittin in The Airport Ready to pick u off the moment you get off the plane.<BR>Cabo it all about Sharin da Time.<BR>Do a google search Timeshare Scams Cabo. Read ABC news, latin Trade, usa today. Do a search at top timeshare and read government warnings.

Renting a car is expensive - no, I should say the INSURANCE is dreadfully expensive but you can't stay put in one place very long. Stay a day at your hotel and see if you don't feel like "looking around". We go to Cabo S.L. and we always rent. ontact me if you want more info. Have a great time. Vic

Beware, You really need to learn how to say no. You'll find a firm, "NO, don't waste your time, I'm going to ignore you", works wonders wherever salesman approach you in resort areas, be it Cabo, the caribbean or any of the hundred other places people try to sell you something. Seasoned travelers know the routine and can deal with it pretty easily. You just need a bit of practice.

The gov't warnings:<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><BR><BR>

I suppose all these hysterical warnings would be of some interest to those gullible enough to fall for the timeshare pitches. <BR><BR>Fortunately, those of us with a backbone have no use for them since we won't be bothered with or by them. I've been to Cabo 3 times and not once has anyone of these people bothered me. Stay at a nice hotel that doesn't tolerate salespeople and if you are approached in town let them know you mean business when you tell them to get lost.

You hit the nail on the head "chickenlittle". Go to Cabo and enjoy!

Go To cabo and enjoy but be aware use the search engine at the top and search cabo police and see what comes up.<BR><BR>Enjoy what? Your inability to deal with<BR>with your strong armed police, get the hookers, pimps and dealers off the street,move your girlie bars {p.s the local paper did a piece both on police corruption, the local entreprenuers wanting to move the girlie bars}<BR><BR>If you value your tourist and tourism why don't you deal with those who dump raw sewage into the very ocean your tourist swim in. Boot the Timeshare off the street out of the tourist face and out of your airport. Clean up the teenage hooker drug dealer trade. If you value your tourism.<BR><BR><BR>Let the Timeshare be restricted to the hotels they are trying to push<BR>then wait and see how fast that hotel empties out of paying guests.<BR><BR>Then there is all the corruption and real estate scams in what appears to be an industry out of control by some reports. Mind you the scams are not limited to some realtors who run off with customers money but government officials as well.<BR><BR>Yes go to Cabo and enjoy but be aware of what awaits.<BR><BR>P.s. do a google search and put in timeshare scams cabo, read abcnews, usa today, latin trade. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Sounds like Beware has an axe to grind. What's the matter Beware, did you get sucked into buying a timeshare? Sounds like sour grapes to me.

Sounds like Chicken little you be a SHILL or your a Chicken that likes to get plucked on a yearly basis.<BR><BR>So far no one. Not one person has come up with the Cost to Vacation in this place. Like how much for 2 entres and 2 Beer at the Mi Casa. <BR>Let me guess enought to buy 2 entres at Cafe Ole in Peurta Vallart and 2 more entres At Cafe Brazil and still have enought left over for the 2 beer. <BR><BR>I like Value for my Money. I am a chicken who does not go to Cabo for I do not like being plucked. I like to come home relaxed and rested not driven crazed by the Timesharin and Beach Vendorin. <BR><BR>I do not want to worry about my teenager in Jail for drugs cuz he was persuaded by some dealer to buy some. It costs a fortune in legal fees, and consular help to deal with those type of problems. The system is known for that.<BR><BR>

Went to Cabo in the spring w/ my wife and another couple. It was one of the worst vacations I've ever had. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana and got ripped off every time we turned around. The dining in town was ridiculously overpriced, the cabs were also overpriced, the city was filthy and overrun w/ beggars and panderers. Not fun... not recommended.

Yes this board is about getting real.<BR>It cost a fair amount of money to take a vacation for most people it is a luxury worked hard for and penny pinched for. We have a right to know what the current prices are and the current situation. I have made mistakes in the past where I have bought a special only to get there and find out why they were blowing it off. <BR><BR>These people down in these resorts have one concern to keep their business going.<BR>My concern is that I get good value for my dollar and quality as well. I do not work all year to support some defunct Cabo Business. When I take a vacation I want a guarantee I will get good value for my dollar therefore Cabo is off my list.

