In recent years, Los Cabos has repositioned itself as a luxury destinationa process made easier by a slew of recently opened properties by high-end hotel brands. Unsurprisingly, the quality of vacation experiences available has increased, as have the associated costs for visitors, including an average daily hotel room rate of over $500 USD. That’s not to say, however, that it’s not still possible to enjoy a budget trip to Los Cabos. Some people still do. But it’s not as easy as it used to be.
The good news is that most of Los Cabos' best features, like the beaches, don't cost anything… unless you want a luxury. A lounge chair in a roped-off area, for example, and a waiter who brings you seafood and margaritas. If that's what you want, good for you. It's a vacation, after all. But the experience involves deciding what things you're willing to pay (or pay extra for) and what you're not.
With that in mind, here are some tips for spending less on your Los Cabos vacation. Finding affordable airfares is a great start. Southwest — which Flights to Los Cabos from 10 US cities — is one of many airlines that offer a low fare calendar that lets you search for the best fares for a given month. The price differences are often striking, in the hundreds of dollars.
But this is an additional tip. The real savings start when you decide where to stay.
Choose a reasonable hotel in a suitable location
The location of your hotel or resort is very important. average daily room rate In May, the average price for hotels in the 20-mile tourist corridor was $656. In San Jose del Cabo, for comparison, the average was $383. In Cabo San Lucas, it was just $316. If you were only looking at accommodations in downtown Cabo San Lucas, that number would be even lower, as that's where most of the best budget hotels are located.
There are more than a dozen of them Cheap hostels and charming hotels in downtown Cabo San Lucas, where you can stay for less than $200 per night, and a handful where you can find a room for under $100. Airbnb rentals offer even more options in the latter category, but hotels are generally a significant step up in terms of amenities, service, and responsiveness.
To get the best hotel rates, contact properties directly. Third-party hotel booking sites tempt you with great rates, but once you add in taxes and fees, they're rarely better than what local hotel owners would be happy to offer you.
Enjoy free activities
If there’s one thing that’s not lacking in Los Cabos, it’s beautiful free beaches. No other municipality in Mexico has as many Blue Flag beaches, meaning they’ve been certified to meet certain standards of sustainability and services such as information signs, restrooms, and disabled access. Blue Flag Beaches do not allow pets other than service animals, but it is a great place to spend time.
They can be perfect not only for sunbathing, but also for swimming and snorkeling. However, a clarification is necessary because not all towns in Los Cabos are suitable for swimming, and some on the Pacific Ocean are dangerous due to strong rip currents. As a guide, the following popular beaches The beaches in Cabo San Lucas are all great for swimming: Lovers Beach and Playa El Médano in Cabo San Lucas, and Chileno, Santa María, and Palmilla in the tourist corridor. The two beaches in the middle are also great snorkeling spots, so don't forget to bring your mask and fins. Otherwise, you'll have to rent them.
Sightseeing is of course also free, and museums are almost free too. Todos Santos and La Paz are great in this regard, although you'll need to rent a car or take a bus to get to these regional destinations. San José del Cabo is a better local option, especially on Thursday nights from November through June, when its charming downtown and historic arts district come alive for Art WalkBut its picturesque city center is worth visiting every day.
Don't dine or drink in tourist traps
A good adage to remember about food and drink is that the farther away from the ocean the establishments that serve them, the cheaper they will be. This is not foolproof. There are exceptions. But generally speaking, the most popular (and most expensive) bars and restaurants for tourists are on or near beaches and have ocean views. That makes sense, right? But you pay more for the great views, because the bars and restaurants in those locations pay much higher rent.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t treat yourself to a nice meal every now and then. It’s just a reminder that some of the most enjoyable food is found in local favorite taquerías and restaurants, and those, for the reasons mentioned above, are rarely located near the water. So where should you eat? In Cabo San Lucas, try the chicken or ribs, or both as part of a combo meal, at Chicken of Goldseafood at Las Tres Islas and fish tacos at Los Claros. Ask the nearest restaurant if you’ve already exhausted your appetite for these comforting, reliable pleasures.
You are in Mexico: use pesos!
In Los Cabos, everyone accepts US dollars. However, that doesn't mean you have to use them as currency. Each local business sets its own exchange rate to make transactions, and guess what? If you use dollars, you'll lose money every time.
Let's say that the real exchange rate The exchange rate is 19 pesos to the dollar. But the restaurant you are dining at has an exchange rate of 18 to 1. That may not seem like much, but paying a few dollars more for each meal adds up quickly. Use pesos exclusively. It is best to get them from your bank before you even leave home.
Credit cards have similar issues, as you'll likely be charged the conversion rate if you pay in pesos. And, as noted, if you pay in dollars, you're not getting the best value.
Avoid taxis and airport shuttles
It’s not just hotel room rates that are steadily increasing. The price of everything in Los Cabos has been rising. For over a decade, you could get a shared shuttle to the airport for about $20 per person. Today, the price has skyrocketed to $85 and up from Cabo San Lucas. Taxis, of course, have always been expensive in Los Cabos, so it’s best to avoid both if you’re on a budget.
With the exception of walking, buses are consistently the most cost-effective mode of transport. getting around los cabosIt is worth noting that there are several types of buses. The purple Ruta del Desierto buses will take you, for a fairly cheap price, from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo and all parts in between. Autobuses Aguila is the best choice for trips to Todos Santos and La Paz, at $10 and $18 per person respectively. If you want to get to and from the airport, take Uber. This will save you at least $30 compared to taxis that go to and from Cabo San Lucas. Or rather, the equivalent in pesos.
Do you have any other tips to share for traveling on a budget in Los Cabos? Let us know in the comments below!
Chris Sands is the local Cabo San Lucas expert for USA Today's 10 Best travel website, author of Fodor's Travel Guide to Los Cabos, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living, and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle articles focused on food, wine, and golf.
