downsized
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Posts posted by downsized
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You don't say how many are in your party, but the taxi fee sounds high!
We stay at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, but we also fly into Long Beach, which is a great little airport. It reminds me of the airports of the 60's. Very laid back, and relaxed. I hate LAX.
The ride from LGB to Crowne Plaza is short and much less expensive than from LAX. The next morning, Crowne Plaza has a free shuttle to the cruise ship.
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You can watch the dolphin encounter in Cabo for free, anyways, it used to be free. Someone on a thread said something recently about a nominal fee, but he never came back to confirm.
The dolphin encounter is a short, easy walk from the tender pier.
You also might consider a tour of the arch in a water taxi and they will drop you on Medano Beach at the end if you like. The restaurants on Medano Beach will let you use their loungers, chairs and tables as long as you are purchasing, you can purchase sodas and snacks.
Another consideration is leaving Cabo and going to San Jose Del Cabo. A 35 minute ride from Cabo. Charming old town with lots of art galleries, shops, restaurants etc. I know the ships offer a tour but not sure how much.
The Dolphin encounter does have a charge to view...can't remember for certain, (as we accompanied our four kids that paid for the encounter, and therefore we were allowed to watch for free)...but it seems to me that it was over $10pp otherwise.
Your advice of taking a boat ride out to Lover's Beach, the Arch, the Sea Lions, and Divorce Beach, is spot on, in my opinion! You will be given food for the fish, and they will climb right up into your hand to be fed! Catch one of the boats at the pier (and there will be lots of them) take the tour, and have them drop you off at Medano Beach, where you can spend the afternoon playing/swimming in the ocean, and enjoy cheap and great food and beverages at the many restaurants along the beach (Tabascos is our favorite, as it is a bit more "laid back" than some of the others. This will be the best $12pp (or less, depending upon your bargaining skills) that you can spend in Cabo in my opinion. The trip back via water taxi to the docks will cost you $2pp, or you can catch a land taxi at one of the cantinas at Medano, and expect to pay $6-10US for up to 6. We like the land taxi back, as you will get to see parts of Cabo that you would otherwise miss.
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The first four people that responded to this thread did answer the OP's question. Then this thread, like most that could touch on a political nerve, took on a life of its own.
It would appear that the GOVERNMENT has taken on the responsibility to decide if you can afford health insurance or not. Then again, what has been decided for you is that you will have health insurance but we're not sure who will pay for it. We all have one less thing to worry about.
Enjoy!
I'm a bit slow, I guess, as I cannot determine if you agree with me, or not.
First, though....count the vote. The "Government" did not decide to take on the responsibility to decide if I can, or cannot, afford health insurance, the far left did. The same far left that is determined to "represent" the 47% of the population that pays no income taxes, and unfortunately, (more often than not), lives on welfare.
Those of us that earn a living, now pay our way, as well as those that are "entitled"....and obamacare is no exception to that.
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Thanks for the info you posted. I am going to Cabo in 5 weeks and I wanted to explore another beach besides Pelican, which we already visited last year. Can you clarify please: water taxi is $2-$3 pp and land taxi is $12 for up to 6- is that total or is it $12 pp?
Also, we didn't do all that much walking around town other than down the shoreline in town. Is that not downtown or is there more we could have walked to easily? I like a walking tour as long as it's not too far (ie 3 miles or more)
The water taxi to Medano is $2-$3 per person (negotiate). A land taxi (and they are usually vans) will charge you $12 total for usually 4 persons, sometimes they will allow 6 for that price, if not, they will add $2US per person. That is each way. Before ever stepping into a land cab, ask the rate. You can attempt to bargain, but in Cabo, that is not often successful. If you have never done the water taxi view of Land's End, and the beaches, I strongly suggest that you do. The water taxi will have food (normally tortillas) for you to feed the fish. The fish will normally swim right up into your hand to feed. Ask that the water taxi drop you off at Medano Beach (same price as taking you back to the Marina.)
As for wandering down town, by all means do that! Cabo is a wonderful, clean, and safe place to be! We have never felt even the slightest bit uncomfortable there (we take our kids and grandkids with us once a year), and it is difficult to get lost. If you are walking uphill, you are headed away from the docks. Downhill will get you back to the Marina!
Downtown Cabo (old town) starts 2 blocks from the Marina. A very easy walk, and there are all sorts of wonderful Cantinas and restaurants, and stores nearly every step of the way. If you see a Cantina or restaurant that you like the looks of, stop in. You will be treated very well, be served cold beverages, and really good (and inexpensive) food.