This is hilarious! Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the intention of owning a business was to "keep it going"? Do you expect a vacation to be free? And lets blame the drug dealers for persuading your teenage kid to do drugs. How ridiculous! Maybe a look in the mirror would suffice. Parental supervision and guidance go a long way. Its funny how all of the doomsayers don't post their email address. Hmmm. If you want a nice, clean, crime free, sterile vacation I have just the place. Disney World! Cabo was a blast! If you are going to Cabo don't let these Nitwits scare you off. Use common sense as you would in any foreign city. As for being ripped off everytime you turn around? In what way? Sounds to me like you got suckered into a timeshare.<BR>

I AM Aware, You may be aware, but you are also illiterate. Perhaps you don't possess the faculties to travel to different cultures, as one can only assume by your lack of writing skills.<BR><BR>Some of us are quite adept at handling ourselves in foreign countries and diverse cultures. I'll remind you again, we had no problems in Cabo, neither do our friends who love Cabo. We stay at great resorts, have a great time fishing and riding ATV's and enjoy the scenary. Most resort destinations are not cheap. It goes with the territory. <BR><BR>It may be best for you to stay home in a less threatening and scary environment, but quit with the hysterics.

Dear Chicken Little and Stan Fodors has a policy on how posters respond to each other. If you enjoy in outright attacks and slandering other posters maybe another board would be best suited for you.<BR><BR>Here on Fodors the Policy here is to look out for each other not to attack other posters.<BR>I am sorry you are both having difficulty with differences of opinion. It is your difficulty you need not attack the poster who does not agree with your opinion.<BR>This is a Web Site that allows for people to speak their mind.<BR>Personally I would not recommend Cabo. I have had friends who have liked and many who would never return.<BR>I also have places I enjoy and have recommended that my friends do not like.<BR>I do not attack, label, judge, find fault with, name call because of this.<BR>I am adult enough to allow others to have their point of view.<BR>This is and adult web site.<BR>As I said another Board may be more appropriate for you. It is embarrassing when the editors delete your posts.

Not as embarassing as making oneself out to be a whiney pansy. Now THAT was embarassing.

Fodorites get a load of this<BR><BR>Quote Chicken:Some of us are quite adept at handling ourselves in foreign countries and diverse cultures. I'll remind you again, we had no problems in Cabo, neither do our friends who love Cabo. We stay at great resorts, have a great time fishing and riding ATV's and enjoy the scenary. "<BR><BR>So using this reasoning of Chickens if I choose Cabo then I am adept at handling culture when I get sh#t faced in A cheap bar, ride and atv and fish and enjoy scenery.<BR><BR>Does this include buying drugs, pickingup teenage hookers, going to Strip Shows? <BR>Just Curious Chicken

And another thing student, if you were indeed a good student you would have noticed that it was IAmAware who initiated the name calling ("you be a SHILL")and attacks. Get your facts straight or you're going to flunk research.

Fodorites get a load of this:<BR>Quote Stan<BR>"Hmmm. If you want a nice, clean, crime free, sterile vacation I have just the place. Disney World! Cabo was a blast! If you are going to Cabo '<BR><BR>So Stan do I assume then you enjoy vacationing in Dirty Places?<BR>What is a blast?<BR>Teenage Hookers, drugs,drunks are these a blast. The cultural experience of riding an ATV?<BR>Just Curious.<BR>Ju<BR>

BeAware, you obviously enjoy very different activities than I do. I don't get sh*tfaced at a bar or anywhere else, pick up hookers or buy drugs. You really aren't very bright, are you?

Had to put my two cents in on this one.<BR>So Is being bright going to Cabo, having a blast, riding an ATV, and fishing?<BR><BR>Hope we don't have to eat at McDonalds.<BR>

Chicken you want to debate well get on over to the Political Page on the Lonely Planet. Rock Your Socks Off!!!

Anyhoo .... I think PJ that in answer to your question, it isn't necessary to rent a car but depending on how long you are going to be there and how often you want to go in Cabo, you may save money by renting one. <BR><BR>Geez.