Head up Hildalgo street (that is "restaurant" row) and after only about 5 blocks you will come upon the city park and museum. They have a whale skeleton out front.
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Thanks for the info. Is it better to book before you get there?
Any suggestions for airport transfers.
bigeasy, there are quite a few outfits that offer private transport to and from the airport.
We fly down to Cabo twice a year and we always use Cielito Lindo for not only our transport to and from the airport, but also for any excursions that we might do. In fact we are booked with them on 03/14 for an airport pickup and on 03/15 for a day trip to the Farmer's Market in San Jose.
They are a first class family run outfit with new suvs. Friendly, and will have an icechest full of "beverages" waiting for you.
As I said, there are lots of outfits, and I am certain that most do a great job, but we have found that we can alway depend upon Cielito Lindo.
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I think I know which bartender you are talking about and his problem is he is 23 and knows everything.:rolleyes:
He knows everything (perhaps) except how to make a decent maggie! ;)
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Not the one's at Monkey Business. It takes him 10 minutes to make one because it's all fresh squeezed fruit. I'm going to try Rip's this time around based on Downsized's recommendation. He says they are even better.
No, no, no....What I said is that the one and only maggie that I have ever ordered at Monkey Business was "less" than expected. Too many folks rave about their maggies for me to base a conclusion on one drink, one bartender. The main complaint that I had at Monkey Business was the bartender with a burr in his shorts.
Folks have raved too, about the maggies at Cabo Blue. Good maggies, but my tastes like those at Rips' better.
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Actually, I was being kind. The bartender was an a$$, and I do not make that kind of statement lightly. It was unfortunate, but I don't need it, I can stay at home and be treated like that! :D
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The best margaritas in Cabo, IMHO, are at Monkey Business down the street from the Giggling Marlin, across from Taco Loco.
I don't even like margaritas and I drink these. One is not enough and two is too many.
We've heard that too, but on our last trip (Halloween), the bartender at Monkey Business must have been having a bad day. Not at all friendly, and the maggie did not meet our expectations. My favorite maggies (to date) are at Rip's...but in the interests of full disclosure....Rip's is my second favorite place in all of Cabo.
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We finally got a chance to try Gordo Lele's tacos and they are delicious! It's a very small place and from the looks of it you might not want to go inside, but he was very gracious and a fair priced good meal!
On another note, we stopped by Soloman's Landing for a margarita. OH MY, those were the worst margaritas we have ever had!! One on the rocks, the other blended. Not sure what they had in it, but it didn't taste anything at all like tequila or a regular margarita. We left both drinks mostly full and paid the $7 and left. Another person we saw later on the ship also complained about their margaritas. We'd recommend avoiding it.. no wonder the place was mostly empty.
We too have always been "underwhelmed" by Soloman's Landing. What irritates me the most is the Time Share sharks that work there. Twice, we have had one actually sit at our table while we were eating and try to sell us a timeshare. We still do occasionally eat there, but try to sit at the bar (where there is a "special" lower cost menu for those at the bar.)
As for their maggies, I agree, not exactly one to write home about.
All that being said, Captain Tony's is our favorite place on the Marina, but unfortunately, their maggies aren't very good, either. Everything else is great (IMHO) about Captain Tony's however. If nothing else, try Captain Tony's pizza. The best (by far) that we have found in Cabo.
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Taco Bell? Don't remember making a reference to that or tacos at all. My point was hamburger in any Mexican meal; specifically enchiladas in this case, does not make it authentic or not. Yes I have been to Mexico and I said my family came from there. An expert..no. But my opinion not expertise is what I am sharing. Carry on :)
We've been traveling to Cabo for ten days at a time, twice a year, for a while now.
We love finding new places to eat. So many great places, darned few poor places. We've never seen ground beef in anything that we have ordered, or in anything served to those around us. I suspect that we have just not gone to the right places. We love the food, the service, and the people of Cabo, and probably will soon find a way to spend a month (or more) there at a time.
Just sayin'
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Tee Hee! HH got beat up! (just kidding, of course.)
Never argue with an expert, House Hunter!
My bride and I will be at Rip's in 32 days. Perhaps we'll meet up, and do a Cabo search for hamburger tacos?
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All places take American money. The exchange rate will most likely be 10 pesos:$1, maybe 11:1
We've been going to Cabo twice a year now for quite a few years. We've never, repeat never, been offered 10-1. In nearly every single case, the vendors know what that morning's exchange rate is, and offer that. Sometimes 0.1 or 0.2 less....but keep in mind, at days end (or first thing the next morning) they have to stand in line at the Cambio to exchange your dollars back into Pesos.
We've stood in line at the Cambio in front of Wyndham many times to exhange our dollars into Pesos....often 30-40 minutes at a time.
Use Pesos, if at all possible, but don't be afraid to use $US.
This 10-1 fable never seems to die. Everyone seems to know someone that it happened to, but I've never met anyone that it did happen to....uh....except once, to us, and we were in Yelapa...no roads, no electricity, no Cambios. You have to hire a boat to get there. The lady that owned the Cantina was appologetic as heck, but asked if she could exchange for me at 10-1.
Back to our favorite place to eat:
- Captain Tony's
- Gordo Le Le's
- Taco Loco
- Moro's
- Cabo Cantina (on Marina Blvd)
- Wamongos
- Tobascos
In that order!
- Captain Tony's
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Some of you might consider looking into one of the party boats that include food/drink and take you snorkeling and usually provide refreshments. There are all kinds of offerings from low priced to first class. Pez Gato is one that a lot of cruisers use and it is very close to the tender pier. You can google is for info.
Here is a link to others:
That way you don't have to worry about bringing your own gear and logistics.
I have to agree with this. We've used Cabo Escape (ten of us, ages 12-62) and we all had a great time both times that we have been aboard. A double decker boat, great music that seems to agree with all ages, a fun crew, an open bar, and a very more than "decent" light meal served. We've observed whales, dolphins, and Rays, while gently sailing to Chileno Bay where all can snorkel and swim.
It's an easy walk from the cruise dock.
There are several other outfits, with different size and styles of boats, and frankly, they all look like fun....uh...other than (perhaps) the "Jungle Cruise", where it appears (to me, at least) the object is to get as drunk as possible.
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Who knew Rush Limbaugh was on Cruise Critic.
As always, I disagree with you.
Read the OP. It has nothing to do with left or right.
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As far as I am concerned, if you CAN afford to purchase insurance AND if you choose not to, society should just let you die. You made a choice and I do not want to have to pay for your lack of foresight.
Now, if you can not afford insurance, that is another issue. However. if I pay for your charity medical care, you should be required to sign and carry with you a lifetime non-revocable organ donor card so at least society gets something back when you croak.
DON
Wow. Who gets to decide what I can afford, or not? Do you get to decide if I should die?
When half of the population is now living off the other half, where do you get off with a post like that?
The thread is about buying meds in Mexico. Stick to the topic, and get off of your soapbox.
Either anwser the question, or not.
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Pelican Beach is good, but there are no facilities there (Cantinas, restaurants, or bathrooms.)
If it were me, I would either grab a water taxi to Medano (Tabascos is our favorite, as we've never been "exposed" :D to wet t-shirt contests, and it seems a "bit" tamer than several of the other Cantinas.)
Very good (and inexpensive) food, cold beer, all of the Margaritas that you can consume, and bathrooms at Tabascos!
As stated above, you can take a water taxi there for $2-3US per person, or a land taxi for about $12 for up to 6.
If you take a water taxi (and we love the water taxis!), expect to disembark in ankle-knee deep water. The same goes for the return trip.
One of the benefits of a land taxi is that you will get to see some of Cabo that you might otherwise miss.
My best bet? Grab a land taxi at the Marina, enjoy the beach and the Cantinas, watch the other folks boarding the water taxis, and then decide how to get back to the Marina.
Don't overlook the Marina area, though. We spend 10 days twice a year in Cabo, and we spend a lot of our time wandering the Marina. Lots of really great Cantinas and restaurants. A great "people watching" place.
Just my $0.02Pesos worth.
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No, the place is not Senor Frogs. Senor Frogs is way overated and overpriced in my opinion....not to mention my percieved impression that the staff at Senor Frogs did not care if anyone wanted served or not.
The place that I was thinking of is just "to the right" of the frog.
Also, you might give Captain Tony's another try. We loved it because they served Sol Beer (my favorite), but in November they had switched to Pacifico, and there was not a Sol to be had. :mad: Still, a good place to eat and "people watch".
Actually, I've eaten at most of the places on the Marina, and have only once had a bad meal, and it was my fault (I guess) for ordering something "different".
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As one of the above posters suggested, Soloman's Landing is a good place, as well as Captain Tony's (our personal favorite), on the other side of Soloman's is Wamongo's, and it (IMHO) just barely ranks below Captain Tony's.