No geniuses. Being bright is knowing that even though some nasty stuff is available to you in various locales around the world (this is commonly referred to as "local color"), it doesn't mean you have to BUY it! Talk about gullible. <BR><BR>Oh, and I've been to all but 2 continents and traveled extensively. Believe me, there is worse stuff out there than teenaged hookers. Grow up and learn to handle yourselves without crying wolf, otherwise, stay home until your naivete wans. <BR><BR>Cabo is not a cultural destination, but a relaxing, luxurious (yes, when you stay at Las Ventanas it is indeed luxurious) and fun vacation. If you want culture you don't go to any Mexican Resort, visit the Prado or the Louvre. The level of intelligence here (or lack thereof), is positively frightening.

I'm wondering if maybe there are two Cabos? I like the one I go to and don't seem to have any of the terrible problems some people do. I'll be back before ever going back to Playa, loved Coz though. To the person who asked about dinner at Mi Casa. About $60.00 for two including drinks. Not bad for excellent moles and carnitas. Probably our most expensive dinner down there.

I am with you on that Sara. Are there two Cabos out there?? I was there in May with 4 girlfriends and we had no problems what so ever. Nobody offered us drugs, we saw no teenage hookers, we were not abused by the timeshare people and we had great time. Did we go to a different Cabo than the other posters???

Beware I am with you on this one. I like to go on holidays to relax and enjoy myself and the annoyance of contending with people popping out of doorways and on the street is to much,<BR>One should not have to Learn how to say no. Choose a vacation destination where one does not have to say no all the Time.

Margie there are two Cabos. There is the Cabo of the naive or self centered tourist who lounges by the pool, eats out and retires early.<BR><BR>Then there is the other Cabo for the 20,000 people that live there. The Cabo where whole families {regardless of age } have to work simply to eat.<BR>The Cabo of the $5.00 a day maid who cleans your room, the janitor, gardener, the repairmen. <BR>That Cabo is right under your nose.<BR><BR>That Cabo is four blocks back or a bus ride to the dusty tired Barrios. That is the Cabo the Drug dealers have moved in on , that is the Cabo of teenage hookers that operate under your nose.<BR>That is the Cabo of violence that poverty breeds. It is there.<BR>You chose not to see it.

So, going back to PJ's question, besides renting a car, I heard there are public bus transportation that runs between the two Cabos (Cabo San Lucas & San Jose del Cabo). We are planning a trip in October and will also stay at one of the corridor hotels. Thanks in advance for any info on the efficiency of the public transportation.

Go to San Jose Much Nicer better time, and much cleaner.<BR>Yes they have Buses and very cheap too.

I had used the Fodor's site early this summer to plan our trip to Italy and France, and found it tremendously helpful. Now we are leaving for Cabo in 2 weeks, so I thought it would be equally helpful to use this website for suggestions on restaurants and activities. I can't believe how negative this site is, and how little helpful info I can find. I was almost ready to cancel our trip after reading the posts! Then I spoke with friends and relatives who go to Cabo frequently. They all have a great time, and return again and again. Stan, you seem to be the voice of sanity here. What restaurants do you recommend, and does anyone have a recommendation for a scuba diving company there? We will be staying at Hacienda del Mar. I don't need anymore warnings about time-share sales or prostitution, so if that is what you are going to answer, I have already read it. Thanks.

I just brought up a link to show you the honesty in this site as far as difficult and unhappy experiences in Cabo btw a lot of crap has gone down in Cabo. If you have followed the postings you will see others are blind to what is going on around them.<BR><BR>One of the most important rules of travel is to be aware of your surroundings.<BR><BR>Try posting on another resort area and see what type of response you get.<BR><BR>

Cathy. The Hacienda Del Mar is the Sheraton, if I can recall correctly. It is somewhat closer to the town of Cabo than the Westin Regina, I'd say maybe 10 miles to town. It looked very nice. I'm sure you will not be dissapointed. If you contact me via email I will try to answer some of your other questions. This all started with should I rent a car? A note to "Be Aware". To have "A Blast" means to have fun or a good time, something you obviously no nothing about. Believe it or not, fishing and riding ATV's can be quite fun. Same goes for relaxing on the beach in the Cabo sunshine. As for vacationing in "Dirty" places, I've yet to visit any city, foreign or US, that you could say was "completely" clean. Someone with your attitude should stay at home in your "nice clean" room in case a drug dealer or teenage hooker would happen to proposition you.