There is a place very near the Cruise docks (and I am sorry, but for the life of me, I cannot remember the name), hard to miss though, they have a rope enclosed deck overlooking the Marina. We've eaten there and the food and service are both top notch....it does fill up, however, whenever cruise ships are in.
Another often overlooked place is the Cantina at the Dolphin tank.
Clean, very family oriented, good food, reasonably priced, and close to the dock.
Of all that I have mentioned, Captain Tony's, Wamongo, and Solomon's would be my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.
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February-March is a great time to visit.
Temps are typically high 70's low 80's.
It is also the best time to whale watch.
The water temperature is fine to scuba or snorkle.
The nights cool down a bit, but even then shorts and t-shirts are the norm.
The beer in Cabo is always cold! :D
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Good Advise, although, have you been to the new La Casa Country? It just opened in June and has a pretty nice people viewing bar. Captain Tony's has great food and great prices. The only thing I don't like it the hike upstairs to the only bathroom.
No, I've never been to La Casa Country. Where is it? (On the Marina, I hope?)
We were last at Captain Tony's in March while they were still remodeling. The bathrooms were still behind the pizza oven.
We'll be there again in late October, so will look for La Casa.
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If you feel the need to go to Cabo Wabo... my advice?...go in, have a drink, then go out the back door, down the stairs to Taco Loco and Rip's bar. It's a great little courtyard with a dozen or so vendors selling all sorts of wonderous and neccessary nicnacs and such.
Taco Loco rates very high on our favorite place to eat (just barely lagging behind Gordo LeLe's, and Captain Tony's)
Have some great tacos at Taco Loco and take them three steps to Rip's Bar and watch the magic when you order Rainbow Shots.
Strollng back to the ship, cut through to the Marina, and stop at Captain Tony's for a cold Sol Beer, and the best "people watching" location (IMO) on the Marina!
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As I see it, there are two schools of thought on this.
Ship excursions are quite often more expensive, but (and you knew that the "but" was coming, didn't you?)
- Ship excursions are guaranteed. If the ship is late, or the port is missed, you pay nothing.
- If you decide that you really don't want to make the excursion, the ship is much more forgiving than the locals might be. You probably will not be charged.
- Ship excursions are well managed, in that they will escort you to the excursion, and back.
- If the contractor of an excursion has too many complaints, you can bet that the ship will no longer use them.
- If there should be a break down, or delay, the ship will wait for you.
- Your ship card is charged. That means that no one, but your shipline, gets your credit card number.
- With a ship's excursion, you are normally afforded transportation to, and from, the excursion.
- If the excursion went horribly wrong, your odds of recovering your money from the ship might be better than from the locals.
- Wtih a ship's excursion, you are quite often given "extras" in the form of lunch, or snacks.
The benefits of private excursions:
- cheaper.
- you are often not "herded" like cattle.
- you may be less likely to stop at some odd location to "shop" simply because the small shop paid the ship for that opportunity to sell you more junk that you do not need.
- more of your hard earned dollars go directly into the local economy, rather into the ship lines purse.
We typically use the ship's excursions for our first trip, and then after we gain a feel for the area, we venture on our own, or with a local.
We, however, are not often adventurers, and like the comfort of a ship's tour.
All that being said. There are many, very many, great local outfits that offer excursions for a lesser price than the ship. Watch this board, or Travel Advisors. If you see a local that is highly rated, then consider it.
- Ship excursions are guaranteed. If the ship is late, or the port is missed, you pay nothing.
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bengfer:
I like the idea of the Leatherman. I actually have 2 of them, but never use them. I carry a little swiss army knife daily, and it never occured to me to bring anything else.
The parachute cord is also a good idea. I've had one in the bottom of my suitecase for years...never used it, but it's light and takes up little room.
I also have a tiny LED flashlight that I constantly carry, would never be without it. Handy at night to find the bathroom (it's dark in those cabins!)
As for the string on the suitcase...I don't worry too much about finding our luggage at disembarktation, but I once lost my luggage in Las Vegas because some moron simply grabbed the wrong bag (they all too often look alike....the suitcases, not the morons!) Five hours later the airline called our hotel and delivered it!
We have since purchased bright (and gawdy) colored suitcases and we even tie bright tassles to them. They're ugly, but unique!
transportation from LA hotel to pier
in West Coast Departures
Posted
I'm sorry, but I can't answer about cab fare. We travel as a herd of nine, so we hire a car service. A limo with a stocked bar costs us just a shade over $100 from Long Beach Airport to San Pedro. What can I say...I spoil my grandkids...