WOW!!!! All I can say is WOW!! All I did was ask a simple question! As another poster stated, I recently used this board for an extended vacation in Europe, and it was WONDERFUL! I can't say there were never any distasteful posts, but not very often. The posters were of tremendous assistance to me in my planning, and I am still in contact with some of them. So what is up here???<BR><BR>And like the other poster, we are planning a trip to Cabo in January. I already know a few things about the location, as I have relatives and friends who have many positive things to say about it. One of the benefits of travel, is the education received as a result of experiencing another way of life...whatever that may be. If you want things to be as they are every day of your life, then why venture out into the world and experience anything else? You might as well stay at home or in the US. My life has been vastly enriched by the cultures and lifestyles I have experienced. It has only widened my horizons and made me appreciate the life I have that much more!<BR><BR>Anyway, back to the car! We will be staying at the new Hilton...Any comments on that? We won't go into town daily, so do you think it would be possible to rent a car for a day or two. It sounds like the Hilton has a National Car Rental desk on its property. What is the cost of a taxi from the airport to the corridor? How bout into town? We have teens who will want to stay busy--especially at night. When you say cars are expensive to rent with insurance, what are we talking per day?<BR><BR>By the way, timeshares are everywhere! There are many places we have travelled in the US where we have had to dodge sales reps. No is no!<BR><BR>Thanks to those of you who have kept on the subject.PJ

PJ sounds like you have got onto what we on this board have been aware of for a very long while.<BR><BR>SHILL, SHILL, SHILL, SHILL, SHILL!<BR><BR>PJ you missed one.<BR>I like to eat at Mi Casa.<BR><BR>My response : If my memories serve me correct in my opinion Mi Casa was overpriced for what I got. The Atmosphere a sureal blend of Mexican Colours and murals, the cliental American. Why do I want eat Where the Americans eat. My best discoveries in Mexico have been where the Mexicans Eat.<BR>They know where the Value Is.<BR><BR>Trumped up Cabo Shills, are they the Suckers that bought a timeshare or other DeVestment in Cabo? We will never know.<BR><BR>SHILLS, SHILLS, SHILLS!!!<BR><BR>and $60 for two at Mi Casa<BR>I like to Eat at Cafe Ole $10 bucks for wonderful plate of true Mexican Delight <BR>or Cafe Brazil all the Meat you can Eat<BR>$9.99 They just keep bringing around the Spits of delicatable pieces of choice meats as well as fresh veggies, salads.<BR><BR>Yes I do have money for my Beer In fact 6 Beers.<BR>For my $60.00 2 nights of meals at in my opinion far better restaurants than Mi Casa.<BR>You like to Eat. Then go to Peurta Vallarta and Eat Well Eat Cheap.<BR>

Anon, You're rambling incoherently. What are you talking about?<BR><BR>The only thing I understood from your post is that I can eat all the meat I want for $ 9.99. Yippee, that's certainly what I look for in a restaurant.

I think what Anon is saying is very clear. If you want value for your dollar go to Puerta Vallarta.<BR><BR>I have been to both Cabo and Peurta Vallarta and by far Puerta Vallarta is the Better Resort.<BR><BR>For teenagers, families and singles alike. It feels like you are in Mexico.<BR><BR>Cabo appears to be little more than a influx of Americans who have moved into what was once a little fishing village and in many opinions devastated a community in the name of developement.<BR>The Mexicans do not seem to be the major recipentents of the development that Cabo has sustained.<BR><BR>

Not everyone's primary goal in a vacation is to spend less on food. You have your opinion, I have mine. I've been to PV too, and while the city is more charming, the beaches are terrible and I prefer the scenary in Cabo. To each his own.

Beutiful scenery can be found many places in the world. For a tourist visiting an area for holidays his concern is about where to eat and what to Do. <BR><BR>Cabo does not fail in terms of the scenery.<BR>I would not want to take the kids to an area where you have your strip bars and prositition right out front and in your face. It is the type of people who gravitate to that enviroment. It is a concern for any good parent.